City college earns glowing Ofsted praise

Birmingham’s Joseph Chamberlain College has won glowing praise from Ofsted inspectors for its innovative work developing the skillsets of students.

The 2024 Ofsted report into the college states that students at Joseph Chamberlain possess “highly positive attitudes and commitment to their education” and can make “substantial and sustained progress from their starting points” to reach their true potential.

Inspectors said the college is characterised by “highly ambitious curriculums that are designed to enable all learners to develop the knowledge and skills they need for their next steps” and that it is making a “strong contribution” to regional skillsets.

 Thanks to the efforts of the Joseph Chamberlain Careers Team business partnerships have been established with more than 100 local employers – a community recognised as part of the college family. 

Many of these employers pay regular visits to the college to deliver guest lectures, lead workshops, and collaborate with students on live briefs for the purpose of illustrating how present learning will be translated into future use.

Work Experience manager Trina Tiernan said: “Everything we do is guided by the understanding that each student has their own unique skills, background and passions. Our personalised approach aims to bring confidence to students and expand their perceptions about the accessibility of certain careers.”

College Principal Tony Day said: “Our relationships with local businesses are indispensable in preparing students for future employment. After two years, our students leave the college excited about the path they have chosen and the destination to which it is leading them.” 

Joseph Chamberlain College is currently seeking to support its students by providing opportunities for work experience, industry days and mentoring sessions. Interested employers or charities are encouraged to head to the college website: www.jcc.ac.uk or submit an email to wex@jcc.ac.uk.