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A Q&A with Hereford College of Arts: an Ofsted Outstanding college

Student from the Hereford College of Arts in gallery mimicking a piece of artwork, copyright: UAL Awarding Body
  • Written byXaviere Hughes (she/her)
  • Published date 02 February 2024
Student from the Hereford College of Arts in gallery mimicking a piece of artwork, copyright: UAL Awarding Body
Student from the Hereford College of Arts in gallery mimicking a piece of artwork, copyright: UAL Awarding Body

Following a full and enhanced Ofsted inspection in October, Hereford College of Arts has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted in all seven categories! We spoke to their Vice Principal of Further Education and External Moderator for UAL, Xaviere Hughes, about this incredible achievement and why it is such an important accolade for an arts college.

Congratulations on your Outstanding Ofsted report! As an arts college, what does achieving this rating mean to you?

Thank you. We are delighted to have been awarded Outstanding across all seven categories during our full enhanced inspection last term. The Arts College is not generally as familiar an option to students and parents as other progression routes after school and some have seen it as a ‘softer’ option; the Ofsted judgement offers a reassurance that our provision is as rigorous and ambitious as others as well inclusive and supportive. It gives us an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the work of our dedicated staff team and all our external partners though ambitions to keep developing and improving our offer.

As our Principal Abigail Appleton says:

“This Outstanding report is a milestone for Hereford College of Arts but we know ‘outstanding’ is a way of travelling and not a destination. Hereford College of Arts is on a journey of continuous improvement and development, committed to serving the needs and ambitions of every individual student but also to helping develop and serve the community of our city and region.”

Why do you think creative education is so important for students?

Creative education is not only a gateway to an extraordinary range of careers within the creative industries but opens up a world of other opportunities; it develops core skills and competencies required across many different areas of work that will help students thrive in a volatile, changing landscape. It is a privilege to be at the core of this highly personal educational journey for our students.

How do you think the teaching methods at your college promote a more inclusive and creative environment for the students?

We have embedded personal and professional development at the very heart of the college so students are learning in a very holistic way. We put a lot of focus on ensuring students feel safe to take creative risks and we support them to develop their confidence and appetite for opportunity. We have numerous external collaborations supporting professional experience.

At HCA, our creative students learn in specialist workshops, studios and performance spaces, frequently working on ‘live’ projects that are informed by real-world industry experience, and are guided by inspirational teaching staff and experience a holistic and practice led curriculum. This agile and focused approach to post-16 education prepares and motivates so many students go on to successful, fulfilling progression routes and careers after finishing at HCA.

Celebrating difference is a huge part of our college ethos, a common theme in the Ofsted report was how the college has created a supportive and safe environment for young people to thrive and to be themselves.

The Ofsted report noted that:

“Leaders, teachers and support staff create a highly inclusive culture in the college where bullying and harassment are not tolerated.”

“Learners are encouraged to express their individuality both in their work and in their personalities. They develop their confidence and resilience by being challenged, encouraged and fully accepted by staff and by their peers.”

How long has Hereford College of Arts been running UAL Awarding Body qualifications?

The Foundation Diploma at HCA was one of the very first centres chosen to work with UAL in 2009, since then we have moved all of our across our FE curriculum qualifications over to UAL running Level 2 Diploma and L3 Extended Diploma Art, Design and Communication, Performing and Production Arts, Creative Media Production and Technology, Music Performance and Production. It is a particular joy to have received this Ofsted recognition in the academic year in which we are also celebrating 170 years of creative education in Hereford, since the opening of the first government supported School of Art and Design in the city in 1853.