Weymouth College is celebrating a 'fabulous achievement' after managing to maintain its 'Good' Ofsted rating following a short inspection.

The college was inspected by the education watchdog on March 4 and 5 earlier this year after last being visited in November 2015.

The Ofsted inspection team highlighted that "Weymouth College is an enjoyable and supportive place," adding "Learners welcome the approach to treat them as adults and the independence this brings. They get on with their work but are confident about asking for help when they need it."

It also stated: "Leaders place a high priority on maintaining access for learners in specialist provision, which would not otherwise be available in the local area. As a result, learners have access to a wide range of specialist training opportunities at successive levels.

"In media, learners study courses from level 1 to level 6. They develop impressive practical skills and gain valuable qualifications which support their ability to progress to higher education and employment.

"The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The team identifies vulnerable learners swiftly and provides effective support."

Principal and Chief Executive Nigel Evans said: “Ofsted have just confirmed Weymouth College’s ‘Good’ grade some five years after achieving its first ‘Good’ grade. It is a fabulous achievement and massively important for the College’s staff and students who have worked so hard to maintain the College’s grade. Above all, the grade means that the College continues to very effectively serve South and West Dorset’s students and its community - including parents, carers and employers.

"One of the opening lines of the report stated that students find the college enjoyable, which I have personally never seen before in an Ofsted report.

"We hope to be open fully for mid-August, when we would normally start enrolling."

Vice Principal and Nominee, Julia Howe said: “The 2-day inspection, under the new framework was a very intense experience, however, we are so proud to have been awarded Good again, it is a true reflection of all the hard work of our students, apprentices and staff. We were advised ‘not to underestimate the achievement in maintaining Good status from the old framework to Good in the new framework’. As always we will continue to improve and positively impact the lives of our students and community.”

Richard Noah, Chair of Weymouth College Corporation added: “I am very proud to be Chair of the Corporation Board at the College. It is a fantastic achievement to retain an overall grade of ‘Good’ from Ofsted, particularly under the new framework for inspecting colleges. Congratulations to all the hard-working staff and students. Their positive attitude and continuing responsiveness is what makes Weymouth College a great place to be.”