A COLLEGE with thousands of students across the region has been praised for its “clear and ambitious vision” for education and training.
South Gloucestershire and Stroud college (SGS) was rated ‘good’ overall by regulator Ofsted, with ‘outstanding’ ratings for its adult learning programmes and students’ personal development.
The college, formed from the merger of Filton and Stroud colleges in 2012, has six main campuses from central Bristol to Berkeley and Stroud, with around 3,800 learners aged 16 to 18, the same number of adult learners plus around 300 14 to 16 year olds and 900 apprentices.
A team of 15 inspectors visited the college’s campuses between January and February this year.
In their report, the inspectors said: “Learners and apprentices enjoy studying in the highly inclusive environment created by staff at all levels and in all areas of the college.
“Learners and apprentices are taught curriculums that have been thoughtfully designed.
“Leaders and managers have a clear and ambitious vision for providing education and training that contributes strongly to meeting the needs of local and national employers.
“Leaders consider carefully their local communities and demographics when designing and building curriculums that aim to empower learners and apprentices, enable social mobility and improve life chances.”
College principal Sara-Jane Watkins said: “We are really proud of the judgements that Ofsted have made of SGS.They recognise the excellent work that staff across the college have made in their commitment and enthusiasm in delivering great education and learning for all of our learners.We are especially proud of the recognition that Ofsted has made of our many initiatives that we have developed to help so many of those disadvantaged in society.We want to make a positive difference to the lives of all those we support.”