Education and skills provision at Totton College has been rated ‘Good’ across the board by Ofsted, following an inspection during March 2019.
Totton College is run by social justice charity, Nacro, since a merger in 2015, to save the college from closure.
As part of a wider inspection of all Nacro’s education and skills provision across the country.
Ofsted inspectors reviewed the provision at Totton across vocational and technical qualifications and apprenticeships for 16 to 19 year-olds and adults.
Inspectors found that leaders, managers and staff hold high ambitions for students and apprentices that help them make good progress, achieve well and take positive next steps in their education and employment.
Inspectors observed that teachers guide learners skilfully to make important small steps in their learning. This gives learners the confidence and belief that they can achieve. And learners grow in confidence and develop their social skills rapidly.
Inspectors also found that Managers have successfully improved the availability and effectiveness of work experience for young people. They track and monitor learners’ progress well and ensure that learners get the help they need to stay on track in their learning.
Totton College student, Luke, said:
“I always struggled to fit in at secondary school and suffered with confidence issues, so I felt invisible and had no sense of direction or purpose. This all changed when I came to Totton College. Teachers never gave up on me and allowed me to try different things until I found my passion. Now I am about to finish my final year of a Computer Games Technology degree, have set up my own business and have delivered IT skills training to other students and adult learners all during my degree gap year. I never thought this would be possible but with Totton College, the sky is the limit.”
Dr. Julian Lewis MP for New Forest East, Said:
“This comprehensive validation of the efforts of students and staff will greatly encourage both them and the wider community that Totton College is back on track and here to stay. I congratulate them and look forward to further progress in the years ahead.”
Totton College Vice Principal, Hannah Avoth, said:
“To move from being rated ‘inadequate’ and facing closure to be rated ‘good’ with students achieving success within three years is an incredible transformation.
“At Totton College, students can choose from a wide range of learning opportunities to give them the skills they need to get on the path to their chosen career.
We also work closely with local employers and businesses to offer the best volunteer, work experience, apprenticeship and employment opportunities for our students, alongside industry-standard facilities, including a media suite, motor vehicle unit and hair and beauty salon, to enable study within real-life working environments.
“At Totton College, the sky really is the limit and we encourage more local people looking to progress their education to come and find out what makes Totton College so special.”
Nacro Director of Education and Skills, Lisa Capper, said:
“We are immensely proud of all Totton College staff as they work tirelessly to maintain a highly ambitious culture of learning alongside personalised support to bring out the very best in every single student. Totton College students are equipped with the skills and confidence they need to flourish and reach their full potential. We look forward to helping many more people across Hampshire succeed and move towards a brighter future.”
Click here to see the full Ofsted report
