Penwith College News
Good progress at Penwith College
Following the recent Inspection of Penwith College, the report published by Ofsted praised many aspects of the College’s work. They noted that students clearly enjoyed their time at college and appreciated the support that they are given by the staff. The report went on to say that the staff had clearly worked hard to maintain the strengths in teaching and learning from the last Ofsted and that success rates had improved over the last 3 years.
Some comments on the curriculum areas inspection included “high attainment relative to prior achievement and very good pass rates in A2 and GCSE English”; “good support and resources for students … and high levels of attendance” in Humanities”; “high success rates in A level Law”; “good specialist accommodation and resources and very good learning support” in Foundation Studies; “good A2 success rates in Arts, Performing Arts and Media; “good learning resources and environment and good practise shared” in Science and Maths.
This report states that the leadership and management are satisfactory and internal communications are good. Inspectors were impressed by the rapid pace of change since the last inspection and the significant investment made to improve resources for students and provide a pleasant environment. They noted the development of a new system to monitor students’ performance, attendance and monitoring. This has greatly improved the availability of useful data, which was a criticism in the last report.
David Gibson, who was Acting Principal of the College until December 2007, said “I am overwhelmed by the response that I have had from the College staff in my time here - in their passion and enthusiasm to turn the College around. The work that they have all undertaken in such a short time since the last inspection has been immense. This has had a positive effect on their working lives and most importantly on the student experience here at the College. As we enter the period of merger with Truro College, I am certain that the College will go from strength to strength with its new robust systems and a positive, forward looking culture.”
John Willday Chair of the Governing Body added,”On behalf of the Governing Body I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff of the College. This Ofsted grade of ‘satisfactory’ overall does not reflect the hard work and dedication put in by so many of the staff, but does reflect the positive change that has taken place throughout the College. This is only the beginning. 2008 will be a year of great change, of merger, of redevelopment and of continuing success and achievement by our students.“
Jonathan Burnett, the Principal of Truro College and Acting Principal of Penwith College welcomed the report. “It is clear that the College has made progress. The inspectors judge that the merger will bring further improvements – we are determined to create an outstanding College in Penzance, where students will enjoy their education and achieve high standards.”
For a full copy of the report log on to www.ofsted.gov.uk
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