The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust

The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Georgina Ager, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Ashridge House Ashridge Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 1NS Monitoring visit: The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust, 29 and 30 March 2023

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Context and focus of visit

The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust was inspected in July 2022. 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 resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

The Ashridge Trust is an independent learning provider offering business and management degree and higher apprenticeships. Apprenticeship standards offered include level 4 associate project manager, level 5 operations or departmental manager, level 6 chartered manager (degree) and level 7 senior leader.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the inspection, there were 685 apprentices in training based across the country. There were 144 apprentices on a break in learning. Most apprentices study the level 7 senior leader apprenticeship. At the time of the inspection, there were no apprentices in receipt of high-needs funding. The provider works with one subcontractor to provide training for apprentices requiring English and mathematics qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and tutors collect accurate information on the starting points of their apprentices. Tutors are now provided with helpful detailed information on apprentices’ prior knowledge, their current job roles and workplaces. In most cases, tutors effectively adapt their sessions to take account of this information by providing detailed explanations and relevant examples. For example, during level 7 sessions tutors discuss what innovation within the public sector may look like. However, tutors are not yet fully using the information on starting points to ensure that their sessions reflect apprentice’s job roles. As a result, a minority of apprentices do not yet understand how the finance modules apply to their roles where they work within the public sector. Leaders and managers have ensured that they have improved the screening processes they use to identify apprentice’s additional learning needs. Leaders and

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Reasonable progress

managers have trained their staff on how to recognise and support these Monitoring visit: The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust, 29 and 30 March 2023 apprentices. As a result, apprentices now receive the support they need to enable them to be successful on their apprenticeships. For example, they receive extra time to complete assignments and assistance with proofreading.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have effectively reviewed how they involve employers in the planning of their apprentice’s training. As a result, apprentices have more opportunities to practise their learning in the workplace. At the initial stages of the apprenticeship, staff meet with apprentice’s line managers about their apprentice’s job roles. Consequently, line managers are clear on the areas where they need to arrange opportunities for apprentices to practise and enhance their new skills. Progress assessors now review and plan the on- and off-the-job training effectively with most apprentices and their line managers. For example, after apprentices have studied financial modules, line managers organise for apprentices to lead on financial elements of workplace projects. In a minority of cases, apprentices must wait for a suitable opportunity to apply knowledge, such as developing strategy, within their workplace.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from effective discussions with their progress assessors. Discussions include what apprentices have learned and how they can apply this learning in the workplace. For example, level 7 apprentices can explain how concepts studied in the entrepreneurship modules are relevant to their own job roles. Level 7 apprentices studying innovation learn about technical innovation and apply these concepts to improve services within their workplaces. Leaders and managers have designed appropriate activities which ensure that apprentices apply theories and concepts to their own workplaces. For example, apprentices discuss theories and concepts with their marketing and communications teams. This deepens their understanding of how marketing works within their organisations. Other apprentices meet with senior staff in their finance teams. As a result, they become more skilled in knowing how financial concepts studied can be

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices who have started their apprenticeship programmes since the previous inspection, are making swift progress through their qualifications. These apprentices have studied and completed assessments in line with their training plans. Monitoring visit: The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust, 29 and 30 March 2023 Apprentices are prepared effectively for their final assessments. Apprentices receive helpful support and feedback from their supervisors. For example, apprentices learn how to narrow the scope of their research. They learn how to develop their critical- evaluation skills. Leaders and managers monitor apprentices thoroughly when they enter the project stage of their apprenticeship. As a result, higher proportions of level 7 apprentices are now completing the extended workplace projects. This allows them to progress onto their final assessments. Retention rates of apprentices remain poor. Too many apprentices are on a break in

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Reasonable progress

learning. Many of these apprentices eventually withdraw from their programmes. Leaders and managers have introduced a range of appropriate strategies to support apprentices on a break in learning to remain on programme. This includes support for these apprentices to return to learning. Leaders and managers have also improved their monitoring of apprentices at risk of not achieving their apprenticeship. H owever, it is too early yet to see the impact of these initiatives.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers now sequence English and mathematics effectively. Newly enrolled apprentices studying English and mathematics qualifications study these at the start of their apprenticeship. These apprentices are making good progress on their English and mathematics studies. For example, apprentices studying mathematics qualifications improve how they undertake calculations, including fractions. Apprentices improve their English and mathematical skills while on their apprenticeships. Level 7 apprentices learn how to interpret financial and management accounts and return on capital invested. Level 7 senior leader apprentices are more skilled at undertaking academic writing. Apprentices know how to adapt their written communications to different audiences. However, a small proportion of apprentices on the level 7 senior leader apprenticeship do not receive support to improve their verbal presentation techniques.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have made appropriate improvements to ensure that they closely monitor apprentices who need to study English and mathematics qualifications and ensure that they make good progress. When apprentices fall behind in their studies, leaders and managers take appropriate steps to help apprentices get back on track. As a result, more apprentices are now making progress with their English and mathematics studies. However, too few apprentices have yet sat, and achieved, their English and mathematics qualifications. Monitoring visit: The Ashridge (Bonar Law Memorial) Trust, 29 and 30 March 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

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Reasonable progress

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