Hereford Sixth Form College has said it remains one of the leading further education providers in Herefordshire and the surrounding counties after an Ofsted inspection.
Four inspectors visited the college and, in the report published this month, found out it had kept its top outstanding status.
Catherine Brearey, principal at the Folly Lane college with around 2,000 students, said the college was delighted to maintain its status after the rigorous inspection.
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"It is testament to the care, commitment and skill of college teaching and support staff that students excel and develop into well-rounded, successful young adults," she said.
The report has marked all six key areas of “overall effectiveness” as “outstanding”, these include quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, education programmes for young people and provision for learners with high needs.
The report praised the learner experience, saying: “Students benefit from an inclusive, supportive and nurturing environment…and develop as confident individuals”.
The college management was also praised for its “clear and ambitious vision for providing high-quality inclusive education” which enabled students of all backgrounds to develop as well-rounded individuals and achieve high grades in their studies.
Students were “exceedingly well prepared for life after college” with the extensive personal development programme, “seamlessly woven through the curriculum”, and it was also noted that the model of education ensures “almost all students to progress into higher education, apprenticeships or further study”.
Alongside and in support of the curriculum, the quality of careers support at college was noted as excellent with students benefitting “from a broad programme of career-focused activity throughout their time at college.”
The report also noted that students, who felt safe at college, benefitted from extensive support in applying for higher education with the college nurturing relationships with many universities, as a result, a high proportion of students receive places at prestigious institutions.
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The college’s Reach programme was celebrated for being highly successful in raising aspirations for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Leaders were also commended for creating a “broad programme of wraparound support” for students with additional support needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The report also highlighted the extensive enrichment programme, including a theatre company, choirs, bands, and interest groups, which also received acclaim for covering a wide range of students’ interests and high participation amongst learners.
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