Member Article

College celebrates Ofsted success

Have you heard the “Good” news? Students and staff at Stockton Riverside College are celebrating a glowing report from Ofsted.

The College, which includes SRC Bede Sixth Form in Billingham, has been rated Good across all areas by the education watchdog.

The grading marks a significant leap for the College which Ofsted stated had made “rapid improvements” across the board in the last 18 months.

The inspection result, along with the College achieving the best long success rates of all the Tees Valley FE Colleges in 2012/13, positions Stockton Riverside College as, best in the Tees Valley.

Principal, Phil Cook said: “As one of the fastest improving colleges in the country, Stockton Riverside College is at the heart of its community.

“We have excellent partnerships with local schools, businesses, the council and our local university.

“It’s great to see our students and staff getting the external recognition that they deserve.”

The College boss, who took over the reins in February last year, puts their success down to “amazing students, amazing staff and amazing Governors”.

The Ofsted report praised the College for its rapid improvements and its strong links within the community.

Lead inspector Stewart Jackson stated: “Learners at all levels are well prepared for, and have very high levels of progression into suitable employment, further training or higher education.”

The College was awarded Good in all areas with Apprenticeship outcomes graded as Outstanding. Inspectors found that students at Stockton Riverside College enjoy their learning and are taught by enthusiastic teachers who are experts in their field.

The report stated that students at all levels benefit from a range of “outstanding opportunities” to progress in education and boost their chances of going on to find work.

Mr Jackson said that the proportion of learners successfully achieving their qualifications at Stockton Riverside College and SRC Bede Sixth Form has risen steadily over the last three years. While “inspirational leadership” has resulted in strong management at all levels.

He wrote: “Enthusiastic teachers and managers have a strong commitment to improving teaching, learning and assessment.

“Learners enjoy their learning. They value the way teachers involve them in their learning and devise new ideas to make lessons more interesting.”

Delighted with the result, College Principal Phil Cook said it doesn’t stop there. He said the rapid progress is yet another sign that the College’s journey to Outstanding – the Ofsted gold standard – is well on the way.

He said: “It’s pretty cool really, roll-on the future!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Turbill .