Damning report on doomed Black Country University Technical College

Poor teaching, bad pupil behaviour and low attendance have plagued the Black Country University Technical College.

It was announced last month that the UTC, which specialises in engineering, was to shut this summer after just four years.

The findings of an Ofsted inspection have been released publicly for the first time.

They show:

*17 per cent of pupils were excluded at least once

*Teaching has been branded 'weak'

*Students 'do not feel safe' because of the behaviour

*Some sixth formers are 'not on appropriate courses'

The £9.5 million school was launched at the former Sneyd Community site, off Vernon Way, Bloxwich, in September 2011 with the aim of catering for 14 to 19 year-olds. It currently has 158 students, although 57 complete their studies by the summer.

It was anticipated students would relocate to a new site, a former car repair shop in Portland Street, Walsall town centre, from next April.

But last month governors instead announced the UTC will close on August 31.

In her report lead inspector Helen Reeves said: "Last year 17 per cent of students experienced at least one fixed term exclusion from college.

"This is much higher than national levels.

"Leaders, including governors and the sponsors, have not addressed low standards, poor behaviour, low levels of attendance and weak teaching in the college. There is no evidence of improvement in these areas and some have declined.

"Teaching has failed to secure good progress for students.

"The quality of teaching varies considerably but there is too little that is of good quality."

The inspector added: "The behaviour of students is inadequate. In lessons, students often arrive late and are slow to settle to learning, so valuable lesson time is lost.

"On occasions lessons are disrupted because students are unwilling to follow the instructions from their teacher and walk out of lessons without permission. This type of behaviour makes it difficult for students who behave better to get on with their work.

"Some students do not behave well around the college. There is pushing and shoving in the corridors and some students show a lack of respect towards their classmates and staff. "

Bosses have previously blamed finances, staffing, students numbers and a poor inspection for the closure decision.

In a statement the school's board of governors said: "We are very sorry that the positive hopes we had for the BCUTC have not been fulfilled.

"The inspection in March highlighted a large number of areas where the BCUTC was under performing.

"We then made a thorough assessment. This led to the announcement on April 14 of the planned closure of the school.

"We apologise wholeheartedly to the students and parents that have been let down by the performance of the BCUTC.

"It was very difficult to decide to close the BCUTC and we are giving full support and guidance to students and parents affected by the closure.

"The Principal and staff are working closely with the Department for Education, Walsall Council and local education providers to ensure a smooth transition for all students."