Your article “Bullying claims will not go away” (FE Focus, October 3) is based on a survey of nine staff out of 1,100 in Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT) and describes a general management style here that we do not recognise.
The college has high aspirations for learners and expects high standards from all staff in meeting learners’ needs. Most staff have responded excellently to this challenge as testified in a recent inspection, Investors in People assessment and Learning and Skills Council performance review. All of these describe high staff morale and commitment and show that the college has achieved both massive growth and improved learner outcomes.
The ESOL provision in particular was awarded grade 1 at inspection - a remarkable achievement given the department was only established in 2001 in response to a major asylum-seeker resettlement programme in Manchester.
Inspectors said the curriculum was “well-led and managed”, “students enjoy their studies” and that “teaching is carefully planned and teachers are enthusiastic and knowledgeable”.
There is plenty of externally-referenced evidence to show that most learners and staff at MANCAT enjoy coming here, are well supported, work hard within a standards ethos and feel the place is going somewhere.
The image portrayed by your article does not represent our institution.
Assistant principals Tim Benson; Patsy Hammond; John Herman; Julie Milad; David Petterson.
Directors of curriculum Peter Darlington; Allan Southworth; Kabir Usman Heads of departments Gary Buttriss-Holt; Rosie Croarkin; Irene Everett; Neil Hanson; Sue Hart; Peter Irwin; Kevin Keane; Nick Marsh; Lorna Pain; Richard Sugden; John Trimby; Alan Wallwork; Larry Wilde; Sam Wright; Andrea Anthony; John Cannon; Jason Challender; Walt Crowson; Lorraine Groch; Gordon Hurst; Chris McConnell; Gill Mangnall; Ian Nuttall; Betsy Sara; Joanne Taylor
