Valley Forge (UK) Ltd

Published date 8 August 2011 Inspection Number 366012 Unique reference number: 58233

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Valley Forge (UK) Ltd Emcat Mere Way Ruddington Fields Business Park Ruddington Nottingham NG11 6JZ Telephone number: 0115 9457511 Valley Forge (UK) Ltd

p.1

Focused monitoring visit report

Focused monitoring visit: Valley Forge (UK) Ltd, 6 July 2011 1 of 3

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Valley Forge (UK) Ltd (Valley Forge) is part of SPX Service Solutions, which is an international organisation providing a range of support to businesses. Since 2006, Valley Forge has provided government-funded apprenticeship programmes for a range of vehicle manufacturers on a national basis. Valley Forge holds a Skills Funding Agency (SFA) contract to deliver advanced apprenticeships, and 186 learners are currently on motor vehicle related programmes.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

At the previous inspection, the overall effectiveness of Valley Forge’s provision was found to be satisfactory. Capacity to improve was found to be good. All other aspects and the subject area were judged to be satisfactory. This report focuses on the themes explored during the visit.

p.2

progress

Since the previous inspection, Valley Forge has improved significantly its quality systems. Central to the improvements is the organisation’s self-assessment cycle which clearly details timings of quality improvement activity over the calendar year. Staff are highly aware of their responsibilities to ensure key quality information is gathered as the year progresses, culminating in production of the cohesive and concise self-assessment report and the subsequent detailed quality improvement plan. Key aspects of the cycle include comprehensive gathering of feedback from learners, employers and staff and regular review, monitoring and updating of the quality improvement plan. Valley Forge makes good use of technology to allow for easy updating of the quality improvement plan at review.

p.2

progress

Highly effective monthly quality reports that detail all aspects of programme performance have been a key element in contributing to the much improved overall achievement of learners. By detailing programme performance against a range of learner achievement targets and performance of staff against a range of activity, the reports allow regular detailed monitoring of performance and clearly identify areas for performance improvement.

p.2

progress

At the previous inspection, 69% of learners completed their apprenticeship frameworks successfully, compared to the national average of 64% for 2007/08. Focused monitoring visit: Valley Forge (UK) Ltd, 6 July 2011 2 of 3

p.2

progress

However, progress was slow for many of the apprentices who transferred from the previous programme provider.

p.3

progress

Published data show a significant increase in the proportion of learners who complete successfully, from 69% in 2007/08 to 83% in 2009/10, well above the national average. Published success rates for 2010/11 are 20 percentage points higher than the national average for the same period. Completion of frameworks within the planned time has also improved significantly from 24% in 2007/08 to 72% in 2009/10 and is now 14 percentage points above the national average.

p.3

progress

Learners confirm that they continue to develop good technical and interpersonal skills. They also confirm that they are set challenging work targets that are now more specific and time related, thereby improving their rate of progress and helping them to achieve their learning goals. Learners enjoy their learning, particularly the off-the-job manufacturer-specific training blocks that significantly improve their skills and knowledge and contribute to their employability.

p.3

progress

At the previous inspection, the monitoring of learners’ progress was weak. The planning of individual learning was also weak. Some learner progress reviews were insufficiently frequent and targets did not always contain timescales for completion. Individual learning plans were not systematically updated.

p.3

progress

From September 2010, learner progress reviews form part of the internal verification quality checks. Valley Forge has introduced an observation process whereby all trainer/assessors are observed carrying out progress reviews and are graded for the quality of their content and the standard of completion of the forms. Internal verifiers discuss reviews at standardisation meetings with trainer/assessors to share best practice and define agreed minimum standards. The frequency of reviews is closely monitored through monthly quality reports. Learners now have clear, time- bound progress targets that are agreed with employers.

p.3

progress

Individual learning plans are now updated as part of the review process. A copy is kept in learners’ National Vocational Qualification portfolios and the plans are now included in regular internal verification quality checks. However, no systematic process exists to ensure that the updated information from individual learning plans in learners’ portfolios is promptly transferred to the master individual learning plan.

p.3

progress

At the previous inspection, arrangements for the identification and provision of additional learning support were inadequate. Focused monitoring visit: Valley Forge (UK) Ltd, 6 July 2011 3 of 3

p.3

progress

From September 2010, all learners recruited are tested at the start of the programme to assess their levels of literacy and numeracy. Learners also complete a questionnaire to highlight any previous learning difficulties or additional support needs. If the testing or the questionnaire highlights a need, learners are referred to subcontracted additional support specialists to determine and provide the level of support required. Twelve learners were receiving additional support for literacy and/or numeracy at the time of the monitoring visit. Support is usually provided on an individual basis during the planned off-the-job training blocks. However, support sometimes takes place in the learners’ work placements. In specific cases, the organisation can also provide additional one-to-one support during off-the-job training. This allows individual learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to

p.4

progress

progress at the same rate as others. However, learners who started before September 2010 have not been systematically tested to assess any support needs that they may have.

p.4

progress

The previous inspection found that Valley Forge had no formal business development strategies, an underdeveloped management information system and had no formal arrangements to manage subcontracted training provision.

p.4

progress

A corporate overall business strategy now underpins all organisational objectives and is reflected in all staff targets and objectives. Highly effective development of the organisation’s management information system has facilitated comprehensive monitoring of staff activity against targets. This is supported by the annual staff appraisal and development process with six-monthly performance review meetings.

p.4

progress

The organisation has taken a strategic decision to bring previously subcontracted technical training provision in-house and this has led to increased achievement by learners on that particular programme. Contractual agreements and monitoring processes are in place for the currently subcontracted additional support for learners.

p.4

progress

The company has not yet implemented fully its strategies for promoting and increasing the participation of under-represented groups and for the safeguarding of learners. Staff and learners’ awareness of safeguarding has not been systematically raised although required checks on staff have been carried out and some staff have been formally trained. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’. Ofsted

p.5

progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5