College graded 'outstanding' in all areas

A college has become one of only six in England to have been graded outstanding in all possible categories by Ofsted.

West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds was visited in November by inspectors, who rated it as good after its last inspection in 2022.

In their report, inspectors said students and apprentices thrived in a "purposeful and calm environment" at the college.

Dr Nikos Savvas, chief executive of Eastern Education Group which runs the college, said the grade was down to the "hardworking" and "dedicated" staff members.

Inspectors said students joined the college with "low aspirations, negative experiences of education and often highly challenging personal backgrounds".

However, they made "exceptional progress" in resilience, positive behaviours and confidence thanks to the college.

"Leaders have a strong vision to promote social mobility through high-quality training, education and support," the report said on college staff.

"They actively seek to work with the most disadvantaged individuals and groups to ensure nobody is left behind. They are highly ambitious for their students and apprentices."

The report added that staff understood their students' needs while they worked closely with employers for the benefit of apprentices.

"Ofsted commented that in every conversation, every classroom, and every interaction they had, they saw leaders ambitious for their students, their college, and their community," Dr Savvas said.

"The Ofsted report is a tremendous account of everything we stand for in terms of dedicating ourselves to ensuring that everyone we support has the best education."

The Ofsted grade also unlocks a "unique treble achievement" for Eastern Education Group, which operates two other outstanding colleges in Suffolk - One Sixth Form College in Ipswich and Abbeygate Sixth Form College in Bury St Edmunds.

"We believe that we are the only college group in the country to have undergone three inspections across three different locations in just under three years and achieved three outstanding results," Dr Savvas added.

"It is a credit to everyone who works for Eastern Education Group."

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