James Education Ltd

James Education Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Andrea McMahon, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 11 and 12 October 2023

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

537 Norwood Road London SE27 9DL Monitoring visit: James Education Limited, 11 and 12 October 2023

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded 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

James Education Limited (JAM training) is an independent learning provider based in Lambeth, south London. JAM training gained a direct contract to teach apprenticeships in October 2022. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 10 apprentices studying the level 2 early years practitioner standard, 28 apprentices studying the level 3 early years educator standard and fewer than five apprentices studying the level 3 teaching assistant standard.

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Context and focus of visit

Fewer than five apprentices were under the age of 18. A significant proportion of apprentices need to achieve English and mathematics qualifications as part of their apprenticeships.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that they meet the principles of the apprenticeship. They recruit apprentices in appropriate job roles and ensure that apprentices receive their entitlement to training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have thought carefully about the apprenticeships they offer. They have selected apprenticeship standards that meet skills shortages in the early years sector. They have a good understanding of the demands for qualified early years practitioners and work well with employers to support apprentices into senior roles. They ensure that assessors are well qualified and have substantial experience of the early years sector. This means that assessors are well equipped to ensure apprentices apply their learning successfully at work. For example, apprentices learn about the stages of child development and then create age-appropriate activities for children in their care.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have positive relationships with employers. They work well together to make sure that apprentices receive good-quality training. Employers Monitoring visit: James Education Limited, 11 and 12 October 2023 speak highly of the frequent and timely communication they receive from assessors, for example to coordinate on- and off-the-job training. As a result, employers support apprentices well at work; they know the progress apprentices make and the skills they develop. However, a few employers do not attend apprentices’ progress reviews as often as they should.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have not considered carefully enough how to help apprentices develop their English and mathematics skills. For example, they have not developed a structured programme of teaching for either subject. Staff assess apprentices’ starting points. However, they do not use this information to create individualised learning goals for apprentices or to prepare them well enough for their final examinations.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors plan and teach a logically sequenced curriculum. For example, level 3 apprentices first learn about the ‘Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage’. This ensures they understand fully the statutory requirements placed on early years settings and the boundaries of their early years educator role.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors adapt their teaching effectively to support apprentices who need extra help. This enables apprentices with learning barriers to have the same opportunities as their peers. For example, assessors audio record professional discussions for apprentices who struggle with the English language. This means these apprentices do not miss out on any important information. However, assessors do not routinely use the information they collect about apprentices at the start of their training to individualise their training plans. Most apprentices follow the same curriculum regardless of their prior knowledge and experience. In a few instances, apprentices learn topics they have already secured through previous study.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices learn valuable new knowledge and skills. Assessors teach them how to adjust the way in which they work with children with disabilities. For example, apprentices adapt their planned activities for children who use wheelchairs. Apprentices provide them with adapted resources and lower their seats so they can participate in activities with the other children. Apprentices gradually take on more responsibilities at work.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors routinely assess apprentices’ understanding. They monitor apprentices’ progress thoroughly and check what gaps in knowledge apprentices have. As a result, apprentices increase their knowledge over time.

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Reasonable progress

Assessors prepare apprentices effectively for their end-point assessments. They ensure that apprentices understand the individual components of the assessment Monitoring visit: James Education Limited, 11 and 12 October 2023 and how to achieve high grades. They use suitable activities, such as professional discussions, and ask apprentices questions that replicate their final assessments. As a result, apprentices are well prepared for their final assessments.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers ensure that their safeguarding arrangements are thorough. The designated safeguarding lead is appropriately qualified and understands their responsibilities. Staff complete relevant training and update their knowledge annually. Apprentices describe confidently the safeguarding arrangements in their workplaces. They know how to report any concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Staff carry out full risk assessments of new employers. They visit employers’ premises to make sure that they are safe and free from risk before apprentices begin work. Assessors visit apprentices at work and routinely discuss safe working practices. As a result, apprentices are safe in learning and at work. Monitoring visit: James Education Limited, 11 and 12 October 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 children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding

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Reasonable progress

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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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