Sheldrake Training Limited

Sheldrake Training Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Matt Hann, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 10 and 11 January 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

RA Barracks The Packway Larkhill Wiltshire SP4 8QT Monitoring visit: Sheldrake Training Limited, 10 and 11 January 2023

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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

At the time of the monitoring visit, Sheldrake Training Limited (STL) provided education and training to five apprentices studying the equine groom apprenticeship programme at level 2 and four apprentices studying the teaching assistant apprenticeship programme at level 3. Four of the apprentices are aged 16 to 18.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that the education and training they provide meet the principles and requirements of an apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have created a curriculum that meets the skills needs of the employers they work with. Managers carefully design effective training plans that take into account the knowledge and experience that apprentices have prior to beginning their apprenticeship. As a result, apprentices learn the new knowledge and skills that enable them to contribute positively at work.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place an effective quality assurance process that ensures the teaching provided by the coaches is mostly of a high quality. Leaders identify areas of teaching that are weaker and swiftly put in place remedial actions that improve the quality of the training. For example, leaders have recently provided coaches with training to help them better prepare the apprentices for their assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established a board of directors to provide governance for the education and training they provide. Leaders value the contributions made by directors and use this information well to inform important decision making. For example, leaders have recently considered directors’ views on the impact of the transfer of a large number of apprentices from another training provider to STL. Monitoring visit: Sheldrake Training Limited, 10 and 11 January 2023 Leaders and managers have not ensured that all apprentices receive training to develop their personal skills swiftly enough. Leaders have recently revised apprentices’ training plans to provide them with wider training opportunities. However, these revisions do not yet provide equine groom apprentices with sufficient opportunities to develop their skills further

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Reasonable progress

Coaches have high levels of expertise in the subjects that they teach. They share this knowledge with apprentices freely, which enriches their learning. They skilfully adapt the lesson content for when the learning and working environment proves to be more challenging. For example, coaches teach equine groom apprentices why and how to change their approach to horse welfare during periods of adverse weather. As a result, apprentices learn swiftly the new skills and knowledge required to become well-rounded and competent professionals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that apprentices learn the digital, English and mathematical skills they need. They have established monthly review meetings with apprentices, coaches and employers to help identify and meet the future training needs of apprentices and employers. For example, equine groom coaches ensure that the skills they teach apprentices relate well to their workplace yard. Apprentices apply well their understanding of the use of different tools and materials used in the yard and know how to keep them in good condition. Apprentices develop an in-depth understanding of when tools require repairing and their importance in helping horses to maintain good health.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders provide coaches with useful professional development in topics such as preparing apprentices for end-point assessment and knowing how to contextualise curriculum content to include fundamental British values. This helps to make them better teachers. Most coaches transfer this training well to provide apprentices with high-quality lessons. For example, they teach apprentices how to respect the opinions of others in the workplace. As a result, apprentices become better- informed citizens and respectful colleagues.

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Reasonable progress

A few coaches do not provide apprentices with feedback that is helpful or detailed enough. For example, too often, feedback is complimentary and brief. A few apprentices do not know what actions they need to take to continually improve their work. A few coaches do not encourage apprentices to use technical vocabulary well enough. Consequently, a few apprentices do not develop their subject language fluency. Monitoring visit: Sheldrake Training Limited, 10 and 11 January 2023

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established effective safeguarding processes to identify welfare concerns relating to apprentices. The safeguarding team is well qualified and understand the training needs of staff and apprentices well. They frequently report on safeguarding to the board of directors, and this helps to create a whole- institution positive culture towards safeguarding.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recently revised the recruitment policy to ensure that safe recruitment practices are followed more robustly. Leaders now ensure that the vetting and evidence of suitability relating to the appointment of new staff is recorded appropriately.

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Reasonable progress

Coaches teach apprentices how to keep themselves safe while in their place of work. For example, equine groom apprentices are taught about safe working practices and apply this well when working with horses and in the yard environment. Apprentices are taught and know the importance of reporting a safeguarding concern and how to do this. However, a minority of apprentices are not able to recall what they have been taught about the range of safeguarding topics fully enough. For example, not all equine apprentices know enough about the signs of, and the risks relating to, radicalisation. Monitoring visit: Sheldrake Training Limited, 10 and 11 January 2023 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

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Reasonable progress

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

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

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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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