We're Ofsted Outstanding
In 2019, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) became the first further education provider in England to achieve the top grades in every area of Ofsted’s reformed Education Inspection Framework (EIF). Overall, NSCG is rated as 'Outstanding'!
Out of 9 areas inspected, all 9 were rated Outstanding.
The inspection report, published on 14 November 2019, praises all areas of the College’s provision and acknowledges NSCG’s ‘positive, stimulating and safe learning environment’, ‘highly motivated staff’, and ‘learners’ exemplary behaviour and attitudes to learning’.
| Overall effectiveness | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| The quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Education programmes for young people | Outstanding |
| Adult learning programmes | Outstanding |
| Apprenticeships | Outstanding |
| Provision for learners with high needs | Outstanding |
What Ofsted said about our learners
- Learners on vocational courses develop high-quality technical and practical skills to enable them to move into further learning or employment.
- A Level learners develop thoroughly the knowledge to be successful in their examinations.
- The standard of learners’ and apprentices’ work is high.
- Learners enjoy their time at college very much. They rate highly the excellent facilities and the experienced and welcoming staff.
- Learners and apprentices - including those who have high needs - make very good and sustained progress from their starting points.
What Ofsted said about our staff
- With support from teaching staff, students develop the specific knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for them to move into their intended next steps.
- Teachers are highly qualified and use their expertise to inspire learners to think deeply about their subjects and to master complex skills.
- Teachers and trainers design their curriculum to help learners and apprentices to develop the specific knowledge and skills employers demand.
What Ofsted said about our employer links
- Leaders have exceptional links with local employers and regional business groups.
- Employers and trainers set challenging distinction-level assignments and projects that require apprentices to recall, apply and synthesis previous learning.
- Learners take part in high-quality work experience and work-related activities designed by employers that help them to develop the skills employers’ value.
- Leaders collaborate effectively with employers and curriculum teams, so that their work roles match to apprentices' studies.
What Ofsted said about our support
- Learners and apprentices benefit greatly from the high-quality and unbiased careers information, advice and guidance they receive throughout their time at college.
- Learners feel safe and supported at college.
- Learners develop very well their confidence, resilience and wellbeing. All learners undertake and value highly a programme that helps them to protect their mental health.
- They develop a strong understanding of life in modern Britain, their responsibilities at college and in their communities.
- Learners who have high needs receive highly effective specialist support - managers and teachers coordinate their transition and specialist support very well.
What Ofsted said about our leadership & management
- Direction from senior leaders is clear, supportive and challenging. As a result, staff are highly motivated and feel able to provider learners with an outstanding learning experience.
- Leaders, managers and teachers have developed an extensive and high-quality enrichment offer at both campuses that enhances learners’ curriculum.
- Leaders ensure that teachers and trainers plan a coherent and challenging curriculum for all learners and apprentices.
- College Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise to the board, including business, finance, and expertise from education.
Ofsted Summary Brochure
Take a look at the full official Ofsted report and read all of the outstanding comments Ofsted made about us in our Ofsted summary.
