College retains 'good' Ofsted grade

WARWICKSHIRE College has been rated 'good' following a recent Ofsted inspection.

The group got the second highest rating in all eight areas inspected.

It is the second time in a row that it has been rated as 'good' overall, having been previously inspected in 2015 when it was downgraded from 'outstanding'.

Inspectors praised the leadership team as 'highly effective', and said most students and apprentices produce work of a high standard.

It also singled out the 'appropriate and relevant' work experiences or work-related learning activities carried out by students, and the good careers advice.

But inspectors also said that too few learners make good progress in developing their written English skills, and the proportion who improve their GCSE grade is too low.

It said attendance is not yet high enough at the sites of the former South Worcestershire College, particularly in English and mathematics, and that teaching in a small minority of subjects 'does not provide the right level of challenge for all learners'.

Warwickshire College Group took over South Worcestershire College in August 2016.

It now operates from nine sites across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and has over 10,000 learners on its books.

Angela Joyce, principal and chief executive of WCG, said: “This is an excellent endorsement of the hard work of our staff and students and the high quality outcomes that they produce.

"This report is a credit to them all. I am pleased to also see that our approach to merger has been highlighted.

"We believe passionately in delivering educational opportunities through locally based colleges, underpinned by the benefits and strength offered through a large group structure.”

See Thursday's Herald for news of a major cash boost for one of the college's campuses.