Principal and chief executive John Laramy, who has been at the college since 2009, said: “While it was our strategic ambition to become Ofsted 'Outstanding', for us the most important part of this was the national confirmation that our students are achieving great things. Many would see achieving Ofsted 'Outstanding' across all categories as ‘job done’, but Exeter College has used this backing as a launchpad to continue to innovate and thrive, for the benefit of their students and the wider community. Two years later, the Ofsted inspectors arrived again at Exeter and once more gave an 'Outstanding' overall rating, as well as 'Outstanding' across each of the categories, including 'Outcomes for Learners', 'Quality of Teaching', 'Learning and Assessment', and 'Effectiveness of Leadership and Management'. That inspection awarded Exeter College an overall rating of 'Outstanding', elevating Exeter College to the top level of Ofsted’s rating system, among the very best colleges in the country.

The college was first awarded its 'Outstanding' rating in a no-notice inspection in 2012, with inspectors arriving unannounced to check on all aspects of college life. Exeter College is Devon’s only Ofsted 'Outstanding' tertiary college, but how has that top rating shaped the future of the region’s first choice further education provider?

Outstanding move