Bournemouth & Poole College’s residential provision for its award-winning Specialised Chef Apprenticeship Programme has received outstanding grading and a glowing report following an inspection of its student accommodation by education watchdog Ofsted.

The three-day inspection, carried out in November 2023, found the College’s homestay accommodation provision to be outstanding in all areas with ‘overall experiences and progress of young people’, ‘how well young people are helped and protected’ as well as ‘the effectiveness of leaders and managers’ all receiving the highest possible grade across the board from the inspectorate.

Phil Sayles, Principal at Bournemouth & Poole College, said: “It is wonderful that Ofsted has recognised the hard work of the teams supporting students requiring accommodation. Bournemouth and Poole College’s award-winning Specialised Chef Apprenticeship Programme has gone from strength to strength over 30-plus years, producing more than 500 Royal Academy of Culinary Arts graduates.

“It’s important for Bournemouth and Poole College to foster an environment that not only supports academic excellence but also prioritises the wellbeing and comfort of students who reside in accommodation. Together, this ensures that we’re producing the very best Royal Academy of Culinary Arts graduates. 

“This outstanding recognition is a testament to the fantastic efforts of the College's staff in maintaining high standards of residential care and creating a home away from home for students while training away from College with their apprenticeship employers.”

The College currently supports residential students, aged 16 to 20, who are enrolled on its four-year Specialised Chef Apprenticeship Programme. Approximately 75 per cent of students on this apprenticeship do not live locally to Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch and require accommodation not only during their studies at the College but also during their employment during their apprenticeship.

The Specialised Chef Apprentices are employed in some of the best hotels and restaurants across London and surrounding counties, including The Ritz, Claridge’s and in the Royal Household. This work placement gives students the opportunity to work away from home and reside in homestay accommodation or live-in facilities with their placement employer.

Student Ella Blundell, a Commis Chef Apprentice at Wentworth Golf & Country Club, added: “I've really enjoyed living in the staff accommodation at the Wentworth Golf & Country Club. I moved in during January 2023 when I started my apprenticeship and although in the beginning it was difficult being so far away from my friends and family, I quickly made friends and it started to feel like home. I appreciate all the encouragement and support from Bournemouth & Poole College, my family and my now my work family.”

The College work closely with Hosts International to arrange student accommodation and Harsha Brown, Operations Director at Hosts International, said: “Accommodation is a vital part of any student’s life, and we are thrilled so many of the College’s students stay with our host families. We are pleased that our joint robust quality processes, strength of working relationship and kind hosts who provide affordable and quality homestays to students, have contributed to this outstanding result. Well done to the whole team.”

Nigel Reeve, Hospitality & Catering Apprenticeship Assessor, said: “The support and welfare of our Specialised Chef students is paramount whilst both learning Bournemouth & Poole College and living away from their families when on their Specialised Chef apprenticeship placements with employers. We work hard, talking to employers, to ensure we have exciting hospitality industry placement partnerships confirmed and that our students are supported with excellent accommodation. By injecting young talent into an experienced workforce, the employer benefits from new ideas and ways of working and it also gives them an opportunity to nurture the skills needed within their teams."

A full copy of the report can be read via: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/3/SC041848