Quality Expert Gives Thumbs Up To Xaverian College

The national authority on quality and standards in higher education has awarded the highest available judgement on the way Xaverian Sixth Form College delivers higher education programmes.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) protects academic standards, the quality of learning opportunities and the public information provided by universities and colleges delivering higher education.

Xaverian College is one of the only Sixth Form Colleges in the North West to work directly with Manchester University in the delivery of Science programmes for undergraduates - taught at Xaverian by our Science teachers. The college delivers Foundation Year programmes in Life Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, and Pharmacy that are accredited by the University of Manchester.

A team of QAA reviewers visited the College last year and gave the highest rating – a 'confidence' judgement – on its management of both standards and quality.

The team also concluded that 'reliance' could be placed in the public information that the College provides.

Reviewers identified a number of examples of good practice at the College, including:

· effective and positive relationships between the College and the University of Manchester

· effective assessment practice across all programmes, involving external examiners and expert sector practitioners

· extensive use of the College virtual learning environment by staff and students, which clearly supports and enhances the quality of the teaching and learning experience for students.

Mary Hunter, the Principal of Xaverian, commented, "The college was delighted to receive the highest rating in the review. Our Higher Education programmes with Manchester University support many young people to progress to medical and science degrees and achieve their aspirations, and the experience and skills of our Science staff are clear in both the results on the Science degrees and, of course, our own Advanced Level courses."

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