News: All is GOOD at Nottingham College

The inspection took place in early December 2022 when a team of 19 inspectors visited the college and spent four days going into classrooms, observing lessons and meeting with students, teachers, staff, managers, employers and community stakeholders.

This thorough inspection reviewed everything from the quality of education they saw, to the behaviours and attitudes of learners, the effectiveness of leaders and managers, the design of programmes of young people and adults, the variety of personal development initiatives, the quality of our apprenticeships and the provision available to students with high needs.

A Good grade is an improvement on the college’s last inspection in early 2020. This latest inspection report articulates a college that is going places, where the learner environment is positive and the teaching on offer is consistently good.

• Learners and apprentices develop the skills and knowledge they need to make progress in education or to secure and sustain employment.
• As a result of their studies, apprentices become more confident when at work.
• Adult learners develop character and confidence.
• Tutors have good levels of subject expertise, which they use effectively in their teaching. They keep their subject expertise up to date through links with industry.
• Tutors teach well. They provide well planned and interesting lessons.
• The large majority of learners and apprentices develop the skills and knowledge that they need to move on to positive education or employment destinations. Those that want to study at university develop effective study skills.

• The large majority of learners and apprentices have positive experiences at Nottingham College. They find that the courses they study meet their needs, and that the college environment is calm and safe.
• Managers and tutors set clear ground rules for behaviour and attendance in classrooms and workshops. During lessons, tutors build effective relationships with the large majority of learners.

• Leaders and managers work hard to develop links with an array of employers.
  

• Managers with responsibility for adult learning courses develop strong links to the local community
• Learners and apprentices feel safe when they study at college.
  
• The college works well with stakeholders to design and deliver courses in the community for disadvantaged people.
  
• The College is keen to engage widely with other education institutions, local government and local employers to understand local and regional skills priorities and needs. This proactive approach means that the college has a reputation for being a responsive and trusted partner within the local and regional skills offer.

The above statement recognises the college’s emphasis on being an outward facing, trusted and collaborative partner locally and regionally and our continued commitment to this role in the future.

Chair of Governors for Nottingham College Carole Thorogood said:

“I’m hugely proud of the whole team here at Nottingham College for the outcome we’ve secured from this recent Ofsted inspection. Inspectors were impressed with the quality of our teaching, the behaviour and attitudes of learners, the design of our curriculum, the level of engagement we have with stakeholders and the emphasis we place on the safety and wellbeing of our learners. We’re not complacent but will instead take this latest result as evidence that what we’re doing is working and will continue to drive change and improvement across the college to ensure that during their next visit, Ofsted inspectors see a truly outstanding college across the board.”