Inspectors from Ofsted have reported positive progress at New College Swindon following a recent monitoring visit conducted on 25 and 26 March 2026. The review assessed the college’s improvements after it was rated as requiring improvement during a full inspection in March 2025.
The latest report, published on 6 May 2026 by lead inspector Clifford Shaw, confirms that college leadership has made clear progress in five key areas: learner achievement, work experience placements, progress monitoring, careers guidance, and governance reporting. Inspectors noted that these actions have already begun to increase the proportion of young learners achieving their target grades on most courses.
Work experience opportunities have also seen significant expansion. At the time of the inspection, approximately three-quarters of learners with high needs and special educational needs were completing work experience placements, alongside a high proportion of sixth-form students. The college, which serves approximately 7,900 students, including 3,815 young learners and 310 learners receiving high-needs funding, continues its efforts to refine these systems under the leadership of Principal and CEO Leah Palmer.
While the college maintains its overall rating from 2025, the recent findings document a steady trajectory of improvement. In the 2025 review, the institution received good ratings for behaviour and attitudes, adult learning programmes, and apprenticeships, though inspectors identified a need for wider development in other areas. The institution was formed in August 2020 following the merger of New College and Swindon College.
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