Stafford College branded 'inadequate' by Ofsted

It said that governors had not held the college leadership to account for students' underachievement across the 2014 to 2015 school year.

The use of technology to support independent learning,effective use of initial assessment and promotion of students' understanding of equality and diversity in lessons were said not to have improved quickly enough.

The report said that effectiveness of leadership and management, apprenticeships and provision for learners with high needs were all inadequate.

Several other areas, including adult learning programmes and quality of teaching, required improvement.

Inspectors visited the college in February.

A spokesperson for Stafford College said: "Stafford College was inspected in February and received an overall grade 4 from Ofsted.

"The college self-assessed at grade 4 across the eight frameworks as we acknowledged the previous regime under former leaders was not good enough.

"Ofsted disagreed with our grade 4 ratings and graded five of our frameworks at grade 3 and those included outcomes for learners and teaching, learning and assessment.

"Ofsted have recognised in the report the new leadership team have made vast changes to the college which has improved results, communication and morale which is positively impacting on students since their appointments.

"Ian Clinton, interim principal was appointed in November and two vice principals were appointed in January.

"The inspection, which has a new framework for the 2015/16 academic year, has to take into account all factors since the previous inspection which took place 494 days ago.

"However Ofsted's findings can only take into account the 60 days which the new principal has been in place.

"We were aware before inspection the leadership and management under the previous regime would impact on the final outcome of the report.

"However Ofsted are confident in our assessment that we can improve student success rates by 10% by the end of the academic year."

Marina Bowler, a UCU rep at Stafford College, said: "Everyone at the college is disappointed with the outcome as we have been left with the repercussions created by the previous principal and chair of governors.

"This report does not represent the true experience we give our students and the value the college provides to the local community.

"Our members are in support of the leadership team who continue to improve the college and make the changes needed to provide the best environment for our students."