Premier Training International Limited

Premier Training International Limited Monitoring visit report

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Inspection date(s): 21 to 22 October 2020

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Address:

Dryden House St John’s Street Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 3NU Monitoring visit: Premier Training International, 21 to 22 October 2020

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Context and focus of visit

From March 2019, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision which began to be funded from August 2017 or after by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. 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

Premier Training International Limited (PTI) provides adult learning programmes for learners wanting to gain, or sustain, employment in the fitness sector. PTI started offering directly funded provision in November 2017. It provides a level 2 diploma in fitness instructing. 56 learners were enrolled at the time of inspection.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers continue to work effectively with external partners. They recognise the recruitment and training requirements of the sports and fitness industry. The qualifications PTI offer provide the depth of knowledge required to gain relevant employment. Qualifications at level 2 build quickly into the level 3 PTI Diploma, a nationally recognised award. Most learners gain employment on completion of their qualification.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders target three main learner groups: those learners with vocational experience who do not hold a recognised qualification; learners who seek a change of career; and those whose employers demand higher level qualifications. Learners report high levels of satisfaction with the flexible mode of study provided. They can balance their other work and life commitments while studying. Monitoring visit: Premier Training International, 21 to 22 October 2020 Leaders ensure that tutors are appropriately qualified. Tutors’ experience in their chosen specialist fields is significant. Learners access their learning via a virtual learning portal and through live webinars. Qualification modules are suitably designed and pertinent to the fitness industry.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have established more effective quality monitoring of learning. They have a clearer understanding of what needs to improve. They set themselves targets and check the impact of their actions frequently. More learners now remain in learning, attend better and complete their qualification. The majority of learners continue into further study and employment on completing their qualification.

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Reasonable progress

Managers now have a system to measure how quickly learners are completing their qualification. They check this frequently, ensuring that tutors take effective action and intervene quickly. However, tutors do not review each stage of learning to identify any extra help a learner might need.

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Reasonable progress

Governance arrangements provide insufficient oversight of the provision. Those responsible do not focus enough on the quality of learning. External scrutiny of the learning process is ineffective. It has not identified that managers and tutors do not use learners' existing knowledge and skills to plan and check learning, or that they cannot demonstrate that learners develop new knowledge and skills.

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Insufficient progress

At the time of the previous inspection, tutors did not adapt the learning to meet the individual requirements of learners. Tutors still do not do this. Staff do now capture learners' initial starting points. Tutors therefore have enough information to tailor learning, but they still do not make use of this knowledge to shape the live webinars appropriately. As a result, managers and tutors cannot show that learners develop substantial new knowledge and skills.

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Insufficient progress

Learners have little opportunity to interact with their peers and tutors during live webinars. They are not able to share their learning experiences with other learners. Many learners prefer to use the recordings of webinars to consolidate their learning. Tutors have limited tools available to check if learners are participating actively in live sessions.

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Insufficient progress

Learners produce a good standard of practical work. Their skills, subject knowledge and understanding meet the criteria for a level 2 qualification. Learners video their client practice. They send these to tutors to show their sound understanding of exercise methods. Monitoring visit: Premier Training International, 21 to 22 October 2020 Tutors provide detailed and constructive feedback to learners on their work. They use screen shots and illustrations to expand on teaching points and exercise techniques. Tutors use a range of assessment techniques. They are careful throughout the programme to check learners’ understanding of anatomy and physiology.

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Insufficient progress

Recent management actions have benefitted learners. A personal coach has frequent contact with learners. This helps more learners to remain in learning and complete on time. Success coaches provide subject specific coaching. They help those learners struggling with external exams. First time success rates have improved and are now high.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders continue to meet their obligations to safeguard adult learners. Managers and staff at every level receive training to ensure the safety of learners. This training is frequently updated. Managers use weekly team meetings to inform staff on topical safeguarding themes. Tutors reiterate these in individual tutorials.

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Reasonable progress

Training is via a virtual learning platform and webinar. Learners can ask tutors confidential questions while online. A discrete alert function is available to learners. They can signal to their tutor any potential safeguarding concern.

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Reasonable progress

Learners receive comprehensive online training on all aspects of safeguarding. They are safe and feel safe while in learning. However, learners do not always consider practical applications of safeguarding; for example, a few learners were unable to explain to inspectors how to apply their learning to their work in the sport and fitness sector. Monitoring visit: Premier Training International, 21 to 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

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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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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