Hartlepool Sixth Form College (SFC) has made “significant progress” in improving on its previous inadequate Ofsted rating, the education watchdog’s latest FE monitoring visit report has found.
The monitoring visit took place last month —10 months after it was rated as inadequate overall following its last full inspection, and seven months after the publication of a critical report on the college by SFC Commissioner Peter Mucklow.
The Hartlepool SFC monitoring report said that there had been “significant improvement” with outcomes for students on AS and A level courses, assessment and progress tracking, and advice and guidance for students.
It recognised the same level of improvement for governance and quality assurance, stating: “Governors have developed a sound understanding of the college’s key performance indicators.
“They have reviewed the results from 2015 examinations and clearly understand the areas in which the college has improved and those where further work remains.”
Principal Alex Fau-Goodwin said: “I am absolutely delighted that the latest Ofsted monitoring report recognises the outstanding achievements of our students.
“The summer results, and the progress the college has made in the last 12 months is remarkable and testament to the hard work, professionalism and dedication of all staff and students.
“We look forward to the full re-inspection to formally recognise the significant progress the college has made in offering our students a high quality educational experience.”
Areas that still needed to be worked on, according to the report on what was Ofsted’s fifth monitoring visit since the full inspection, included improving literacy skills; tackling occasional inappropriate behaviour; and teachers’ marking and monitoring of individual progress.
Hartlepool had been rated ‘good’ following its two previous full inspections, in 2010 and 2006.
On March 6, FE Week reported that Mr Mucklow had concluded after his inspection of the SFC that Hartlepool had focused too much on getting students through the doors and not enough on the quality of provision.
‘Hartlepool had focused too much on getting students through the doors and not enough on the quality of provision’ I’m sorry but is that not the case for most providers or am I missing something??????