Ashton Sixth Form College

Overview

Ashton Sixth Form College is judged as ‘Good’ overall, with ‘Outstanding’ ratings for behaviour and attitudes and personal development. The report describes a college where students and adult learners are ‘committed to their courses’ and benefit from a ‘diverse and inclusive culture’. Leaders plan curriculums logically to build knowledge, though some inconsistencies in teaching and monitoring remain.

Strengths

• Students’ and adult learners’ behaviour is described as ‘exemplary’, with high attendance and a strong sense of safety.
• The tutorial curriculum is ‘highly contextualised’, using local experts to provide accurate insights into community life and risks.
• Leaders gather detailed information to plan ‘individualised programmes’ for students with high needs, ensuring appropriate course placement.
• A ‘very broad and effective range of activities’ supports career development, including employer talks, work experience, and one-to-one advice.
• Governors use their expertise to ensure curriculums align with local skills priorities and provide ‘appropriate challenge’ to leaders.

Areas to improve

• Increase the proportion of students and adult learners who remain on courses and achieve qualifications, particularly at the highest grades.
• Improve the quality of education in the few underperforming areas where teachers do not assess prior learning effectively or provide useful feedback.
• Improve the monitoring of progress and achievement to ensure swift action is taken to prevent underperformance across all courses.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.