Record-breaking Ofsted result for City College

STAFF and students at City College Southampton had reason to celebrate as they returned from the recent bank holidays.

The college has just received a record-breaking Ofsted report, which is the best in the college's history and demonstrates the exceptional change and turnaround the college has made in the last few years. Overall success rates are high and significantly above the national average.

Highlighted are the huge improvements that have been made over the last four years and the college is now deemed 'good' across the board, with some outstanding features.

The report found that the college's approach to meeting the needs and interests of students, its care, guidance and support for learners and ability to raise expectations and promote ambition were stated to be outstanding.

Similarly, it found that students enjoy their studies and feel completely safe. They comment very positively about the security arrangements in the college, which are deemed to be outstanding.

Inspector, Nigel Fletcher HMI, said in his report: "The college offers an outstanding vocational curriculum with provision very clearly mapped to key business and industry needs in the area to support students' progression into employment."

He also reported: "Highly effective and inclusive leadership and good management of change have moved the college forward in many areas since the previous inspection. The principal and senior leadership team, working closely with governors, promote very successfully a clear vision and strategic direction for the college, where students and the wider local community, as well as raising aspirations, are at the heart of its work."

He also added that the college's virtual learning environment was "excellent, highly valued by users and supports high levels of interactive learning".

Principal and CEO, Lindsey Noble, said: "The whole college has worked hard for this outcome and I am so proud of what the college has achieved. Our students, many of whom have not achieved academic success before coming to City College, have been magnificent. Over the years they have worked very hard to achieve the results they do. We have more students progressing to university and really excellent apprenticeship and other employment opportunities than ever before - even in these recessionary times.

"The inspectors were impressed by our new facilities and noted how energy efficient they were. We know that our students, both adults and our younger learners have benefited not only from the new facilities but also from the massive improvements in teaching and learning and the consistent focus our staff has on the success of their students."

This year's Ofsted report marks another step in the college's transformation over recent years. In September last year it opened its brand new £48m redevelopment, which includes state-of-the-art learning environments, engineering labs and CAD learning centre, a commercial theatre, cafe, restaurant, hair and beauty salons and media suites.