Presidency London College Limited

Presidency London College Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Philida Schellekens, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 593 Harrow Road London W10 4RA Monitoring visit: Presidency London College Limited, 20-21 June 2019

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Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Providers newly directly funded to deliver apprenticeship training provision’ and ‘Monitoring visits’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Presidency London College Limited (PLC) is an independent provider which started delivering non-levy apprenticeships in the London area in January 2018. In November 2018, PLC took on 48 apprentices from a provider that had gone into administration. These apprentices are levy-funded and are based in the Midlands.

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Context and focus of visit

Currently, PLC has 106 apprentices on programme, of whom 30 are on level 3 dental nursing, 10 on level 4 leadership and management, 25 on level 3 team leader, 19 on level 5 operations management, three on level 2 business administration, and one on digital marketing. These are all standards programmes. In addition, 18 apprentices are on a level 3 information technology framework.

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Reasonable progress

The leader and managers have ensured that they meet the requirements for apprenticeship delivery. PLC has a wide range of apprenticeship options which offer good employment prospects. The leader and managers have put in place an effective recruitment process which matches employers well with apprentices, nearly all of whom are new to employment.

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Reasonable progress

While the vast majority of apprentices meet the off-the-job training requirement, the leader and managers have recently developed effective steps to reinforce employers’ awareness of this aspect. They have focused well on operations management apprentices who at times find it hard to complete assignments because of pressure of work. As a result, these employers are developing policies which reinforce their apprentices’ entitlement. Monitoring visit: Presidency London College Limited, 20-21 June 2019 The leader and managers have taken effective remedial action to support a group of apprentices who transferred from a failed training provider. Many of these apprentices were behind with their training and assignments, and some were not clear about the apprenticeship requirements. Staff have put in place well-targeted and frequent support for these apprentices. They rightly decided to repeat some modules because these had not been completed satisfactorily. As a result of their

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Reasonable progress

action, most apprentices make at least expected progress. However, staff have not taken sufficient action with a small number of these inherited apprentices who have fallen behind schedule.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers have appropriate qualifications, skills and professional experience in, for example, the police force, dental practice and management. This gives them relevant subject-specific insight into job roles, and credibility with employers. Almost all apprentices have English and mathematics skills at the required levels. The written work they produce is of a good standard of English. Where necessary, trainers provide good advice on the structure of assignments and how to produce formal writing.

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Reasonable progress

The leader and managers have a good understanding of the apprenticeship programmes and review apprentices’ progress frequently. However, managers do not yet evaluate clearly enough the quality of learning in the off-the-job training and at- work assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices enjoy their training and have a good understanding of the requirements of their programme. They learn new skills and knowledge and how to apply them in practice, for example in dental hygiene. Apprentices develop good behaviours in the workplace. They use logs and assignments well to reflect on, for example, their communication with managers, peers and customers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ standards of work are appropriate to the level of study and most make reasonable progress during their time on programme. Dental nurses benefit from a well-planned mixture of theory and practice in the workplace, and their progress is good. A small number of apprentices become motivated to undertake additional training. As a result, they take on extra responsibility, such as becoming a mental health first aider.

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Reasonable progress

Managers and trainers know their apprentices well and provide frequent and targeted support. They have a good understanding of the progress that apprentices make and provide frequent updates to their employers. Staff deliver training which matches apprentices’ job roles and needs of the sector well. Senior managers at one large employer provide input which complements the PLC training particularly well. Monitoring visit: Presidency London College Limited, 20-21 June 2019 This makes the training more relevant. It enhances apprentices’ knowledge and skills development in, for example, the management of health and safety at work.

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Reasonable progress

The off-the-job training has a good focus on the completion of units and assignments. However, in a small minority of cases trainers miss opportunities to focus on wider development to enhance the job role. Apprentices value their off-the- job training, and records show that the quantity of this activity meets the requirements. However, entries in a small minority of logs are not clear enough about the purpose and relevance of the activity.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have put in place suitable safeguarding procedures. The person who leads on safeguarding and trainers have had appropriate training. Managers vet new staff appropriately and ensure that all are safe to work with apprentices. The recruitment officer and trainers cover safeguarding, the ‘Prevent’ duty, British values and health and safety well throughout the training programme.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe and know who to contact if they have any concerns. All develop a basic understanding of the signs of radicalisation and extremism. Those working at management level develop new knowledge, such as how to spot the signs that someone is being groomed, exploited or abused. Information technology apprentices develop their understanding of the importance of the safe handling of personal data. Dental nursing apprentices learn safe practice in infection control, identifying medical emergencies and the importance of patient confidentiality. Monitoring visit: Presidency London College Limited, 20-21 June 2019 the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Reasonable progress

Learner View Learner View is a website where learners can tell Ofsted what they think about their college or provider. They can also see what other learners think about them too. To find out more go to www.learnerview.ofsted.gov.uk .

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Employer View Employer View is a website where employers can tell Ofsted what they think about their employees’ college or provider. They can also see what other employers think about them too. To find out more go to www.employerview.ofsted.gov.uk .

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regulates and inspects to 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection. 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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to

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the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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

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