Strathmore College

Overview

Strathmore College continues to be a "good provider" for young people aged 16 to 25 with significant barriers to education, including autism and special educational needs. The inspection found that learners enjoy studying, feel safe, and benefit from personalised curriculums designed around their individual education, health and care plans.

Strengths

• Leaders have designed "personalised curriculums" based on learners’ needs, enabling them to study a wide range of subjects and achieve qualifications such as GCSEs and A levels.
• Staff, including "experienced teachers and external tutors," expertly support learners with high needs, helping them rapidly acquire new skills and confidence.
• Learners actively engage with the community, participating in projects such as designing a public sculpture and raising money for charity.
• Therapeutic services help learners regulate their behaviour and overcome social anxieties, with many now confidently using public transport and shopping.
• Leaders have improved careers advice, employing dedicated staff to ensure all learners have "individualised career goals" and participate in work experience.

Areas to improve

• Ensure all learners recognise the skills they are learning and how these relate to their personal targets.
• Ensure staff give learners time to answer questions independently rather than speaking for them.
• Extend links with employers to broaden work experiences, as some current placements are not ambitious enough for learners’ aspirations.
• Strengthen and widen governance expertise, particularly regarding the further education and skills sector.

Safeguarding

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