Abbeygate Sixth Form College

Abbeygate Sixth Form College Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sambit Sen, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 12 and 13 January 2022

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Address:

Beetons Way Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3YU Monitoring visit: Abbeygate Sixth Form College, 12 and 13 January 2022

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of education programmes for young people within the further education and skills sector. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Abbeygate Sixth Form College is part of Suffolk Academies Trust, located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The sixth-form centre was established in 2019. It offers A-level qualifications to students in Bury St Edmunds and within the wider area of Suffolk. Abbeygate Sixth Form College currently has 750 students studying 33 A-level subjects and one applied vocational qualification. The most popular A-level subjects are biology, chemistry, law, psychology and sociology.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers have developed a highly effective curriculum to enable students to achieve their aspiration to go to university and into employment. Student numbers have trebled. This is because leaders have responded swiftly to the demand for local access to high-quality education.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers recruit staff who are knowledgeable and well qualified in their subject specialisms. Teachers have secure subject knowledge. They use this skilfully to encourage and promote student enjoyment and enthusiasm for their A-level subjects. For example, in psychology, teachers carefully plan their lessons to allow students to share their ideas and to build a common understanding of key new technical terms relating to theories of learning. This helps students to build on their knowledge and learn new and complex technical concepts quickly and be enthusiastic about their lessons.

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Significant progress

Managers and teachers monitor students’ progress effectively throughout their time at the college. Students’ progress is regularly discussed. Where necessary, swift action is taken to prevent students from falling behind. Consequently, students are given effective support that enables them to achieve their intended destinations once they have completed their studies. Monitoring visit: Abbeygate Sixth Form College, 12 and 13 January 2022 Nearly all students either secure a place with their first-choice university or go into employment. Staff provide effective careers education to students. Through the curriculum content and tutorials, students are well informed about their potential next steps. Students are encouraged to complete relevant extended projects to help them in their future applications for higher education and employment.

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Significant progress

Governors challenge and support leaders and managers effectively. They have a good understanding of the college and the locality. They are ambitious for the sixth- form college to best serve local communities. Governors challenge senior leaders to continue to improve the quality of teaching that students experience. This ensures that students enjoy their lessons and progress through their qualifications quickly.

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Significant progress

Teachers use their extensive subject knowledge to prepare well-sequenced lessons and resources that consider students’ prior learning effectively. In art, Year 12 students build an awareness of different artists’ use of colours and how these are created in the palette. Students build on this knowledge in Year 13 as they move on to recreate the original colours and techniques of artists in their own work. This supports students to remember important knowledge in subjects they study. As a result, students are prepared well for their end-of-course examinations.

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Significant progress

Teachers effectively create a positive and nurturing learning environment at the college. They quickly establish professional and supportive relationships with students. Students appreciate the strong sense of personal responsibility and greater independence they are given. They value the mutual respect shown by both teachers and their peers. As a result, students demonstrate good behaviour and work hard to achieve their personal goals.

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Significant progress

Over time, students successfully build their knowledge, skills and behaviours. Visual arts students use activities such as online research, visits to galleries and attending life-drawing classes in the evenings to gain insights into their own creative work. This helps students make significant progress towards their future career plans.

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Significant progress

As a result of teachers’ frequent and effective feedback, students know how well they are achieving against their personal targets and how they can improve further. Students receive thorough and detailed feedback on their assessments. In mathematics, students know what they need to practise in understanding new and complex concepts. In art, teachers listen thoughtfully to students’ ideas. Teachers’ suggestions enable students to understand how they can translate ideas into practice. Monitoring visit: Abbeygate Sixth Form College, 12 and 13 January 2022

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Significant progress

Leaders ensure that students are safe at the college. Students know how to keep themselves and others safe. They are confident that teachers will take swift action where necessary, should they raise any concerns.

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Significant progress

Students benefit from highly effective tutorials. Pertinent topics include recognising that someone may add drugs to your drink without your knowledge or permission, and the dangers posed by county lines activity.

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Significant progress

Staff are well trained to help with mental health issues among the students and staff. Staff have access to dedicated counsellors and specialist NHS clinical psychologists to deal with any specific support required. Monitoring visit: Abbeygate Sixth Form College, 12 and 13 January 2022 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Significant progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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