Riverside and Cronton College awarded international matrix quality Standard

Students and prospective students at Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form College are guaranteed high quality careers information, advice and guidance. Following a rigorous independent inspection, the Colleges have been awarded the international quality standard for their information, advice and guidance services; the matrix Standard.

This award comes just over twelve months after Ofsted rated the College’s Outstanding. The Matrix inspection specifically covered the Advice, Careers and Employability staff, who work with current students to secure their progression on to university or employment, as well as the College’s Schools Liaison, Marketing and Admissions team and Employer Services Teams.

The report highlighted many strengths at the Colleges, including significant praise for how the staff in these areas have responded to the pandemic and adapted their working practices to ensure the minimum impact on students and prospective students. Below are just a few from the full report which can be found on the College’s website:

• The College exudes a collaborative and supportive environment from top down.
• School liaison and marketing resources were translated quickly and effectively into online formats.
• Virtual open events were expertly produced and engaging, incorporating all of the features that the College has to offer, including details of the IAG and support available.
• The College is very effective in involving employers in activities from shaping the curriculum to providing opportunities for students.
• ACE staff provide ambitious and challenging IAG that seeks to help make apprentices and students achieve the best that they can.
• Systems and processes in relation to safeguarding are strong.

On careers, advice and guidance at the Colleges, Ofsted also made the following observation in their report in 2020: ‘Managers, teachers and staff provide learners and apprentices with excellent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance before and during their programmes. They make well-informed and aspirational choices about their course and future career options, with only a few learners opting to change their course or leave the College.’

Commenting on the award, Mary Murphy, College Principal said: “It is absolutely vital that students receive good quality impartial careers information and advice to ensure they are on the right qualifications to enable them to fulfil their potential and realise their future career goals. I am delighted by the report which reflects the high importance that we place on this service.”

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form College, and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available.  The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Riverside and Cronton are working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for any organisation that delivers information, advice and guidance. To find out more about the College’s courses and open events go to www.cronton.ac.uk or www.riverside.ac.uk.