Havering Sixth Form College must improve its teaching and leadership

Havering Sixth Form College must improve its teaching and leadership

An unannounced learning and skills inspection was carried out in February which looked at the outcome for learners, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and the effectiveness of the leadership and management. All were given a three out of four – requiring movement. It received a “good” rating in its last full inspection in 2009.

In the latest report inspectors said the outcomes for students at AS-level were poor, adding: “Teachers do not focus enough on students’ learning in lessons and, as a result, too few lessons meet the full range of students’ individual learning needs”.

The report also said that feedback and target setting for students are insufficiently detailed, and leaders, managers and governors do not have sufficient impact on raising the quality of provision.

Inspectors said the number of students successfully completing their courses in 2011 to 2012 declined slightly and was just below the national average.

Success rates for students on AS courses were below national averages, but those for A-level courses and foundation and intermediate programmes were satisfactory.

They noted that too many learning activities were aimed at the whole class and did not take into account the full range of students’ needs.

The teaching of English and modern foreign languages, social sciences and psychology, and business administration, economics and law all require improvements.

But, inspectors said the college had many strengths, like helping students progress to higher education and employment.

They added: “Good support and guidance help students to develop confidence and independence. Effective procedures for safeguarding students are in place.

“The college has a well-developed culture of respect and dignity.”