At the heart of the College's approach is a desire to focus on the needs of individual students. This is achieved by implementing approaches to teaching and learning which encourage students to work collaboratively with their classmates and by developing 'open' teaching and learning activities. 'Open' activities are designed to be flexible enough to allow students with less developed skills to participate fully, at the same time as providing sufficient challenge for students with more highly developed skills.

Resources at the College are utilised to ensure that class sizes are small (none larger than 25) and that a broad and interesting curriculum is available.

To achieve this, teachers at the College focus on adopting consistent approaches to teaching. Teachers at the College meet high levels of professionalism, and model collaborative learning by participating in professional interest groups which focus on trialling, further developing and sharing these approaches.

Opportunities to make links with the community are also fostered, and the College has very close links with the local primary schools.