SPARKLING INSPECTION FOR SOUTH TYNESIDE COLLEGE MARINE SCHOOL

South Tyneside College has reaffirmed its status among the worlds premier maritime training centres having received an exemplary report from the UK government on its teaching staff and facilities.

South Tyneside College has reaffirmed its status among the worlds premier maritime training centres having received an exemplary report from the UK government on its teaching staff and facilities.

Inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) attended the college over two weeks in January, scrutinising the quality of courses in every part of the School of Maritime Studies & Engineering, including the multi-million pound Marine Simulation Centre and the Marine Safety Training Centre.

All Nautical Science and Marine Engineering courses were identified for particular praise, achieving an exceptional grade 1 rating. The inspectors commented on the outstanding quality of teaching and the wide range of courses on offer, combined with high pass rates and excellent attendance rates on each course. The Faculty of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, which provides some marine courses, was also praised.

The self-assessment mechanism for lecturing staff, which operates throughout the college, was commended for its effectiveness in ensuring that the high quality of teaching is maintained.

The report will reinforce South Tyneside Colleges international reputation for quality maritime training, building on its status as the UKs National Nautical Centre for Excellence.

Commenting on the report, the chairman of governors, Denis Lynch said: We are particularly pleased to see the high overall standards of performance and wish to congratulate all staff and students on an excellent report."

College principal, John Wells said: This really is an excellent result for all of our maritime education and training departments, recognising the hard work and commitment of both lecturing and support staff. It also confirms what our students already know, that the training they receive here is among the best in the world."

In summary, the OFSTED report said: The college is the major provider of Marine Engineering courses in the United Kingdom and the quality of its work is recognised internationally."

It went on: Staff are active nationally in working with a wide range of maritime companies and in reviewing and rewriting national standards for maritime operations. New courses have been developed and approved, including a range of Vessel Traffic Management (VTS) courses degrees in marine engineering and marine operations."

Never complacent, the college is continually looking at ways in which training provision can be improved further, adapting to the rapidly changing needs of the maritime industry. All recommendations in the report will be acted upon, ensuring that the standards praised by OFSTED are maintained and improved for future generations.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of South Tyneside College by Robson Brown Public Relations

For more information contact:

Marine

Aston Bowles on (0191) 244 6663
Email: astonb@robson-brown
OR
Rob Lawson on (0191) 244 6662
Email: robl@robson-brown.co.uk   

General

Lesley Gosling on (0191) 244 6658
Email: lesleyg@robson-brown.co.uk
OR
Liz Simpson on (0191) 244 6659
Email: lizs@robson-brown.co.uk

Notes to the editor:

South Tyneside College
School of Maritime Studies & Engineering

South Tyneside College is among the worlds premier institutions for the provision of marine and offshore training. The College, based at South Shields in the UK, offers tailored courses for deck, engineering and electrical personnel, including full safety training facilities. Around 5,000 students each year attend the Marine School, with around 50% coming from overseas, representing 74 countries around the world. Staff are recruited from specialist sectors within the marine industry, bringing with them the knowledge and experience needed to ensure the highest standards of teaching. Companies who use the College for training include BP, Shell, P&O/Princess Cruises, P&O Nedlloyd, Maersk, Clyde Marine and a large number of companies from the Arabian Gulf and the Far East.