The most recent inspection of St Dominic’s Sixth Form College in Harrow has resulted in an ‘Outstanding’ rating.
St Dominic’s Sixth Form College’s report was dated 7th July 2022. At the time of the Ofsted inspection, there were 1308 students enrolled at the college, of which 682 were in the first year and 626 were in the second year.
The Ofsted reports states that at the college, based in Harrow on the Hill, ‘most students study three A-level subjects’.
The college report stats that St Dominic’s ‘offers a broad range of subjects with it’s largest subject area being science with 888 students, mathematics with 600, and economics with 287.’
Other subjects offered at the St Dominic’s include art and design, computer studies, drama, English, geography, history, law, music, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, and languages. In addition, the college ran sociology A-level for the first time this year.
The College has been rated ‘Outstanding’ in the following areas –
- The quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
- Education programmes for young people
- Provision for learners with high needs
- Overall effectiveness at previous inspection
Inspectors noted in the report: “Students flourish at the college. They thrive in a calm and peaceful environment where they can combine quiet study with friendly social activities. Students enjoy being part of a diverse and inclusive community, which is free from bullying and harassment. Students study in classrooms where behaviour is impeccable, and peers support one another to succeed.
“Students are respectful and listen intently to each other’s views. As a result, students rapidly gain the confidence to speak out in groups and lead prayers at the weekly Mass. They grow in maturity to become independent learners and thinkers.
“Students benefit from teaching by exceptionally skilled and well-qualified staff who encourage them to exceed their own expectations. Teachers make highly effective use of their skills to teach students new knowledge and complicated concepts.
“Students like the way teachers enthuse about their subject and report that this makes them keen to learn. Students greatly appreciate the personal support that teachers give them when they need help with their studies.
“Students have excellent attendance and punctuality to lessons. They understand clearly the penalties they will receive if they fail to attend lessons regularly or arrive late too often.
“Students value greatly the opportunity to take part in a prolific range of activities outside of their studies. For example, students raise funds for a local hospice and have recently organised a collection of items to donate to Ukrainian refugees.
“Students with additional learning needs appreciate greatly the extra effort teachers make to meet their needs. They like the quiet environment of the dedicated study area where they can access the lessons and resources teachers make available for them online.”
