Norland achieves Gold standard for teaching
19 June 2019
One of the smallest and most specialist independent institutions in the UK has been awarded a ‘Gold’ rating for the standard of its teaching, in the latest government-backed rankings of teaching quality in higher education.
Bath-based Norland College, which has been providing bespoke early years higher education for 125 years, has achieved a TEF (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework) Gold rating – the highest standard possible – in today’s national assessment of undergraduate teaching, which aims to help students make more informed choices about their degree choice.
The award follows an exciting year for Norland. In March this year, the college was granted taught degree awarding powers by the Privy Council, becoming the smallest undergraduate degree awarding institution in the UK, and the third degree awarder in the city of Bath. In April, Norland was named top Independent Higher Education (HE) provider in the UK at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) in London.
A key component of TEF is the National Student Survey (NSS), which gathers undergraduates’ opinions about their course, and considers factors including the learning environment, student experience, and opportunities for employment on graduation. Completion rates and achievement are also considered with the TEF assessment.
Dr Janet Rose, Principal at Norland, said: “We’re extremely proud to achieve a gold TEF award at Norland College for the second year in a row. This award is in recognition of the hard work of our academic and student support team, who consistently strive to make sure the experience our early years students receive is the highest possible quality.”
Mandy Donaldson, Vice Principal, Head of Academic Services and Registrar at Norland, commented: “We are particularly proud of this award as it is based on feedback from our students, along with their retention rates and achievements. Above all, we’re pleased to be able to offer Norland students with the rarest of prospects for graduates – guaranteed employment opportunities with children and families.”
Students at Norland graduate with a degree validated by the University of Gloucestershire, alongside the prestigious Norland Diploma. The college teaches students an array of value-added specialist skills, from emotion coaching, to security training and anti-terrorism, and skid pan driving.
Norland Nannies are also provided with their own recruitment agency, Norland Agency, to ensure that graduates have outstanding employment opportunities upon leaving Norland, and throughout their careers.
