A GLASGOW college has the worst drop-out rates for students on higher education courses in Scotland, according to a damning report.

Inspectors from Education Scotland found 37 per cent of learners at Glasgow Kelvin College did not complete their higher education studies compared to a national average of 28 per cent.

The Education Scotland report also highlighted concerns over the work of curriculum teams at the college stating there were "very few specific actions identified to improve low retention and attainment".

The evaluation of learning and teaching was "not sufficiently effective" and communication between senior managers and staff was "not always fully effective".

Inspectors called for "urgent improvement" in academic programmes where attainment was low and have given the college a year to produce a report setting out what it has done to address the main points for action.

The report concludes: "The effectiveness of Glasgow Kelvin College's arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for learners and other stakeholders is limited.

"This judgement means that there are some strengths in the college's arrangements for quality enhancement. However, there are weaknesses in arrangements for high quality learning, and quality culture. If not addressed, the importance of these weaknesses will continue to limit the effectiveness of the college's arrangements."

The report comes as another major blow to the further education sector in Glasgow, which has been rocked by a number of controversies in recent weeks.

The principal of Glasgow Clyde College Susan Walsh was been suspended on full pay after concerns over her management style.

Students at the institution then called for the chair of the college board George Chalmers to step down after they were excluded from a meeting to discuss the suspension.

The Scottish Funding Council has also launched an investigation into the actions of the board and has raised serious concerns over the effectiveness of the over-arching Glasgow Colleges Regional Board, chaired by former First Minister Henry McLeish.

In a letter to staff Alan Sherry, the college principal, described the report as "disappointing" and called for a "considerable effort" on the part of everyone to rectify the issues raised.

A college spokeswoman added: "We acknowledge the findings and recommendations of the report which identifies that, five months into its first full academic session as a merged institution, many of the strategies and actions put in place by the college had yet to be fully embedded.

"Almost all of the points for action were already included in the college's self-evaluation report approved by its board of management in November."

Despite the concerns raised, Education Scotland also highlighted a number of positives, stating: "Support managers lead their teams well and staff are enthusiastic and committed to the delivery of services to learners. There is a clear commitment to the development of a quality culture by almost all staff.

"The college has a strong, inclusive ethos and the principal and staff share a clear vision for the college as being central to improving the lives and employability of learners in the north and east of Glasgow."

Glasgow Kelvin College was formed in 2013 following a merger of John Wheatley, North Glasgow, and Stow colleges. It employs 670 staff teaching some 15,000 students at five campuses across the North and East of the city. The college has an annual budget of £33 million.