Camden News: Ofsted

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Camden News - by SARA NEWMAN
Published: 24 July 2008

They can work it out: Ofsted praise ‘second chance’ college

GOVERNORS and tutors at the oldest surviving adult education institution in Europe were giving themselves a pat on the back this week after receiving a glowing report from education inspectors.
The Working Men’s College in Crowndale Road, in Mornington Crescent – established in 1854 for working men, and now open to women – has been rated as outstanding in four of nine categories by school inspectors Ofsted.
In keeping with the philosophy of the founders, a group known as The Christian Socialists, the “second chance” college continues to harbour an atmosphere where students and tutors feel equally valued and respected, the report stated.
Students “applaud the work of the principal and staff in leading the promotion of equality and diversity,” it added.
Principal Satnam Gill said: “There’s more to life than passing exams. What we focus on is the enjoyment of life and engaging with the art of
discipline.”
Artists Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Ruskin and Edward Burne-Jones were among the first art tutors at the college, and socialist artist William Morris also lectured there.
The report said: “The Working Men’s College is very successful at engaging learners within small deprived communities locally. Strategies to promote the skills needed to meet learners’ employment aspirations or personal development are excellent.”
Mr Gill said: “My parents never had any adult education. They were both illiterate in their own Indian language and in English. I remember how they struggled to cope and survive. If they had taken the opportunity to learn English their life would have been significantly better for them. I had a chance and I want everybody to have a second chance.”

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