Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has retained an 'Outstanding' grade in its latest Ofsted inspection, with inspectors praising its "strong contribution" to meeting skills needs. 

After a rigorous inspection by a 13-strong Ofsted team from 1 to 4 October, Ofsted reaffirmed the College's 'Outstanding' rating, a status it has proudly held for five years. 

The College was rated 'Outstanding' on the following areas: 

• Overall effectiveness
• Quality of education
• Behaviour and attitudes
• Personal development
• Leadership and management
• Education programmes for young people
• Adult learning programmes
• Apprenticeships
• Provision for learners with high needs

The College has been rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted since October 2019 (NSCG).

Craig Hodgson, Principal and Chief Executive of NSCG, said: "I am so pleased that Ofsted Inspectors experienced first-hand what I see from our students, apprentices and staff every single day – a warm and welcoming environment where learners are motivated and enthusiastic and staff demonstrate creativity, energy and passion in all that they do. 

Continued Craig: "The inspection period was an intense week for everyone involved and we wouldn't have been able to achieve what we did without our students, apprentices, governors, employers and wider civic partners, who gave us their full support throughout, each playing an important part in the final outcome. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated and talented staff team for their relentless pursuit of excellence, and for consistently upholding the high standards that make NSCG such a special place to learn and work – I'm delighted that these efforts have once again been recognised by Ofsted." 

The 'Class of 2024' achieved record-breaking results (NSCG).

Commenting on the result, Adam Jogee MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme and Leigh Ingham MP for Stafford released a joint statement: "We are delighted to learn that Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group has once again been rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. This fabulous outcome is a reflection of the college's unwavering focus on student success and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the local economy. As MPs for constituencies that are served by NSCG, we are immensely proud to have one of the highest-performing colleges in England in our area, and we look forward to seeing the College continue to thrive and provide exceptional opportunities for generations to come." 

Here are just a selection of the many 'Outstanding' features that Ofsted commented on during their visit: 

• "Staff are excellent role models; they are professional, friendly, incredibly supportive and work tirelessly to meet the needs of learners and apprentices." 
• "Leaders and managers have exceptional links with local employers, universities and regional business groups. They collaborate effectively with partners and are agile in the way they create a challenging curriculum to help learners achieve ambitious career goals." 
• "Staff at all levels work highly collaboratively with important stakeholders, including local authorities, the city council and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, to understand the local economy, job market and priorities." 
• "Leaders have developed curriculum which strongly reflects the knowledge and skills required in the local skills improvement plan (LSIP)." 
• "Learners feel safe at NSCG. New learners benefit from exceptional transition arrangements, which swiftly make them feel comfortable and familiar in new surroundings." 
• "Leaders have invested extensively in state-of-the-art facilities, at both sites, which support the current skills priorities." 

The College is hosting an Open Event on Thursday 14 November from 5.30pm (NSCG).

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NSCG has a national reputation for educational excellence - if you would like to learn more about the facilities or courses, the College is hosting an Open Event on Thursday 14 November from 5.30pm. 

The Open Events are a great way for prospective students to meet Tutors and the Principal, chat with students and view the £65 million campus and £5.5 million Performing Arts Centre. 

NSCG offers a huge range of courses including A Levels, T Levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships and progression and skills pathways. 

The College has around 10,000 learners on part-time, full-time and apprenticeship programmes and the 'Class of 2024' achieved record-breaking results which resulted in 97% of students progressing to top universities, securing great jobs and apprenticeship opportunities. 

The College has around 10,000 learners across its variety of courses (NSCG).

As well as securing 'Outstanding' feedback from Ofsted, the College also receives complimentary feedback from learners. 

For example, Jacob and George Shrive said: "The lecturers here were great role models and were always available to talk to". The identical twins studied A Levels and achieved fantastic grades, leading them on to Exeter University. 

Ebony Dyas-Eldon also studied A Levels but is continuing at NSCG to study Foundation Diploma in Art. She said: "NSCG allows you to find your passionl and your independence". 

To find out more about NSCG, attend the Open Event on 14 November, 15 January or 5 April - or visit the website. 

If it wasn't for sponsors like Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group our news site would not be possible - thank you.

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