Colleges win Ofsted recognition

Clarendon Sixth Form College and Tameside College have been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, the government’s education watchdog.   The lead inspector cites ‘a culture of high expectations amongst staff and students’ and ‘an ambitious vision to be an outstanding college, providing first-class education and training for the people of Tameside’. Students were praised for contributing ‘to a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the college’.

The verdict confirms the colleges’ position as the leading provider of A-levels, vocational courses and apprenticeships in the borough of Tameside. It also puts the colleges amongst the very best general further education institutions in Greater Manchester. Ofsted judged that ‘achievement rates have risen and are now high’ and that ‘current students on A Level, vocational courses and apprentices make good progress’.

The glowing report reflected on the teaching practice at the colleges: ‘The quality of teaching learning and assessment is good, particularly at Clarendon Sixth Form College’ and ‘Teachers and assessors are knowledgeable and experienced. They successfully use their knowledge and expertise to link theory to practice, which motivates students and apprentices to meet their learning goals’.

Senior leaders and managers were recognised for their ‘focus and relentless pursuit of high-quality provision for all students and apprentices’ and for ‘promoting a culture of high expectations and inclusion’.

Jackie Moores, Principal and CEO, Tameside College and Clarendon Sixth Form College said: ‘I am delighted that Ofsted recognise the efforts of our staff, students and apprentices, who make our college great. Our mission to provide first class education and training is now proven with Ofsted stating that our achievement rates are high and that the standard of training and education are good. We have had a relentless focus on making sure this is now one of the very best colleges in Greater Manchester. Our students make very good progress, with the significant proportion of our Level 3 students achieving high grades. I am very pleased that the inspection team recognised the impact our students have on our local community through voluntary work and polite, respectful and tolerant behaviour.

“Our vision to offer first class education and training can only be realised by having our fantastic teachers working in state of the art buildings with our students and apprentices. With this new phase of ‘Vision Tameside’, they will be working in the best construction training facilities in Greater Manchester. Employers views are critical to this project; we will provide outstanding facilities which will ensure we can meet the needs of employers and the construction industry in the future.”

The report follows the successful funding bid to rebuild Tameside College’s construction centre at its Beaufort Road campus. It will complete the final stage of the colleges’ transformation of its campus which has included: the launch of Clarendon Sixth Form College, Advanced Technologies Centre and Market Square.