Keystone Training Ltd

Keystone Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Andrea Dill-Russell, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection date(s): 17 to 18 November 2020

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Netherend House Park Lane Halesowen B63 2RA Monitoring visit: Keystone Training Limited, 17 to 18 November 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 ESFA 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

Keystone Training Limited (Keystone) is a consultancy company founded in 2005. Keystone started to provide levy-funded apprenticeships in January 2018. Keystone works with employers in a wide range of sectors such as in food, local government, engineering, construction and manufacturing throughout the United Kingdom. At the time of the inspection, 63 apprentices were on the level 3 team leader/supervisor and level 5 operations/departmental manager standards-based apprenticeships. The vast majority of apprentices already have GCSE mathematics and English qualifications. Keystone Training Ltd does not use subcontractors to deliver training.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous monitoring visit, leaders have significantly invested in resources to improve the apprenticeship programme. They reviewed the skills of the team, alongside the curriculum, to address the management and the quality of training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders’ extensive review of training led to them identifying performance concerns within the team. They acted swiftly to recruit highly experienced coaches. Leaders and coaches worked with employers and apprentices to regain their trust. They have worked with employers to ensure that they support apprentices to undertake their off-the-job training. Most employers rate highly the training provided by Keystone. Monitoring visit: Keystone Training Limited, 17 to 18 November 2020 Following the recruitment of new staff, leaders and coaches revisited the curriculum plan. They identified that staff did not provide enough teaching and support for apprentices. Coaches now spend more time with apprentices. Coaches provide well- planned sessions and support through one-to-one reviews. The large majority of apprentices demonstrate that they are gaining new skills and knowledge and understand how they can apply what they have learned in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented quality assurance processes to improve their understanding of the apprenticeship programme. They recognise that the poor start identified at the previous monitoring visit has had a significant impact on apprentices completing their programmes within the expected timescales. Leaders and coaches have worked hard to rectify this. As a result, most apprentices are back on track to complete their programme.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken steps to improve the recruitment of apprentices. Although they have been unable to recruit, leaders and coaches have aligned the curriculum to current business practices by working closely with employers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed an advisory board to provide oversight of the apprenticeship programme. Board members receive verbal updates from leaders and staff. Leaders recognise that a formal reporting structure needs to be in place, to enable board members to have an accurate view of the apprenticeship programme.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recognised that the majority of apprentices were not in a job role that would enable them to gain the new skills and knowledge they needed. Leaders, employers and staff have worked together to ensure that apprentices can undertake additional responsibilities when required. For example, employers now provide apprentices on level 3 team leader/supervisor programmes with opportunities to manage budgets. Apprentices have developed the skills and understanding of workplace finance that they need to succeed on their programme.

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Reasonable progress

Coaches use their expert knowledge to assess apprentices’ knowledge of topics. In a very small number of sessions, coaches do not check apprentices’ knowledge well enough. As a result, apprentices do not always complete their work to the required standard, and in the time allocated.

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Reasonable progress

At the start of the national lockdown, coaches worked quickly to adapt their teaching to remote learning. They have designed online sessions to include ‘break-out rooms’ as part of the live sessions. Coaches’ approaches to teaching enable apprentices to explore complex theories. Apprentices learn how to apply this knowledge in the workplace, such as when drawing on emotional intelligence theories when managing teams. Monitoring visit: Keystone Training Limited, 17 to 18 November 2020 Coaches have focused on getting apprentices back on track on their programme. They are preparing the large majority of apprentices well for their end-point assessment. Of the small minority who have completed their programme, most have achieved high grades. Leaders and staff recognise that the actions they have taken to improve apprentices’ skills in English and mathematics have been too slow to take effect.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have identified the impact of COVID-19 on employers and apprentices. A minority of apprentices do not always have enough time to complete their studies due to increased pressures at work. Coaches work flexibly to accommodate the work patterns of apprentices, in particular those who work shifts. As a result, most apprentices are meeting the requirements for their off-the-job training.

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Reasonable progress

Following the previous monitoring visit, leaders prioritised safeguarding. They have appointed and trained designated safeguarding leads (DSLs). DSLs undertook a review of staff’s knowledge to plan and teach an effective training programme. Staff have completed mandatory training on safeguarding topics. They have identified and taught sessions to raise awareness of national and local concerns. For example, they taught sessions on the risks involved in ‘sexting’ and ‘cyber-phishing’.

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Reasonable progress

Safeguarding staff record, monitor and support apprentices well. Leaders have provided staff and apprentices with pocket cards to ensure they know who to contact and how to get help. Staff have quickly resolved situations in the workplace for apprentices. They have supported apprentices who have become ill during the pandemic.

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Reasonable progress

Coaches routinely evaluate apprentices’ safeguarding knowledge during review sessions. They use this time to highlight current topics to apprentices. As a result, apprentices demonstrate an appropriate understanding of safeguarding topics and risks, including those of radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Keystone Training Limited, 17 to 18 November 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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