A college attended by Swindon students in further education has been downgraded from good to requires improvement.

Ofsted inspectors paid a visit to Cirencester College between Tuesday, March 19 and Friday, March 22 this year.

After the inspection, they graded the college overall as ‘requires improvement’.

The quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, education programmes for young people and provision for learners with high needs all required improvement according to the inspectors.

The behaviour and attitudes, adult learning programmes and apprenticeships meanwhile were all marked as good.

The college’s previous inspection – in November 2018 – saw it receive an overall good rating.

At the time of the recent inspection, around 2,900 learners aged between 16 and 18, 200 adult learners and 50 apprentices were studying at the college.

In order to improve, inspectors said that the college should: “Increase the number of young learners who stay on their course, and the number of young learners and learners with high needs who pass their qualifications.

“Improve initial advice and guidance for learners so that they choose and study the right course.

“Improve the assessment of what learners know and can do when they begin studying their course, and the ongoing assessments of learners’ knowledge and skills so that teachers and learners know whether they are making the progress of which they are capable, can identify their gaps in knowledge and can restructure the curriculum accordingly.

“Increase the number of young learners and learners with high needs taking part in high-quality work experience placements so that those who plan to move into employment are suitably prepared.

“Increase the attendance of young learners and learners with high needs for all parts of their programme, including GCSE English and mathematics classes and tutorial sessions.”

During the report, inspectors also found that: “Learners and apprentices’ behaviour at college and work is good.

“They value highly how staff establish positive relationships with them to create a respectful and positive learning culture

“Learners and apprentices value the support they receive from their teachers.

“Adult learners enjoy their studies.

“Teachers recognise, and prioritise rightly, the importance of ensuring that adults can study in a supportive and respectful environment

“Adults who have previously found formal learning difficult gain the confidence and academic skills they need to study effectively and make good progress towards achieving their personal goals.

“Apprentices develop valuable new practical skills and knowledge that prepares them effectively for their future careers.

“Learners and apprentices feel able to report concerns to staff and are confident that these will be taken seriously.

“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”

A college spokesperson said they acknowledged their findings which highlight areas which require improvement.

New principal of Cirencester College, Matt Reynolds said: “We have an amazing college here with a great reputation and positive progression for young people, our learners consistently go on to do great things after studying with us.

“Ofsted have complimented us on our teaching and the safe and caring environment we provide.

“They recognised that our learners who progressed to university do exceptionally well.

“Our adult provision and apprenticeships received special recognition.

“In fact, they have awarded us good on a number of key elements, but they have some things they would like us to improve.

“Ofsted feel we need much more employer involvement in our course design, and we would welcome this as an opportunity to engage even closer with employers who would like to work with us.

“They also have issues with our attendance levels post Covid, which it’s true is a national issue, and they would also like us to source more work experience for A-level learners who are not planning to go to university.

“We appreciate the continued dedication and hard work of our students, staff, parents, and the wider community.

“Work is already well underway and the technicalities we’ll be improving will not affect the essence of the wonderful college environment we've created.

“Yes, there's work to do to answer to the system by which we’re measured, but we are very confident that we will comfortably meet their criteria while maintaining our fantastic culture here at Cirencester College.”

Chair of the corporation, Fiona Galbraith said: “Cirencester College brings out the very best in over 3,000 young people who travel many, many miles each day to benefit from the exceptional education available here.

“I am immensely proud to be chair of corporation and of the disproportionately high achieving community of staff and students and everyone who supports them.

“I know that, whether student, staff, governor or family member, all of us are united as a community by our pride in this fantastic college and our determination that it will continue to strive for excellence in all things.”

See the report - tinyurl.com/58bezze7