Huddersfield New College
Inspection Report October 2011 A good college with outstanding features
Huddersfield New College was inspected in October 2011. Inspectors described us as “a good college with outstanding features� Summary Overall Effectiveness
Good
Capacity to Improve
Good
Outcome for Learners
Good
Quality of Provision
Good
Leadership and Management
Good
Safeguarding Equality and Diversity
Outstanding Good
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Success rates are very high on vocational and A level courses Student progress is very closely monitored The majority of students make good or outstanding progress Teachers are enthusiastic and engage students in well-thought out activities The majority of lessons are good Internal progression is good The college provides a safe and inclusive environment where students thrive Personal support is outstanding Strong leadership has refocused staff energies on raising standards Staff are very supportive of the raising standards agenda The self assessment process is robust and accurate Students are fully involved in decision making Students enjoy college
Capacity to Improve
Good
The College has made good progress in improving the quality of education since the last Inspection Success rates in 2010/11 are the highest achieved by the college Students’ life chances have been improved Success has been achieved whilst maintaining an inclusive ethos Staff are very clear about their accountability to continue to raise standards A strong focus on teaching and learning has improved the quality of lessons Self assessment is accurate
Quality of Provision
Good
The quality of teaching and learning is good Enthusiastic teachers motivate students Teachers use a good range of activities to engage and challenge students Information Learning Technology is used extensively to develop learning
Outcomes for Learners
Good
Success rates are very high on vocational and A level courses Success rates on AS courses have improved to the sixth form college average
Assessment practices are good and support learning
The success rate on the Foundation Diploma is exceptionally high and students make outstanding progress
Teachers’ feedback to students is clear and supportive with constructive comments to help students improve
Two thirds of the very high number of GCSE Maths and English Language resit students achieve A*-C grades
Teachers use praise effectively to raise students’ confidence
Students in receipt of additional learning support achieve as well as their peers
Improving the quality of teaching and learning is a very high priority
The majority of students make good or outstanding progress
The college offers a broad and inclusive range of courses to meet the needs of students in the local area
The standard of students’ work is good
The majority of students take part in and enjoy whole college events such as the Cultural Olympics Day
Students’ behaviour is exemplary Students’ attendance is high and punctuality is good
Participation in recreational sporting activities is outstanding
Students enjoy college
Many students achieve relevant additional qualifications
Progression from AS to A2 is high
Many students gain valuable work related skills
Progression to higher education and apprenticeships is good
A wide range of visits and trips enhance learning
Students feel very safe in the college
Fund raising events raise substantial sums of money for students’ chosen charities
Students feel that people from all different backgrounds are welcomed in college and that bullying and harassment are not tolerated
Partnerships are outstanding
The promotion of health and well-being is outstanding
Initial advice and guidance is comprehensive
Many students participate in sporting activities
Students acquire valuable life skills
Many students are actively involved in innovative college and local community events.
Support for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is outstanding
Subject Areas Inspected English and Modern Foreign Languages Good Science and Maths
Satisfactory
Sport, Travel and Tourism
Good
Visual, Performing Arts and Media
Good
Leadership and Management The Principal and Senior Leadership team provide strong leadership and a clear strategic direction A culture of mutual respect and valuing individuals is prevalent Staff are ambitious to improve students’ life chances Performance management is robust Curriculum management is good Governance is good
Good The college is effective in narrowing achievement gaps Students value greatly the fact that all staff are approachable and willing to listen Students are effectively empowered to take responsibility for their own learning Students have excellent opportunities to contribute to decision making The college’s self assessment process is robust
Safeguarding is outstanding
The college has a very strong financial position and has embraced the sustainability agenda
Equality and Diversity are very well promoted
High quality resources are utilised well
The college is an inclusive and welcoming community
Staff are well qualified
Differences are celebrated
The college provides good value for money
The college provides highly effective support for vulnerable students
What students like about the college: Helpful, friendly and enthusiastic teachers who go the extra mile The diverse community, where everyone is respected and valued equally The very safe and welcoming environment, where you are treated as an adult The support from staff, who encourage and help you to achieve your best Interesting work in lessons and assignments The variety and flexibility of courses offered High quality resources and the on-line learning materials
What the college needs to continue to work on to achieve its ambition to be outstanding: Entry criteria and pre-enrolment guidance processes to ensure all students are enrolled on the most appropriate course Monitoring systems to ensure that all students reach their full potential Lesson planning so that all teachers are specific about what students will learn and how they will develop even more fully students’ analytical and evaluative skills Targets in the college’s self assessment report so that they are more specific and measurable
Key Strengths Inclusive and welcoming community Culture of mutual respect and valuing individuals High success rates Good and outstanding value added Enthusiastic and engaging teaching Outstanding personal support Outstanding support for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities Exemplary student behaviour Strong leadership and management Outstanding partnership working and contribution to meeting local needs Outstanding safeguarding practices High quality resources Robust and accurate self assessment Strong financial management
You can read the full Ofsted report by visiting either the college website at www.huddnewcoll.ac.uk or the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk