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Improvements are being made at a college which helps young people with additional needs - although it still requires improvement. Birtenshaw College was recently inspected by Ofsted, which graded it as 'requires improvement' - the same judgement at the last full inspection in 2022. But standards are rising at the college on Crompton Way.

Both the personal development of students and their behaviour attitude were found to be good. But the quality of education, leadership and management and provision for those with high needs were in need of improvement. Lead inspector Alison Cameron Brandwood and Ofsted inspector Jane Young conducted the inspection.



The report stated: "Learners are polite and respectful towards each other, staff and visitors. They concentrate on the tasks they are working on because of small class sizes and high support ratios. "Learners are happy at college.

They find teachers and learning support assistants (LSAs) helpful and supportive. "Learners learn in a calm environment in which they build confidence and develop social interactions with staff, fellow learners and visitors. Most learners make steady progress from their starting points.

"They improve their technical knowledge and vocabulary." It adds: "However, teachers and support staff do not use a broad enough range of activities to help pre-entry level learners, especially those with the most complex needs, develop their independence. "They rely too heavily on verbal instruction and questioning.

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