A COLLEGE with campuses in Evesham, Pershore and Malvern has been rated Good in its latest Ofsted report.

The college, WCG (formerly Warwickshire College), includes Pershore College, which specialises in horticultural subjects, Malvern Hills College, a centre for art and crafts for many years, and Evesham College, which is based around workplace settings to give students the skills for a career start.

One of the largest further and higher education colleges in the UK, it has 4,101 learners aged 16-19, 1,949 adult learners and 2,597 apprentices.

Areas highlighted as good by Ofsted include the quality of teaching; outcomes for learners; personal development, behaviour and welfare; apprenticeships; provision for learners with high needs; and the effectiveness of leadership and management .

The report says: “The curriculum reflects the local economy and skills priorities. Learners gain the right skills and use industry-compatible resources” and “teachers have high expectations of learners and apprentices”.

It also says: “Staff develop good relationships with parents and employers that lead to improved progress for learners and apprentices. Employers report that apprentices have a positive impact on their businesses."

But it also says the college must increase the number of learners making good progress and getting qualifications in English.

It must also provide training for staff in underperforming subjects, and "take firm action to improve attendance, particularly in English and mathematics lessons".

Special mention was made of the merger in August 2016 with South Worcestershire College, which includes the Malvern and Evesham Colleges, which it described as being managed “adeptly and empathetically”.

The report goes on to say: “The group includes nine geographically dispersed sites, and leaders focus well on retaining and developing each college’s historical curriculum identity."

Angela Joyce, college principal and chief executive, said: “This is an excellent endorsement of the hard work of our staff and students and the high quality outcomes that they produce.

"This report is a credit to them all. I am pleased to also see that our approach to merger has been highlighted.

"We believe passionately in delivering educational opportunities through locally-based colleges, underpinned by the benefits and strength offered through a large group structure.”