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  • Bilborough College is a “Good” College – latest OFSTED report

    Bilborough College Ofsted report Jan 2024 –press release

    OFSTED judges Bilborough College ‘Outstanding’ for Behaviours and Attitudes of students.

    Students at Bilborough College are “enthusiastic and curious, with exceptional attitudes to learning” according to its January 2024 Ofsted report which rated the college as ‘Outstanding’ for student Behaviours and Attitudes and as ‘Good’ for Overall Effectiveness.  Staff and governors were delighted that inspectors praised the college for fostering, “a nurturing and aspirational culture in which students, from many different backgrounds, flourish together” benefiting from “a vibrant, purposeful environment and the diverse and positive culture”.

    David Shaw, the college’s Principal, was keen to compliment the role of the “dedicated” staff team and also had high praise for the students who he said conducted themselves “brilliantly”.

    He said, “I am thrilled that the inspectors recognised our college for treating “students as adults [expecting them] to be self-motivated and autonomous in their learning” and how students responded in a “mature” way, describing themselves as “extremely proud to be Bilborough students”.  It was rewarding to read how our carefully planned curriculum, skilful teachers and effective assessment has led to improvements in attendance, achievement, and high grades and we are committed to ensuring that the very small minority of courses which are not yet at this standard, catch up quickly.

    “I am also proud to be part of a college where everyone can succeed, where students with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported and where personal growth and skills development are highly valued alongside academic achievement.  The Ofsted team were very impressed with our “rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities” and our “extensive range of progression and work-related activities” which build skills including “problem-solving, resilience and digital literacy” and we are already taking further steps to strengthen guidance for those who aspire to employment at the end of their studies.  This all encourages us to continue our mission ‘to develop confident, curious, happy students, ready to change the world for the better’.”

    Nicky Harrold, Chair of Governors commented, “I am very pleased with the outcome of our recent OFSTED inspection, which was an in-depth four-day visit by seven inspectors.  I am especially proud of the fact that Behaviours and Attitudes of students were found to be “Outstanding” as this is something that every student contributes to, and it results in making Bilborough College a great place to study and work.”

    To view the full report please click here. Applications remain open for September 2024, but a waiting list will be in place once target application numbers are met.

    Notes to editors: Bilborough Sixth Form College is a member of Better Futures Multi-Academy Trust, located on the west side of Nottingham. It draws students from over 80 schools and has grown by over 300 students since 2019. In 2023, a new DfE-funded Technology Block was added to increase capacity to over 2000 students for the first time and it now has approximately 2050 students aged 16-18 studying either a full A Level programme, or a mixed programme of A levels and vocational courses.  Approximately 70% of its students go on to university – a large proportion to research-intensive universities such as the Russell Group – and the remainder into higher level Apprenticeships, employment or further training.










  • Lucas inspired to study medicine after overcoming cancer as a child

    Lucas Burgess (18) of Borrowash got three A* grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths which means he can now study Medicine at the University of Nottingham.

    Lucas felt anxious about getting his A level results, he said:

    “It was very scary this morning knowing I had my results. Usually I just like to put things off. I wanted to get up, have a shower and have my breakfast but my Mum and Dad really wanted me to look at my results. I wasn’t sure whether I had done enough to get into Nottingham. I needed three A grades so I was still really unsure how it would go until I looked at them.

    “Of course when I saw them I was very, very happy. I was shaking; it was more relief than anything. It’s really been on my mind as you spend so much time planning, looking at accommodation and the like but you’re not sure you’ll get what you need to get in.

    “I had to go through quite a rigorous process, doing entrance exams and interviews. I also went on work experience. I spent a few days at the Royal Derby Hospital and then a week at the Queen’s Medical Centre.

    “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Bilborough, it was the right choice for me and they have been so supportive and given me lots of help with careers advice and helping me get work experience. They have specialist support for people wanting to apply for medicine and I think if that wasn’t there I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

    The teenager was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 10 and following intensive treatment he went into remission five years ago. (more…)




  • Millie is heading for Cambridge University

    Millie Wheeldon (18) from Ilkeston got three A* grades in English Literature, French and History. She will now study English at Cambridge.

    She said: “I’ve tried not to think about results day so have been just reading lots of books. I was up really early this morning as I heard the email ping through on my phone and saw that I had secured my place. I’m really looking forward to meeting and working with people with similar subject interests and living independently too.”




  • Jasmin’s 4 A* grades secure her place at Cambridge University

    Jasmin Verso (18) of Wollaton received 4 A* grades in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics and is going on to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge University.

    She said: “I’ve always had a natural ability for maths and enjoyed sciences. I really enjoy those subjects and knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t quite expecting the results I got but obviously I’m really happy with them.

    “I didn’t like waiting for my results. I was shaking this morning and thought I’d have to wait but when I picked my phone up my results were already there. I started thinking about going to Cambridge in year 12. The process to get in was quite daunting. I’m really happy to be in to be in and looking forward to going and living independently. I think the degree will help me develop my skills and I’m thinking about possibly going into finance afterwards.”




  • Eloise achieves A* A* A despite losing her college work in a house fire

    A Bilborough College student achieved two A*s and an A grade despite losing two years’ worth of A-level work in a fire which left her homeless a week before her exams were due to start.

    Eloise Siani Djiajkou has been living in temporary accommodation with her family in New Basford, Nottingham, since the blaze broke out in May this year and left their house severely smoke damaged.

    The 18-year-old said she was thrilled with her grades in English Literature, Psychology and French, which mean that she can go on to Nottingham Trent University to study Psychology.

    She said: “I lost all of my notes from every subject, which was hundreds and hundreds of pages and two years of work, because they were damaged by the smoke from the fire, everything was just black. English was really hit and miss for me because I lost my revision notes. The teachers helped me, they spent extra time with me before the exams and gave me lots of notes.

    “Fortunately after the fire I was able to get my Psychology textbook from my house and a lot of what I needed for that exam was online but for my other subjects I had help from my teachers and I literally locked myself in a room and revised. My cat died in the fire too. It was so stressful in the run up to my exams but I knew I just had to do them. (more…)







  • Brexit views aired by Bilborough College students as part of regional campaign

    Students at Bilborough College aired their views on Brexit as part of a regional campaign to ensure that young people’s voices are heard as part of the negotiations.

    Nonsuch Theatre Company, based in Nottingham, visited the college to hear what students had to say about Brexit during a series of workshops as part of the Undivided campaign.

    Following the discussions, students’ views will be digitally submitted and will contribute to a list of top 10 demands from young people which will then be presented to Parliament.

    (more…)




  • Bilborough College students organise fashion show to raise money for Conservation trip

    Two Bilborough College students have organised a fashion show to raise funds for a trip to help conserve marine and wildlife in Sri Lanka.

    Janet Tokitsu, 16, and George Hattersley, 17, will be cleaning rivers, planting trees and working at a turtle hatchery during the three week stay at the end of July, which is being organised by company Travelteer.

    Both students need to raise around £1,600 each to pay for their travel costs and are busy arranging a fashion show at The Vale Social Club in Colwick later this month.

    (more…)




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