Orange Moon Training Limited

Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Michael Worgs, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 21 and 22 September 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 6 Sherwood Rise Nottingham NG7 6JF Monitoring visit: Orange Moon Training Limited, 21 and 22 September 2023

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Context and focus of visit

Orange Moon Training Limited (OMT) was inspected in October 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 addressing the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

Orange Moon Training (OMT) is part of a group of businesses that include an Ofsted registered childminder agency. OMT began to deliver apprenticeships in 2018. It mainly recruits apprentices to education and childcare courses. At the time of the inspection, there were 384 apprentices in training.

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Context and focus of visit

Most apprentices are on early years courses, 113 study the level 2 early years practitioner, and 184 study the level 3 early years educator. There are 12 apprentices on the level 3 teaching assistant standard. The remainder study residential childcare and senior leader apprenticeships. Leaders have ceased the partnership with their subcontractor.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have made suitable improvements to assess apprentices’ starting points. Appropriate policies and mechanisms support staff to consistently evaluate apprentices’ prior learning well. Most tutors use apprentices’ starting points well to develop appropriate training plans. For example, in level 3 early years, tutors carefully adapt apprentices training plans, to help them build confidence in applying their skills at work. But, in the level 2 early years course, tutors do not consistently assess and use apprentices’ existing knowledge and skills to plan their programme. Leaders are taking appropriate actions to resolve this issue. It is too early for inspectors to judge the full impact of this.

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Reasonable progress

Monitoring visit: Orange Moon Training Limited, 21 and 22 September 2023 Leaders ensure that apprentices and employers have a better understanding of the expectations for on- and off-the-job training. Managers provide training to workplace mentors, so they understand their role. Managers carry out useful employer visits to ensure that employers are given the appropriate advice and to set clear expectations on the requirements of the apprenticeship. Leaders have worked effectively with employers to develop a new model for how apprentices are taught. Apprentices have the opportunity to attend monthly group sessions that are supported by frequent one-to-ones, reviews, work shadowing and appropriate mentor support. As a result, apprentices benefit from a well-structured range of activities that support them to apply what they learn at work. Leaders and tutors closely monitor on- and off-the-job training time. They take

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Reasonable progress

appropriate action to work with employers to find solutions to support apprentices who are not able to attend planned sessions. Leaders have taken the strategic decision to cease working with employers who are not compliant in meeting the requirements.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken effective action to review the skills gaps of tutors. They provide appropriate professional development support to enable tutors to improve their approaches to teaching and assessment. Leaders provide tutors with access to relevant in-house and external training courses. This helps tutors understand how to teach and assess adult apprentices. Leaders frequently monitor the impact of tutors’ development through lesson observations and standardisation meetings. They use this information to identify areas tutors need to improve. Leaders swiftly provide more training and support to tutors where needed. Tutors use a suitable range of assessment methods to check apprentices’ understanding. For example, in class and one-to-ones, most tutors use questions well. They allow apprentices time to think about their answers and further explore the responses that apprentices provide. In group sessions, most tutors use a broad

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Reasonable progress

range of relevant assessment activities. This gives tutors a clear view of apprentices’ understanding so they can adjust training or future sessions. Tutors plan a broad range of relevant activities beyond workbooks to assess apprentices’ knowledge and skills throughout their studies. This includes reflective logs, discussions and poster activities. Monitoring visit: Orange Moon Training Limited, 21 and 22 September 2023

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have taken suitable steps to introduce appropriate feedback, marking and assessment policies to set clear expectations for staff. This includes, how tutors should annotate work and comment on apprentices’ use of English. Leaders ensure that tutors receive training from an English specialist, to help them understand and use the new marking and assessment strategy.

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Reasonable progress

Most apprentices receive appropriate feedback from their tutors on vocabulary, spelling and punctuation. Apprentices know what they have done well and what they need to improve. As the new marking process is relatively new it was not possible for inspectors to judge the full impact this feedback has on apprentices improving their work over the duration of their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors plan more opportunities to develop apprentices’ English skills that they need at work. Apprentices complete written work in different formats and styles. For example, in early years, apprentices produce nursery newsletters and write reports. This helps them to develop their skills at work when considering policies or documentation they might create. Monitoring visit: Orange Moon Training Limited, 21 and 22 September 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 training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council

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Reasonable progress

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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