Stafford College told to make further improvements

The college has been given a rating of three – requiring improvement – in its latest Ofsted inspection. The watchdog found the quality of lessons was 'not consistently good'.

It comes after the college was rated inadequate in May last year in a damning report which branded lessons uninspiring and raised concerns over the student drop-out rate.

In the latest report, Ofsted found some improvements had been made but steps to boost the quality of teaching and learning had 'not yet had sufficient impact'.

Principal Steve Willis today said there was a good basis to build on but admitted the process may take a bit of time.

"Last year we had a disappointing Ofsted inspection and we recognise that it will take a little time to get back to our previous grading," he said. "We now have a good basis on which to work and are confident that we can improve still further at our next inspection."

Ofsted inspectors spent a week at the college, which has around 3,500 full time students, at the end of April.

They found teaching was improving and students at risk of underachieving were now given 'more robust support'.

But they added: "A significant proportion of lessons require improvement and teaching is only securely good in a few subjects."

Inspectors praised the leadership's determination to improve, the college's learning environment and resources and the support offered by staff. A £14m teaching block The Riverbank opened at the end of last year at the college.

Bosses have also confirmed traditional A-level courses will not be running at the college from September. Four A-level courses have been withdrawn, in favour of BTEC extended diploma courses. Cathy Webb, head of marketing, said only a small proportion of students had been studying A-levels at Stafford College, many of whom were not full-time students.

She said the college had instead increased its BTEC extended diploma courses.