Best of the Best Report
Northern Racing College Named As "Best of the Best" By Government Watchdog
The South Yorkshire based Northern Racing College was today (12 December 2006) named as one of only 18 organisations in the country to be awarded a clean sweep of "outstanding" inspection grades for every aspect of its training by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, the government body responsible for the quality of education and training for adults and young people.
Speaking at the launch of his annual report for 2005-06 Chief Inspector, David Sherlock, said:
"This is a truly exceptional achievement. I am delighted to be able to name The Northern racing College as one of the "best of the best". To be judged "grade one" in every category we inspect requires an extraordinary commitment to providing the very highest standards of training and education. Learners can be confident that they will receive first-class support to reach their full potential. The whole team at the Northern Racing College should take great pride in what they have achieved - they are a model for other training providers to aspire to."
The ALI carried out nearly 500 inspections this year. The report lists 151 "outstanding achievers" - training providers who received the top two inspection grades for all aspects of their training. But only 18 received grade ones across the board.
The Northern Racing College, based near Doncaster, provides training for stable staff, work riders and jockeys in support of the British horseracing industry. Training is provided for learners recruited from all over the country and abroad and no previous equine experience is necessary. Over 150 young learners pass through the College doors each year and the majority are found jobs in the industry upon successful completion of the first stage of their training.
The College was inspected in May of this year and staff were praised for their extremely high standards of education, training and welfare. The Chairman of the Northern Racing College, Colin Wedd, said "This ALI "Outstanding" result was a tremendous achievement in itself but to be nominated as 'The Best of the Best' is the icing on the cake. This has been a tremendous year for the College and my trustees are all extremely proud of the achievements of Jim Gale, Chief Executive, Mark Whitefield, Quality Manager, who acted as nominee during the inspection, and the rest of our excellent team, for attaining this high level of achievement. We are all delighted and grateful for the racehorse trainers and owners who have steadfastly supported the College. Mike Mason, who recently took up the post of NRC Director, is already in the process of building on this success through the development of a whole range of quality specialist training courses for jockeys, racehorse trainers and others".
David Sherlock said: "The ultimate aim of inspection is to improve quality standards and ensure young people and adults are getting the best possible education and training. This year we can celebrate a phenomenal improvement in the performance of the learning and skills sector. Learning provision for adults is better, more varied, more closely linked to achieving fulfilment in life and work and more inclusive of our people than ever before. That is the stuff of delight. It should give intense satisfaction to all who have contributed to its realisation, but most of all to the providers themselves."
