First Avenue Training Limited

First Avenue Training Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Hayley Lomas, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: RaisE Business Centre Tom Pudding Way Goole East Riding of Yorkshire DN14 6BS Monitoring visit: First Avenue Training Limited, 3 and 4 June 2024

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Context and focus of visit

First Avenue Training Limited was inspected in August 2023. 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

At the time of the monitoring visit, 140 apprentices were enrolled in a range of early years programmes. There were 22 apprentices on a level 5 early years lead practitioner apprenticeship, 93 working towards a level 3 early years educator apprenticeship and 25 on a level 2 early years practitioner apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have worked effectively to reduce the high number of apprentices who were beyond their planned end date or out of funding at the time of the last inspection. They have worked with apprentices and their employers to withdraw those apprentices who have not engaged in their learning. All of the remaining apprentices are committed to completing their programmes.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have implemented monthly progress review meetings with assessors effectively, to monitor and discuss their caseload of apprentices. They keep a record of apprentices who are not on track to achieve by their planned end date, which all assessors and managers can see and use. In monthly assessor team meetings, managers require tutors to update the team on their apprentices’ progress. As a result, the number of apprentices who are beyond their planned end date has significantly reduced.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have improved their recruitment process to ensure that newly recruited apprentices and their employers understand the requirements of the apprenticeship. Staff use a range of initial assessment activities to identify apprentices’ current level of knowledge and experience, particularly in functional skills subjects. Staff use this information to place apprentices on the level of apprenticeship which is most appropriate, given their current knowledge and skills. Monitoring visit: First Avenue Training Limited, 3 and 4 June 2024 Managers ensure that assessors now have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They rightly recognise that all staff need to be aware of the progress of their apprentices and how a lack of meaningful engagement can impact on achievement. At the start of the apprenticeship, assessors spend time with employers to ensure that they understand the expectations and their role in

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Reasonable progress

supporting apprentices. Staff work closely with employers to plan for on- and off-the- job training effectively and make appropriate arrangements for apprentices to meet with their assessor and complete the work allocated. This has resulted in better attendance by apprentices in sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Governors continue to support the managing directors in monitoring the apprenticeship provision by visiting the staff in the office, conducting lesson observations and taking an active role in the internal verification process. A few governors are practitioners who understand the challenges faced by nursery settings and use this knowledge to provide support and challenge. Governors provide challenge regarding the quality of the provision offered and clearly question managers about the progress that apprentices are making and how they are being supported to catch up if they fall behind.

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Reasonable progress

Governors meet with managers frequently to receive an update on the progress of apprentices. The information in the updates includes the number of starts, withdrawals and achievements, and what action is being taken to support apprentices who are past their planned end date. This enables governors to gain a clearer understanding of the progress that apprentices make and ask meaningful and challenging questions of managers.

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Reasonable progress

Since the last inspection, staff have placed more emphasis on the functional skills element of programmes so that apprentices who need functional skills qualifications are not delayed in completing their programme. They have revised their delivery model so that apprentices are supported to complete the functional skills element at the start of the programme. Apprentices complete their functional skills sessions within the first six months of their programme. They attend sessions well and receive individualised homework and pointers to further study to enable them to make good progress. As a result, apprentices are more able to achieve their functional skills qualifications, and the number of first-time passes for functional skills has increased Monitoring visit: First Avenue Training Limited, 3 and 4 June 2024 significantly. Fewer apprentices are now past their planned end date as a result of not having achieved their functional skills qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have increased the oversight of apprentices’ progress in functional skills mathematics. Tutors review apprentices’ progress frequently, discuss with apprentices their progress to date and set targets for their next steps. As a result, tutors are now able to identify any learners falling behind in functional skills mathematics and take action, when needed, to support their progress. The outcomes of reviews are shared with the apprentice, the tutor on the occupational aspect of their programme and the apprentice’s employer, so that all parties are aware of what the apprentice has done to date and what they still need to do to achieve their qualification.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers now provide teaching staff with training and development on the teaching of mathematics. This includes a range of online and face-to-face training sessions and networking events. Tutors have completed training on functional skills delivery methods, how to give supportive, developmental feedback and how to mitigate anxiety about mathematics. Staff have also been encouraged to liaise with staff from other providers offering functional skills courses, to carry out peer observations and share best practice. Monitoring visit: First Avenue Training Limited, 3 and 4 June 2024 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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