Derwentside College

Overview

Derwentside College is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership. The report highlights a supportive culture where learners demonstrate ‘positive attitudes to learning’ and staff are well-supported, resulting in low staff attrition. Leaders maintain a clear strategic plan and effective quality improvement processes that ensure high standards of teaching and resource provision.

Strengths

• Learners and apprentices show ‘mutual respect’ and ‘keen to learn’ attitudes, with effective support for English and mathematics improving writing and grammatical skills.
• Staff provide ‘effective careers advice’ and work closely with employers to design apprenticeships that meet local skills needs, such as in roofing and adult care.
• The college has invested in ‘industry-standard resources’ that replicate professional working environments, preparing learners well for their sectors.
• Learners with additional needs are identified swiftly, with ‘detailed support plans’ ensuring they are comfortable expressing concerns and securing understanding.
• Leaders promote a ‘supportive and inclusive culture’, and staff benefit from professional development opportunities, including ‘back to industry’ days.

Areas to improve

• Encourage more local young people to attend the college to take advantage of regional job opportunities.
• Ensure improvements in monitoring apprentices’ progress and supporting those who fall behind are sustained.
• Improve communication with employers to increase their involvement in apprenticeship progress reviews.
• Ensure teachers check that learners have fully acquired knowledge from previous courses to address any gaps in learning.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with staff receiving appropriate training and learners feeling safe and confident that concerns would be dealt with swiftly.