Telford College of Arts and Technology rated inadequate by Ofsted

Inspectors said governors and senior leaders at TCAT have failed to provide solid leadership.

They criticised the level of attendance, which was described as was "very low and declining", and said apprentices make slow progress, have low achievement rates and teachers' expectations of learners were too low.

Effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, behaviour and learning, outcomes, 16 to 19 study, adult study and apprenticeships were all said to be inadequate.

Read the full Ofsted report on Telford College of Arts and Technology here

Around 19,500 students learn at the Haybridge Road college, with approximately 15 per cent learning full time. Over 50 per cent are adult learners.

In November the Skills Funding Agency issued the college with a 'notice of concern' as a result of an inadequate rating for financial control, and bosses were said to have focussed to heavily on that.

Inspector Denise Olander led the team that visited the college and filed the report.

In its summary of findings, her report states: "Governors and senior leaders have failed to provide clear leadership and strategic direction; they have not acted quickly enough to rectify declining standards in teaching, learning and assessment.

"Apprentices make slow progress and have low achievement rates. Learners' attendance is very low and declining.

"Management information is not fit for purpose; as a result leaders and managers do not make appropriate improvement interventions.

"Achievement rates for learners have declined and are too low. Too few learners aged 16 to 18 who retake their English or mathematics GCSE, and too few adults who retake English GCSE, achieve an A* to C grade.

"Teachers' expectations of learners are too low. Assessment is too infrequent and teachers' feedback on written work is insufficiently detailed; as a result too many learners make poor progress."

The report noted that the senior management team at TCAT recognise the issues they face and had already made changes that could quickly improve the situation.

The inspectors, who visited from May 3-6, also praise provision for learners with high needs and says the college's curriculum effectively addresses local skills gaps.

Chris Scott, principal and chief executive of TCAT, announced in February he was leaving the role with immediate affect prompted by the "massive changes" in the further education sector.

Telford College of Arts and Technology today described a critical Ofsted inspection as "extremely disappointing". But it insisted it was determined to improve after being branded as inadequate by inspectors.

The college is currently exploring the possibility of a merger with Telford's New College.

TCAT interim principal Jo Lomax said today: "Naturally, we are extremely disappointed with this grading. The college has had to make significant structural changes due to reductions in funding streams, and this has been very challenging for us all.

"Our governors and dedicated staff are fully committed to our learners, and we have a clear vision which is providing us with some clear indicators that we are turning around the performance of TCAT.

"We are pleased that Ofsted has recognised that many of the improvements it feels are needed at the college are already being implemented quickly by our new senior management team and teaching staff.

"We are also delighted that they have highlighted positive aspects of life at TCAT, including the way in which our high-quality facilities are being utilised by the teaching staff.

"There was also praise for our effective partnership working with local employers, and the fact that we have developed a curriculum which addresses the skills gaps identified by our key stakeholders in the Telford & Wrekin area.

"Ofsted also described the work experience opportunities which we provide to learners between the ages of 16 and 19 here at TCAT as being among our key strengths."

Around 19,500 students learn at the college, with approximately 15 per cent learning full time. Over 50 per cent are adult learners.

Ms Lomax said a clear plan had been created and she was confident the necessary steps would be made to improve.

She added: "We are all working extremely hard, we have a clear strategy, and we are continuing to focus on our learners, supporting them to achieve their objectives, and ensuring they are business-aware and work-ready at all levels.

"We are convinced that, as we work our way through this process, we will emerge as a stronger, financially sustainable, and more dynamic organisation."

TCAT is currently in talks with Telford's New College about a possible merger.

The possible alliance was announced in April, when Ms Lomax described it as "an exciting opportunity for both colleges to benefit from each other's expertise".

She added: "The needs of students are the most important factor in all of this, and we feel that a merger between Telford College and New College would be in the best interests of learners in the Telford & Wrekin borough.

"Not only will it add an excellent sixth form provision to the TCAT portfolio, it will also open up our state-of-the-art vocational training programmes to New College learners. And with our campuses already within walking distance, there would be no transport-related disruption to students."

She said TCAT's newly restructured management team had formed a much closer working relationship with New College.

The changes follow the departure of former principal Chris Scott in February, who criticised "massive changes" in the further education sector.

He said on leaving the college: "It has been a privilege to work for Telford College, but the unprecedented cuts in finance to the FE sector, and the transformation this has forced us to undergo, has changed the principal's job almost beyond recognition."