VETPARTNERS’ highly successful veterinary nursing school is celebrating after being praised by Ofsted inspectors.
Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing in Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester, received an overall grading of good following an Ofsted inspection and was also rated good for its quality of education, apprenticeships and leadership and management. The behaviour and attitudes of the team and the students was highlighted as outstanding.
A team of five Ofsted inspectors, who carried out a three-day inspection, found that our apprenticeships meet high standards and students are well prepared for careers in animal care and veterinary nursing.
Since being established 27 years ago, Lynwood School of Veterinary Nursing has trained more than 1,000 nurses and consistently records exam results that exceed the national average. At the time of the Ofsted inspection, it had 97 apprentices studying for their Level 2 animal care welfare assistant and Level 3 veterinary nursing qualifications.
In their report, the inspectors said: “Apprentices make good progress and achieve high grades in their assessments. They rapidly develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to work safely and empathetically in clinical veterinary practice.
“The leaders are ambitious for their apprentices. They ensure that the apprenticeships they provide meet the high standards of the employers they work with and, as a result, apprentices are prepared well for sustained employment.”
The school became part of the VetPartners family in 2018 and is run by a team of seven, including joint heads Val Belbin and Lisa Bugh, who both trained as nurses before moving into education.
Lisa said: “We are delighted with the feedback we have received from Ofsted. The team of inspectors were very thorough and as well as spending three days the school, they visited 12 of our training practices and talked to lots of students and employers.
“It is very rewarding that the inspectors praised our facilities and the high quality of teaching we deliver, and they recognise that students enjoy learning with us because they feel safe and supported. We also had feedback that employers hold us in the highest regard, which makes us very proud.”
For media enquiries, please contact Jo Browne, VetPartners PR and Communications manager, on 07908 739 605 or email jo.browne@vetpartners.co.uk