Bilborough College

Introduction from David Shaw, Principal

I’m delighted that you’ve expressed an interest in Bilborough College.

Bilborough is a flourishing college with strong student outcomes, fantastic enrichment and development opportunities, and an innovative and creative teaching and learning culture. We are located between Nottingham and Derby in our bright, modern and well-equipped, purpose-built college campus. As a result of its excellent reputation, student numbers have grown by 300 in the last 3 years and the college is expecting to be at a maximum of 2165 students from September 2024. 

We are extremely proud that following our latest Ofsted inspection in November 2023, Ofsted rated the college 'Outstanding' for student behaviour and attitudes' and 'Good' for 'Overall effectiveness.' The college was praised for fostering a "nurturing and aspirational culture in which students, from many different backgrounds, flourish together" and benefit from "a vibrant, purposeful environment and the diverse and positive culture." Students described themselves as "extremely proud to be Bilborough students."

At Bilborough personal growth and skills development are highly valued alongside the academic achievements of our students. Our mission is to ‘to develop confident, curious, happy students, ready to change the world for the better’. Alongside good and outstanding teaching, the experience of being a student here involves a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including sport, foreign exchange visits, direct involvement in running and managing College events and much, much more. We believe that all of this – underpinned by strong support services, positive and productive staff student relationships and a genuine sense of community – provides an environment where students are able to develop as individuals, personally and academically, in line with their particular talents and abilities. Every member of staff, whatever their role, has a vital part to play in creating that environment by putting our values into practice. Our mantra for students of, “Be who you are, become who you want to be” exemplifies our inclusive and ambitious culture.

We attribute our success to our committed and talented staff team. At Bilborough, expert teachers, specialist ‘Skills and Progression’ teachers and support staff work together to provide a purposeful learning environment where students can be themselves, are treated as responsible individuals and given the support and challenge they need. We provide a relevant, broad and rich curriculum so that our students can reach their full academic and wider potential while developing the independence, resilience and awareness necessary for success as responsible global citizens.

Bilborough College became a 16-19 Academy and joined the Better Futures Multi-Academy Trust (BF MAT) in November 2019. We joined King Edward VI College, Nuneaton, as a founding member and Gateway College in Leicester joined in 2020, creating a powerful centre of 16-19 educational expertise. The vision of the MAT, sponsored by Coventry University, is to become a national hub for excellence in 16-19 education. Staff and students at Bilborough College are already benefiting from working as part of a MAT and we see many opportunities for exciting developments as we work in partnership.

We are ambitious college, with a clear strategy for further development. Personal development and growth is at the heart of what we seek to do for both students and staff and we value people who are positive, open and reflective with a growth mindset. Staff, students and visitors often comment on the positive college environment and the strong sense of community that permeates the organisation.

Best wishes

David Shaw

Principal