Morthyng Group Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Short inspection of Morthyng Group Limited

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Outcome

Morthyng Group Limited continues to be a good provider.

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Information about this provider

Morthyng Group Limited is an independent learning provider that offers education programmes for young people aged 16 to 18 in the towns of Rotherham, Birkenhead, Warrington, Corby and Rugby. Learners study courses in a range of subjects including English, mathematics, work skills, construction, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and health and social care. At the time of the inspection, there were 240 learners on programme, including 50 learners with high needs.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners are rightly proud of their achievements at Morthyng, particularly as many of them had poor experiences at school. They have a high level of respect for their tutors, who listen to them, support them to improve and want them to do well.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners benefit from helpful initial and ongoing support to prepare them for their courses and make informed choices for their career options. Staff provide in-depth initial advice and guidance and provide learners with support throughout the courses in applying for apprenticeships, college courses and jobs. However, in a few centres, learners have limited access to high-quality work experience placements and work- related activities, which would help them gain a better understanding of potential job roles.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Most learners make at least expected progress in developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to progress to the next stage in their learning or to employment. They improve their confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Learners develop their communication and social interaction skills, which enables them to function more effectively as they become adults. Most learners achieve their qualifications.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Learners feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe from the risks that they may face. They know how to report any safeguarding concerns. Learners are aware of the dangers of drugs, child sexual exploitation, county lines, gangs and knife 30 and 31 May 2024

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crime. They have a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship and the meaning of consent.

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better?

Leaders and managers have in place an appropriate curriculum that aims to re- engage young people in education and training and prepare them for progression to further learning and work. Most learners are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have not attended school for some time. Many have a range of barriers to learning such as mental health issues and learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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better?

Tutors and student support officers are appropriately qualified and use their knowledge, skills and experience well to support young people, many of whom are vulnerable and have complex needs. For example, staff have relevant qualifications in youth work and maintain their practice to them to understand the challenges that young people face in society today. Learners benefit from support from staff who understand their particular needs and are able to individualise programmes that enable them to make progress towards their next steps.

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better?

Tutors deliver a broad curriculum in addition to learners’ main vocational qualification. They prioritise improving learners’ English and mathematical skills and provide a rich personal development programme. As a result, learners develop key skills and behaviours that they will need at work. They grow in confidence and improve their resilience.

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better?

Tutors plan and deliver the curriculum in a logical order to help learners progressively develop their knowledge and skills. In joinery, learners begin by learning about health and safety and then learn about the types of tools and their usage, such as cutting in a straight line with a saw. When they have mastered these skills, learners move on to basic joints and learn how to use a chisel, claw hammer and wooden mallet. Learners then move onto more complex joints such as mortice and tenon joints.

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better?

Learners with high needs benefit from effective support to enable them to access the curriculum and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need to progress to adulthood. Learners benefit from small group sizes and skilled learning support assistants who help them to concentrate and focus. Tutors allow learners additional processing time and give regular prompting and directing. Staff also provide a quiet space in college where learners can go if they are feeling overwhelmed.

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better?

A high proportion of learners progress to a positive destination. On completion of their course, most learners progress to further education, apprenticeships, or employment, or follow another relevant course at Morthyng. 30 and 31 May 2024

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Learners on most courses have good attendance. However, attendance is not high enough on courses delivered by subcontractors and at the Rotherham and Warrington centres. Leaders recognise this and are taking action to improve it.

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Leaders and managers have in place effective processes to monitor the quality of their programmes, including at subcontractors. They carry out activities such as observations of teaching and collecting feedback from learners, and conduct training needs analysis with staff. They use the information that they collect effectively to make improvements to the quality of education that learners receive, through staff training and other actions. Recent improvements have been in the quality of feedback that tutors give to learners to help them to improve their work.

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Governors have a wide range of experience that they use effectively to monitor provision and hold leaders to account. They have an accurate overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the provider and provide support and challenge to help to make improvements. Governors manage change well and have put in place useful plans for changes in the leadership team to ensure continuity of delivery with minimum impact on learners and staff.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Increase the number of high-quality work placements and work-related activities to enable learners to enhance their understanding of the world of work.  Continue to improve attendance with subcontractors and at the Rotherham and Warrington centres. 30 and 31 May 2024

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Provider details

Address North Grove House South Grove Rotherham S60 2AF

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Chris MacCormac

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Provider details

Provider type Independent leaning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 12 to 15 September 2017

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Cornerstone vocational Training LivAva Training 30 and 31 May 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was the first short inspection carried out since Morthyng Group Limited was judged to be good in September 2017.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of operations, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Jonny Wright, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Jacquie Brown His Majesty’s Inspector Kathryn Townsley Ofsted Inspector Ann Minton Ofsted Inspector 30 and 31 May 2024

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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 and child protection.

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