Recognition for high-quality IAG

We are proud to have been recognised for the high-quality provision of our information, advice and guidance (IAG) for both young people and adults through the continued accreditation for the Matrix standard, a national quality standard.

The two-day Matrix assessment (7 & 8 December) involved interviewing groups of students, staff and external partner organisations to gauge their knowledge and understanding of the IAG support provided by the College.

The external assessor identified a number of strengths including “admissions staff have an excellent understanding of funding regulations”, “good knowledge of local provision”, “focus on more in-depth individualized IAG” and “an easy and efficient application and enrolment process.”  The assessor was also impressed with our innovative introduction of ‘My Career Plan’, a mandatory programme of activity for all their full-time students covering ‘readiness’, ‘work experience’ and ‘next steps’ alongside the provision of a wealth of valuable resources, tutorials and workshops to support them. 

A number of students interviewed described how helpful the IAG they had received was.  One student said: “I felt City had the best information of all the colleges I looked at, really answered all of the questions I had, helped me decide which course I really wanted to do… everything is explained in the smallest of details.”  Another student commented: “I asked the same question of all of the colleges I looked at [about software platforms used], only City was able to give me an answer – the others just fudged it.”

The report concluded that: “City College has again demonstrated that the IAG provided by the Admissions and Futures Teams continues to meet the criteria of the matrix Standard.”

As a college we are focused on delivering impartial and high-quality information, advice and guidance to young people and adults at college or in their final years at school, to help them make informed decisions on their learning, training and work options.

Corinna Knox, Admissions Manager, said, “We are delighted to be externally recognised for our continued provision of high-quality advice and guidance to both prospective and current students.  It’s important that we do all we can to ensure students enrol on the right course for them, to help our students choose aspirational goals and make informed choices that support them to achieve fulfilling careers.”

Photo (L-R): Paul Herbert (Admissions Team Leader), Corinna Knox (Admissions Manager), Karen Northover (VP Curriculum & Quality) and Govinda Rajpal (Futures & Work Experience Coordinator) with Matrix certificate