London Examinations Board Limited

London Examinations Board Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Sambit Sen, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 1 and 2 September 2022

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 11 Regent Gate 83 High Street Waltham Cross EN8 7AF Monitoring visit: London Examinations Board Limited, 1 and 2 September 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

London Examinations Board Limited (LEB) is an independent learning provider training apprentices since June 2020. It specialises in providing online education and training to senior leader apprentices. At the time of the inspection, there were 20 apprentices studying level 7 senior leader qualification. LEB currently works with one subcontractor. There are no apprentices who are in receipt of high-needs funding.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have designed an ambitious level 7 senior leader apprenticeship programme. Apprentices who do not have previous higher education qualifications benefit from the opportunity to study at that level. Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge and skills that enable them to carry out complex and challenging duties at the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recruited teaching staff with appropriate and up-to-date subject expertise and teaching experience. However, senior leaders do not prioritise training for their tutors to help them further improve their teaching.

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Reasonable progress

Managers assess the starting points of apprentices effectively to ensure that they are recruited on the correct level programme. However, they do not provide this information to their tutors. As a result, tutors do not plan their teaching effectively to meet the individual needs of apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors communicate with apprentices and employers effectively. As an online training provider, they make appropriate use of information technology to provide timely updates and deal with issues. Apprentices are clear about what they need to do to progress through their qualifications. Monitoring visit: London Examinations Board Limited, 1 and 2 September 2022 Senior leaders have good oversight of the quality of education and training. They take swift action when apprentices struggle with their studies or with workplace pressures. As a result, most apprentices are on track to complete their apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Governance arrangements are effective. Governors use their teaching and education expertise to support senior leaders appropriately. Governors check that the speed of progress leaders make to improve the quality of education is timely. As a result, employers and apprentices benefit from these improvements.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices recognise and value the new knowledge and skills they gain from their apprenticeship. They use this knowledge to perform work tasks effectively such as strategic planning, workforce development and leading projects. Apprentices feel they have improved and enhanced their work performance because of their learning.

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Reasonable progress

Where apprentices have existing skills and knowledge, tutors ensure that they refresh and deepen what they already know. Apprentices can apply their learning about organisational and social responsibility for workforce and change initiatives in their workplace. As a result, apprentices find the learning challenging and developmental.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices participate enthusiastically in the lessons and take part in lively debates and discussions which makes the learning relevant. Tutors ensure that apprentices are well prepared and able to take an active part in lessons by tasking them with background reading before the lesson.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide constructive and developmental feedback to apprentices. This supports them to improve their work and continue to make progress. However, tutors often do not highlight or correct errors in the standard of English, such as the use of commas, hyphens, apostrophes and capitals. This limits apprentices’ ability to improve their English skills over time.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices undertake effective and timely reviews of the progress they make. They have helpful discussions with tutors and line managers on how they can apply the new knowledge they have learned in the workplace. This helps them to stay on track and prepare appropriately for their end-of-course examination. Monitoring visit: London Examinations Board Limited, 1 and 2 September 2022

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices feel safe, and they know how to report any concerns. They have a good understanding of safeguarding and use the information appropriately in their workplace settings. Apprentices working in care homes with young people value the knowledge and updates about local risks which helps them to know what to look out for. Leaders make effective use of information technology to keep apprentices and staff updated about relevant safeguarding-related issues.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders closely monitor any welfare and well-being concerns that apprentices report. Leaders work effectively with employers and relevant partners to help apprentices overcome any study and workplace pressures. This helps apprentices to continue to progress appropriately through their qualifications. Monitoring visit: London Examinations Board Limited, 1 and 2 September 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

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Reasonable 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 .

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Reasonable 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 .

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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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