New City College

Overview

New City College is a large further education group delivering an “exceptionally well considered” curriculum across multiple campuses. The inspection found that learners and apprentices “thrive” in diverse communities, benefiting from “exceptional leadership” and high-quality teaching that drives significant progress and successful progression to employment or higher education.

Strengths

• Teachers are “subject experts” who teach the curriculum “exceptionally well,” helping learners develop a wide range of knowledge and skills.
• The curriculum is “well sequenced” and extends beyond qualification requirements, including specialist training in areas like AI and green skills.
• Staff provide “extensive support” for mental health and well-being, alongside high-quality careers advice and enrichment activities.
• Learners with high needs study in “highly supportive environments” where staff use effective strategies to aid communication and independence.
• Governance is “highly effective,” with governors providing rigorous challenge and oversight to ensure consistent quality across all sites.

Areas to improve

• In motor vehicle and plumbing, employers do not participate sufficiently in curriculum design, limiting learners’ exposure to the world of work.
• For some apprenticeships, trainers and employers do not align on-and-off-the-job training well enough.
• In electrical installation and plumbing apprenticeships, teachers do not provide sufficiently helpful feedback, preventing some apprentices from achieving as highly as they could.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.