RUSKIN Mill College in Nailsworth has gone from being assessed as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2010 to a rating of ‘inadequate’ in its most recent inspection.


Ofsted inspectors who visited in March concluded that, while outcomes for learners, and quality of teaching, learning and assessment were good, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness, were inadequate.


The college provides for 93 students aged from 16 to 19-plus, with a range of learning disabilities, emotional needs and challenging behaviours. The inspectors did note that the complexity of needs of the student cohort has increased significantly since the last inspection.


In their summary they said: the quality of provision has declined; evaluation and monitoring all aspects of safeguarding is weak; the number of significant incidents, including bullying, is too high; lines of accountability and reporting are unclear; and arrangements to promote equality and diversity are not working effectively.


On the plus side, they did say: many students progress to the chosen destinations on leaving the college; standards of work are good and sometimes outstanding; very good teaching in many subjects maintains the interest of previously-disengaged students; programmes of learning are individually designed and make good use of excellent practical resources; and therapeutic support is very good and improves students’ well-being.


College principal Elisabeth Johnson said Ruskin Mill is addressing all the concerns raised by Ofsted.


She said: “As part of strengthening the over-arching quality assurance procedures, management of the residential provision offered by the college has been restructured and improved safeguarding arrangements with enhanced reporting and monitoring systems are being implemented. These improvements will better enable the college to respond to and meet changing needs and requirements of all of its students.”


She added that she was pleased that the Ofsted inspectors recognised the quality and strengths of the teaching and skills of the staff.