Failing college makes ‘significant progress’ in one year

A failing college for further education has made “significant progress” in one year, the education watchdog has said.

Inspectors said it lacked in its offering in curriculum, apprenticeships and adult learning opportunities.

The SMB College Group was formed in 2020 following the merger of three Leicestershire colleges – Stephenson, in Coalville, and Brooksby and Melton, in Melton Mowbray.

It offers courses to young people aged 16 to 18 – some with high needs, apprentices, and adults.

Subjects include animal management, sport, construction, vehicle maintenance, autism awareness and mental health first aid.

During its first inspection on 7 February 2023, inspectors found: “In too many subject areas, young learners do not gain substantial new knowledge and skills.

“Apprentices do not develop their skills and knowledge beyond the vocational aspects of their courses.

“Adult learning curriculum managers do not use their links with employers well enough to help learners develop their career goals.”

The report also stated curriculums were “not demanding or broad enough”.

Apprentices were not prepared for final assessments and did “not complete their qualifications successfully”, and adult learners often did not get jobs “because their courses do not prepare them well for work”.

Inspectors revisited the three campuses on 20 and 21 March to evaluate progress.

They found newly appointed curriculum quality managers “work successfully with leaders to drive improvements in teaching, learning, and assessment”.

Apprenticeship provision has also improved, with increased focus on achievement to ensure that all apprentices are on target.

The report stated: “Apprentices confidently articulate how they apply their learning to the workplace and value the quality of off-the-job training that they receive.”

“Apprentices feel confident and well prepared for their final assessments and know how to achieve high grades.”

Adult learning initiatives have also expanded to include more employment-driven courses and qualifications, with a focus on programmes to help adults to progress in their careers or, in the case of unemployed learners, to begin new careers.

The report said: “Adult learners benefit from targeted careers support and guidance from the start of their course.”

A spokesperson for SMB College Group said the latest report “highlights significant progress”.

“This is the best outcome you can get on a monitoring visit,” she said.

“This means our next inspection will be a full inspection where they will provide a grade.

“The college is delighted that the ongoing improvements to its educational offer have been formally recognised.”