Weekly Ofsted round-up

Manor Training and Resource Centre, Sheffield

 

Summary of grades awarded:

Effectiveness of provision             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Capacity to improve                         Satisfactory: Grade 3

Achievement and standards             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Quality of provision                         Good: Grade 2

Leadership and management             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Equality of opportunity             Contributory grade: Good: Grade 2

Sector subject areas:

Information and communication technology             Good: Grade 2

Literacy and numeracy                                     Good: Grade 2

 

Manor Training and Resource Centre (MTRC) is a charitable training organisation founded in 1987. The company provides training in ICT, sign language, education and training, literacy and numeracy, and business administration and law from two premises in Sheffield. At the time of inspection there were 360 learners undertaking courses with MTRC.

The effectiveness of provision and achievement and standards at MTRC was graded as satisfactory. Ofsted reported that retention on long courses was low and this was something the provider could aim to improve. However, they noted that many of the retained learners made good progress through different courses and levels. Overall success rates were deemed satisfactory, though success rates on short courses were found to be high.

Teaching and learning was given a good grade and listed as a strength, along with the support learners received for learning and personal needs. Inspectors said that tutors were, "knowledgeable, motivating and supportive," and that they provided, "constructive and regular feedback on each learner’s progress." Developing more effective strategies to improve learner outcomes was the main area for improvement in this section.

Ofsted graded leadership and management as satisfactory. They felt the company could make better use of data to improve provision and found that quality improvement arrangements were incomplete. Otherwise, they thought that MTRC had a clear strategic direction, with regards to management, and worked effectively with partnership organisations. The provider’s approach to equality was described as good.

 

 

BEC Limited, London

 

Summary of grades awarded:

Effectiveness of provision             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Capacity to improve                         Satisfactory: Grade 3

Achievement and standards             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Quality of provision                         Good: Grade 2

Leadership and management             Satisfactory: Grade 3

Equality of opportunity             Contributory grade: Good: Grade 2

Sector subject areas:

ICT for users                                     Satisfactory: Grade 3

Literacy, numeracy and ESOL Good: Grade 2

 

BEC Limited (BEC) is a registered charity that provides educational programmes from a centre at Rotherhithe library in north Southwark, and from three other local venues.  They currently have 121 learners taking literacy, numeracy and ESOL courses, and 164 learners taking ICT courses. BEC offers other courses, for childcare and job seeking skills, but these were either not running or not inspected at this time.

Ofsted graded most areas inspected, including the effectiveness of provision, as satisfactory. The report noted that many learners were new to adult learning, but were able to develop new skills and increase their confidence through the courses they undertook. Success rates in word processing, listening and speaking and numeracy were found to be a particular strength, while achievement for some ICT and literacy programmes could be improved.

The quality of provision was graded as good, and teaching and learning were listed as a key strength. Inspectors said: "Learners participate well in a very good range of interesting learning activities that tutors adapt effectively to meet learners’ individual needs." They also thought that learners received good guidance and support, and BEC’s ability to meet the needs of learners was good. Assessment was described as "sound" with each learner receiving constructive feedback during reviews.

Leadership and management were satisfactory, though Ofsted drew attention to good staff development and good curriculum development as strengths for the provider. Inspectors felt that quality improvement arrangements were not thorough enough and policies for safeguarding vulnerable adults were incomplete, so these should be areas for improvement. Equality of opportunity was good and the promotion of social inclusion was considered to be successful.

 

 

Manchester Adult Education Service, Manchester

 

Summary of grades awarded:

Effectiveness of provision             Good: Grade 2

Capacity to improve                         Good: Grade 2

Achievement and standards             Good: Grade 2

Quality of provision                         Good: Grade 2

Leadership and management             Good: Grade 2

Equality of opportunity             Good: Grade 2

Sector subject areas:

Information and communication technology             Good: Grade 2

Arts, media and publishing                                     Good: Grade 2

Classical and modern foreign languages             Good: Grade 2

Literacy, numeracy and ESOL                        Good: Grade 2

Family learning                                                 Outstanding: Grade 1

 

Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) is part of Manchester City Council and receives funding from Greater Manchester LSC to provide further education courses, personal and community development learning and family learning courses. These courses take place at 14 adult learning centres and 165 other venues across Manchester. During 2006/07, some 11,000 learners studied with MAES.

Ofsted reported that the effectiveness of provision for MAES was good. Through the courses on offer adult learners were able to, "gain a wide range of skills, develop confidence and progress to other courses or employment." Ofsted agreed with the self-assessment report that achievement and standards were good, but wanted to see success rates on some accredited courses improved. Retention had improved since the previous inspection.

The quality of provision was found to be good, though particular attention was drawn to the family learning provision which was graded outstanding. The most effective learning sessions had a good range of teaching methods and focused on individual learning. Inspectors said that some target-setting was not well recorded and could be improved. The use of technology and the quality of some venues were also listed as areas for improvement.

Ofsted agreed with the self-assessment that leadership and management were good. They thought that MAES collaborated well with other local providers and organisations and highlighted "partnership working" as a key strength. Staff were seen to promote equality of opportunity well, and systems for monitoring the quality of teaching were described as "thorough"

 

Tidworth Army Learning Centre, Tidworth

 

Summary of grades awarded:

Effectiveness of provision             Good: Grade 2

Capacity to improve                         Good: Grade 2

Achievement and standards             Good: Grade 2

Quality of provision                         Good: Grade 2

Leadership and management             Good: Grade 2

Equality of opportunity             Contributory grade: Good: Grade 2

Sector subject area:

Information and communication technology users Good: Grade 2

Literacy and numeracy                                     Good: Grade 2

Business management                                     Outstanding: Grade 1

 

The Army Learning Centre Tidworth (ALCT), based at the Candahar Barracks in Tidworth, was established in February 2001 to provide education and resettlement advice to soldiers and their dependants. At the time of inspection there were 151 learners enrolled on courses that include business and management, literacy and numeracy, and ICT. Learners can also attend courses at several satellite centres, or some work from home.

The effectiveness of provision at ALCT was judged to be good. The overall success rates were high and noted as one of the provider’s key strengths. The achievement on business and management courses was singled out as being outstanding. The report said that learners, "develop a good range of knowledge and skills," and their, "confidence improves as they progress through their programme."

The quality of provision was good and inspectors thought that tutors were very helpful, especially when learners became stuck on their courses. The learning centre itself was described as "very good", advice and guidance were available and there was satisfactory support for learners with additional needs. Ofsted listed target-setting and monitoring of learner’s destinations after their courses as the main areas for improvement.

Ofsted thought the centre was well management and graded leadership and management as good. The promotion of equality and staff development opportunities were both good. Inspectors felt the process of observing staff performance was weak and needed more focus on actions that would lead to improvements.