East Norfolk Sixth Form College

Further education and skills inspection report

p.1

Short inspection of East Norfolk Sixth Form College

p.1

Outcome

East Norfolk Sixth Form College continues to be a good provider.

p.1

Information about this provider

East Norfolk Sixth Form College is a medium-sized college situated just outside Great Yarmouth in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk. At the time of the inspection, the college had approximately 1,631 students; most of whom were on education programmes for young people. There were 1,314 students on AS/A and Applied qualifications at level 3. There were 101 students studying a range of T levels, including health, healthcare sciences, design, surveying, and planning for construction and design and development for engineering and manufacturing. A small proportion of students studied level 2 programmes or a mix of level 2 and level 3 programmes. The college has 43 students with education, health and care (EHC) plans and 70 students with high-needs funding. The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

p.1

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Students value highly the opportunities that they have at the college. They find their lessons interesting and challenging and, as a result, students are motivated and become more confident. They benefit from a broad range of activities, such as a combined cadet force, and language courses like Mandarin and basic Arabic.

p.1

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Students develop significant new knowledge and skills which prepare them for their future careers. Students on the design and development for engineering and manufacturing T level learn to use computer-aided design software independently to develop a rail-crossing barrier. Students studying sociology and psychology A levels develop their mathematics skills, so that they can manage complex data and statistics confidently. Students benefit from strong relationships with employers. They go on visits to engineering companies, such as Lotus, and attend work placements in industries like the offshore energy sector. As a result, they develop a good understanding of the sectors in which they plan to work and are enthused by the opportunities in those sectors. 7 and 8 February 2024

p.1

2

Students with special educational needs (SEN) benefit from a secure learning environment. They have access to separate working areas where they build valuable relationships with staff and their peers. Students, including those with SEN, feel safe in and around the college.

p.2

better?

Leaders have established a flexible curriculum to meet the needs of students in the local area and to support them, in order to remain in learning. Leaders have skilfully involved employers in the development and revision of the curriculum that they offer. In the design and development for engineering and manufacturing T level, employers inform changes to the programme to make it highly relevant to the industry such as students understanding the importance of appropriate professional behaviours and health and safety compliance before they go out on work placements.

p.2

better?

Leaders and governors have very high aspirations for students at the college and they are highly committed to improving opportunities for students in the local area. Governors support the range of activities that leaders put in place, helping motivate students in primary and secondary schools to participate in educational activities. Leaders and governors understand the main areas for development of the college, such as the need to improve students’ attendance. They are taking appropriate action to rectify this, but attendance remains too low.

p.2

better?

Teachers plan the curriculum so that students develop new knowledge and skills sequentially. Students on sociology and psychology A-level programmes develop their academic writing skills swiftly. As a result, they improve the structure and fluency of their essays. They learn to use relevant technical language with confidence and accuracy within their work.

p.2

better?

Teachers are well qualified and have relevant experience and expertise. They use this knowledge effectively to ensure that students understand new concepts and how these can be applied to industry. In the design and development for engineering and manufacturing T level, teachers use examples of safety rigs and factors of safety to understand how the appropriate strength of materials relates to the stress that they will be under when in use.

p.2

better?

Teachers use a wide range of appropriate techniques to ensure that students take part in discussions and develop their collaborative and independent learning skills. Teachers check students’ learning frequently in lessons. In engineering, teachers ensure that students can read measurements from an engineering plan and then check that their work is accurate and precise. In sociology and psychology, A-level students use discussions extensively to share ideas and discuss concepts. Teachers revisit topics with tests and quizzes, to make sure that students can recall knowledge confidently. 7 and 8 February 2024

p.2

3

Students benefit from high-quality careers advice and guidance. Teachers provide relevant advice and guidance in progress reviews and through the personal development programme. Well-qualified staff in the ‘Futures’ team provide impartial careers guidance for students, including those with EHC plans. Staff provide helpful advice for those students planning on going to university, including guidance for specific careers, such as medicine or veterinary.

p.3

3

Most students complete their courses, and a high proportion of students achieve their qualifications. Students in GCSE English achieve very well. Students who have completed their T-level courses have achieved their qualifications. Most students on A-level programmes achieve their qualifications. Students, in a small proportion of A- level subjects, such as computer studies and drama, do not gain A* grades.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Improve students’ attendance, so that they benefit from high-quality teaching, remain in college and achieve well in their qualifications.

p.3

What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Increase the proportion of students who achieve A* grades in subjects where the proportion is too low, for example, in computer science and drama. 7 and 8 February 2024

p.3

Provider details

Address Church Lane Gorleston Great Yarmouth NR31 7BQ

p.4

Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Dr Catherine Richards

p.4

Provider details

Dates of previous inspection 26 and 27 February 2020

p.4

Provider details

Main subcontractors n/a 7 and 8 February 2024

p.4

Information about this inspection

The inspection was the second short inspection carried out since East Norfolk Sixth Form College was judged to be good in November 2016.

p.5

Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the principal, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

p.5

Inspection team

Lynda Brown, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Alan Winchcombe Ofsted Inspector Georgina Ager His Majesty’s Inspector 7 and 8 February 2024

p.5

6

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.

p.6

6

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 .

p.6

6

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

6

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

6

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

p.6