Ofsted round-up

This week: Cricket apprenticeships with a satisfactory deliveryEngland and Wales Cricket Board Ltd, London

Summary of grades awarded:
Effectiveness of provision     Satisfactory: Grade 3
Capacity to improve         Good: Grade 2
Achievement and standards     Satisfactory: Grade 3
Quality of provision         Satisfactory: Grade 3
Leadership and management     Satisfactory: Grade 3
Equality of opportunity    Contributory grade: Satisfactory: Grade 3
Sector subject area:
Sport, leisure and recreation     Satisfactory: Grade 3

The England and Wales Cricket Board Limited (ECB), based at Lords cricket ground, is the governing body for first class cricket clubs in England and Wales. From 2001, the clubs introduced an academy programme, and in 2006 an advanced apprenticeship in sport excellence (AASE) was introduced. There are currently 65 learners undertaking the programme at 14 clubs, all of whom are in full-time education and attend coaching sessions during evenings and weekends.

Ofsted gave ECB a satisfactory report and suggested that the provider had a good capacity to improve. They noted that the AASE framework was still being developed and any issues had been adequately dealt with. Achievement and standards were graded as satisfactory while the development of physical and cricketing skills was identified as a key strength. Learners were also developing good social and interpersonal skills.

Teaching and learning were found to be satisfactory. Inspectors said: “Coaching sessions are well structured and promote improved performance,” and, “coaches provide good feedback and performance analysis to improve cricketing skills.” Learners receive quarterly reviews, but inspectors felt that some of the assessment taking place was poor. They also wanted learners to be more involved in their portfolio development. Support was good, particularly that for lifestyle awareness.

With regards to leadership and management, Ofsted hoped the slow implementation of the apprenticeship programme by some academies would be dealt with, and that some under-developed quality assurance systems would be improved. Other areas such as equality, social inclusion, and literacy and numeracy support were all classed as satisfactory.

College of Animal Welfare, Huntingdon

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: Satisfactory: Grade 3
Sector subject area:
Animal care and veterinary nursing     Good: Grade 2

The College of Animal Welfare (CAW) offers work-based learning in the veterinary nursing and animal welfare sector. The college has four sites around the country with headquarters located at the Huntingdon site. At the time of inspection, there were 134 apprentices and a further 180 learners funded through Huntingdon Regional College (HRC).

The effectiveness of provision at CAW was found to be good, as was achievement and standards. The report stated that overall success rates in 2006/07, “for apprentices and advanced apprentices in veterinary nursing [was] high at 87%.” This was noted as a strength. However, success rates in animal care were deemed unsatisfactory and in need of improvement. Learners were seen to demonstrate good practical skills in the workplace and produced a good standard of work.

The quality of teaching was graded as satisfactory. Inspectors suggested the college should try to improve the proportion of good or better teaching, though they did say that in better lessons, “sessions [were] well planned and tutors [drew] on a wide range of their own and learners’ experiences.” Support and guidance were reported as good, and progress reviews were considered to set clear targets for learners.

Ofsted highlighted good operational management, productive relationships with employers and strong quality improvement as key strengths relating to leadership and management. The promotion of equality was satisfactory and listed as an area for improvement along with the planning of workplace training.

Leslie Frances (Training) Ltd, Barnsley

Summary of grades awarded:
Effectiveness of provision     Good: Grade 2
Capacity to improve         Good: Grade 2
Achievement and standards     Satisfactory: Grade 3
Quality of provision         Good: Grade 2
Leadership and management     Good: Grade 2
Equality of opportunity     Contributory grade: Satisfactory: Grade 3
Sector subject area:
Hairdressing and beauty therapy     Good: Grade 2

Leslie Frances Training (LFT) is a hairdressing salon company that has operated in the centre of Barnsley for 120 years. The company has been providing apprenticeship training in their own salon, and for other salons in the west and south Yorkshire area, since 1983. Through a contract with South Yorkshire LSC they provide training to 117 learners. Training is also given to a further 65 learners from local schools.

LFT received mostly good grades from their Ofsted report. The effectiveness of provision was judged to be good, and achievement and standards were graded as satisfactory. The report stated that success rates for advanced apprentices had improved in recent years, but timely success rates had declined and should be an area for improvement. Success rates for apprentices were, “similar to national rates,” and achievement in 14 to 16 provision was seen as a strength.

The quality of provision was good and inspectors reported that: “Experienced tutors provide very good individual coaching and training.” Learners benefited from a wide range of experience in good salons, and in practical sessions they were shown different techniques. However, inspectors felt that theory sessions, as well as initial assessments, could be improved.

Ofsted graded leadership and management as good. They listed good strategic direction, good partnerships and good communication among the company’s key strengths. Although quality assurance measures were found to be in place, Ofsted suggested LFT should aim to improve the evaluation of any new actions to ensure they lead to better provision. Provision was described as “flexible” and able to meet learners’ needs, but support for skills for life could be improved.

Empower Training Services Ltd, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Nottingham

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: Satisfactory: Grade 3
Sector subject area:
Engineering and manufacturing technologies     Good: Grade 2

Empower Training Services Ltd (ETS) is a private company that specialises in electrical engineering training. Work-based learning is provided to 13 apprentices in mechanical engineering and 331 advanced apprentices in electrical engineering through a contract with Nottinghamshire LSC. Off-the-job training takes place at centres in Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Castle Donington, while on-the-job training takes place at employers’ premises.

Ofsted said the effectiveness of provision at ETS was good, and capacity to improve and achievement and standards were given the same grade. Ofsted agreed with the self-assessment that success rates were a key strength as they had been, “substantially above the national averages for the last three years.” The standards of learners’ vocational skills were also praised for reaching high levels and meeting, “stringent safety standards.”

Inspectors thought that training was a strength, which again agreed with the self-assessment. Most off-the-job training was good, and on-the-job training was good because: “Employers use a wide range of relevant and very useful training tasks to extend and improve learners’ vocational skills.” However, inspectors felt the employers’ involvement in progress reviews was insufficient, and that there ought to be more observations of learning in the workplace. These were the only areas for improvement listed in the report.

Leadership and management were deemed good because managers had been able to set a clear, effective direction for the company. Ofsted highlighted other strengths including good quality improvement arrangements, good use of data, and the ability for ETS to respond well to the needs of both learners and employers.