College is awarded ‘Outstanding’ grade by OFSTED

Weston College is celebrating this week after being awarded an overall ‘Outstanding’ grade by OFSTED, placing it among the highest-performing colleges in the country.

The grade one result in all four key areas of inspection means that Weston College is the first General FE College in the West of England to achieve such results under the new Common Framework Inspection (CIF).

Inspectors praised the College’s teaching and learning, saying that students “benefit greatly from the culture of respect, hard work and enjoyment that permeates the College.”

The report states: “The vast majority of learners successfully complete their courses, often achieving higher grades than expected when they started their courses.”

Inspectors also singled out the College’s management, saying: “The Principal, governors and leaders have provided outstanding strategic direction and vision, immensely improving the involvement of the College in the local community and with employers.”

Particular praise was given to the College’s support for students with learning difficulties and disabilities. “For many of them, attending college is a life-changing experience,” the report said.

Dr Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive, comments: “An Outstanding college is not created overnight.

“It is a major journey that involves a significant team of people, not only restricted to managers and governors but including the whole College, partnerships and communities.

“In my view we cannot have an Outstanding college without a leadership theory based on putting the learner first, and zero tolerance of under-performance.”

Mike Jackson, Chief Executive of North Somerset Council, comments: “The college is one of the council’s key partners and has a big part to play in North Somerset’s future.

“I would like to congratulate them on their outstanding achievement which is great news for anyone studying in the area.”

Cllr Nigel Ashton, Leader of North Somerset Council, comments: “On behalf of all of us at North Somerset Council who work with Paul Phillips and his team, we are immensely proud of this excellent achievement that yet again underlines Weston College as an inspiration and a leader in its field.”

Schools Minister David Laws, who visited Weston College last year, comments: “I am delighted that Weston College been rated Outstanding by Ofsted. This is testament not only to the hard work and dedication of the staff but to the students’ achievements.

“I saw first-hand the work they do to support students with learning difficulties last year so it’s particularly pleasing to see that recognised as well.

“We are setting education providers challenging targets and Weston is showing that those challenges can be met.”