26 January 2007

Latest Ofsted inspection report

Stourbridge College has received a glowing report from Ofsted, confirming it is one of the top 25% colleges in the country.

Following a hugely successful inspection in November 2006, Ofsted has published its report full of praise for the college.

"Significant improvement in success rates in 2005/06 and above the national benchmark for the majority of courses." (Top 25%in England and Wales).

Quality of Provision is a key area for inspection and the report notes: "Lessons are well planned and based on individual needs."

"The proportion of work based apprenticeships achieving full framework is well above the national average."

"Learners enjoy their lessons and are happy with the teacher support provided."

The college's overall performance and standard of management and leadership were also assessed during the inspection and came out with flying colours. The effectiveness of its teaching and learning, its achievement rates and standards, the quality of the college's provision and its leadership, management and governance were all graded "good".

Ofsted also gave the college high praise for a number of key strengths. These included:

• Strong and effective leadership
• Improvements in success rates to above the national average
• Good quality work-based learning
• Effective action to improve the quality of work based provision
• Good teaching and learning, particularly in practical lessons
• Effective partnerships with schools, employers and the community
• Good support for learners

Stourbridge College Principal, Lynette Cutting, said: "The Ofsted inspection report is a reflection of the exceptional dedication and hard work that students, staff and stakeholders at the college have made over the last two years.

"The Ofsted report demonstrates that students choosing Stourbridge College will enjoy a first class learning experience."

Area Director for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Andy Brown commented: "It has been pleasing to see that the college's close collaboration with the Learning and Skills Council has contributed to such an impressive inspection.

“The significant improvements that have taken place at the college in a relatively short timescale will undoubtedly provide a solid platform for ensuring even more people have the opportunity to gain qualifications and learn skills that can have a real impact on their future careers."

What it all means

Stourbridge College may consider itself top of the class when it comes to further education, but the proof is ultimately in the pudding served up by Ofsted.

In the run-up to the release of the college's latest report, you may well ask, 'what is this organisation?' and 'what do its words of wisdom mean?'

Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) has been the official inspectorate for children and learners in England since 1993. Its job is to contribute to the provision of better education and care in the UK.

Meaning, through a system of inspection and regulation, covering childcare, schools, colleges, children's services, teacher training and youth work, a standard is set to ensure the best services are delivered across the board.

Each week, hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits are carried out, as well as more topic-focused surveys, to honour this commitment.

Since 2001, further education has been part of this and are scrutinised to determine whether that are performing outstandingly, good, satisfactorily or inadequately.

But it's not just about academia - health, safety, enjoyment, achievement, participation, financial effectiveness, efficiency and economic well-being are all part of the equation. Ofsted began a new cycle of inspections of further
education, sixth form and independent specialist colleges in September 2005, working with the Adult Learning Inspectorate. In this cycle, colleges will normally be inspected at least once every four years but there is now a proportionate approach.

A team of inspectors under the guidance of a Lead Inspector (LI) spend time in and beyond the college scrutinising performance evidence, observing lessons and talking to key stakeholders including employers, schools and community groups.

They evaluate learners' work as well as talking with students, teaching staff, managers, governors, employees and, where appropriate parents.

For more information visit www.ofsted.gov.uk

---

Read the report in full: Ofsted Inspection Report (Acrobat pdf file).

 

©Newsquest Ltd.
This article first appeared in The Stourbridge News.