Wiser Academy Ltd

Wiser Academy Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Montserrat Pérez-Parent, HMI

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Barrett House Savoy Close Andover Hampshire SP10 Monitoring visit: Wiser Academy Ltd, 21–22 October 2020

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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 provider received a monitoring visit under these arrangements and was found to be making insufficient progress against one or more themes.

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Context and focus of visit

On 17 March 2020, all routine inspections were suspended due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. As part of our phased return to routine inspections, we are carrying out additional monitoring visits to new providers that were judged to be making insufficient progress against one or more themes at their previous monitoring visit and would have been due their full inspection up to or during the interim phase but have not received it because of the suspension of routine inspections. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements, as outlined in the interim phase operational note for further education and skills and with reference to the further education and skills handbook and is focused on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

Wiser Academy Ltd is an independent training provider specialising in financial services training. It offers standard-based apprenticeships at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were approximately 90 apprentices in training. Most apprentices are studying senior financial services customer adviser, insurance practitioner or insurance professional apprenticeships. The rest are studying human resources or learning and development apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders appointed a new director of apprenticeships and a new head of apprenticeships whose role is to improve the apprenticeship provision. Managers worked closely with employers, trainers and apprentices to make sure they understood the improvements needed, following the previous monitoring visit. Employers now know the requirements of an apprenticeship and the work apprentices need to do to achieve it.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices have learned new knowledge, skills and behaviours and have recently been making rapid progress towards the completion of their apprenticeship. Managers support employers to find time for apprentices to do their training around Monitoring visit: Wiser Academy Ltd, 21–22 October 2020 the work pressures in their jobs. Managers and trainers provide apprentices who need to study functional skills qualifications with support to help them achieve their qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Managers now use lesson observations effectively to identify areas for improvement. Managers provide trainers with the support and training they need to improve. As a result, trainers have improved in the areas identified in their development plans. Trainers use questioning more effectively to check apprentices’ learning. They have also reinforced the importance of professional standards and behaviours, leading to an improvement in punctuality of apprentices to lessons and their readiness for learning.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders now know what progress apprentices are making through the monthly meetings they hold with apprenticeship managers. Managers provide most employers with monthly reports on the progress their apprentices are making. However, not all employers receive sufficient feedback on the progress of their employees, which hampers their ability to support them on their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices are learning substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours. Apprentices have improved what they do at work as a result of the new skills and knowledge they have learned. For example, apprentices slow down their pace when talking to vulnerable customers and make sure that they do not use jargon.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers are well qualified and have a range of experience in the insurance and financial services sectors, which they use effectively in their teaching. They have used their expertise skilfully to develop training resources that are relevant to the apprentices’ job roles.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers make sure that their lessons, which they teach through a real-time virtual classroom, are interactive and interesting. Apprentices find their lessons beneficial and enjoyable and so they attend consistently.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use quizzes and mock examination questions effectively to test apprentices’ understanding of the new knowledge they have taught in lessons. Apprentices make good use of current and past examples from their workplace to demonstrate learning.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices complete a range of activities as part of their training away from work that support the development of skills relevant to their job roles. They benefit from attending financial networking events or taking part in a mentoring scheme for disadvantaged individuals. Monitoring visit: Wiser Academy Ltd, 21–22 October 2020 A few apprentices who were already experienced professionals when they started their apprenticeship have not gained substantial new skills and knowledge. Trainers support these apprentices to develop skills and knowledge beyond the apprenticeship. Trainers involve them in discussions of current topics, such as the business interruption loans, and draw on their individual expertise and experiences to support other apprentices and develop each other’s knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers make sure that they have effective safeguarding arrangements in place and that apprentices are safe. Leaders and managers take suitable action to resolve reported incidents and keep detailed records of the actions they have taken to resolve them.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have started to promote the health and well-being of apprentices in addition to their safety. They have introduced a monthly ‘Wise Up’ newsletter promoting topics such as sleeping and eating well, online safety and confidence at work, as well as safeguarding, the ‘Prevent’ duty and equality and diversity.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers do not have sufficient knowledge of the radicalisation risks in the areas of the country in which their apprentices work. They do not make apprentices aware of the risks local to them or those relevant to their industry. Monitoring visit: Wiser Academy Ltd, 21–22 October 2020 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.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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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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