A south Shropshire college offers its students a “satisfactory” education, but needs to improve its leadership, an Ofsted inspector has found.
While the inspectors’ report for The Community College in Bishop’s Castle said it “provides a satisfactory standard of education” and recognises many positive aspects of the college, they have given it a notice to improve in relation to the leadership at all levels within the college.
According to the report, the quality of teaching included some good and outstanding practice. Pastoral care was good, with very good support for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The college’s specialist status was judged to have had a good impact on improving standards within the specialist subjects of geography, history and religious education.
Inspectors stated that “the majority of students enjoy college and attendance is very high. During the inspection students were courteous and the behaviour was generally good.”
The notice means that the college requires improvement in particular areas of leadership.
Following the retirement of the previous headteacher, the senior leadership has recently been strengthened with the appointment of Ryan Jervis as acting headteacher.
Mr Jervis led the Lakelands School to a position where it was judged as outstanding by Ofsted in every area and his services to education were recognised in the Honours list in 2008.
He said: “The inspectors recognised many of the things that the college does well. What we have to do now is make sure that we drive forward on areas identified for improvement.
“We are already engaged in drawing up a strong plan for action. The inspectors will return within six months and we are absolutely determined that when they do so, they will see that the college has made great progress.”
Dr Anne Maclachlan, Chair of Governors, added: “The governors will be playing an important part in making sure that the college makes the improvements.
“Our acting headteacher has made a great start. Governors will begin the process of making a new appointment to the post of headteacher very soon. I am confident that the college has a great future”
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “The acting headteacher, staff and governors are working closely with the council, and actions are already in place to secure improvement.”