A sixth-form college has improved its Ofsted rating by one grade to ‘good’, in a mixed week for FE and skills providers.

“Leaders and staff” at King George V College in Southport, were praised for developing “a positive culture” and for “delivering high-quality teaching, learning and assessment”, in a report published October 12 and based on an inspection in September.

Students were found to be “enthusiastic” and “very positive about their learning”, and the majority “make good or better progress” – with pass rates in both A-levels and vocational courses “very high”.

However, a “small minority” of students’ attendance was “too low”, while “too many students” on vocational diplomas did not complete their courses.

Meanwhile, Morthyng Group Limited, an adult and community learning provider based in Rotherham, held onto to its grade two, in a report published October 12 and based on an inspection in early September.

Senior leaders at the provider, which mainly delivers study programmes, were found to “have a clear strategy to engage and support disadvantaged young people”.

Inspectors noted that learners developed “good personal, social and employability skills”, and also improved their English and maths skills “well”, with the “large majority” progressing to further education, training or jobs.

But they also found that learners’ attendance “although increasing, is too low”.

On the other side of the coin, First City Training slumped to ‘inadequate’ from its previous grade three rating, in a report published October 12 and based on an inspection a month before.

As previously reported by FE Week, management of the health and social care provider’s apprenticeship was deemed “weak”, with managers failing to provide “sufficient oversight” of the programme.

And apprentices were not getting “sufficient” off-the-job training, and were consequently making “slow progress”.

Two other independent learning providers – Sysco Business Skills Academy Limited and North East Employment and Training Agency Limited – held onto their ‘good’ ratings this week, following short inspections.

Sixth Form Colleges Inspected Published Grade Previous grade
King George V SFC 20/09/2017 12/10/2017 2 3

 

Independent Learning Providers Inspected Published Grade Previous grade
First City Training Limited 12/09/2017 12/10/2017 4 3

 

Adult and Community Learning Inspected Published Grade Previous grade
Morthyng Group Limited 12/09/2017 11/10/2017 2 2

 

Short inspections (remains grade 2) Inspected Published
Sysco Business Skills Academy Limited 11/09/2017 11/10/2017
North East Employment and Training Agency Ltd 12/09/2017 09/10/2017

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