The dynamic partnership of Steve Oxlade (left) and Brett Freeman.

Following the “remarkable transformation” reported by Ofsted in November, Coulsdon Sixth Form College in Placehouse Lane, Old Coulsdon, has done it again - but this time it’s one for the record books.

A team from Ofsted undertook a full inspection of the College last February. The astounding success achieved since the takeover by Reigate College in March last year, has now been further endorsed by a “first” from Ofsted inspectors.

Steve Oxlade, Executive Principal of the Reigate and Coulsdon College Federation explained: “No school or college has ever improved so much, so quickly and been awarded such high grades in a full inspection. Ofsted was incredibly thorough, observing almost every teacher, and has now officially not only declared the College out of special measures but concluded that quality is so good that they will be monitoring us from afar from now on, just as they do at Reigate.”

In March, Mr Oxlade received a letter from from Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Skills and Enterprise at the Department for Education, it said:

“I am writing to congratulate you and everyone at the College who played a part in this transformation. I know that you have placed learners in Coulsdon at the heart of your work and it is for them that the transformation of both the quality of teaching and learning and the overall culture and ethos of the College will have the most significant impact”.

Brett Freeman, Principal at Coulsdon, said: “Ofsted has seen what we have achieved and recognised that this is something quite unique; I was especially pleased that teaching was praised so highly with many teachers graded outstanding by the inspectors. Now we can say with absolute confidence that there is nowhere else locally that provides the range of courses at the quality we guarantee at Coulsdon.”

The grades awarded were all “good” with the exception of outcomes for learners – and even this is no longer a cause for concern as exam results this coming summer are predicted to be excellent. The report is available to view at www.coulsdon.ac.uk/ofsted. Mr Oxlade said: “Running a successful college is really quite simple; there are only three things you have to get right - teaching, systems and relationships. The final piece of the jigsaw was Brett Freeman agreeing to join us as Principal. Brett has the drive and dedication to now take us to where we belong, and that is the very top.”

Coulsdon College’s next Open Event is on Thursday 1st May from 5.30pm-8pm. For more information telephone 01737 551176 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.