Carew Academy 
Orchard Hill College continues to be Outstanding
Orchard Hill College was inspected by Ofsted from 17th to 19th March 2025. The whole college community are absolutely delighted to have retained the Outstanding rating for overall effectiveness and in all areas of education. This also marks a significant milestone as the College’s third consecutive Outstanding grade.
Inspectors highlighted that the College has continued to be Outstanding in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, adult learning programmes, and provision for learners with high needs.
The glowing report recognises how the College helps students thrive socially and academically, and states, ‘Students benefit greatly from a meticulously planned, highly individualised and ambitious curriculum’ and ‘consequently, the quality of education that students receive is outstanding.’ It goes on to note the, ‘highly adept and very well-trained staff’ and that students, ‘are exceptionally well prepared for their next steps. In many instances, the progress students make is life-changing.’
It especially noted that, ‘leaders and managers have maintained high-quality provision through significant change and challenges,’ which is a nod to the College having opened four new centres during this period, whilst also successfully introducing new programmes, such as supported internships. Furthermore, in response to the demand for specialist post-16 provision in communities across London and Surrey, the college has more than doubled student numbers.
Impressed by the College’s quality of education, and noting the students’ exemplary behaviour and attendance, inspectors said, ‘students, wherever they attend, hugely enjoy the highly inclusive, caring and supportive learning environment that staff create.’
The excellent range of enrichment activities were also praised, with inspectors acknowledging how this helps to significantly strengthen students’ links with their local community and build their confidence and social skills.
Kelly Phillips, Executive Principal, Orchard Hill College, said, “As highlighted in our Outstanding Ofsted report, Orchard Hill College continues to strive for ever greater standards for our staff and students, and we are all extremely proud to be recognised in this way; it is a tribute to everyone. As a leading SEND provider in communities across London and Surrey, the report is an accurate reflection of the high-quality educational experience we provide students.
Importantly, our journey to ‘Outstanding’ could not have been achieved without the unconditional commitment of our staff who work incredibly hard to help students achieve their full potential, together with our partnership approach with families, carers, and the students themselves. It is an enormous privilege to support students with SEND and equip them with the skills needed in adulthood, there is an exciting future ahead, and this latest news is a celebration for the entire college community.”