Itchen College, Southampton

What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Students and adult learners at Itchen College benefit significantly from the very purposeful and welcoming learning environment that staff create. They value the caring, nurturing and supportive culture of the college. Students and learners become confident and develop resilience rapidly. As students and adult learners grow in knowledge and skills, they quickly gain ambition and aspire to be successful.

Students and adult learners share the high expectations that staff consistently set throughout their time at college. They behave impeccably. Students are friendly and respectful with each other, staff and visitors. Students and learners look forward to coming to college and thoroughly enjoy their learning. A small minority of students do not attend well. These students have often missed significant amounts of their education in the past. In these instances, staff take highly effective action that helps students improve their attendance.

What does the provider do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders, managers and staff are passionate about promoting social mobility. They are highly aspirational for students and adult learners, many of whom come from highly disadvantaged backgrounds, to achieve and succeed. This is reflected in leaders' actions to increase the number of level 1 and 2 courses and so provide students with clear pathways into higher levels of study. In the same way, leaders are committed to supporting students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to remain in education.

Leaders, managers and staff work exceptionally well to support students to engage with their learning positively and develop a strong work ethic. They work tirelessly to break down barriers to learning. Where students face significant challenges during their time in college, leaders have made sensible and sensitive changes to programmes in year to ensure that these learners continue in learning. While this has had an adverse impact on retention rates, the impact on students is transformative and most move on to positive destinations as a result.

Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Leadership & management.

Personal development.

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