CELEBRATIONS were in order when a Solihull College was rated Good following an Ofsted inspection.
Inspectors noted a number of improvements at Solihull Sixth Form College including students attendance since the last visit in 2020, just before the pandemic hit.
Inspectors concluded that standards are strong in all areas at the College, which is part of the Summit Learning Trust.
The report notes that “teachers are well-qualified and experienced in the subjects they teach” and “use their expertise to model and demonstrate new knowledge and skills in innovative and interesting ways.”
As well as judging the academic provision at the College, which has 2,047 students, inspectors also praised the way the College cares for learners, noting that “learners benefit from a positive and supportive learning environment where they develop their character.”
However, the report noted that “in some subjects, a few teachers do not always sufficiently stretch all learners to achieve their best.”
The College has 16 students with educational health care plans, of which 12 learners in receipt of high needs funding. There were 17 learners studying level 2 GCSE mathematics and seven studying GCSE English qualifications alongside their main programme of study.
The report noted: “In some areas, such as support for learners with high needs, leaders have not yet identified the need to provide teaching to ensure learners develop the skills they need to achieve the outcomes set out in their educational health care plans.
“As a result, these learners do not always develop the broader skills they need, such as shopping independently, to support them to move on to further training or employment.”
College principal Dr Martin Sullivan said: “I know the College is on a firm upward trajectory – our results demonstrate this, with students achieving on average as well if not better than their GCSE attainment would suggest they should. It is gratifying to find that Ofsted agree with that analysis and reward for all the hard work and dedication of colleagues and learners. We are working towards being an outstanding college and I’m delighted that we are on the right track to achieve that.”
