Wigan and Leigh College

Overview

The report describes Wigan and Leigh College as a "welcoming and supportive" institution where learners and apprentices are "happy" and demonstrate "positive attitudes to their learning." Leaders work closely with employers to deliver an "ambitious curriculum" that meets local skills needs, resulting in high-quality education across most programmes.

Strengths

• Learners benefit from a "culture of mutual respect and tolerance" and produce work of a "high standard."
• Teachers use "effective feedback and assessment techniques" and maintain industry expertise to deliver well-sequenced curricula.
• The college makes a "strong contribution to meeting skills needs" through bespoke programmes and effective employer collaboration.
• Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," with staff appropriately trained and concerns dealt with "swiftly and effectively."
• Most learners are "well informed about their next steps" in employment or further study.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must "rapidly improve the few programmes that are underperforming," specifically level 3 animal management, to ensure learners make expected progress.
• Apprentices and learners with high needs require independent careers information, advice and guidance to make "informed, long-term career choices."
• A personal development curriculum should be planned for apprentices, who currently lack opportunities for voluntary or community work.
• Apprentices need to develop a better understanding of "radicalisation and extremism" and its relevance to their work and personal lives.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that staff are appropriately trained and referrals are handled swiftly.