Ofsted Success

Derwentside College’s recent Ofsted inspection (April 2016) has proven once again that the College provides high quality education and training that focuses on developing the knowledge, skills and qualities needed by its learners to progress into sustained employment and build successful careers.

Here are just some of Ofsted’s findings…

• Governors play a central role in setting the strategic direction of the College

• The College’s leadership team energetically and successfully pursue the college’s mission to enable learners to secure sustainable employment

• The College’s leadership team have successfully implemented an ambitious strategy to be a major provider of apprenticeships across the region

• High quality teaching, learning and assessment helps learners to achieve their goals

• Very effective partnerships with employers and subcontractors results in high achievement rates for learners and apprentices

• Achievement rates for adults are high

• Teachers have good vocational knowledge and industrial experience

• Teachers skilfully plan lessons to meet the diverse needs of learners

• Apprentices develop very good work-related skills and knowledge which employers value greatly

• Progression from apprenticeships to sustained employment is very good. Apprentices improve their skills to enable them to progress to positions with higher levels of responsibility

• Learners receive good support from highly experienced and committed progression advisors

• Learners receive good careers advice throughout their course to meet the needs of their chosen career

• Learners receive high quality work experience and work-related activities that develops their confidence and employability skills well

• The College’s adult learning provision closely matches the needs of local industries, employers and learners intending to progress to employment or university

• Learners are well prepared for their next step to further study or employment with the vast majority progressing to further study, higher education or employment

• Staff have a strong commitment to the promotion of equality of opportunity and diversity