Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is rated good by Ofsted

The dual-campus college, which has sites in the town centre and also in the former Wakeman School at English Bridge, was commended for its harmonious environment and overall effectiveness.

Inspectors visited the college last month and published their report today.

They gave it an overall rating of "good" in all the main aspects of the inspection which are overall effectiveness, outcomes for learners, teaching, learning and assessment and leadership and management.

The college has more than 1,500 students on its roll.

The report said: "Teachers are enthusiastic, have high expectations of students and provide them with very good care and support.

"Students achieve a high proportion of high grades at advanced level. Students develop adequate skills for employment.

"They learn about money management, how to prepare a curriculum vitae and their rights and responsibilities at work.

"The college has a harmonious and purposeful environment and students and teachers treat each other respectfully.

"Students from all groups achieve successful outcomes, which are similar to the average for the college."

The college was not ranked as outstanding due to tracking of students' progress not being sufficiently rigorous across all subjects.

It also said observations of teaching, learning and assessment and actions to resolve weaknesses identified during the observations do not always improve lessons effectively enough.

The report recommended that staff use information learning technology imaginatively in more lessons to stimulate and improve students' learning.

Principal Martin Ward said: "This is a pleasing outcome and reflects very good results for students over an extended period of time.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the process and particularly the staff for whom it is a significant event in their professional careers.

"Ofsted have not only picked out areas of good and outstanding practice but provided us with a clear road for further improvement all of which tie in well with our ambitions for the college in particular with our dual campuses at the English and Welsh Bridges."