VTC Independent School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 November 2023

Leaders and staff at VTC Independent School give pupils the support, and sense of purpose they need, to re-engage with education. Staff create a highly purposeful atmosphere. Pupils quickly learn to value both the vocational and the academic education provided. Many pupils experience a sense of academic success for the first time. This is highly motivating for pupils and encourages them to really commit to their learning. As a result, pupils achieve well. The school environment has been developed to provide a high-quality vocational education. Pupils particularly enjoy studying motor mechanics, welding and catering. In these subjects, pupils benefit from industry-standard equipment, which gives them a real understanding of what is required in each respective vocation. The school helps pupils to reimagine a more positive future for themselves, and then work with them to create a clear pathway forward. Developing positive behaviours and attitudes is a key part of this work. Pupils know exactly what is expected from them at school and when on school trips and visits. Most pupils develop positive and trusting friendships with their peers. Pupils in the sixth form demonstrate the professional behaviours that will be expected once they are in a workplace.

What the school should improve

• In a small number of subjects, the steps of learning are not clearly broken down into a logical sequence. Teachers sometimes teach outside of their area of expertise. Pupils are sometimes asked to complete complex activities when they do not have the requisite knowledge or understanding to be successful. The school needs to ensure that the small steps of learning are clearly broken down and understood by teaching staff and that teachers who are teaching outside of their area of expertise are supported to develop their subject knowledge.

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