Awards and quality marks


A1 financial status

The financial health of Bedford College is very good, and we have been award a financial status of A1 – the highest grade possible – by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC).


Beacon status


Beacon logo

Beacon status identifies and recognises the very best providers of the further education and skills sector. Beacons are a source of expertise and willingly share their good practice with other organisations.




British Safety Council Four Star rating


Member of the British Safety Council logoBedford College is now officially the safest College in the country! We are the only college to achieve a Four Star rating for safety as part of the Five Star Health & Safety Audit Scheme run by the British Safety Council.

The Four Star award demonstrates that the College has gone beyond simple compliance with health and safety requirements and is now setting best practices in the fields of both College provision and the Safety of Learners.

 

 

 

Investors in People


Investor in People award logoWe are proud holders of the Investors in People award, which recognises the way in which the organisation achieves success through its people.




Matrix


Matrix logoIn 2004 we were the first Further Education College in the county to achieve the Matrix Standard, which guarantees you the very highest standards of professional advice and guidance. In 2010 the Matrix Award was reissued to the whole College including Shuttleworth College.


Ofsted inspection 2008


Ofsted Oustanding 2008/2009 logoRead the results of our most recent inspection.






Recognised for Excellence quality standard


EFQM Recognised for Excellence logoIn 2007 Bedford College received the EFQM 5-star Recognition for Excellence award from the British Quality Foundation – one of their highest level of awards. The College was the only English organisation short-listed for the overall excellence award at the prestigious UK Excellence Awards, and we also received a special mention for the quality of our leadership. In 2010 the EFQM Committed to Excellence Award was also given to Shuttleworth College.



Recognised as “Positive About Disabled People”

In August 2007, Bedford College was recognised as being “Positive About Disabled People” because of our commitment to the standards set out in the Disability Symbol User Agreement in the recruitment and employment of people with disabilities.


 

157 Group

157 Group logoBedford College is proud to be part of the 157 Group, which is a group of leading further education colleges who came together in 2006 after the Foster Report on FE advocated that 'large, successful colleges with strong management capability' should work together to strengthen and promote their services. There are currently 24 colleges in the group.


We also have the following external recognition:

  • Investors in Diversity
  • Mindful Employer
  • Louder than Words Charter Mark
  • Healthy FE College