A SPECIALIST college is continuing to make "reasonable progress", Ofsted inspectors have said.

Cambian Dilston College, near Corbridge, received a second monitoring visit from the education watchdog in June after it was rated inadequate following an inspection in September last year.

The focus of the visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in addressing the main areas for improvement identified.

Inspectors found the college has made reasonable progress on the extent to which leaders and managers have implemented an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that meets all learners’ needs, prepares them for adulthood and promotes positive behaviours and high expectations.

The report said: "Most tutors now teach a curriculum that enables learners to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours identified in their education, health and care plans."

However, inspectors also noted "a few tutors do not plan a curriculum that is personalised enough to meet the needs of learners based on their starting points".

The watchdog also found the college has made reasonable progress on the extent to which leaders and managers have improved the attendance of learners and the monitoring of attendance at college and in lessons, and ensuring that learners catch up quickly on any learning that they miss.

The report said leaders and managers have ensured that relevant careers information, advice and guidance is given to learners, and that learners undertake useful work experience or work related activities.

But inspectors said leaders and managers "rightly recognise the need to broaden these opportunities further to respond to learners’ personal interests and aspirations".

The college offers day and residential placements of up to 52 weeks a year for young people with a learning disability, autism spectrum disorder or other complex needs.

It was put on the market by Mencap in 2013 and was taken over by Cambian Group in 2014.

A college spokesman said: "We are pleased that the continued progress being made at the college was recognised by Ofsted in their recent monitoring visit and we will ensure efforts are maintained to keep up this momentum.

"We are grateful for the continued hard work and commitment of our staff.”