HOW WOULD YOU SUM UP THE STATE OF SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE AT THE MOMENT?

South Essex College is in a very good position at the present time.

We have made significant improvements over the last twelve months, which will result in much improved outcomes this summer.

It is unfortunate that Ofsted did not recognise this and focused all of their attention on last year’s data. As a number of local colleges have found recently, achieving an overall grade two – a good rating – is challenging, but we are moving rapidly in the right direction.

THE COLLEGE NOW HAS TWO OFSTED REPORTS IN A ROW WHICH SAY IT REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT. ARE YOU DISAPOINTED BY THIS?

I am obviously disappointed that we received this result despite the massive improvements we have made.

Leadership andmanagement was awarded a Grade 2 – good – stating we have everything in place to move forward.

More than 50 per cent of our teaching and learning was awarded a Grade 2, including our apprenticeship provision which accounts for nearly a quarter of our students.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW TO TURN THIS AROUND?

We are continuing the work we have already put in place. The report states that we have “implemented skilfully a clear strategy to improve teaching, learning and assessment that focuses on raising standards for learners”.

We just need to see the improved results this year which will reflect our development. Our progression rates to university and employment are good and will improve again this year. We need to build on this further.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE COLLEGE’S STRENGTHS AT THIS TIME?

The strong leadership team at the college is driving up standards across the board. Teaching is improving and student completion rates are up.

We’re dedicated to advancing our staff’s skill set with further training. We are working on getting all our students into meaningful work placements during their courses which will greatly improve their chances of finding work when they leave education.

WHY DO YOU THINK A-LEVEL PASS RATES HAVE DECLINED AND TOO FEW RETURN FOR THEIR SECOND YEAR OF STUDY? HOW ARE YOU TACKLING THIS?

A-level pass rates declined last year but this was a one-year blip with results being good in previous years.

A-levels are a small provision at the college and we had some difficulties with staff recruitment which have now been addressed.

We are confident A-level results will improve again when they are announced in August.

ONE AREA THE COLLEGE APPEARS TO BE PARTICULARLY SUCCEEDING IN IS APPRENTICESHIPS. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS?

Apprenticeships are a real alternative to the traditional classroom route of further education. We have a clear management structure in place and deliver a number of apprenticeships through our collaborative partnership arrangements.

We have some excellent partners who help us to deliver a good quality service. We know from the government that this is a significant area for growth so we have made a concentrated effort to improve this department and it has worked. We can now begin to grow this provision further.

WHAT IS THE COLLEGE DOING TO IMPROVE POOR ATTENDANCE FIGURES?

We have high expectations of our students and our attendance rate during the Ofsted inspection was 87 per cent.

Ofsted inspected a small number of English and maths lessons where a lot of students had already completed their qualification or were in exams.

We’re always trying to grow our attendance rates and put in place lots of initiatives to improve them.

We now employ progress coaches who monitor and followup attendance.

THE GOVERNMENT IS INCREASINGLY MEASURING SUCCESS BY GRADES IN MATHS AND ENGLISH, AND THE RATE IS “SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER” THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR MATHS BUT LOWER IN ENGLISH. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS?

Quality of outcomes is based on quality of teachers. We have a really good maths team in place that achieve excellent results. We have invested in a new English team and hope to see the success of this during the summer.

Students who are studying maths and English GCSEs at college failed to achieve a Grade C in school. Some of them don’t have the confidence to study the course again, and for others we really have to convince them that the GCSEs are worthwhile. It is a significant ask for the college to get them to the pass level in only one year.

WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE THE COLLEGE TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?

I want pass and progression rates to rise even higher. I want to see more students pass their qualifications and progress on to further study, apprenticeships, higher education or employment.

I would like to see the college’s improvements recognised and for us to be graded as a good college.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SINCE TAKING OVER AS PRINCIPAL?

Changing the culture of the organisation, creating one unified college that focuses solely on our students.