A PRIVATE college which had its licence to recruit overseas students revoked by the Home Office has now been criticised by inspectors.
A report into West George College, in Glasgow, found it was "not effective" because it was not offering high quality teaching and did not have in place effective leadership.
The college was graded "weak" for learning and teaching by Education Scotland and the lowest rating of "unsatisfactory" for leadership – although inspectors stressed students were achieving "relevant, high quality" outcomes despite the concerns.
In 2011, West George College was fined £1,000 and had its licence to recruit overseas students suspended by the Home Office because of concerns over the maintenance of student records.
The college, which had been marketing business, language and computer qualifications to students from Pakistan, India and Malaysia, said a minor administrative issue was to blame, but it has still not be given back its licence.
The Education Scotland report stated: "The use of assessment activities to support learning is not developed sufficiently. Learners do not receive timely and detailed feedback when they complete their final assessments.
"This limits the opportunities for learners to consolidate their learning and understanding through the assessment process and to help build their confidence and support their further learning.
"Internal verification processes following final assessment are slow. As a result, learners are put at risk of having to re-submit assessments long after they have been formally submitted, if the internal verifier queries an assessment judgment."
On leadership it said: "Senior staff are not able to articulate clearly the priorities for improving learning and teaching, and as a result, arrangements and strategies to address these are not in place.
"For example, the delivery and development of skills for learning, life and work and assessment practices. This impacts negatively on programme development and planning for delivery."
However, on the progress of students it concluded: "Learners are progressing well and achieving relevant, high quality outcomes. Strengths outweigh areas for further development."
No-one was available for comment when the Herald contacted West George College last week.
A message to prospective students on its website states: "Our purpose is to provide you with a meaningful, fulfilling and valuable student experience during which you will learn and achieve one of the many qualifications we offer.
"Quality is vitally important to us so as well as first class staff and facilities all our courses are validated and certificated by external examination and qualification bodies.
"Those staff are constantly striving to enhance their teaching and learning skills and adapting for the ever changing needs of business and our communities."
The Home Office move came after strict rules were introduced to control private colleges after a series of scams involving bogus providers across the UK.
The Herald uncovered a number of such operators in Scotland in recent years, with several private colleges eventually being struck off.
Many bogus providers were fronts for immigration scams, with students working on the black market rather than attending classes.
To counteract this, rules were introduced which state colleges must keep accurate records of where students live, as well as ensuring they are attending college at least 80 per cent of the time.
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