The OFSTED Summary (OFSTED, September 2007)
“The quality of education provided by Abbey College is good. The curriculum allows student to select courses from a wide range of subjects and is planned well to ensure thorough acquisition of examination knowledge and techniques. Teaching is good. Students receive very effective individual help and this, combined with their excellent attitudes to learning, leads to good progress and meticulous preparation for further studies or work. The provision for the welfare, health and safety of students is also good.
There is excellent support for university applications and staff have significant expertise in this area.
Students praised their teachers for giving so much of their time with strong mentoring outside timetabled lessons.
The very small classes result in focused teaching, often one-to-one, and this has a positive impact on the students’ learning.
Many teachers are examiners themselves and use their knowledge effectively to assess students’ work.
The progress of students is good …
Lessons are planned carefully…
Students try hard, show respect for the learning needs of others and demonstrate high levels of commitment.
Excellent behaviour and attitudes reflect the fact that the great majority of students enjoy being at the college. Relationships are excellent and there is a very strong mutual respect between staff and students. Students feel valued.
The college takes appropriate steps to deal with the infrequent incidents of bullying and students confirm that bullying is not tolerated.”
A full copy of the Abbey College Birmingham OFSTED report may be read on the OFSTED website
Inspection by the British Accreditation Council (BAC – April 2007)
“The College has an excellent record of student achievement in gaining admissions to highly competitive courses.
Students interviewed during the inspection spoke very highly both of the teaching and of the support received trough the Personal Tutor system.
The inspectors reported on a very good or good level of provision with a number of significant strengths in all of the areas assessed during the inspection. Teaching was thoroughly planned and effective. Inspectors considered the Student Welfare provision to be excellent overall. The inspectors were pleased to note the extent to which Abbey College Birmingham has been organised to ensure that every student is given the encouragement and opportunity to achieve his or her potential”.
