Ofsted: ‘insufficient improvement’ at LeSoCo

In January eduction watchdog Ofsted published its first full report on LeSoCo, the institution formed by the merger of Lewisham College and Southwark College.

The college – which has more than 17,000 students enrolled at its Waterloo and Lewisham campuses – was rated 'inadequate' – the lowest possible score.

Now Ofsted has released its report on a follow-up visit to the college in March intended to check on action taken in response to the low rating.

The monitoring report says that "insufficient progress" has been made to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, and to increase students' attendance rates and punctuality.

Improvements in English and maths teaching are described as "reasonable".

The report also says that not enough has been done to improve tutorial arrangements: "Many learners testify to the strong support they currently receive from their personal and subject tutors, but too many tutorial sessions have low attendance.

"Not all learners are receiving timely help to apply for university or are supported fully in their onward career or study intentions."

LeSoCo recently gained approval for the second phase of the redevelopment of its Waterloo campus, including residential development on part of the site.