‘OUTSTANDING’ Ofsted 2025
17 March 2025
Staff and students at Greenhead College are celebrating as the College, once again, achieves “Outstanding” status in all six key judgement areas in its latest Ofsted inspection – a status it has held and maintained since its very first report in 2004.
The rigorous four-day inspection was the College’s first under the recently updated Ofsted framework, which emphasises the importance of the provider’s contribution to the skills agenda. The College was deemed “Strong” for its contribution to meeting skills needs, detailing that “Senior leaders and governors ensure that teachers focus explicitly on the skills that employers value highly, such as communication, resilience and critical thinking”, using examples such as “in economics, students use common data analysis software to develop their technical and digital skills and practise critical analysis and coding.”
The report recognises the College’s exceptional students, quoting
“Students’ attendance, behaviour and attitudes to learning are exemplary. They arrive to lessons punctually and eager to learn.”
The report also praises students’ contribution to the College’s inclusive, kind and tolerant community.
Staff members were praised throughout the report, citing that
“students benefit from expert teachers who use their extensive skills and passion for their subjects to spark students’ interest and curiosity.”
It also commented that safeguarding procedures at the College are effective, and students feel safe at Greenhead, due to the “care and expertise of staff.”
The College’s “expertly designed tutorial programme” and its “rich and comprehensive enrichment programme” were also commended.
Mo Bunter, Principal at Greenhead College commented “As Principal of Greenhead College, I am incredibly proud of our Ofsted inspection that took place in February 2025. Maintaining Outstanding in all judgement areas and securing Strong for the College’s contribution to meeting skills needs, reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of all staff. It demonstrates the level of support and opportunities afforded to our students, to enable them to achieve to their full potential.”
Mo then went on to say that “the purpose of the College is to ‘Be exceptional’, in essence what this means is that we expect leaders, teachers, tutors, support staff and students to be the best version of themselves that they can. We know that this is not always possible, but what is important is that when it doesn’t go to plan, reflection takes place, support is sought and we adapt what we do. This continuous improvement model is key to the longevity of Greenhead College being outstanding since its first inspection in 2004.
As you will see from the report, Greenhead College has a focus on developing resilient, well rounded respectful young people who are effectively prepared for their next steps, whether that is university, apprenticeships or employment.”
Richard Armstrong, Chair of Governors echoed Mo’s comments whilst also saying “the success is testament to the talented and hardworking staff, committed students and a Governing Body and College Leadership Team who consider students and staff at the heart of key strategic decisions, ensuring that the College is proactive, outward facing and innovative in approach. Like students, the whole College strives to be ‘the best version’ of itself every day.”