Students and staff at a Tees Valley college are celebrating after Ofsted inspectors praised its effectiveness and graded it as a ‘good’ learning establishment.

Redcar & Cleveland College Principal Gary Groom said he was thrilled with the inspector’s report, which praised the wide range of courses available, the effectiveness of the college, and the new state-of-the-art facilities.

He said it was testament to the hard work put in by every member of staff and student during the past few years, who have worked to further improve all aspects of college life.

“We are delighted that the college has now been recognised for the large number of improvements we have made since the last inspection in 2004, when we were then graded as ‘satisfactory’,” said Mr Groom.

“Previously, the college was not meeting its full potential and needed to improve both standards and the facilities.

“We are now officially graded as being a good college, which is fantastic news for everyone in Redcar and Cleveland – knowing that not only is there a terrific new £26m college building in the borough, but there is also continued improvements in both success rates and student retention.”

Inspectors rated the new college building and facilities, which opened in September last year, as outstanding. Safety of students and staff was also graded as outstanding, and the inspectors also commented that students were well behaved and respectful to each other.

They said the overall effectiveness of the college was good, and stated that its capacity to improve further was also good.
The report stated: “Over the last three years, success rates have significantly improved. Success rates for learners aged 16 to 18 are above national average.

“The quality of provision is good, as are teaching and learning. Lessons are well planned and teachers effectively link theory to practice. The college is highly responsive to the needs of students, employers, local and national priorities. The curriculum is very accessible and progression routes are increasingly well-used.”

It added: “The principal provides strong direction to raise standards. Quality improvement strategies are very effective. Success rates have improved year-on-year.

“The college has made good progress since the last inspection. Strengths identified then have been maintained and areas for improvement addressed.”

Mr Groom said everyone at the college was very proud of what they had achieved.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the college, because without their hard work and dedication, this great Ofsted report would not have been possible,” he said.

“We set out on a long journey to improvement when I arrived here four years ago and, while we are extremely pleased with our achievements so far, we still have a distance to travel and are very focussed.

“We will continue to strive for excellence in the hope that we achieve the highest grade possible at our next inspection – that of ‘outstanding’.” 

Chairman of Governors Dr Graham Hillier said: “This is an excellent achievement for the college. We are all extremely pleased that the inspectors recognised the many improvements that have been made since the last inspection, and saw the college as we do – a good learning establishment.

“Everyone has worked very hard and will continue to do so to ensure that our students get the best education possible.”

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