Inspectors praise collaborative and inclusive culture at UHI Inverness

Staff at UHI Inverness have been praised for fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality and diversity at the college.

It follows a visit by inspectors from Education Scotland in April.

Their key findings included a significant increase in the rate of those successfully completing full-time further education programmes for 2022-2023 while those successfully completing part-time further education programmes remained steady at about 85 per cent.

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During the annual engagement visit, inspectors talked to learners, staff and stakeholders, and worked closely with the senior managers.

They noted all rates of successful completion for key groups of learners increased during 2022-2023, particularly for those from a care-experienced background which increased by 12 per cent.

The report stated: “Managers and staff establish an inclusive culture that promotes equality and diversity themes.

“Teaching staff and professional services staff collaborate well to ensure the curriculum is inclusive and accommodates the needs of different groups of learners.”

It said feedback from learners was used well by staff to improve learning and teaching approaches and services to support learning. while teaching and support staff worked well together to support an increasing number of learners with complex and multiple learning support needs.

The report continued: “Staff engage productively with community groups and employers to coordinate and host events that promote college programmes, employment opportunities and future careers.

“This increases current and potential learners’ awareness of the range of employment and further study opportunities.”

It also highlighted effective partnership arrangements with organisations such as the Department of Works and Pensions and the Prison Service which were encouraging re-engagement in learning.

Inspectors said the Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) engaged proactively with learners through fresher’s events, induction class visits, applicant days, check-in weekends, pre-arrival emails and newsletters which conveyed the college as a welcoming, inclusive and positive environment to learners.

But they also urged HISA to evaluate how they engaged with learners as many were unaware of its activities and events.

The report added: “Almost all learners report their voice is heard and used well by staff to implement positive change.”

Professor Chris O’Neil, principal and chief executive at UHI Inverness, said said the review highlighted the excellence of UHI Inverness and the outstanding learning experience provided to further education students.

“Throughout Education Scotland’s visit, the inspectors commended the work and engagement of all our colleagues and I’m delighted that they recognise just how capable and dedicated our staff are,” Professor O’Neil stated.

“Education Scotland’s report highlights several outstanding points, including the collaborative and inclusive culture across the college, our enhanced staffing structure, learner progress and outcomes and the robust monitoring and support of students.

“The report also recognises the many benefits of our effective employer and community engagement, including our significant growth in apprenticeship numbers.

“Student engagement is critical to all we do, and we will continue to work closely with the new leadership at HISA to develop its activities.”

HISA said it was currently working on its next strategic plan and had made changes to improve the number of volunteers working in the system and the training they received.

The profile of the association among students had been among the key priorities for action in the past academic year, with new initiatives planned across student communications, clubs, societies and networks.

“Our understanding is that students are aware of our work, given that 74 per cent of Inverness Students opened our April Newsletter,” HISA said.

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