The Priory Federation of Academies

Priory Apprenticeships Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Stella Butler, HMI

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Address:

The Keyworth Centre Skellingthorpe Road Priory City of Lincoln Academy Lincoln LN6 0EP Monitoring visit: Priory Apprenticeships, 11 to 12 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

Priory Apprenticeships was established in 2016 by the Priory Federation of Academies Trust to establish sustainable training for its own employees in the Lincolnshire area. It began delivering levy-funded apprenticeships on a direct contract in 2017, and this provision was in the scope of the monitoring visit. At the time of the inspection, Priory Apprenticeships had 16 apprentices. All were working towards standards-based apprenticeships in team leading, business administration, human resources and infrastructure technician – all at level 3, and webs telecom at level 2. Apprentices, all of whom are adults, work in schools within the Priory Federation of Academies in Lincolnshire.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear strategy for provision aimed at preparing apprentices for the needs of employers across the federation. The culture and ethos within the federation to nurture and develop the workforce are reflected well in the range of personal and professional support offered to each apprentice throughout their programmes.

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Reasonable progress

All programmes meet the requirements of apprenticeships. A significant proportion of apprentices work term time only. In these instances, careful planning is prioritised to ensure that all apprentices receive their full entitlement of on- and off-the-job training. Managers monitor apprentices’ progress closely, setting relevant targets and actions so that they achieve, in a timely manner, the skills, knowledge and behaviours they require to be successful in their workplace. Online recording systems are not easily accessible to apprentices, so it is difficult for them to track progress independently and to update information regularly. On the few occasions when apprentices fall behind on tasks, managers have worked closely with the employer to ensure that they take appropriate actions to get apprentices back on track. Monitoring visit: Priory Apprenticeships, 11 to 12 July 2019 Leaders and managers know the provision well and are aware of its strengths and those

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Reasonable progress

areas that require improvement. Following a short period of transition, the new head of training is now revising aspects within the training programmes to address issues identified in the self-assessment report. For example, retention has been a concern in previous years, when a significant proportion of apprentices had left early to take up higher-paid positions within or outside the federation. Recruitment processes are now more thorough and employers more cognisant of their responsibilities to support individuals to successful completion.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are supported well by a team of experienced mentors. They have relevant subject knowledge and industry-specific experience that they share effectively through off-the-job training. Apprentices enjoy their learning, developing skills and knowledge that are appropriate to their occupational roles and gaining a clear understanding about the professional behaviours expected of them. As a result, apprentices soon grow in confidence and competence, working to consistently good standards, which employers’ value. For example, one apprentice in information technology (IT) has developed useful skills in working with switches to transfer data between systems and devices, as well as learning appropriate troubleshooting skills so that IT problems in the work setting can be quickly resolved.

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Reasonable progress

The head of training regularly assesses apprentices’ work to ensure that apprentices are applying their learning from on- and off-the-job training appropriately. Mentors are readily available to provide additional support and coaching when required.

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Reasonable progress

Feedback is helpful and supports apprentices to improve. Most of the apprentices’ written work demonstrates rapid improvement in the use of occupational and technical language, structure and presentation as they progress through their apprenticeship programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Nearly all apprentices who are currently on programmes had the necessary English, information communication technology and mathematics qualifications from the start of their programmes, and additional functional skills support was in place for two apprentices. They receive little encouragement to further improve their skills in these subjects. Those apprentices preparing for their end-point assessments clearly understood the process but were not able to confidently explain the grading profile or whether, for example, they were working towards a distinction.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices are well prepared for their next steps within their current employment and regarding, for example, access to higher education. More recently, apprentices have received encouragement to attend careers events in the region. Their understanding of potential opportunities in the wider world of work, however, is cursory. Monitoring visit: Priory Apprenticeships, 11 to 12 July 2019

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Reasonable progress

The provider’s staff are highly aware of the importance of safeguarding. Safer recruitment practices are well established and are thorough. Training staff are subject to pre- employment checks and all employees, including apprentices, have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certification. Safeguarding training, including in the ‘Prevent’ duty, is mandatory for all employees and is regularly reviewed and updated.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ knowledge and understanding of safeguarding is thorough. They know how to keep themselves safe and are aware of how to work safely online and of the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. They have a good understanding of British values and receive updates on local issues and concerns daily within their workplace. There were several examples in reviews and from discussions where apprentices had applied their knowledge to improve specific work practices or to address personal issues.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers pay good attention to apprentices’ safety and well-being. Apprentices are aware of the support structures available to them, including access to mental health support, advice and guidance, as well as links through a central hub to external support agencies. Monitoring visit: Priory Apprenticeships, 11 to 12 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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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 looked after children, 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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