Sandwell College

Overview

Sandwell College is described as a provider where learners study in "welcoming, safe and respectful environments" with staff who "care about their wellbeing." Leaders have established a "clear new vision" and strengthened regional partnerships to meet local skills needs, resulting in high achievement for most learners. However, the report highlights that progress for learners on level 3 courses requires improvement.

Strengths

• Leaders are "highly agile in responding to emerging skills needs," creating successful work academies and securing over 200 sustained jobs through NHS partnerships.
• The inclusion strategy is underpinned by an "ethos of ambition and nurturing," with staff effectively supporting learners with neurodiversity, mental health, and trauma.
• Teachers are "well qualified" with relevant industry experience, using effective techniques like demonstrations and technical language to help learners master knowledge.
• Apprentices develop "valuable professional behaviours," with many becoming "respected team members" and gaining distinctions in subjects like dental nursing.
• Learners with high needs achieve qualifications at the same rate as peers, benefiting from "bespoke pathways" tailored to their aspirations.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must improve the progress learners on level 3 courses make from their starting points, as "too many do not make enough progress" and achieve lower grades than expected.
• In foundation studies, learners "do not understand enough about controlling or coercive relationships," requiring enhanced personal development teaching.
• A few employers do not attend apprenticeship progress reviews often enough, and some apprentices are uncertain about achieving self-employment goals.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.