Inspire Education Group

Inspire Education Group Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Penny Fawcus, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: General further education college

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Address:

Park Crescent Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 4DZ Monitoring visit: Inspire Education Group, 14 April 2021

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Context and focus of visit

This monitoring visit focused on safeguarding arrangements and 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.

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Context and focus of visit

On 1 August 2020, Peterborough Regional College and New College Stamford merged to form Inspire Education Group. Through this merger, Peterborough Regional College is now known as Peterborough College, and New College Stamford is known as Stamford College. Inspire Education Group currently works with 11 subcontractors, of which four offer apprenticeships, three offer 16 to 18 study programmes and seven offer adult learning programmes.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have effective working relationships with subcontractor partners. However, their safeguarding reporting to governors does not always include subcontracted partners. Consequently, governors do not have sufficient oversight of the safeguarding arrangements for their subcontracted learners.

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Reasonable progress

Subcontractor partners appreciate the advantages of working with the college. For example, they adopt college safeguarding policies and practices. Subcontractor staff benefit from the training that college managers provide.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders check subcontractors’ safeguarding contract compliance appropriately, with annual audits and due diligence. Managers identify safeguarding concerns through monthly performance meetings and act swiftly to support learners. However, leaders have not yet established consistent good practice across the college. For example, managers’ tracking and reporting of learners’ progress differs across the college. In the best case, they record a holistic view of progress that includes learners’ well- being and personal circumstances. In contrast, some tracking by managers only includes progress against qualification achievement.

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Reasonable progress

The college’s designated safeguarding leads communicate effectively with their partners and frequently review partner safeguarding policies and practices. Partner staff benefit from the expertise, training and support of the college’s safeguarding Monitoring visit: Inspire Education Group, 14 April 2021 leads. Consequently, tutors identify and refer safeguarding concerns they have about their learners.

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Reasonable progress

Learners studying with subcontractors have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe, including online. For example, dance and music learners know how to be professional, and stay safe, when posting their videos on social media. Apprentices and learners understand how to look after their own mental health. They have regular reviews with their tutors to discuss any issues that might be affecting them. Many make good use of college initiatives, such as the ‘5 steps to mental well- being’, to keep themselves positive during the pandemic. As a result, they are confident in discussing any issues or concerns with their tutors. A minority of learners studying with subcontractors are not always aware that they have access to the resources and services at the college. Monitoring visit: Inspire Education Group, 14 April 2021 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young

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Reasonable progress

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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Reasonable progress

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

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