Walsall college in first for top Ofsted rating
A college in Walsall has become the first in the country to be judged as outstanding under the new Ofsted framework. Inspectors praised the quality of teaching and learning at Walsall Adult and Community College.
Staff and students were today celebrating after receiving the top rating, almost three years to the day since it was graded good.
The college received the highest possible grading in all five inspection areas. Principal Maria Gilling said: "Words cannot express how delighted we are."
The education watchdog awarded the college, based in Hawbush Road in Leamore, 24 grades in total – of which 23 were outstanding. Overall effectiveness of provision, outcomes for learners, the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of leadership and management were all areas for praise.
Ms Gilling added: "Under the new common inspection framework, a college cannot be graded as outstanding overall unless its teaching, learning and assessment practice is judged as such. This outcome is certainly testament to hard work of our learners, staff, partners and governors."
