Staffordshire college retains 'Outstanding' inspection grade after visit from Ofsted

The education watchdog visited Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) in October and found it once again deserved the top inspection grade, with the same ranking given in 2019.

Ofsted inspected the college's two campuses in Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme across four days and found learners were "enthusiastic" and "motivated" about their education and futures.

The report noted the attendance and punctuality of students was "exemplary" and that they treat each other as well as staff with "due respect".

It was found teachers had "high expectations" of learners and plan their lessons "skilfully", while helping to create "highly supportive, calm and highly aspirational environments".

Leaders and managers were described as having "exceptional links" with nearby employers, universities and business groups. 

Since its previous inspection, Ofsted found NSCG leaders had "strengthened the development of skills" in the curriculums and have invested "extensively" in state-of-the-art facilities.

The college group was overall concluded to be "Outstanding" in each of the inspection areas.

Craig Hodgson, principal and chief executive of NSCG, said: “I am so pleased that Ofsted Inspectors experienced first-hand what I see from our students, apprentices and staff every single day – a warm and welcoming environment where learners are motivated and enthusiastic and staff demonstrate creativity, energy and passion in all that they do.

"The inspection period was an intense week for everyone involved and we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did without our students, apprentices, governors, employers and wider civic partners, who gave us their full support throughout, each playing an important part in the final outcome. 

"Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated and talented staff team for their relentless pursuit of excellence, and for consistently upholding the high standards.”