New London Educational Trust

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of New London Educational Trust

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Inadequate Adult learning programmes Inadequate Apprenticeships Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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Information about this provider

New London Educational Trust (NLET) is an independent learning provider based in Hounslow, West London. Learners and apprentices mainly live in London, Worcestershire and South Yorkshire.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, 29 apprentices were on standards-based qualifications at level 2 to level 5. The majority of apprentices are on the level 3 health and social care apprenticeship.

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Information about this provider

There were 162 adult learners funded through advanced learning loans. Most of these learners study level 3 business and management. Just under a third study beauty related courses such as level 3 make-up and nail technician courses in Barnsley. A small number of learners study health and social care at level 3. NLET also teaches other courses for adults for which it receives funding, but only the programmes funded through advanced learning loans were in scope for this inspection. 28 June–1 July 2022

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices waiting for their final assessments do not receive adequate support. Too many apprentices had not had any communication from staff for a considerable period of time. Too many apprentices are considerably past their planned end date without having completed the programme.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Some learners on business courses find it difficult to attend lessons. During the inspection, learners’ attendance to business lessons seen by inspectors was not good enough.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners and apprentices benefit from friendly and supportive staff. Those who study in London and Barnsley are taught in well-equipped classrooms that mirror what they would expect to see in the work environment. Learners on make-up and nail technician courses develop their skills to a high standard.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners are taught by assessors and tutors who have relevant industry knowledge and experience. They use this to ensure that they pass on up-to-date knowledge and skills to their learners and apprentices.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners and apprentices feel safe and know how to report concerns. Assessors and tutors teach safeguarding topics that help apprentices and learners understand how to keep themselves safe. They receive a helpful booklet on how to keep themselves safe from the potential risks of abuse and exploitation.

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better?

Over the past two years NLET has undergone substantial leadership change. Leaders have identified and started work on the weaknesses in the provision, but their progress in making improvements is slow. Trustees, who are also recently appointed, have a strong commitment to NLET and to resolving historic issues. However, they lack sufficient further education experience to provide guidance to staff to make changes. They do not scrutinise sufficiently the evaluation of the quality of education given to them by leaders and staff.

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better?

Leaders and managers do not have a suitable rationale for the apprenticeship programmes and some of the adult programmes they offer. Similarly, they do not have a secure rationale for teaching courses in the geographical locations they have chosen. They have started to review their curriculum focusing on courses for individuals in west London and have established purposeful relationships with employers. However, this review is still in its early stages and has not resulted in any changes to the current curriculum, nor have current learners benefitted.

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better?

Leaders and managers do not have a sufficient overview of the quality of provision. Their assessment of the quality of teaching on courses offered is not accurate enough. Their lack of focus on the quality of teaching limits their ability to make improvements. 28 June–1 July 2022

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On most courses, tutors do not have high enough expectations of learners. They do not do enough to support learners to achieve grades higher than a pass. On business courses, tutors use current affairs topics to illustrate important business concepts such as supply-chain issues resulting from Brexit or the impact of staff shortages on baggage handling operations at Heathrow. However, while this helps to bring business topics alive, it does not help learners to achieve higher grades.

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In business, tutors do not use the information they have on what learners know already to ensure they are on the correct course. Too many learners do not have sufficient written and spoken English skills to cope with the demands of the course. As a result, learners are not able to develop the knowledge and skills they need to be successful on the course.

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Learners on make-up artistry and nail technician programmes have a positive experience. Tutors plan and teach these courses well. They use their industry experience to teach learners the skills that are needed in salons. They regularly check through discussions, quizzes and practice on clients that learners are prepared to gain employment at the end of their course. Tutors use interesting projects to motivate learners. For example, a recent 1980s-themed project and a horror project required learners to work together to plan and do make-up and nails to meet a given project brief. Learners developed their teamwork skills and were able to use techniques not commonly used in salons. This helps learners to become ready for employment.

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Apprentices have an experienced tutor who helps them to develop the skills they need to progress in their careers in health and social care. They can explain how what they learn applies to their workplace. For example, apprentices are able to explain the different care that is needed for individuals in residential, domiciliary and day-care settings. They have the knowledge and skills they need for their jobs.

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Staff do not provide apprentices and learners with sufficient careers education. While learners and apprentices have aspirations to progress to university or new roles within their current organisations, they do not receive the support they need to achieve their aspirations. Too many apprentices have not had their end-point assessment arranged by the provider. This is despite having a planned end-date for their training up to 18 months ago. This has limited apprentices’ ability to fulfil their aspirations.

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Apprentices and learners do not have a good enough knowledge of British Values. Tutors try to integrate this into their lessons but their own knowledge limits how effectively they teach these topics. Learners and apprentices have a poor recollection of what they have been taught.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 28 June–1 July 2022

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Leaders and managers have created a positive culture of safeguarding. This is led by the Director who communicates effectively to staff their responsibility for safeguarding. All staff have been trained, beyond the minimum requirements. As a result, staff can discharge their responsibilities effectively.

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Leaders and managers have a good overview of safeguarding issues. They track concerns well, and make referrals to external agencies as appropriate. Trustees receive an annual report on any safeguarding concerns.

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Apprentices and learners feel safe and have an appropriate understanding of how to keep themselves safe from the risks associated with extremism and radicalisation. They benefit from the provider’s ‘staying safe’ booklet that has helpful information that they can refer to during their course. As a result, learners and apprentices have the information they need to keep themselves safe.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders and managers need to ensure that they have a more accurate oversight of the quality of education, and take effective actions to make improvements.  Leaders need to have a better rationale and focus for the courses they offer. These should align with their vision and meet local business needs.  Leaders should ensure that the remaining apprentices who are beyond their expected completion date complete their final assessments as a matter of urgency.  Staff should ensure that they are more effective in the collection and use of information about learners’ prior knowledge and ability to cope with the demands of programmes, to ensure that they are enrolled on courses to which they are suited.  Business tutors should ensure that courses are taught in sufficient depth to enable learners to achieve high grades.  Staff should improve the attendance and punctuality of apprentices and learners at lessons and reviews.

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Provider details

Address Sceptre House 75-81 Staines Road Hounslow TW3 3HW

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Provider details

Provider type Independent Training Provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 26–30 January 2019

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 28 June–1 July 2022

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of education, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider's most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners' work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider's documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Steve Lambert, lead inspector Her Majesty's Inspector Jai Sharda Ofsted Inspector Steve Stanley Ofsted Inspector Kanwaljit Dhillon Ofsted Inspector Andrea McMahon Her Majesty's Inspector 28 June–1 July 2022

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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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