OFSTED Report for Epping Forest College - latest
Main story 9th February 2009, update on monitoring visit November 2009
OFSTED Monitoring Visit 3rd/4th November 2009 - outcome
At the beginning of November the College had a two day monitoring visit by a group of OFSTED inspectors. The purpose of this visit was to check the progress made since the OFSTED report highlighted areas to be addressed. As well as a through inspection of the key areas, the inspectors also took the opportunity to look wider at the progress made by the College and speak widely to students.
The outcome was very positive with the inspectors satisfied that progress was on target and the College was on-track with its post-inspection plan to move through satisfactory to an outstanding College. Epping Forest College looks forward to its full OFSTED re-inspection when its new grade will officially reflect the progress being made.
Main story - OFSTED report published:
Following their inspection at the end of 2008, OFSTED have now released publication of their findings. The full report can be read here.
In response to the OFSTED inspectors’ report on Epping Forest College College Interim Principal Jeannie Wright says: “We acknowledge that until the beginning of last year the College had suffered from a period of historic instability and this is reflected in the OFSTED inspector’s report. However we are already benefiting from our action plan for change that was instigated last year. This, together with the recent move into our new £38m state-of-the-art campus, has made a significant difference to the experience currently being enjoyed by our students and staff”.
“The OFSTED report acknowledges the very positive changes we have made to ensure our learners receive a consistently high quality education throughout the College. It further recognises the present management team’s grasp of the situation and task ahead citing the very thorough evaluation provided in the College’s self assessment report”.
“It is our immediate priority to continue our drive for excellence. We are heartened that the OFSTED inspectors have commented positively across a broad range of subjects in which the College has emerging strengths including, art and design, media, performing arts and music, engineering and manufacturing, literacy numeracy and ESOL and languages literature and culture”.
We are proud of our students’ diverse achievements. We are committed to ongoing change leading to excellence and we understand that for each individual, success means many different things. We now have a real dynamic for change, heightened expectations for all our learners and clear direction for achievement. This OFSTED report marks a milestone from which we can turn our faces towards the future and unlock the potential of every student in the College”.
Epping Forest College’s Chairman of Governors, Roger Neville, adds: “We are now committed to driving forward our change agenda to guarantee Epping Forest College takes its full and proper place as a key employer in our local community”.
“The Board accepts the OFSTED comments on management and leadership and have taken swift action to address these comments. We are fortunate in now having a dedicated team of professional staff who will be working closely with OFSTED, our funding bodies, local employers and above all our students to secure the best possible outcomes.
“As we carefully scrutinise this OFSTED report we are determined to understand its lessons on how we can enhance the College experience, making sure each student has access to our state-of-the-art learning and training opportunities at the new campus.”