Norton Webb Limited

Norton Webb Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Debra Forsythe-Conroy Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Kingswood House 80 Richardshaw Lane Stanningley Pudsey West Yorkshire LS28 6BN Monitoring visit: Norton Webb Limited, 17–18 July 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 ESFA 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

Norton Webb Limited was awarded a contract to deliver apprenticeships in October 2017 and, at the time of inspection, had 121 levy-funded apprentices. The majority of apprentices follow programmes in health and social care and childcare, with the reminder on apprenticeships in hospitality and business. Seventy-one apprentices are on standards-based apprenticeships and 50 are working towards apprenticeship frameworks. Norton Webb Limited works with 13 employers in Yorkshire and the North West.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a well-planned apprenticeship strategy that meets employers’ needs and takes account of regional priorities. They have good relationships with the employers that they work with, many of which were established prior to the introduction of the levy.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have introduced governance arrangements that are highly effective. Governors have relevant knowledge about the provider’s work and challenge leaders appropriately. Governors recently undertook a telephone survey with employers to elicit their understanding of the off-the-job training requirements. The outcome of the survey led to revisions to the provider’s guidance for employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders tailor the curriculum well to meet the needs of employers. They carefully consider any plans to grow the provision and maintain a strong focus on maintaining quality.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors are well qualified and very experienced in their vocational subjects. They undertake training based on the outcomes of an appraisal of their knowledge and skills. They use their skills well to develop apprentices’ understanding by linking newly acquired skills to the workplace. Tutors and work-based mentors meet regularly with apprentices to review progress. Monitoring visit: Norton Webb Limited, 17–18 July 2019 Managers accurately identify apprentices’ starting points. They use this information well to plan and deliver training to meet apprentices’ needs. For example, managers adjusted the sequencing of training for apprentices recently promoted to supervisory positions by delivering the supervision element of the programme first.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices can fulfil the requirements of the apprenticeship through their work role. They are careful only to recruit apprentices who have an appropriate work role and relevant qualifications. Leaders ensure that employers and apprentices are fully aware of the requirements of the end-point assessment through a comprehensive written guide.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors accurately monitor apprentices’ progress through the programme. However, leaders and managers do not have an overview of apprentices who are at risk of not completing their off-the-job training. Governors and leaders have identified this as an area for improvement.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors plan and deliver a well-sequenced and high-quality programme that enables apprentices to make good progress, particularly on the vocational elements of their apprenticeships. Apprentices develop new knowledge that they apply well in their workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide good support to help apprentices to develop the required skills and behaviours and to become more confident contributory members of the workforce. This benefits apprentices’ employers.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have recently strengthened quality assurance arrangements. They now hold weekly meetings with tutors to review the quality of the programme and apprentices’ progress. They identify those apprentices who are at risk of falling behind and make arrangements to support them to catch up. However, leaders and managers do not ensure that apprentices have access to impartial careers information to help them decide on their next steps.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices successfully improve their understanding of terminology and concepts that are specific to their vocational area. This helps them to carry out their job roles effectively. However, too many apprentices make slow progress in developing their English and mathematics skills to achieve the qualifications that they need. Managers have recognised this and now place a high priority on the development of English and mathematics skills.

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Reasonable progress

Although apprentices benefit from off-the-job training, this element of the programme is not planned well enough with employers. As a result, a few apprentices do not have sufficient time away from their job to enable them to complete their learning quickly. Monitoring visit: Norton Webb Limited, 17–18 July 2019

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Significant progress

Leaders have a highly effective approach to safeguarding, including the ‘Prevent’ duty. They use safe recruitment practices. The lead safeguarding officer (who is also a member of the Kirklees safeguarding board), staff and governors are appropriately trained. Leaders have appointed a mental health first-aid officer who is available to support apprentices.

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Significant progress

A high level of importance is placed on developing apprentices’ understanding of current issues, such as gang culture and county lines. As a result, apprentices have a good understanding of the dangers that such issues pose and how to keep themselves safe from these dangers. Staff successfully raise apprentices’ awareness of specific issues, such as honour-based crime and the use of malnutrition bands to monitor food intake in vulnerable people.

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Significant progress

Leaders have developed a comprehensive ‘Prevent’ duty action plan and have a good awareness of the risks in the different regions in which they work. Apprentices have a good understanding of the risks of radicalisation and extremism. British values are embedded well into the curriculum. For example, tutors and apprentices discuss the impact of modern slavery on vulnerable people. Monitoring visit: Norton Webb Limited, 17–18 July 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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Significant 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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Significant progress

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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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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

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