QAA report refuted

Heads of the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester have hit back at quality watchdogs over an audit that questions the college's ability to expand courses run in collaboration with partner institutions at home and overseas without jeopardising standards. In its report, the Quality Assurance Agency says it has "limited confidence" in the future management of standards in the college's collaborative provision. Principal Chris Gaskell said he "questioned the objectivity" of the QAA's analysis, adding: "The college clearly has a long and successful history of working with partner institutions both in the UK and overseas, and we shall continue to deliver in the future the high standards that have been acknowledged by the QAA for our current provision."