Shooters Hill Sixth Form College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 January 2024

Staff have created a vibrant and diverse community, where valuing others, including their beliefs and attitudes, is central to college life. This leads to a calm environment, with a strong culture of respect and tolerance, where students are confident to be themselves. Staff throughout the college have high expectations of students as young adults and, in return, students conduct themselves responsibly and with maturity. Staff have created an inclusive environment in which students with high needs are fully integrated into the college. For example, the centrally located coffee shop, originally set up to support foundation learning students to gain employability skills, has become popular with students from all over the college. It provides a safe space for students to socialise and spend time. Students with high needs in discrete provision are challenged by their teachers to develop their independence so that they can contribute to the communities in which they live. Teachers plan courses very well to meet the needs of individual students. This helps each student to increase their confidence and improve their communication skills. These skills have helped a minority of students to gain supported internships or purposeful work experience, which has led to paid employment at the end of their course. Students display a positive attitude towards their courses and have a strong desire to learn and achieve. They enthusiastically take part in lessons, and most are keen to answer questions and put forward their ideas. They do not hesitate to share their views on their experiences at the college, either with their teachers or through the active student council. They do so knowing that they will be listened to and that staff will take action. Students feel safe in and around the college. Should they have concerns, they are happy to make staff aware of these without fear of being judged.

What the school should improve

• Make sure that teachers of students with high needs in discreet provision are clear about what they expect students on non-accredited programmes to achieve.
• Ensure that students with high needs in discrete provision undertake purposeful workful experience.
• Ensure that, in lessons, explanations of tasks and concepts are clear and correct any misconceptions in students' knowledge.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)