Varsity Training Limited

Varsity Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sara Hunter, Ofsted Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Pure Offices 137, Pastures Avenue St Georges Weston-super-Mare BS22 7SB Monitoring visit: Varsity Training Limited, 3 and 4 August 2022

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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

Varsity Training Ltd is an independent training provider based in Weston-super- Mare. It began training apprentices in the health and social care sector in 2015, delivering qualifications as a subcontractor. It began providing apprenticeship training as a directly funded provider in March 2021.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, 23 apprentices were studying senior healthcare support worker standards programmes at level 3.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers are deeply committed to improving the skills, knowledge and behaviours of health and social care apprentices. They develop constructive relationships with employers and they work effectively with them to plan a logical curriculum for apprentices. Consequently, apprentices study appropriate pathways that fulfil their career aspirations and meet their employers’ needs. Leaders and managers place a high importance on recruiting skilled assessors with good vocational experience. Assessors quickly gain the respect and trust of apprentices’ supervisors and this ensures that apprentices continue to enjoy their programmes and make good progress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers monitor the progress of apprentices effectively. They work closely with employers to plan support for apprentices who fall behind in their studies. Consequently, the vast majority of apprentices are on track to complete their

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Reasonable progress

programme within the agreed timeframes. Leaders and managers provide highly relevant continuing professional development for staff. For example, assessors undertake courses in assessment planning and clinical subjects. Leaders recognise however, that they need to improve assessors’ Monitoring visit: Varsity Training Limited, 3 and 4 August 2022 pedagogical knowledge and skills to ensure that all apprentices receive high-quality teaching on their education programme. Leaders provide high-quality resources to support apprentices’ professional development. These are updated on a regular basis through for example, daily social media feeds from bodies such as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Consequently, apprentices extend their knowledge of topical issues within healthcare and become more competent. Governance arrangements are effective. As apprenticeship numbers increase, directors plan to further strengthen governance, notably through introducing external

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Reasonable progress

scrutiny of their provision. Leaders recognise that they need to improve quality assurance to systematically check that all assessors’ teaching skills are effective, and to be confident that apprentices are not disadvantaged by ineffective teaching. Leaders do not use self-assessment effectively to drive the improvements needed. Leaders have plans to improve the self-assessment and quality improvement processes, to ensure that all aspects of the apprentices’ education and training are regularly reviewed, and continuously improved.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors work diligently with employers to align theoretical teaching to apprentices’ practical work. This ensures that apprentices rapidly develop skills and behaviours they need to contribute effectively to their team. For example, before apprentices take blood samples, they learn the theory of infection control, and this improves their practice of aseptic non-touch techniques to avoid the spread of infection. Apprentices highly value the professional and pastoral support they receive from assessors. Apprentices are encouraged to reflect on their practice to improve outcomes for patients. Consequently, apprentices are more confident and compassionate in caring for patients. Assessors provide constructive feedback on apprentices’ written assignments. They direct apprentices to appropriate high-quality learning resources. These include interactive quizzes and workbooks, which check apprentices’ understanding of key

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Reasonable progress

concepts. As a result, apprentices deepen their understanding, and their standard of work improves over time. Assessors do not however, systematically correct spelling and grammatical errors in apprentices’ written work. Apprentices are ambitious to gain promotion or progress to higher level learning. They are encouraged to be aspirational, and apprentices are confident that they will receive the support to fulfil their ambitions. Consequently, the small number of apprentices who are currently preparing for their final assessments expect to achieve the highest grades. Monitoring visit: Varsity Training Limited, 3 and 4 August 2022 A few apprentices need to achieve functional skills in mathematics or English. Leaders have recently made new arrangements to ensure that all apprentices receive appropriate support throughout their programme and achieve the qualifications in a timely way. It is too early to confirm the effectiveness of these arrangements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed a range of measures to establish what apprentices’ already know and can do when they start the apprenticeship, including their mathematical and English ability. However, the results of these assessments are not routinely used to plan their training. Consequently, a small minority of apprentices make slow progress in developing their literacy skills, and this has slowed their overall progress.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have appointed a designated safeguarding lead and deputy who are appropriately qualified and who attend regular update training on a range of safeguarding topics. Leaders have established comprehensive safeguarding arrangements. Staff and apprentices have access to well-designed resources that develop their knowledge of a broad range of subjects, including diet, domestic abuse, mental health and using social media safely. Apprentices understand and respect equality and diversity. For example, when considering meal choices apprentices are aware of the need to respect their patients’ cultural and religious beliefs. Apprentices who experience any safeguarding concerns are confident that they will receive appropriate support from the provider and their employer. Apprentices show an appropriate understanding of what it means to be a citizen in modern Britain. They understand the importance of remaining vigilant against

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Reasonable progress

extremism and radicalisation. However, apprentices’ understanding of the risks within their own geographical area is less well developed. Monitoring visit: Varsity Training Limited, 3 and 4 August 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 children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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

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