South Bank Colleges

Overview

South Bank Colleges is a further education provider in South London comprising two colleges, with an overall effectiveness judged as 'Good'. The report highlights that adult learning programmes are 'Outstanding', while apprenticeships 'Require improvement'. Leaders have effectively managed the transition to a new campus and maintain strong partnerships with local employers and authorities.

Strengths

• Adult learners benefit from 'comprehensive and well-taught curriculums' that help them 'flourish in their communities and at work', with a 'very high proportion' moving on to higher study or employment.
• There is a 'strong culture of inclusion' where learners feel 'safe and valued', and staff foster an understanding of diversity.
• Teachers use assessment effectively to check knowledge and provide 'timely verbal and written feedback', helping learners 'learn from their mistakes and improve'.
• Leaders work 'highly effectively' with partners to create training pathways that respond to local skills needs, such as developing new qualifications for EV charging.
• Provision for learners with high needs is 'Good', with staff individualising curricula and integrating therapies effectively to support preparation for adulthood and work.

Areas to improve

• Support apprentices to make expected progress and achieve their apprenticeship standards, addressing issues where teaching quality is not consistently high.
• Fully implement planned actions to improve attendance in subjects where it is currently too low.
• Improve the uptake of personal development activities and increase the number of learners achieving qualifications in information technology and grade 4 or better in English and mathematics GCSEs.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.