Ofsted & Open Evening

Posting by Bev Bishop, Marketing Co-ordinator

It’s been a very busy Autumn term at The Sixth Form College, Solihull and there’s still 4 weeks left until the Christmas holidays. As well as October’s Open Day, we have been inspected by Ofsted and held a November Open Evening too.

Let me start by focusing on the Ofsted inspection. No school or college looks forward to an inspection; the pressure is on when teachers are under the spotlight. However, this inspection proved to be a very positive experience for the College. Staff and students alike pulled together to show why we are so proud of what we offer young people at this College and Ofsted agreed. Here are just a few of the lovely things that Ofsted inspectors said about the College:

“The drive to secure improvement has developed a harmonious learning culture and there is a strong emphasis on high expectations and aspirations.”

“Students’ attendance and behaviour is very good.”

“A high proportion of students on advanced programmes achieve A*-B grades.”

“Teaching learning and assessment are good with some outstanding features.”

“The proportion of students successfully completing their studies in 2012/13 was above the recent average for sixth form colleges.”

“Teachers and managers create a culture of high expectations and commitment to study right from the start of each year.”

“A very high proportion of students progress on to high education, further training or employment each year.”

“Teachers are enthusiastic, well qualified and expert in their subjects.”

“Teachers recognise the importance of giving praise wherever possible and they motivate students to learn.”

“An increasing proportion of lessons are judged to be good or better.”

“Teachers and academic coaches provide effective academic and pastoral support.”

“Students enjoy their studies.”

“Students feel safe in the College.”

“Students speak enthusiastically about their progress and work conscientiously on their own in private study or in groups in lessons.”

“The diversity of the student population is celebrated.”

We have been celebrating our Ofsted report with a brand new postcard, which has recently been posted out to many in the local community. The artwork on the postcard works with our augmented reality mobile phone app and allows users to link to a Celebration video, the Full Ofsted Report and to our Online Application Form.

We also highlighted the many lovely things that Ofsted had to say about the College at Open Evening last week. This event was even busier than our October Open Day and means that this term we have had more prospective students and their families visit us than ever before. Huge thanks must go to all the staff and current students who worked so diligently at both events to highlight to visitors what this College can offer to young people.

Applications are coming in thick and fast now and we have already had one Interview Day, when we got through hundreds of interviews and made more than 420 offers! Our next interview event takes place in January and we already have more than 350 more applications that have come in just the last week, so there are lots of interviews to schedule and references to request from schools.

Prospective students have until 31 March 2014 to apply. Read about our Application process on our website.