Queen Mary's College

Overview

The inspection found that students, including those with high needs, enjoy their time at the college and feel part of a “highly inclusive, welcoming and diverse community.” Most learners develop the necessary knowledge and skills for their next steps, with “very strong progress” noted in subjects such as chemistry and politics. The report highlights that teachers model professional working methods effectively, helping students to “improve their confidence and become more resilient.”

Strengths

• Students behave very well, are respectful, and arrive at lessons on time and ready to learn.
• Staff plan curricula effectively to ensure learning is “logical and sequential,” such as reinforcing foundational skills in mathematics before advancing to complex topics.
• Teachers use skilled questioning to “enhance, develop and deepen students’ understanding” and provide good feedback to guide improvement.
• The college offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses, including a bespoke curriculum for students with high needs that supports independence and communication.
• Specialist careers staff effectively support students aiming for prestigious universities, and students benefit from community projects and competitive events.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should improve the personal development curriculum to better prepare students for life in modern Britain and the world of work.
• The quality of careers advice needs improvement so that students not going to university are “as well prepared and supported as their peers.”
• Teaching quality in the discrete high-needs provision requires improvement, as students do not always understand new concepts before moving on, leading to slower progress.
• Governors must understand the college’s weaknesses fully and challenge leaders more robustly to ensure rapid improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with well-trained staff recording concerns carefully and students feeling safe on campus and online.