Reaseheath College

Overview

Reaseheath College is a specialist land-based institution where students generally enjoy their time and display positive attitudes, particularly in practical lessons. However, the quality of teaching is described as "too variable," with significant issues in classroom-based lessons where students are "too passive" and disengaged. While apprenticeships and personal development are rated Good, overall effectiveness requires improvement due to inconsistent teaching, low achievement on some courses, and insufficiently ambitious curriculums.

Strengths

• Students and apprentices "enjoy their time" at the college, showing "positive attitudes" and regular attendance.
• Apprenticeships are rated Good, with learners developing "useful new knowledge, skills and behaviours" and making an "effective contribution" to employers.
• Personal development is Good, supported by an "effective pastoral programme" and active student union involvement in charity fundraising.
• Leaders work effectively with employers to design curriculums that meet local skills needs, particularly in land-based sectors.
• Residential students are taught how to keep safe, and incidents of poor behaviour are "dealt with swiftly."

Areas to improve

• Improve the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment, particularly in theory lessons, ensuring curriculums are "suitably ambitious."
• Increase retention and achievement, as "too many students leave their courses early" and achievement remains low on entry and level 3 courses.
• Improve the consistency of learning support for students with SEND and high needs, ensuring support staff work proactively with teachers.
• Ensure all apprentices understand the requirements, preparation, and timing of their final assessments.
• Strengthen quality assurance processes so leaders can "accurately evaluate the quality of education" and intervene swiftly.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."