The Independent Windscreen Academy Ltd

The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Michael Worgs, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: RCCE House Threshelfords Business Park Inworth Road Colchester CO5 9SE Monitoring visit: The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited, 8 and 9 December 2021

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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 monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited (IWA) is an independent learning provider based in Essex. In November 2019, IWA started to provide the level 3 automotive glazing technician standard-based apprenticeship for directly funded apprentices. Prior to this, IWA operated as a subcontractor. At the time of the inspection there were 23 apprentices in learning. Most apprentices do not have a level 2 mathematics or English qualification. There are no learners in receipt of high needs funding.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have not implemented a coherent programme that meets the principles and requirements of apprenticeships. They do not ensure that apprentices receive their off-the-job training entitlement. Apprentices and employers do not have a clear understanding of the training expectations. As a result, apprentices do not receive any protected time to complete their studies, and make slow progress.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have well-established links with automotive employers in the sector. Leaders recruit apprentices into appropriate job roles with these employers. However, leaders do not work effectively with employers to plan an individualised programme that meets the needs of the apprentices based on their starting points. As a result, apprentices do not develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to the apprenticeship standard. Most apprentices have been on programme for a long time and have not learned anything or completed any assessments.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers do not have effective oversight of the quality of training apprentices receive. They do not monitor the quality of education and training Monitoring visit: The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited, 8 and 9 December 2021 activities that apprentices undertake. Leaders have been slow to deal with the poor training practices of their trainers. As a result, apprentices have had a very poor learning experience throughout the programme and there is no clear plan on how this will be rectified.

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Insufficient progress

Because of the lack of governance arrangements, leaders have not been held to account for the quality of education and training apprentices receive. As a result, leaders have been slow to identify and scrutinise the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They have failed to implement robust actions to drive improvement.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have failed to ensure that trainers plan and teach high-quality sessions to apprentices. Most apprentices have had no substantial off-the-job training since the start of their programme. Leaders have not ensured that trainers provide suitable resources and assessments to enable apprentices to complete activities that will support their learning in a timely manner. As a result, apprentices are making very slow progress in their learning.

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Insufficient progress

Trainers do not work effectively with employers to plan and implement a robust training plan. Trainers do not use information about the apprentices’ prior learning and their job roles to develop a personalised plan. Employers are not aware of the training content of the apprenticeship and the order in which topics are taught. This slows the progress apprentices make and limits their opportunities to apply and reinforce newly acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers have been slow to implement a secure strategy to enable apprentices to develop English and mathematical skills. Most apprentices need to complete English and mathematics qualifications for their apprenticeship but have not yet received training. Apprentices are unclear about when they will take their functional skills examinations. Apprentices do not develop the English and mathematical skills they need to succeed and do not value the importance of these skills.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have failed to ensure that apprentices receive careers advice and guidance. They do not have plans in place to provide apprentices with access to careers information. Apprentices do not fully understand the level of the programme they are on and how it relates to other industry qualifications. This is hampering their ability to plan their next steps. Monitoring visit: The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited, 8 and 9 December 2021

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have not developed an effective culture of safeguarding within the organisation. The designated safeguarding officer (DSO) has not completed suitable training to perform the role. Staff have not completed up-to-date safeguarding training to ensure that, in particular, young apprentices are safe. The DSO does not ensure that staff and apprentices receive valuable information on the local risks associated with radicalisation and extremism. As a result, apprentices lack a full understanding of how this relates to their job roles. They are not able to protect themselves against these risks should they arise.

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Insufficient progress

Leaders have been slow to protect apprentices against the immediate health and safety work risks that place them at harm. Apprentices often do not wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as cut-resistant gloves and sleeves. This puts apprentices at severe risk of injury at work. Monitoring visit: The Independent Windscreen Academy Limited, 8 and 9 December 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

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Insufficient progress

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Insufficient progress

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Insufficient progress

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Insufficient progress

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

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