The Hive College in Erdington recently celebrated achieving an Ofsted rating of Outstanding. Students and their families, staff and other stakeholders are delighted with the result of outstanding across all 4 key judgement areas following a 3 day full inspection in November 2023.
The college currently has 120 learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged between 19-25 years and is part of the Education Impact Academy Trust. It offers three study programmes for learners depending on their needs and aspirations focused on employment and volunteering outcomes and access to the community and prepares learners for adulthood by encouraging them to be as independent as they possibly can.
Kim Everton, Executive Principal of the Hive College said that the “college was confident going into inspection, but you always have that bit of self-doubt. We were elated, overwhelmed and unbelievably proud to hear from the inspectors that what we do at the Hive is outstanding”
The report states that:
Learner’s behaviours and attitudes are exemplary. They are kind and respectful to each other and their teaching and support staff. They listen well, ask for clarification, and confidently express their views, wishes and personalities.
Learners achieve “significantly beyond” their target outcomes set out in their Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs), helped by on-going assessments that teachers use to adjust learner’s study programmes to make sure they are consistently demanding.
Progression to employment, apprenticeships and independent living is backed up by extensive post college support for learners once they have completed their studies to ensure their transitions into society are sustainable.
High needs students are well prepared for adulthood due to the college’s partnerships with employers.
Teachers were praised for the ways they support learners with more complex needs to fully engage in their education, self-regulate their behaviours and develop new skills. As a result of this, learners make extensive progress from being unable to express themselves to being able to make choices for themselves where possible.
Leaders were praised for detailed processes for quality assurance allowing learners to progress swiftly and achieve their best. Leaders are challenged by a board of trustees of educational experts, parents and employers and hold them accountable to continue to improve the quality of education at the Hive.
Kim Everton said that the college will continue to invest extensively in the quality of education by recruiting exceptional teachers and support staff, providing them with essential continual professional development to be able to support the learner’s effectively and continually improving the college environment to make the climate for teaching and learning outstanding.
