Setting

Date of visit: 9 November 2006

This feedback contains brief findings from the annual assessment visit. It focuses on the themes explored during the visit and does not attempt to give a comprehensive overview of the college’s performance.

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in 2005/06

 On entry to the college learners’ attainment is relatively low in comparison with all sixth form colleges, with an average GCSE score of 5.0. Most learners are 16 to 18 years old and study at level 3. Based on college performance data, overall success rates at level 3 have improved to 79%, close to the national average. Retention rates improved to 88%.

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in 2005/06

 The overall pass rate is 97%, without general studies. High grade pass rates improved significantly by 12%38%. At AS level, pass rates improved to 87%, the proportion of learners receiving high grades was similar to 2004/05 at 26%. At level 2, success rates are above national average. Retention rates remain high at 92%. There is some high achievement in vocational courses at level 2 and 3.

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in 2005/06

 The achievement of learner groups is analysed carefully; retention and attendance are being analysed further.

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in 2005/06

 Overall attendance for 2005/06 was good at 87.4%.

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Value-added data 2006

 Learners have made significantly good progress in 2006. Value-added is significantly positive at +0.20, for the first time for the college and has recovered from below average in 2005. Subjects performing consistently well over a three year period at GCE AS and A level are, for example, psychology, physical education, music, and AS-level critical thinking.

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Progress in developing teaching and learning

 College staff have taken part in teaching and learning development through the assessment for learning initiative, this has led to discussion and some sharing of good practice through peer observations. Staff undertaking lesson observations have received external training. The characteristics of effective teaching and learning have been identified; a greater number of lesson observations are planned for this academic year to enable managers to assess the quality of lessons more precisely. The college is reviewing their quality assurance procedures for tutorials. At present this involves gathering the views of learners and tutors and may include some observation of tutorials during 2006/07.

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views of college

 Learners are very positive about the college ethos. They based their choice and decision to study at the college on good experiences at open evenings and induction. They enjoy their lessons and in most subjects receive helpful revision support from teachers. Learners say their progress is monitored closely through reviews and work is marked regularly.

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Progress since AAV 2005

 The college has made good progress since the last annual assessment visit, particularly in improving overall achievement and standards and in the high value added measures achieved at college level in 2006. The management team has been strengthened with additional appointments. There are advanced plans for new college buildings to be constructed in 2007.

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Underachievement in some subjects

 There is a still a need for improvement in mathematics, sociology, product design, geography, geology and philosophy. College managers are taking appropriate action with the aim of improving performance at a more rapid rate. The full effectiveness of actions is still to have impact. Managers have made a number of changes to staffing and used external support and development to improve teaching. The curriculum offer has been adjusted for some courses. Learners’ subject progress is monitored closely and levels of subject support increased.

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The self-assessment process

 The process has been reviewed and is more refined since the last annual assessment visit. The college’s interim grades indicate that most aspects are judged to have improved and are now good. The succinct overview identifies improvement, areas for development and in some cases barriers which need to be overcome for excellence to be achieved.  Reports at divisional level assess subject groups in a similar way and two were sampled at a draft stage during the visit. Assessments are evaluative overall, in one or two sections the commentary is not precise enough in identifying the exact area for action. Subject leaders maintain a ‘live’ subject level assessment document on the college intranet and the content informs, through individual discussion with managers, the paper based division report.  The college has gathered detailed evidence for Every Child and plans to evaluate the impact in cross college activities.

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analysis:

 The college has exceeded its targets for the recruitment of 16 to 18 year olds in 2006. Effective marketing and the new prospectus reflect the college well.

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analysis:

information quoted is reproduced verbatim without adaptation, and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection reports are available on the Ofsted website (www.ofsted.gov.uk).

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