Nottingham College

Overview

Nottingham College is a large further education provider offering a wide range of courses for young people, adults, and apprentices. The inspection found that the majority of learners have positive experiences in a "calm and safe" environment, with effective teaching and strong employer links supporting progression.

Strengths

• Tutors plan courses effectively, helping learners build knowledge and skills over time, with "good levels of subject expertise" kept up to date through industry links.
• Strong employer engagement ensures most courses offer "good-quality preparation for work," with curricula closely reflecting industry needs.
• Adult learners benefit from strong community links, supporting those returning to study after health difficulties or new arrivals to the UK.
• Learners develop personal skills such as resilience and confidence, with many progressing successfully to employment or higher education.
• Governance is effective, with governors scrutinising information well and leaders focusing on staff development and strategic direction.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure learners with high needs on vocational courses receive "appropriate, bespoke support" that meets their needs, addressing current inconsistencies due to staff shortages.
• Leaders should ensure all young learners and apprentices achieve their courses well, particularly those studying at level 2, where pass rates are currently lower.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff undertaking suitable training, appropriate policies in place, and thorough procedures for reporting concerns.