Ofsted round-up – This week: Most providers gain above average results

Blackfriars settlement, Southwark, 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 Satisfactory: Grade 3

Leadership and management: Satisfactory: Grade 3

Equality of opportunity Contributory grade: Good: Grade 2

Sector subject area:

Preparation for life and work: Satisfactory: Grade 3

Founded in 1887, The Blackfriars Settlement provides learning opportunities in the London Borough of Southwark. Approximately one third of the Settlement’s funding is government-funded training. Providing preparation for life and work programmes in literacy and English for speakers of other languages, the Settlement contracts with the London Central Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

The overall effectiveness of provision is satisfactory with success rates found to be satisfactory for non-accredited programmes but low for accredited programmes. Assessment and resources are satisfactory but individual learning plans are not used effectively in all classes. The inspection found that the management of resources is satisfactory, however the Settlement’s arrangements for quality improvement are not fully effective.

The Settlement has demonstrated that it has satisfactory capacity to improve, the inspection found that the effectiveness of steps taken to improve the provision since the previous inspection has also been satisfactory and that most key strengths have been maintained. The inspection found that the self-assessment process is supported by a clear procedure and is inclusive.

The inspection found that success rates were low on most accredited programmes in 2006/07 and 2007/08; however, data for 2007/08 shows an overall increase in success rates for accredited provision of 14 percentage points. The inspection found that the effectiveness of teaching and learning is satisfactory overall and that learners are well motivated and enthusiastic about their learning with tutors providing a supportive learning environment.

North Devon Pathfinder Trust, North Devon

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:

Customer service: Good: Grade 2

Beginning in 1994 and going on in 1999 to become an independent charitable trust, North Devon Pathfinder Trust (NDPT) runs learndirect, Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and other small contracts. In December 2006 NDPT’s first learners enrolled on Train to Gain. Funded by the Devon and Cornwall LSC, NDPT offers NVQs to 58 learners on Train to Gain programmes.

The inspection found that the overall effectiveness of the provider is good, with current learners making satisfactory progress developing very good work based skills and knowledge. It found that courses meet the needs and interests of learners well and that they receive good information, advice and guidance.

Although this is the NDPT’s first Train to Gain inspection, the report has found that recent changes have impacted well on the programme with good success rates and the development of very effective working relationships with employers. The self-assessment report was found to closely reflect the judgements in the inspection and is regularly monitored by staff who have developed appropriate action plans.

The inspection has found that success rates are high, in 2007/08 the overall success rate was 80 per cent with a further four learners remaining in learning. Analysis completed b NDPT shows that of the 13 learners that have not achieved, 11 left the industry and only two left the programme. Current learners are making satisfactory progress and most are on target to complete their qualification on time.

Pertemps people development group, Birmingham

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 Outstanding: Grade 1

Sector subject area:

Preparation for life and work Good: Grade 2

Established in 1998, Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) is a large national training company. Pertemps has a total of 651 participants with 445 participants following New Deal for Young People programmes, 160 on New Deal 25+ and 46 on New Deal 50+ programmes. Government funded training accounts for all of the company’s business.

The inspection has found that PPDG has demonstrated a good capacity to improve and has achieved and maintained a high standard over a sustained period in most aspects of its provision. The report has found that the company’s senior managers articulate a well-established and clear commitment to tackling disadvantage and unemployment, which participates value. Job entry rates are low, however they are improving.

Self-assessment is satisfactory although PPDG failed to recognise the significance of low job outcomes as a key area for improvement. The company accurately identified the strengths found by inspectors but it did not recognise all of the areas for improvement. The key strengths recognised were the PPDG’s good development of employability skills, their highly effective support to overcome participants’ barriers to employment and their very good links with employers and partners.

PPDG has established very good links with employers and partners with the company’s employer network providing a good range of work tasters for participants. Many small and medium-sized local companies use PPDG to recruit staff to their organisation as PPDG has a high profile with a wide range of employers in the community.

Natalie Hailes