DEREHAM SIXTH FORM COLLEGE – OFSTED COMMENTS – SEPTEMBER 2006

Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Sixth Form

Sixth Form provision is good overall with some outstanding features in the personal development and well-being of students and in the quality of care, guidance and support provided for them.

Students are especially well supported by tutors in how to manage their work and very well informed about careers and choices in higher education.  Students enjoy their learning, make good progress and reach standards at GCE AS and A-level which are above the national average.  Very few students do not complete the courses they begin.

Grade – good (2)

Achievements and Standards.

Sixth form students make good progress and achieve well. Consequently, they attain standards above the national average on advanced courses. Students and parents are pleased with standards in the school and in the sixth form college.

Grade – good (2)

Personal development and well-being

Sixth form students’ personal development and well-being are also outstanding.  Their behaviour is exemplary and they are highly motivated to learn.

Grade – outstanding (1)

Quality of provision

Teaching and learning

Teaching in the sixth form is good and helps students to learn independently. As a result they gain confidence, make good progress and reach standards above the national average.

Grade – good (2)

Curriculum and other activities

The sixth form curriculum gives a good choice of GCE AS and A-level courses, but the absence of lower level courses denies the opportunity to lower attaining students who lack alternative provision locally.  Students are articulate, confident and have mature and highly positive attitudes to learning.  They have a strong work ethic, shown by a determination to gain further skills and qualifications to reach economic independence.  The college has created a safe, supportive and challenging environment in which most students flourish and mature as fine young adults.

Grade – satisfactory (3)

Care Guidance and Support

The care, guidance and support that sixth formers receive are outstanding. Tutors are highly committed to help individual students to manage life and work problems and students greatly appreciate the help they receive.

Grade – outstanding (1)

Leadership and management

Leadership and management in the sixth form are good.  The director and senior staff effectively balance the input of the two contributing high schools while retaining the college’s own sense of identity.  Heads of department successfully co-ordinate the input from the staff of the two contributing high schools.

Grade – good (2)

For further information go to www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports and look under Northgate or Neatherd high School