Ashton Sixth Form College rated 'Good' by Ofsted inspection team

A Tameside College has been rated 'good' by inspectors from Ofsted.

At a previous inspection in 2020, Ashton Sixth Form College was described as 'outstanding'.

And inspectors are still impressed with the Darnton Road college - which has 2,279 students on its roll - four years on.

The inspection took place in January, and the college received top marks for the behaviour and attitude of staff and students and personal development and was rated good in all other categories, including the quality of the education it provides.

The report, by a six strong inspection team led by Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones, said: "Students', including those with high needs and adult learners' behaviour is exemplary.

"Attendance at classes is high. Students and adult learners enjoy coming to college, where they appreciate the helpful and suportive teachers who, they say, give them the guidance they need to develop the knowledge and skills to move on to their next steps.

"Students appreciate the diverse and inclusive culture of the college. They feel; able to express themselves in a rich and diverse community.

"They enjoy learning more about the cultures, beliefs and backgrounds of others."

Teaching standards were praised throughout and the college was singled out for the work it does to help students enter the world of work.

The report said: "Leaders have planned a very broad and effective range of activities to help students and learners understand their future career options.

"Students benefit from work experience placements and work-related learning where they work. on real life tasks set by employers."

However, there was some criticism that a minority of students were failing to achieve the highest grades in their subjects.

"Most students achieve their qualifications," the report said. "However, in a minority of courses too few achieve the very highest grades.

"Leaders rightly recognise that too any students and adult learners in a few A-level subjects and supporting teaching and learning courses leave their courses early."

Safeguarding at the college was said to be 'effective'.

Lisa Richards, Centre Principal, said: "We are thrilled that inspectors witnessed the true essence of our exceptional students. Their behaviour exemplified the fantastic attitudes they bring to college life, earning a rating of outstanding for Behaviour and Attitudes. Inspectors described student behaviour as “exemplary,” highlighting their positivity, confidence, and readiness for their next steps.

Our high expectations extend beyond the classroom, and we are delighted that our commitment to personal development was also recognised as outstanding. We are delighted that inspectors could see how we nurture well-rounded young people who are fully prepared for their next steps—whether progressing to a top university, securing a highly competitive apprenticeship, or entering the workforce with confidence and ambition.

While we celebrate our strengths, we are committed to continuous improvement. The areas identified for development were already priorities for us, and the positive impact of this can already be seen.

It was heartening to see that the overwhelming majority of parents said that they would recommend the college to others, reflecting the trust and confidence in the education and environment we provide. We remain dedicated to working closely with students, staff, and parents to build on our successes and to ensure we continue to transform lives through learning."