Surbiton women's college facing merger jumps from 'inadequate' to 'good' after Ofsted re-inspection

A Surbiton college, which was told it could lose £1.5m in funding unless it improved rapidly, has been graded good following a re-inspection by Ofsted.

Hillcroft College, in South Bank, was given the second-highest grading by inspectors following a visit in late January. The institution was commended for its “excellent personal and academic support”, and for taking “decisive and effective” action to improve all of its learning provisions. It marks a substantial turnaround in fortunes for the historic women’s college, which was deemed inadequate by the education authority in January 2013. It was then told in May last year that an annual £1.5m contribution from the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) could be cut unless it drastically improved outcomes for students. The SFA even sent in consultants to help staff draw up an improvement plan.

Principal Michael Wheeler was unavailable for comment as he is recovering from surgery.

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