The OFSTED Summary (OFSTED, May 2010)

Abbey College provides a good quality of education for its students. It is particularly successful in achieving its aim 'to help every one of our students to fulfil their potential.' The provision for spiritual, moral and cultural education is outstanding. Behaviour is also outstanding; students value being treated as equals and appreciate the high levels of support they receive.

The quality of the curriculum is good. Students make consistently good progress and some make outstanding progress, particularly in mathematics, chemistry and English.

The broad curriculum includes a wide range of GCSE and A Level subjects as well as good provision for PSHE (personal, social and health education).

Students are prepared very well for the next steps in their learning, particularly those applying to university.

Teaching and assessment are good and students make progress.

Teachers know their students very well and lessons are carefully planned to meet individual needs. Teachers have very good subject knowledge and are able to skilfully guide students.

Students are keen to learn, have positive attitudes in lessons and get on very well with their teachers. All staff have consistently high expectations of behaviour and consequently students behave exceptionally well in lessons and around the college.

The college has a very good understanding of each student's abilities and interests. Each student is regularly assessed in each subject and set clear targets for improvement.

Behaviour is outstanding. Personal development is a significant strength because teachers are such positive role models and successfully nurture the individual's qualities of each student through praise, encouragement and high quality support.

Students are proud of their work and achievements. They have extremely positive attitudes to their work and report their appreciation of the high quality advice and guidance they receive from staff. Social skills are effectively developed, resulting in polite, considerate and articulate young people.

The wide range of students who attend the college from all over the world get on well together and the college effectively promotes tolerance and harmony. Students have the opportunity to share their culture and beliefs with others during tutor sessions. "

A full copy of the Abbey College Birmingham OFSTED report may be read on the OFSTED website here.

Inspection by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (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".

Schools' Performance Table January 2011

Abbey College ranked 1st in Birmingham in Government 2010 A-Level Performance Table -January 2011.

Abbey College Birmingham was the top school/college in the Birmingham area for value added at A-Level in 2010.  The 2010 Secondary School and College A-Level Achievement and Attainment Tables published on 13th January 2011 showed that, out of nearly 60 independent and maintained schools and colleges in the Birmingham area, Abbey College students achieved the best value added score.

Peter Farrar, Principal of Abbey College Birmingham commented.

"Congratulations to students and staff on this fine achievement.  Abbey College Birmingham recorded its best ever combined A-Level and GCSE results in 2010 and the Government Tables confirm our high academic standards.  We have a fantastic track record of supporting students to achieve the A-Level and GCSE results that they want and need, enabling them to move onto future success at university courses of their choice".

To view the tables click here.

Schools' Performance Table January 2010

Abbey College Birmingham was the top independent school in the Birmingham area for value added in 2009.  We were ranked 5th out of 57 schools in Birmingham for value added at A Level.

To view the Schools' Performance Tables published on Wednesday 13th January 2010 click here.