LRTT Limited

Name of lead inspector: Helen Flint, Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Hangar K4 Kemble Airfield Kemble Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 6B Monitoring visit: LRTT Ltd, 3–4 March 2021

p.1

Context and focus of visit

LRTT Ltd (LRTT) received a new provider monitoring visit in January 2019. At that time, inspectors made progress judgements under three themes.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on the extent to which leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education and training in the current circumstances. It was undertaken as outlined in the operational note on visits carried out from January 2021 and with reference to the further education and skills handbook.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

These visits are to help learners, parents, employers and government understand how providers are meeting the needs of learners in this period, including those with high needs and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Following changes to government guidance and the imposition of COVID-19 (coronavirus) lockdown restrictions, inspectors carried out this monitoring activity remotely. As a result, the range of evidence available to inspectors was narrower than would be the case during an on-site inspection. Therefore, this report provides a more limited level of assurance.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgement below. Inspectors did not evaluate leaders’ response to COVID-19 during the spring and summer of 2020, when the provider was not open to all learners and there were no national expectations regarding remote education.

p.2

Significant progress

LRTT specialises in providing aircraft engineering training for apprentices as well as commercial courses. Senior leaders at LRTT are wholly committed to helping the aviation sector recover from the impact of the pandemic. Following the previous visit, apprenticeship numbers doubled to almost 300 but have since fallen to below 100 due to the effect of COVID-19 on aviation businesses. This includes a small number of apprentices who are studying a new apprenticeship at level 4.

p.2

Significant progress

Aviation employers furloughed many of their apprentices during the national lockdowns. LRTT staff worked closely with these employers to keep the furloughed apprentices in learning. As a result, only a very small number were temporarily suspended from their apprenticeship. LRTT staff worked diligently to support apprentices whose employers went into administration before the pandemic, or who Monitoring visit: LRTT Ltd, 3–4 March 2021 were made redundant as a result of it. LRTT staff helped almost all apprentices affected in this way to find alternative employment. This included employment in LRTT’s parent organisation, Resource Group, and meant that apprentices could continue their apprenticeships in aviation.

p.2

Significant progress

Managers have very good knowledge and understanding of the standards-based curriculum for the air engineering apprenticeship. As a result, they made changes swiftly to the timetable so that much of the underpinning theory learning could take place online. Staff made sure that apprentices had access to tablet computers and the internet so they could learn remotely. Staff teach the various topics of the course in a logical order that helps apprentices extend their knowledge and understanding. For example, instructors ensure that apprentices mastered the mathematical concepts needed to help them understand the physics module.

p.3

Significant progress

Leaders recognise the limitations that remote teaching has for a largely practical subject. They plan to return to a full face-to-face model of training as soon as it is safe to do. In the meantime, managers analyse apprentices’ achievements in module examinations and identify which modules apprentices find more difficult. As a result of their findings, they are making improvements to course content and materials and how these are taught and assessed online. They intend to provide instructors with additional training to hone their teaching and assessing skills.

p.3

Significant progress

Apprentices, and their employers, are highly complimentary about LRTT’s instructors and how they have adapted their teaching to reduce the challenges presented by remote learning. While apprentices prefer face-to-face teaching and find this more effective, they recognise and accept the limitations of remote teaching online for a practical subject. Apprentices speak with considerable enthusiasm about some of the topics they have learned, such as aviation aerodynamics and how aircraft systems like hydraulics work. They describe how learning these key concepts has reinforced their belief that aircraft engineering and maintenance has been their right career choice.

p.3

Significant progress

Apprentices are highly positive about the extra help that instructors give them, sometimes outside of the working day, when they do not understand concepts or theories fully. Instructors spend time revising content with apprentices who fail modules and examinations. For example, instructors have reviewed the sector regulations in flight safety with apprentices who are retaking an examination in aviation legislation.

p.3

Significant progress

Staff place a very high priority on making sure that apprentices know how to stay safe and keep healthy. At the start of apprentices’ training, they learn about topics such as online safety, the dangers of sexting, how to eat healthily and maintaining good mental health. These topics are revisited at key times throughout the apprenticeship, or on an individual basis if an apprentice needs extra help or advice. Since the previous visit, leaders have expanded the safeguarding and well-being team so that there is additional support for apprentices living away from home for the first time, and those who are making the transition from school or college to employment. Monitoring visit: LRTT Ltd, 3–4 March 2021 As a result of their training, apprentices develop a good understanding of the dangers that those with extremist views may pose to the aviation industry. Apprentices are aware of the range of personal safety and security measures for

p.3

Significant progress

which they are responsible in order to keep themselves, their colleagues and the industry safe.

p.4

Significant progress

Leaders and those responsible for governance should take further action to:

p.4

Significant progress

 accelerate plans to provide instructors with training to improve their teaching and assessing skills further. Monitoring visit: LRTT Ltd, 3–4 March 2021 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.

p.4

Significant progress

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 .

p.5

Significant progress

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

p.5

Significant progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Significant progress

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

p.5