Residential provision rated 'Good' by Ofsted
23rd January 2025 – Tags: Ofsted, Residential accommodation
Our residential provision, which makes it possible for young people who live further afield to study on our specialist land-based courses, has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
The inspection looked at the overall experience and progress of young people in our halls of residence, taking into account how well young people are helped and protected, and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
Making specialist land-based courses an option
The availability of 100 residential places at Easton College means that young people who live too far away to easily commute can still study on our specialist land-based courses.
This was the case for Darcie Allen, from Essex, who is studying on the Equine Management Level 3 course. Darcie says,
If I hadn’t come here then I would have just gone straight into working, because there was nothing else course-wise at an ordinary college that I would have enjoyed doing.”
The opportunity for plenty of practical learning, supported by the great facilities in the college’s equine yard and equestrian centre, was a big attraction for Darcie, who would love to eventually work in equine hydrotherapy.
For Taylor Squirrell, from Suffolk, being a residential student has allowed him to study towards a career in agriculture at the college he felt was right for him.
Taylor, who is in the first year of the Agriculture Level 3 course, is developing his interest in arable farming. Once he completes the course, he would like to take these skills to the other side of the world and gain experience of farming in Australia or New Zealand.
Level 3 Agricultural Engineering student McKenzie Crowson–Schneider adds:
Easton is the only college I can actually get to nearby that does any agriculture.”
The journey from his home in Wisbech to Easton takes too long for commuting to college every day to be a viable option for him. McKenzie simply wouldn’t be able to study on his chosen course were it not for the option to do so as a residential student.
A safe community where students feel at home
Reflecting on what it’s like being a residential student at Easton College, Darcie says:
It’s a nice little community. If I lived closer, and I came here just as a day student, then I don’t think I would have as big a circle of friends. I get to learn about what my friends here on other courses are doing. We’re all completely different people in one place. I love it, it’s great!”
The Ofsted report echoes this view of the community among the residential students, with the inspectors concluding:
Young people receive good-quality individual care and support. They appear happy and at home in the provision.”
The reports says that Easton College’s residential students feel listened to, that they feel safe in the residential provision, and that they get on with each other.
Student common room within our halls of residence.
Good care and support for residential students
The “good relationships” between the residential provision and the wider college are key to the “good care and support” that residential students receive, the inspectors said.
They also noted the efforts the college puts into ensuring that students settle into its halls of residence, stating:
Leaders and managers have worked creatively and inclusively to enable students with diverse needs to settle in the residential provision.”
Opportunities to develop independence
A further benefit of being a residential student is the opportunities it gives young people to develop their independence during the time they are away from home each week.
Ruby Butcher, who is studying on the Land and Wildlife Management Level 3 course, describes her decision to join Easton College as a residential student as “the best decision I’ve ever made”.
She says that deciding to study as a residential student “was a big thing that made it exciting”, describing the atmosphere as “relaxed”, adding “I’ve gained a lot more independence from staying here.”
Campus tours available
Jerry White, Principal of Easton College, comments:
Our residential halls are a key part of the provision at Easton, making it possible for young people who live further away to access the land-based courses and specialist learning environments we offer on our 200-hectare campus.
The recently refurbished halls of residence provide our 16 to 18 and degree students with a modern and comfortable environment - but they are much more than just a place to stay. There’s a real sense of community amongst the residential students, who are very well supported and looked after by our residential team.
I would encourage young people who live a bit further away, but who have a strong interest in land-based courses such as agriculture, equine and wildlife management, to book a campus tour come and experience our residential provision for themselves.”