STUDENTS’ learning opportunities are at risk at a college which is failing to provide adequate resources for its more academic learners.

City College Brighton and Hove has been told it requires improvement to meet national standards for the quality of student learning opportunities, by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for High Education.

The college was found to meet expectations in the three other areas - the academic standards of its awards, quality of information about learning opportunities, and the enhancement of student learning opportunities.

But it was handed the 'requires improvement' warning after monitoring board the QAA found it was lacking a "systematic way of finding and allocating teaching resources" - including teaching staff themselves.

The concerns surround 269 of the college's 7,000 students.

Students surveyed said they were unable to access specialised equipment, facilities or rooms when needed.

Teachers were praised, but students reported studies being disrupted by staff shortages and absences, and the college was criticised for having no contingency plan to address staff absences.

The report found: “The College does not have formal arrangements in place to identify, monitor and evaluate resources.”

It added: “There is a risk of potential impact, on student development and achievement, of staff and current resources not being in place.”

Sharon Collett, principal of City College Brighton and Hove, said: “The College was pleased that the QAA's report confirms that our academic standards, quality of information about learning opportunities, and the enhancement of our student learning opportunities, continue to meet UK expectations.

“As a result of their recommendations, we have already improved student learning opportunities to help ensure that the College delivers the best experience possible for our H.E. students."

She added: “The College recognises that unavoidable staff absences and a higher than normal level of vacancies may have impacted on some learners, but it now has a robust absence management policy and business continuity plan in place for the future.”