West Suffolk College has been judged Outstanding in many areas by OFSTED Inspectors who visited the College in May.
A full copy of the report is available to view at http://www.westsuffolk-ac.co.uk/docs/FullOfstedReport.pdf
The overall grade awarded was Good, with many Outstanding features.
Principal Dr Ann Williams said: “We were very pleased with the report, in particular that it recognised the Outstanding work of our curriculum.
“Health and Social Care, Construction, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy - were graded Outstanding, and Visual Arts and Media were graded as Good with many outstanding features. Governance and Financial Management were also graded as Outstanding. Our work with employers was considered excellent, and success rates for Train to Gain, which is training on employers’ premises, are high.
“Our success rate for 2008/9 remained in the top quartile and the inspectors saw that the indications are already clear that they should be even better at the end of the current academic year.”
The Inspectors found that learners make good progress in and class and throughout their time at College, and that they develop vocational skills quickly and use them safely. They also said that care guidance and support for all learners was good and that success rates for key skills is well above the national average.
Work with 14-16 year old School Link pupils was graded outstanding and the College is one of the largest providers of 14-16 education in the country.
Dr Williams said: “It was also pleasing to be told that as well as being good at both Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding, that we had some innovative practices and that our support for learners is outstanding as is value for money.
“Our students’ views were tremendously positive. They told inspectors that they liked the teaching and learning, the campus, the friendly welcoming atmosphere, they felt the teachers are knowledgeable, approachable and supportive, that they treat the students with respect and that they get good support and encouragement.”
Note: OFSTED Grading scale: Inadequate, Satisfactory, Good, Outstanding. The Overall Grade can only be as high as the lowest grade awarded in any one area.
Ofsted report
Subject area grades
• Health and social care Grade Outstanding
• Construction Grade Outstanding
• Hairdressing and beauty therapy Grade Outstanding
• Visual arts and media Grade Good
• Overall effectiveness of provision Grade Good
• Capacity to improve Grade Good
• Outcomes for learners Grade Good
• Quality of provision Grade Good
o Teaching and learning Grade Good
o Meeting needs and interests Grade Outstanding
o Partnerships Grade Outstanding
o Care, guidance and support Grade Good
• Leadership and management Grade Good
o Safeguarding Grade Good
o Equality and Diversity Grade Good