ONE of Swindon’s colleges has dipped significantly in quality after experiencing a very challenging few years, according to a new Ofsted report.

Swindon College was hailed by inspectors as outstanding in 2013 but they were less than impressed when they revisited it before Christmas and have now marked it down and now say it requires improvement.

The two-category drop is down to the college struggling with a number of teachers leaving the college and the effects of an unsuccessful mid-management reorganisation.

The report noted: “The quality of teaching, learning and assessment has declined and is not consistently good.

"Since the previous inspection, the college has been through challenging times and leaders have failed to maintain standards. This is partly due to the many changes to staff and leadership.

“The current leadership team is making well-considered changes but has much to do. Managers have been slow to improve the quality of study programmes.

“Despite considerable investment by managers, the teaching of English and mathematics GCSE and functional skills is weak.

“Often, teachers do not use information about learners’ previous attainments in order to provide suitable learning activities.Teachers’ expectations of what many of their learners can achieve are not high enough.

“Staff do not focus sufficiently on developing learners with high needs’ knowledge and skills in order to secure employment, achieve their potential or increase their independence. Consequently, learners are not making the progress of which they are capable.”

Not enough students on study programmes achieved their qualifications, teachers hadn’t been given enough support and the college management team had unfocused improvement plans and weren’t entirely sure which, if any, of their curriculum changes and attempts to improve the quality of teaching had actually worked.

But there were areas where the college had maintained a good standard, such as its adult learning courses programmes, apprenticeship schemes, and the way staff handled the personal development, behaviour and welfare of their students.

The inspectors added: “Staff use their industry experience and subject knowledge well to develop learners’ practical skills to a good standard.

“Since the last major change of leadership in 2016, leaders have developed a clear vision for the college.

"Governors have carefully managed the college’s finances through challenging times in order to ensure that sufficient resources are available and the college is able to invest in the aims of its strategic plan.”

The Advertiser contacted the college for comment but no-one there was available to provide one before our deadline.

The report suggests staff are already aware of the problems caused by the transition period and are working on regaining their outstanding grade.