Condover College, a specialist further education college in Shrewsbury has received an outstanding Grade 1 from Ofsted in their recent Inspection. The report published on the Thursday 21st March 2024, highlighted the excellent experience that its students receive. Ofsted described the college as a place where “Students flourish in the respectful, open and supportive culture that extends throughout the college. Students significantly improve their confidence, resilience and communication skills.”
Tracy Gillett Director of Education said that she was bursting with pride for the amazing achievements of the students and staff at the college. “I have felt that we have been giving our students an outstanding educational expereince for a number of years now. We have had a strong shared vision for success and have never compromised on quality – even throughout the pandemic when we stayed open the whole time, as we knew that it was the right thing to do for our students. To have my view ratified by Ofsted in such a glowing report is fantastic and we are all immensely proud of our success.”
Ofsted inspectors gave significant praise to the way that the college is led by saying that “Leadership and management are exceptional. Leaders, managers and those responsible for governance are extremely aspirational for their students. They have implemented an ambitious curriculum that challenges students to achieve the best that they can.”
Condover College becomes one of only 11* specialist further education colleges in the country that are outstanding, and prides itself on being small by design, keeping its bespoke and family feel, but with big ambitions for its students!
Vikki Pryce, Chief Executive of Condover College said “we are over the moon to have received an outstanding grade from Ofsted and we are enormously proud of everyone involved. The college team led by Tracy Gillett has worked tirelessly to ensure that the education provision is the best it can be. Having this recognised by Ofsted is the icing on the cake for us!”
Condover College offers personalised learning programmes through one of their two very distinctive Pathways for young people with SEND aged between 18–25. Condover’s Employability Pathway prepares students for work through a range of different work placements and a strong focus on increasing independence. Their Design for Living Pathway supports more complex and profound students to improve their communication and independent living skills, often accompanied by therapies to help ready them for the transition into supported living and adult services when they finish their education. Ofsted reported that “Parents are delighted about the increased levels of confidence and self-esteem that students demonstrate. They feel that the college has raised their own aspirations for what their child can achieve in life.”
Condover College is the only* College providing outstanding further education for young people with SEND in Shropshire.
To find out more about the specialist further education available at Condover College please contact Michelle Docherty on 01743 872250 or admissions@condovercl.org.uk
* At time of the report being published
