Chichester College Group has become the second general further education college to be rated ‘outstanding’ under Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
The group, which formed in 2017 following mergers between Brinsbury College, Chichester College, Crawley College and then Worthing College in 2019, received grade ones across the board in a report published today following a visit in early March.
Chief executive Shelagh Legrave said that to achieve the rating after such a short period of forming was a “phenomenal achievement” and a “true testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of all of our staff and students”.
Ofsted’s glowing report lauded leaders and managers for successfully developing a strong “collaborative culture between the campuses, particularly within teaching, training and learning”.
Chichester College Group has more than 12,000 students who are all “rightly very proud of their college”, according to inspectors.
They found that learners and apprentices of different abilities and backgrounds work “harmoniously together and in so doing support and inspire one another” and they are “ambitious to achieve”.
The report continues: “They [students] cherish the passion and subject expertise of their teachers which inspire them to extend their learning.
“They develop new interests and pursuits, such as involving themselves in wider community, national and international interests, with enthusiasm. For example, learners work with Crawley Open House, a centre for homeless people, the Alzheimer’s Society or with overseas education charities [such as building schools in Kenya].”
