Matthew Hancock, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills, who studied at Exeter College, Oxford University, got the chance to find out more about the success of Devon's own Exeter College when he visited the city's further education college as part of his fact-finding tour to the South West.

Talking to staff and students during his visit the Skills Minister, who includes further education, adult skills and apprenticeships in his long list of responsibilities, was able to hear at first-hand how the College continues to be focused on excellent teaching and learning, as formally recognised by being awarded Outstanding in the first ‘no notice' Ofsted pilot inspection and by being voted TES Outstanding Provider of the Year.

Welcoming the Government Minister to the College, Richard Atkins Principal said, “We're delighted that Matthew Hancock has been able to accept our invitation to visit the college so we can show him the inspirational work of our students and staff that is such a fundamental part of Exeter College's success story for further education and skills. The work we do here has a national profile and it is important to us that our students and staff get the chance to meet with Government leaders who have a direct influence on the policies that affect them.”

In particular, the Minister heard from students about the ways in which the College's A level, International Baccalaureate and Reach Academy initiatives support them for the challenges of the competitive higher education and job selection environment they face. Based in the newly refurbished Centre for Creative Industries for the visit, the Minister and students were able to discuss the positive impact of the College's continuing investment programme in IT and facilities with a short tour showcasing the College's new art gallery and radio station., with the students themselves able to challenge the Minister of the coalition Government's recent A level reforms

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “It was fantastic to meet students at Exeter College and see them learning in the state-of-the-art facilities at the Centre for Creative Industries. It is always good to hear first-hand from students who are clearly passionate about their studies and can learn in an environment that inspires them to achieve their very best.”
Rebecca Rose, 17, from Holsworthy, one of the students the Minister met stated, “It was interesting to see someone who has a say in the education policies that affect us. It was good to debate the reasons behind the A level changes and how these are being planned to mirror the International Baccalaureate style.”

Discussions in the visit also included how the Community Learning Trust is encouraging community engagement in learning projects across the city as well as news about national and international aspects of the successful college. The Minister heard how the Government's plans for a regional specialist Maths School in the city are being developed by the College and the University of Exeter and how the work of the skills staff, in association with the Association of Colleges' India Office, is planning to deliver skills training to the Indian subcontinent.

The Minister's visit to Exeter College rounded off his tour of three other further education colleges in Cornwall and Devon.