Halifax Opportunities Trust

Halifax Opportunities Trust Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Jonny Wright, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre Hanson Lane Halifax HX1 5PG Monitoring visit: Halifax Opportunities Trust, 20 and 21 July 2022

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Context and focus of visit

Halifax Opportunities Trust was inspected in July 2021. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in addressing the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have reviewed and adapted the curriculum to ensure that apprentices develop their learning incrementally over time. Tutors plan the curriculum effectively so apprentices can gain substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours which are relevant to their job role. Apprentices carry out their roles with more confidence and a deeper understanding, and often take on extra responsibility.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors have successfully tailored the curriculum for each apprentice, taking account of apprentices’ prior knowledge and experience, their starting point in the academic year, and the settings at which apprentices are employed. Apprentices develop new knowledge and skills that are specific to their workplace. Those who work with children from areas of deprivation use their learning in childhood development to understand better the causes of a child’s behaviour.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have established consistent and well-planned assessment practices which enable apprentices to demonstrate their understanding and enable tutors to plan for future learning. Tutors successfully use a range of assessment methods to check apprentices’ knowledge and ensure that apprentices are making appropriate progress. They track progress well, and they accurately identify apprentices who fall behind and support them to get back on track. Tutors prepare apprentices well for their end-point assessment (EPA), including carrying out practice professional discussions and providing helpful feedback. Monitoring visit: Halifax Opportunities Trust, 20 and 21 July 2022

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers provide appropriate support for apprentices to help them develop their English and mathematics skills in preparation for taking examinations. Tutors provide effective support at monthly review meetings, and apprentices also benefit from additional individualised sessions from an external specialist tutor each week. Tutors use mock tests and other methods to assess when apprentices are ready to sit their examinations. Apprentices preparing for examinations in English and mathematics are making steady progress.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have effectively revised and developed their English and mathematics provision for new apprentices. They have invested in an online learning platform to support apprentices in the development of their English and mathematics skills. Tutors provide English and mathematics support for apprentices early in their programmes, with the aim of apprentices successfully passing examinations within the first six months of their programme.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors encourage most apprentices who already have English and mathematics qualifications to continue to develop their skills. This has been particularly successful in improving the quality of apprentices’ written communication. However, tutors have not consistently prioritised the continuing development of English and mathematics for all apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have supported tutors to improve their knowledge and skills in providing careers guidance. Training has included webinars from the local training provider network, standardisation of practice and individual support from managers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed useful resources to support apprentices in choosing which apprenticeship to undertake and to inform them of the career routes that they can take. Information includes the requirements of the apprenticeship, the topics that apprentices will learn, how apprentices will be assessed, and the requirements for EPA. Careers information focuses on the jobs that apprentices can consider in the early years and primary school sectors and how apprentices can progress in their careers.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from helpful careers advice and guidance that prepare them well for their next steps. They explained how the guidance that they received helped Monitoring visit: Halifax Opportunities Trust, 20 and 21 July 2022 them in their successful transition from level 2 early years apprenticeship frameworks to level 3 early years educator standards-based apprenticeships. Apprentices have a good understanding of the level 3 apprenticeship, including the EPA requirements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have put in place appropriate training that has helped tutors to improve their teaching and assessing skills. Training undertaken so far includes assessing apprentices effectively, meeting special educational needs and preparing apprentices for EPA. Further planned training includes how to support apprentices to improve their English and mathematics skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have successfully engaged with an external quality assurance consultant to identify and address areas for improvement. Weaknesses identified included assessment practice and undertaking professional discussions with apprentices. Tutors have benefited from helpful training and sharing of best practice to address these weaknesses.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors take part in useful professional development to enhance their subject knowledge. They take part in meetings and conferences to keep their industry knowledge up to date and to enhance their understanding of current trends and issues in the education sector. Tutors share this information with apprentices to improve their knowledge and enhance their experience on their programme. Monitoring visit: Halifax Opportunities Trust, 20 and 21 July 2022 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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