Ofsted rates Telford College of Arts and Technology as inadequate
Ofsted has rated Telford College of Arts and Technology as inadequate in its latest inspection of the college.
Around 19,500 learners study at the college, approximately 15% are full-time learners aged 16 to 18; over 50% are adult learners, mainly on part-time and industry-specific courses; and around 30% are apprentices.
The report said that management information is not fit for purpose and as a result leaders and managers do not make appropriate improvement interventions.
Teachers’ expectations of learners were also deemed too low. Assessment is too infrequent and teachers’ feedback on written work is insufficiently detailed; as a result too many learners make poor progress.
Ofsted said that Governors and senior leaders failed to provide clear leadership and strategic direction; they have not acted quickly enough to rectify declining standards in teaching, learning and assessment.
In November 2015 the Skills Funding Agency issued the college with a ‘notice of concern’ as a result of an inadequate rating for financial control. An assessment by the Further Education Commissioner resulted in the college being placed in administered status in January 2016.
The report did however say that teachers and learners had access to a wide range of high-quality equipment and facilities and that many teachers use these well to develop learners’ practical skills.
Leaders’ and managers’ also had an effective partnership working with employers and the Marches LEP which resulted in a curriculum that addresses local skills gaps well and provides learners on 16 to 19 study programmes with good work experience opportunities.
The full report can be viewed on the ofsted website.
