A FAILING college is making rapid progress, Ofsted inspectors have concluded.

Redcar & Cleveland College was branded ‘inadequate’ by the education watchdog in November.

But in their first monitoring visit since the failed inspection, Ofsted inspectors praised the college for "effective early action" already taking place to improve its services.

Inspectors also found that progress has been swift, saying there had been "early and rapid improvements in the leadership and management of the college".

They added: “Leaders and managers acted quickly following the inspection to put in place a detailed, relevant and helpful post-inspection improvement plan."

Action has also been taken to improve attendance, and bringing down drop-out rates.

The curriculum has been reviewed so that it meets the needs of local people and businesses more effectively.

And the governing body was described as “radically transformed” with more frequent board meetings, clear guidance and accountability.

The report said that the college had benefited from the leadership and senior management support provided as it works towards a merger with Stockton Riverside College.

Ed Heatley, acting principal at the college, said: “We remain steadfastly committed to providing a quality education and skills provision for the people of Redcar.

“As a team, we are pleased with the findings of Ofsted’s first monitoring visit and we are confident that, building upon the momentum we have already created, we will continue to implement an effective improvement plan.”

Chair of Redcar and Cleveland College Board and Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, Sue Jeffrey, said: “Redcar and Cleveland College staff and governing board have been quick to put improvement measures into place and we are delighted that Ofsted has recognised the positive progress already made.

“Our students, learners and the communities that we serve remain our priority, along with maintaining a quality education and skills provision in Redcar and Cleveland. We recognise that there is more hard work ahead but the college has a clear focus on improvement and is committed to building on the positive feedback.”

The merger would see the college join with Stockton Riverside, but retain its own site in Redcar.

Both colleges were in talks for several months before the announcement in November.