East Surrey College

East Surrey College Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Ramin Narimani, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: General further education college

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Address:

Gatton Point, London Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 2JX Monitoring visit: East Surrey College, 6 February 2025

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Context and focus of visit

Orbital South Colleges, which is comprised of East Surrey College, John Ruskin College and Reigate School of Art, is a general further education college. The focus of this monitoring visit was on the John Ruskin College located in the London Borough of Croydon. Most students at this site are young people studying courses, such as construction, business, information technology, animal management and creative arts from level 1 to level 3.

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Context and focus of visit

This was an unannounced safeguarding monitoring visit following concerns raised to Ofsted about John Ruskin College. The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress leaders and managers have made in relation to the themes set out below.

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Reasonable progress

Students and staff feel safe in all areas of the college. Leaders have ensured that only staff, students or approved visitors can enter the college. Serious incidents at the college are rare. Leaders take swift and appropriate action when these incidents happen or if they feel a student might be at risk of harm. To improve the security of the campus and the safety of staff and students, leaders have invested in increased security personnel and new systems. Students know that they can contact staff if they have any concerns regarding their safety. Most students trust that staff will take appropriate actions if they report a concern.

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Reasonable progress

Staff at John Ruskin College have a good knowledge of how to raise any safeguarding concerns with the safeguarding team. They also know how to report an incident. Safeguarding staff and managers record and follow up reported concerns accurately and appropriately. When needed, they refer students to external agencies for additional support and guidance. For example, students that need additional help Monitoring visit: East Surrey College, 6 February 2025 with managing their mental health are referred to external support services, such as talking therapists. Teachers know how to identify if a student might be at risk of radicalisation. In these rare cases, staff report their concerns swiftly and the safeguarding team takes effective action to support students. This includes working with relevant external agencies.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently recruited staff to manage the pastoral curriculum. These staff have made changes to the curriculum, so it reflects more closely the issues students are facing in their lives. For example, staff have identified an increase in car accidents involving teenage drivers locally. In addition, they recognise a high number of knife crime incidents in the local area. Staff work effectively with external partners, such as the police and fire service, to run workshops and events to raise students’ awareness of how to keep themselves safe from these risks. Tutors provide effective teaching on topics, such as fundamental British values and how to stay safe in the event of a serious incident. Staff make sure most students have a good understanding of how to respond to serious incidents. For example, students can recall the importance of run, hide and tell when escaping a dangerous situation. Monitoring visit: East Surrey College, 6 February 2025

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Reasonable progress

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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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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