Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College remains to be a ‘Good’ College

After waiting with bated breath, we finally received the call to say that Ofsted would visit in the penultimate week of the autumn term for a short inspection.

As a 16-19 academy rated as ‘Good’ at the previous inspection, we knew that, all being well, we should receive a short inspection, as per the instructions in the handbook, to check that we were still a ‘Good’ college.

At the planning call with the inspection team, we agreed the curriculum areas for Deep Dive: Skills for Development including FS English and A level Biology at Prior Pursglove and level 3 Health and Social Care and A level Maths at Stockton. The inspection team consisted of 3 inspectors: 2 based at PPC, including the lead inspector,  and 1 at SSFC. The inspection team were very approachable and supportive throughout the entire inspection and ensured that communication was clear at all times.

Day one started with deep dives in Skills for Development and Health and Social Care. The intent meetings allowed staff to help inspectors to understand the intent of their curriculum in terms of the learners’ needs e.g. for those with EHCPs or learners that have a specific career pathway in mind and how it links to labour market information and the LSIP. For Health and Social Care the destinations achieved by learners was a point of real strength. In Skills for Development, a SEND golden thread was identified as the managers, teachers and learners were able to demonstrate the close link between curriculum intent, careers, advice and guidance to enrol learners on the right study programme and the progress made by learners over time. The inspector was so impressed as she was gifted one of the products made for the Christmas market.

On the second day of inspection, A level Biology and A level Maths were the focus of the Deep Dives and more strengths shone through. In both areas the inspectors identified clear sequencing of the curriculum, use of effective teaching strategies to help learners learn and remember more and achieve well at the end of their courses. Destinations were also recognised as a strength in both areas.

In addition to these positive themes coming from subject areas, inspectors were impressed by how well EHCP documents were use to plan and support learners. Safeguarding was described as effective and the lead inspector also commented on how well our learners could articulate key themes linked to keeping safe.

Finding out by lunchtime on the second day that they had gathered sufficient evidence to make a judgement and were happy to complete the inspection on that day was a welcome relief for all. Getting ready for and taking part in the inspection was an absolute team effort across both sites and the ‘can do’ attitude of staff made us all proud to be part of the college community. This outcome provides us with an excellent platform to drive further improvements at the college to become the best we can be.

Share this article