Sutton College has received a 'Good' rating from Ofsted, marking a significant achievement for the institution, which had previously been rated as 'Requires Improvement' in September 2022.
The Strategy and Resources Committee of Sutton Council convened on 8 December 2025, and among other items, reviewed the Sutton College Annual Report 2025-26. The report highlighted the successful outcome of the Ofsted inspection conducted in May 2025, which awarded the college a 'Good' rating across all categories.
Inspectors lauded the college for its:
- High quality of education
- Targeted curriculum
- Effective support for key learner groups
- Strong leadership and partnerships
- Positive outcomes
- Supportive environment
According to the Sutton College Annual Report 2025-26 - Appendix A, Ofsted inspectors specifically praised the college for excelling in priority areas that actively support social mobility and community integration.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of the Council, noted the great turnaround since September 2022, when the college received a 'Requires Improvement' rating. He commended the high quality of education and the local curriculum.
Jan Underhill, Director of Wellbeing, presented the report, emphasising the achievements and progress made since the last report. She highlighted the strong 'Good' rating across all categories from Ofsted, the college's significant impact on learners and the local community, and the progress with the new college development. The new Sutton College building has secured full planning permission. It will be a four-story building in Sutton High Street with flexible teaching spaces. The contemporary design emphasizes sustainability and accessibility. The report does not provide a specific timeline or funding sources.
Tom Dillon, Principal of Sutton College, spoke about the trailblazer program, a government-funded initiative focused on individuals with a route back to work, offering soft skills training through the Step Ahead team. He noted the program's success in working with local employers and residents to support them back into work.
Councillor Neil Garratt acknowledged the major achievement of moving from 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good'. He raised a question about funding from the GLA and changes to the way funding is working. Dillon responded that the funding is changing to align to the direction, but there is great opportunity with further work with the DWP, a more targeted approach for the sectors and the demands that's needed.
Councillor Tom Drummond inquired about the areas needing improvement. Dillon responded that they were aware of the areas and were already developing them as part of the college's quality improvement plan. The two areas Sutton College needed to improve, as identified in the Ofsted report, were:
- Further embed the use of digital tools across vocational subjects.
- Consistently provide learners with good-quality feedback.
Dillon stated that these recommendations are continuously being monitored through the college's observation process and quality assurance and that the college is confident that they are meeting the standards, but will continue to monitor to ensure the standard is met.
