New College Swindon has made 'reasonable progress' in its efforts to make the required improvements highlighted by last year's Ofsted inspection. 

The educational setting was inspected by the government body in January last year and was judged to 'require improvement' in a report published in March 2023. 

Now Ofsted inspectors have returned to the college on Queens Drive for a 'monitoring visit' which aims to see what progress has been made, if any. 

And the report, published in March this year, has shown that advancements have been made in all categories, although work is still needed. 

Matt Butcher, Vice Principal, said: "We are pleased that the recent Ofsted monitoring visit went well and the inspectors were impressed with the improvements we have made in the short space of time since January last year.  

We recognise we have room to grow further and are confident that we have the right staff and leadership team in place to drive us forward on our journey to excellence"

In the report, His Majesty's Inspector Matthew Hann found that 'reasonable progress' had been made in several areas. 

He said that leaders had progressed in improving the achievement of learners aged 16 to 18, adult learners and learners with high needs.

He said: "Since the previous inspection, leaders have undertaken a thorough analysis of the reasons for the low achievement of qualifications by learners studying on education and training programmes.

"Leaders have used their analysis to provide governors with useful information on the remedial actions they have taken to improve the quality of education."

Progress has also been made in improving the attendance of f learners aged 16 to 18, adult learners and learners with high needs.

"Leaders have taken appropriate actions to help them to monitor the attendance of learners more closely. Staff now identify learners with low attendance more quickly and use this information to undertake early interventions with learners," he said. 

Also heading in the right direction is the approach to safeguarding. 

Mr Hann said: "Leaders have taken appropriate actions to help them to monitor the attendance of learners more closely. Staff now identify learners with low attendance more quickly and use this information to undertake early interventions with learners"

Improvements were also made to curriculum design and education and training programmes, the subcontracted provision for adult learners and engagement with employers for apprenticeship programmes.