Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington

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

Leaders and staff have very high expectations for students' academic progress and for the behaviours and attitudes that students demonstrate. They have created a very positive and respectful culture across the college. Students are studious, inquisitive and keen to learn. They display very positive attitudes to their learning and life in the college's inclusive community. Students value and speak enthusiastically about the extensive knowledge and skills that they are developing and how these will help them achieve their future ambitions.

Through the highly effective support and challenge that they provide, staff improve students' confidence and resilience significantly. Students learn very early that it is acceptable, and indeed can be beneficial, to make mistakes so that with the support of their teachers, they can learn from these and improve.

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

Leaders and governors express, and translate to staff, a clear and ambitious vision that the college will provide high-quality, transformational education. They ensure that the college's curriculum is accessible to students from all social backgrounds, and with varying levels of prior attainment, high needs or learning difficulties and/or disabilities. As a result, the college provides excellent opportunities to enable students to overcome barriers posed by educational, health and social disadvantage.

Leaders have developed a broad and highly inclusive curriculum which allows students to build a study programme from a blend of academic and applied general qualifications matched very well to their interests and career aspirations. Leaders, managers and teachers are committed to developing students' passion for learning. They plan and teach curriculums across a wide range of subjects that enable students, including those who have high needs or other learning support needs, to make significant progress in gaining new knowledge, skills and behaviours.

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

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