South and City College Birmingham is a large general further education college with multiple campuses across Birmingham, offering a diverse range of technical, academic, and vocational courses. The college serves a significant number of learners, including 3,850 students aged 16 to 18 and 6,317 adult learners. It provides various pathways, including A levels, vocational courses, T levels, and foundation learning, catering for a wide array of subjects such as engineering, healthcare, and creative arts. The college also offers apprenticeship programs across various trades, with a focus on practical skills and employability.
The recent inspection conducted from March 5 to 8, 2024, revealed that the overall effectiveness of the college requires improvement. Key areas such as the quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as requiring improvement. While adult learning programs and apprenticeships received a good rating, the provision for learners with high needs was found to be lacking. The college's previous inspection in November 2018 had rated it as good, indicating a decline in performance.
Learners generally experience a positive and respectful culture within the college, with staff demonstrating care and support for their students. However, issues such as poor attendance among some learners hinder their educational progress. Many students engage in community projects, enhancing their understanding of citizenship and social responsibility. Despite this, the college struggles with ensuring that all learners, particularly those in the 14 to 16 age group and those with high needs, receive adequate work experience and employability skills.
The college leadership has shown awareness of the local economy's needs and has established connections with various stakeholders to address skills shortages. They have implemented employer boards to align curriculum development with industry requirements. However, there is a need for greater engagement with small and medium enterprises to enhance the relevance of training programs.
The inspection highlighted several areas for improvement, including the urgent need to enhance the quality of education for young learners and ensure that those with high needs receive appropriate support and monitoring. Attendance rates must be improved, and teachers should utilize learners' starting points more effectively to tailor their teaching. Additionally, the college must provide meaningful work experience opportunities for all learners to prepare them for future employment.
Despite the challenges, the college has taken steps to address its shortcomings, including restructuring management and focusing on quality improvement plans. The leadership has appointed a new set of governors with relevant expertise to support the college's strategic development. While there are signs of progress in some areas, the college must continue to work diligently to ensure that all learners achieve their potential and receive the education they deserve.
