Education watchdog Ofsted has praised Oldham Sixth Form College, giving it a "good" rating.

Though the college missed out on the coveted "outstanding" score overall, inspectors awarded top marks in the categories of behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Education quality, education programmes for young people, and provision for learners with high needs all received a "good" ranking.

A team of five inspectors visited the college in October and published the report on Wednesday, November 23.

Inspectors described the students, of which there were 2,369 aged between 16 and 19, as having “positive and mature attitudes to learning.”

Jayne Clarke, executive principal of Oldham Sixth Form College, said: “As a college, we take great pride in all aspects of the education we provide, from our broad and inclusive curriculum to the support and extra opportunities we give all our students.

“We’re delighted to have our work recognised with so many ‘outstanding’ judgements by Ofsted.”

Classrooms were described as being “calm and focused” with an inclusive culture throughout the college. 

Health and social care course criticised

However, while teachers had a strong focus on key concepts, inspectors said that health and social care teachers did not have high enough expectations for students to gain a detailed understanding of key topics, with some students who had not gained a passing grade not expected to retake exams.

This meant these students did not have the deeper knowledge required for their next steps, according to inspectors – with teachers placing too much focus on achieving criteria for the qualification at the expense of developing deeper knowledge, according to Ofsted.

However, leaders were praised for identifying areas for improvement in the health and social care course – with inspectors saying they are “committed to providing a high-quality education for students".

Teachers and leaders praised

Teachers at the college were praised for their “helpful, constructive feedback” given to students.

The report praised vocational programmes, which are offered in response to Oldham and the wider community’s need for skilled workers, as well as the “highly effective careers advice” and extra opportunities students are given outside of lessons. 

Leaders were also praised for their ‘strong focus’ on safeguarding students, with students said to be aware of the dangers posed by radicalisation and extremist views.

The college is the first sixth-form college nationally to be awarded Research School status and is also recognised as a Science Learning Partnership Hub.