Totton College is part of Nacro, a social justice charity.
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Ofsted feedback
We are delighted to announce that Nacro Education, including Totton College, has been graded as an Ofsted Good Provider following an inspection in June 2024. Our staff are committed to supporting the learning and development of everyone who comes to Totton and we are very proud that this hard work and commitment, as well as the achievements of our learners, has been recognised by Ofsted.
The report praised the dedication of our staff, saying:
“Staff support apprentices to develop their professional behaviours and attitudes. Younger apprentices mature and become role models in their workplace. They learn time management skills to balance work, life and study responsibilities. Apprentices become motivated to achieve their qualifications and earn recognition as respected professionals.”
“Leaders and teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the character and bolstering the confidence of learners and apprentices. Learners with high needs take part in activities outside of their immediate peer groups. This allows them to grow their friendship groups and practice good behaviour with new people. As a result, many learners with high needs overcome their anxieties and become more resilient.”
“Staff work together to support learners’ physical and emotional development. Learning support assistants connect the work of therapeutic and academic teams, helping learners to achieve the targets set in their education, health and care plans (EHC plan).”
“Leaders develop ambitious curriculums to prepare learners and apprentices with the skills they need to succeed in both their work and personal lives.”
“Teachers support learners to produce work that not only meets but often exceeds their level of study.”
“Staff ensure employers are actively involved in apprentices’ progress reviews. These reviews effectively coordinate on- and off-the-job training, allowing apprentices to practice classroom learning in the workplace. This results in apprentices quickly developing skills employers value.
“Staff work closely with learners and apprentices to help them develop positive attitudes towards their training.”
“Many learners start with significant barriers. Staff support them to enjoy and value their studies, including subjects like English and mathematics where many learners had previously had negative experiences.”
Teaching, learning and assessment, and progress of learners was ‘Good’ for all groups of learners and our outcomes on achievement, retention and attendance have improved over the last two years. Safeguarding has excellent oversight, and partnerships and work experience have significantly improved to enable learners to progress.
Prevent strategy
In relation to our contribution to the Government’s Prevent strategy and how we implement this in our duty to safeguard young people, Ofsted found that ‘Senior leaders have met their obligations under the ‘Prevent’ duty effectively. Managers have developed good working relationships with relevant agencies and use these well to protect learners from those who promote extreme ideological views.’
They identified that ‘Managers and staff have ensured that apprentices and learners have an effective understanding of British values and the potential risks associated with those who may hold extreme views.’
Extremism, radicalisation and safety
With regard to our learners understanding of extremism, radicalisation and safety they found that ‘All learners have a practical understanding of how to stay safe from radicalisation and what to do if they are concerned about the risk of extremism’. ‘Learners and apprentices feel safe and know what actions to take to keep themselves safe’.
Also that ‘They are very clear about to whom they should take any concerns they may have should they feel vulnerable or threatened.’ They also found that ‘Managers and staff have a very good overview of the wide-ranging personal and social challenges to their well-being that most learners experience. Managers coordinate the work of external agencies and other staff very effectively to provide rapid and sustained help to learners.
Investors in People
Nacro’s operational services have been IIP accredited since 2000 and received IIP Silver accreditation in 2017. The award is a testament to Nacro’s:
- clear strategy and commitment to continue investing in training and employee engagement activities
- hard working managers across the organisation who ensure effective communication, engagement, performance management and development for teams and individuals
- culture of working together towards our vision and mission, living the organisational values and uniting with a shared purpose of improving the lives of our learners and service users
- ability to respond to change, especially following the merger between Nacro and Totton College which saw the college becoming an important part of Nacro, with colleagues working together with the same high standards and approach across the board.
