Kisharon Langdon College in Edgware, which supports young people with learning difficulties, has passed its latest Ofsted, meeting the standards in all five areas assessed.
Leaders had “a clear vision to provide high-quality education”, recently implementing a new curriculum “that is better designed to help students develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours as they progress towards independence,” inspectors said.
Students worked “at or above the expected standard”, demonstrating their new skills “through practical activities, such as running and managing the college coffee morning and designing a learner voice feedback box, which allows them to make suggestions for improving the college”.
They made “clear progress towards independent living and gain the skills required for this,” Ofsted said. Most moved on to “positive destinations, including paid or voluntary employment”.
Job coaches matched work-related learning to students’ career aims towards the end of the programme but earlier work placements were not always “fully aligned to students' interests and needs”, inspectors found.
A range of “meaningful work experiences” included working in the bicycle shop. Students
contributed regularly to the local community, for example volunteering in a food bank.
Dr Emily Haddock, director of education and impact at Kisharon Langdon, said: “Leaders have worked tirelessly to raise standards, strengthen safeguarding and ensure that wellbeing sits at the heart of everything we do. Our students deserve the very best, and parents rightly expect a provision that is safe, ambitious and nurturing.”
Richard Franklin, the charity’s chief executive, said the inspection report was “ a testament to the exceptional commitment of the staff team at Kisharon Langdon College and our trustees, who have worked with focus and determination to drive improvement.
" The strength of safeguarding and the clarity of leadership shown in this inspection reinforce our unwavering commitment to student wellbeing, ambition and inclusion.”
Two years ago the charity closed its college campuses in Salford after a critical Ofsted visit.
But under its new system the inspection service no longer awards overall headline grades to institutions.
To get more from community, click here to sign up for our free community newsletter.