Sussex Downs College - "Outstanding" says OFSTED
Sussex Downs College has been praised by OFSTED for its "outstanding leadership and management" and the quality of its teaching and learning. The inspectors were also highly impressed with how the College responds to employers' training needs in a polished and business-like manner.
"Consistently high and improving success rates"
The College, which is the largest in Sussex, was inspected at the beginning of March and the inspectors were impressed by the "consistently high and improving success rates," particularly the high proportion of examination passes graded at A or B and "the high success rates for 14-16 year old school students who study at the College; a high proportion of whom progress onto full-time courses".
"The College's approach to social and educational inclusion is outstanding. Learning opportunities are provided to people from all sections of the community and those who are traditionally hard to reach are successfully targeted."
"The College's approach to social and educational inclusion is outstanding. Learning opportunities are provided to people from all sections of the community and those who are traditionally hard to reach are successfully targeted," says OFSTED.
The reported added that, "the College offers an excellent and flexible curriculum, lessons are well planned and students learn in a mutually respectful environment and they enjoy their lessons". Students studying at ‘A' level can choose from 48 subjects, support and guidance for students are good and attendance, punctuality and behaviour are excellent.
The OFSTED inspectors praised the educational character of the College and positive ethos that focuses on putting students first. They found that both "staff and students are enthusiastic and proud of their college".
They also recognised that the "aspirational college culture encourages wide participation and student success in many national competitions".
"The College works collaboratively with a wide range of partners in innovative and effective ways," says OFSTED, focusing on the development of "the educational, social and skills infrastructure for the region".
