Social justice charity, Nacro, achieves ‘Good’ Ofsted rating across the board for education and skills provision

Alternative education delivered by social justice charity, Nacro, for some of the most hard to reach young people and adults across the country has been rated ‘good’ across the board by Ofsted, following an inspection during March 2019.

Inspectors found that Nacro leaders, managers and staff hold high ambitions for learners that help them make good progress, achieve well and take positive next steps in their education and employment.

Ofsted inspectors reviewed education and skills provision across Nacro’s 16 to 19 study programmes, apprenticeships, and adult learning programmes delivered to over 3,500 students, many of whom have low prior educational attainment, special educational needs, are from low-income households, or are care leavers.

Many students attend one of 16 education centres throughout England including Totton College in Hampshire, run by Nacro since December 2015, which also includes a substantial high needs programme and an apprenticeship unit. 

Inspectors observed that Nacro teachers guide learners skilfully to make small important steps in their learning, and that learners grow in confidence and develop their personal and social skills.  

Nacro student, Miles, said:

“I struggled with English at secondary school, and just never felt like I knew what I wanted to do. This all changed when I came to Nacro.  Tutors encouraged me to aim high and to keep going with my English course.

“I finally gained GCSE English at grade five alongside completing a Sports Certificate.  Now I am about to start a Biomedical Science degree at York University.  I never thought this would be possible but with Nacro, the sky is the limit.”   

Nacro Principal and Director of Education and Skills, Lisa Capper, said:

“Nacro staff work tirelessly to maintain a highly ambitious culture of learning alongside personalised care and support to bring out the very best in every single student.  We equip our students with the skills and confidence they need to flourish and reach their full potential.

“Like Miles, so many of our students struggled to progress in their education before coming to Nacro.  With the right support, we see time and time again young people’s talent come to the forefront and propel them to success.  We are immensely proud of this fantastic achievement.”

Nacro Chief Executive, Jacob Tas, said:

“We are incredibly proud to see the hard work and dedication of all Nacro staff and students recognised across the country by Ofsted.  At a time where we see knife crime going up and young people being enticed into gangs and county lines, young people can feel seriously lost, especially if they experience disadvantage.  We are here to help young people aspire and achieve regardless of their circumstances, and we are really good at it!”

Nacro is a national social justice charity with more than 50 year’s experience of changing lives, building stronger communities and reducing crime.

We house, we educate, we support, we advise and we speak out for and with disadvantaged young people and adults.  We are passionate about changing lives. We never give up.