Reed Business School Limited

Reed Business School Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Kathryn Rudd, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

The Manor Little Compton Moreton-in-Marsh Gloucestershire GL56 0RZ Monitoring visit: Reed Business School Ltd, 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

Reed Business School Ltd (RBS) began providing directly funded apprenticeships in January 2018. Currently, there are 12 apprentices at Level 4. All are on standards- based apprenticeships in professional accounting. RBS does not subcontract any of the apprenticeship provision.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers use their considerable experience and knowledge to develop training programmes which meet apprentices’ and employers’ needs. Their thorough planning contributes to the majority of apprentices making good progress on their programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers systematically monitor eligibility requirements and apprentices’ suitability. Where appropriate, they provide prospective apprentices with Level 3 online courses to check their skills and motivation.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with employers to link work and off-the-job training. For example, they teach book-keeping skills first, which enables apprentices to work directly with clients early in their training. As a result, apprentices gain in confidence and add value to their employer’s businesses.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have recruited a highly skilled team of tutors and learning coaches. Apprentices are rightly positive about the expert teaching and support they receive.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that apprentices receive appropriate careers advice and guidance. Learning coaches support apprentices so they are prepared for their next steps. Monitoring visit: Reed Business School Ltd, 17–18 July 2019 Leaders and managers are appropriately self-critical and recognise their own strengths and areas for improvement. They have high aspirations for apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

All apprentices complete monthly time-sheets which managers use to monitor off- the-job training. Managers talk through what individual apprentices will do to meet their training requirements if they are falling behind. However, managers do not yet predict what off-the-job training should have been completed at set points in the year, so it is difficult for them to assess whether apprentices are on track with their off-the-job training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers monitor apprentices’ progress and intervene if they are falling behind in their learning. Apprentices take tests between externally set examinations to check whether they are making expected progress. Leaders ensure that apprentices are prepared thoroughly for their end-point assessment. However, leaders do not always share information about progress with apprentices and employers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop new and substantial accountancy knowledge, skills and behaviours that benefit their employers’ business. They speak confidently about the new knowledge and skills they have learned. For example, an apprentice completed the end-of-year accounts for a charity and was proud to be associated with a local community success.

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Reasonable progress

Learning coaches provide coaching and support that enable apprentices to achieve their targets and pass professional examinations towards their accounting qualification. As a result of this support, apprentices are self-motivated and enthusiastic.

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Reasonable progress

The majority of apprentices make good progress from their starting points. Tutors and coaches sequence learning and assessment, so apprentices build the skills required to achieve in their final assessment. As a result, apprentices understand what they need to do to succeed.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop good knowledge and skills in mathematics which support them in their employment. Tutors and coaches support apprentices to extend their written skills. Apprentices receive clear feedback on the quality of their written work and the use of appropriate terminology. However, the quality of work apprentices submit for reviews is not of consistently high quality. Leaders have recognised this and are taking well-considered action to improve consistency of support for apprentices across the provision. Monitoring visit: Reed Business School Ltd, 17–18 July 2019 Apprentices gain from high quality off-the-job training. They recognise the value of learning specific knowledge on their block placements and of then putting it into practice when at work. For example, one apprentice had established a new payroll system in a business that had been struggling to pay staff accurately.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ feedback is used routinely to improve their learning experience. After each block placement the senior leadership team reviews apprentices’ feedback and actions any issues.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that safeguarding is effective. They have used external expertise to review the implementation and impact of safeguarding arrangements. As a result, they have improved the security of the school and residences by using and reinforcing key code entry and the monitoring of staff and apprentices wearing their identification badges.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers identify apprentices with vulnerabilities and support them to achieve on time.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead and officers have been suitably trained. They liaise with tutors, coaches and facilities staff to ensure that apprentices are safeguarded, particularly during the residential training.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe and work safely. Apprentices know who to report to if they have a concern and feel confident that their feedback is used to improve their experience.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit well-qualified staff appropriately, ensure that they regularly complete training and are monitored effectively to ensure that apprentices are safeguarded.

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Reasonable progress

The provider takes reasonable action to meet the requirements of the ‘Prevent’ duty. However, coaches do not routinely discuss safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty with apprentices in the workplace. Apprentices are not always clear how the dangers of radicalisation and extremism could apply to their clients. Monitoring visit: Reed Business School Ltd, 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 . 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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Reasonable 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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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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