Thomas Rotherham College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 March 2024

Students have an extremely positive experience at the college. They benefit from high-quality teaching which enables them to make swift and secure progress. They learn substantial new knowledge and skills from their starting points. Almost all students successfully complete their courses and achieve their qualifications. A high proportion of students progress to higher education, including students with low prior attainment. More than half of the graduates who progress from the college are the first in their family to go to university. Students who do not choose a university option receive good support in relation to their aspirations, and a significant proportion of these students move on to an apprenticeship or secure employment. Staff have cultivated a highly inclusive and respectful environment in which they support students, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, to understand the principles of equality of opportunity and to celebrate diversity. Students uphold these principles proudly in all aspects of college life. For example, students on the T level childcare course are encouraged to work in line with the mantra of 'be the reason why someone feels included, welcomed and valued'. Students in A-level English language discuss topics such as transgender pronouns, protected characteristics and appropriate language with tolerance and respect. Students demonstrate exemplary behaviour everywhere in the college. They are highly respectful of staff and of each other. Students listen to others' opinions and value their peers' contributions to discussion. They discuss challenging topics sensitively, choosing their language carefully. They collaborate well with their peers to share ideas and formulate responses to teachers' probing questions. Students are highly motivated to learn. Attendance is high and students are punctual to lessons. They take pride in their work and value their time in learning. They appreciate being treated as adults and the mature college environment. Students are eager to learn and feel accountable for their learning and progress. They are motivated by the high expectations placed on them and the belief of leaders and teachers in their ability to succeed. Leaders have in place a well-planned programme of activities for students to explore and develop their interests and talents. Students can join societies to meet with others sharing similar interests, such as a feminist society and a 'pride' group. They can access clubs to develop and refine their skills in areas including debating, self- defence, British Sign Language and e-sports. However, participation in many of these activities is not consistently high. Leaders and managers recognise this and have a clear strategy to increase participation. Students feel safe in learning sessions and around the college due to the high visibility of their staff and the signs of safety around them. They recognise the importance of adhering to security measures to ensure the safety of all those on site. Students feel confident to report any concerns about their safety to any member of staff and trust that they will be taken seriously.

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