Franklin College

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings

This is a good provider Governors, leaders and managers have created an inclusive, welcoming college that provides a supportive learning environment in which students flourish. Since leaders and managers began to implement actions to tackle the weaknesses identified at the previous inspection, the pace of improvement has been rapid.

Teachers use effective learning and assessment strategies which ensure that most students make good progress in developing their academic and vocational knowledge to a higher level. Students on 16 to 19 study programmes make very good progress in developing their English and mathematical skills. Managers work very effectively with external partners, including sub...contractors, to develop a curriculum for students that meets their needs and future aspirations.

A very high proportion of students on 16 to 19 study programmes at level 2 achieve high grades on their courses. Most students progress to further and higher education, apprenticeships or employment on completion of their courses. In a small number of subjects, the feedback that teachers provide is not sufficiently helpful.

The progress that students make on a few A- level subjects remains too slow. The attendance of adult students is too low. A small minority of students are not encouraged sufficiently to develop their skills and behaviours to their full potential.

Information about the provider

Franklin College is located on one campus in Grimsby. The vast majority of students are aged 16 to 18. Most students on 16 to 19 study programmes take level 3 courses, and many study a combination of vocational qualifications and A-level subjects.

The college also provides a small adult learning programme, a large proportion of which is taught by a subcontractor through distance learning. At the time of the inspection, there were seven apprentices in training. There are areas of high deprivation in the area served by the college.

The unemployment rate in north east Lincolnshire is higher than that seen nationally. At all qualification levels, the percentage of people in north east Lincolnshire who have qualifications is lower than the national and regional averages and significantly so at levels 2 to 4. In 2016/17, fewer young people in the local authority achieved a grade 4 in GCSE English and mathematics than was the case nationally.