Our partnership working with both Bishop Auckland College and New College Durham continues to go from strength to strength. We are audited on a regular basis by our partners, with positive feedback. A full audit is imminent from New College Durham-watch this space for the audit outcomes.

During our recent Ofsted inspection, representatives from both colleges were interviewed by the Inspectors. Praise was forthcoming from the Inspectors for our partnership work with the colleges. Thanks to Judith Layfield (Bishop Auckland College) and Bev Hart (New College Durham) for their positive contributions. The quality of our work, coupled with our timely success rates was well received by the colleges. This is reflected in the fact that both have enhanced our contracts as the year has progressed.

At the present time, negotiations are underway in relation to Train to Gain contracts for 2010/11 and both colleges are aware that we are moving into the Apprenticeship market. Provisional discussions have taken place about similar partnership working in this field. You will be kept informed as to how these discussions unfold.