A SIXTH form college whose students have ‘exemplary’ behaviour is celebrating after being praised in its latest Ofsted inspection.
The government body rated Ashton Sixth Form College as good after its visit in mid-January.
And it ranked highly in all aspects, with inspectors highlighting conduct around the site on Darnton Road, Ashton-under-Lyne.
The Ofsted report states: “Students’, including those with high needs, and adult learners’ behaviour is exemplary.
“They enjoy participating in demanding and challenging tasks that develop their skills in readiness for higher education.
“Students and adult learners produce high-quality work in which they take pride and appreciate the diverse and inclusive culture of the college.”
Using people from around the area was also flagged up as another of Ashton Sixth Form College’s strengths.
The report adds: “Tutors make sure that the tutorial curriculum is highly contextualised to the communities where students and adult learners live.
“Carefully selected local experts give students accurate insights into life in the local area.
“For example, magistrates share the typical harms that young people may encounter on a night out in Tameside and discuss the implications that these harms may have on a young person’s future.
“Local agencies talk to students and learners about trends in the community, such as the Tameside sexual health team, which discusses the importance of chlamydia testing.
“Students and adult learners feel safe. They report that teachers listen to their concerns and that they trust in their teachers’ ability to support them or direct them to the help they need.
“They appreciate the presence of security staff, particularly when arriving and leaving the college in darkness in the winter months.”
Inspectors did highlight areas the college can work on, including increasing the proportion of students and adult learners who remain on their courses and achieve their qualifications, particularly at the highest grades.
But the feedback has been hugely appreciated by centre principal Lisa Richards, who vowed it will always look to improve.
She said: “We are thrilled that inspectors witnessed the true essence of our exceptional students.
“Their behaviour exemplified the fantastic attitudes they bring to college life, earning a rating of outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes.
“Inspectors described student behaviour as “exemplary,” highlighting their positivity, confidence, and readiness for their next steps.
“Our high expectations extend beyond the classroom and we are delighted that our commitment to personal development was also recognised as outstanding.
“We are delighted that inspectors could see how we nurture well-rounded young people who are fully prepared for their next steps – whether progressing to a top university, securing a highly competitive apprenticeship, or entering the workforce with confidence and ambition.
“While we celebrate our strengths, we are committed to continuous improvement.
“The areas identified for development were already priorities for us, and the positive impact of this can already be seen.
“It was heartening to see that the overwhelming majority of parents said that they would recommend the college to others, reflecting the trust and confidence in the education and environment we provide.
“We remain dedicated to working closely with students, staff, and parents to build on our successes and to ensure we continue to transform lives through learning.”