Staff and students are celebrating after Ofsted judged Kidderminster College to be ‘Good’ in its latest report.

Following the one-week visit at the end of March / early April, inspectors from the government's education inspection body, Ofsted, gave the College an overall ‘good’ grade for its standards of teaching and achievement.

The report, published on 6th June, contained the following summary of grades:

Efficiency of provision - Good (Grade 2)
Capacity to improve - Good (Grade 2)
Achievement and Standards - Good (Grade 2)
Quality of provision - Good (Grade 2)
Leadership and Management - Good (Grade 2)

The College was commended for a number of key strengths, in particular….

• High and increasing 16-18 success rates
• Consistently high adult success rates
• Good development of learners’ practical and professional skills
• Good teaching and learning
• Productive partnership working
• Good widening participation
• Good pastoral support for learners
• Impact of quality systems to improve success rates
• Good governance
• Very good financial management
• High quality resources and accommodation

 Inspectors highlighted in the report, that: -

• 7 out of 11 subject area success rates are well above average and show a strong upwards trend over the past three years.
• Success rates on advanced apprenticeships have increased rapidly to a very high level.
• An increasing number of lessons are outstanding.
• Student work is of a high standard
• Practical teaching is particularly good
• There are good resources and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• Partnership working (eg. ContinU – school links and employers) is judged to be good
• Work with community organisations is excellent
• The support for learners with learning difficulties / disabilities is very good
• Teaching & learning is good
• Leadership & management is good

Principal, Andrew Miller, commented, “This pleasing Ofsted Inspection confirms our position as one of the most successful Colleges in the county and acknowledges the hard work of the College staff and students, whilst recognising the College's good reputation for helping young people and adults to learn and develop. We are proud that we provide high quality training which meets the needs of both learners and employers across the Wyre Forest. This grading is a huge compliment to our hard-working staff, excellent students and the support we receive from our community and all other stakeholders. Our focus is now on ensuring that we sustain and build on what we have achieved and go on to become a truly ‘outstanding’ College, leading economic development and prosperity in this region.”

Head of Quality and Improvement & Information Services, Andy Dobson added “Congratulations go to all staff, students and stakeholders of the College for an excellent Ofsted report. This is down to the efforts and good work of its Teachers, Learning Support Assistants and Support Staff of all kinds: technicians, estates staff, managers  - everyone!’