Inspections

Central has maintained its position as one of the region's top FE Colleges following an impressive OFSTED inspection in November 2008. All curriculum areas were graded as good (Grade 2) with Sport and Visual Arts both commended as having outstanding features.

Inspectors agreed with the College that curriculum provision is outstanding and meets the needs of learners, employers and the community exceptionally well.

The report commented: "A rich and varied range of courses is offered and the College is very responsive to the needs of employers and works successfully with an impressive number and range of organisations. Partnership working, including collaboration on a joint post-16 offer, is outstanding. Learners make an outstanding contribution to both the local and wider community through some exceptional initiatives."

"The college's approach to educational and social inclusion is outstanding. Courses are offered from pre-entry to advanced level, including E2E provision and a very extensive range of foundation level courses. The college is very successful in increasing participation by learners traditionally under-represented in education or training. This includes learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities who participate fully in the life of the college."

Other Key strengths of the College include:

• Achievements and standards are good with outstanding features
• Success rates have increased significantly since the last inspection and are now above the national average for all learners (85%, in top 10% nationally), and are outstanding for adult learners on level 1 long courses and learners aged 16 to 18 on level 2 long courses.
• Responsiveness to the needs and interests of learners, employers, and the local community is outstanding as is the college's approach to educational and social inclusion.
• Learners make an outstanding contribution to both the local and wider community through exceptional initiatives such as 'Balls to Poverty' - a charity providing footballs and coaching in South Africa.
• Extensive employer engagement
• Excellent links with community organisations and schools
• Very strong support for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
• A culture of putting learners first, alongside providing a high level of care, is well embedded.
• Since the last inspection, strong leadership and highly effective actions have resulted in a faster upwards trend in achievement than that nationally.

View full South Nottingham College Ofsted report

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