ITEC North East Limited

ITEC North East Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Karen Anderson, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Itec House Hilton Road Aycliffe Business Park Newton Aycliffe County Durham DL5 6EN Monitoring visit: ITEC North East Limited, 4 and 5 June 2024

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Context and focus of visit

ITEC North East 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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Significant progress

Leaders responded immediately to the feedback from the previous inspection and decided to pause and comprehensively review their adult learning provision. They engaged proactively with other providers in the region to learn from them and quickly appointed an experienced head of quality who brought a fresh perspective. Leaders strategically planned the changes that they would make, based on careful evaluation, to make sure that each change had the desired impact. As a result, the improvements directly benefit learners and are based on a thorough and honest understanding of the adult learning provision.

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Significant progress

Leaders have rapidly and successfully implemented a wide range of improvements. These relate to nearly every aspect of the adult learning programmes, from enrolment onto appropriate courses based on prior learning to reviewing the progress that learners make during the programmes. Since recruitment resumed, all adult learners have benefited from these changes.

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Significant progress

Rigorous processes are now in place for assuring the quality of the education that adult learners receive. These include developmental observations of teaching, learning walks and scrutiny of assessment. Leaders also verify that learners are being enrolled on the right programmes, based on their prior learning and career aspirations. They now have thorough oversight of their provision, understand its strengths and weaknesses, and respond promptly to any concerns. For example, they identified a need to improve questioning techniques in lessons and provided relevant professional development activities for tutors.

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Significant progress

Leaders support their staff well as they implement improvements. Staff are receptive of the changes and welcome the developmental support through the new quality processes. Monitoring visit: ITEC North East Limited, 4 and 5 June 2024

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Significant progress

Leaders have a strong partnership with their subcontractor, which enabled them to replicate with staff at the subcontractor the swift action they took in relation to their own provision following the previous inspection. Subcontracted adult learning programmes were paused following the inspection, and leaders from both providers carried out a thorough review. Leaders at the subcontractor quickly saw the value of having thorough oversight and also recruited a full-time experienced quality manager.

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Significant progress

Senior staff at the subcontractor quickly and successfully implemented a wide range of improvements. They were involved in the development of the new curriculum and quality processes with the provider and have adopted all of them. Learners at the subcontractor benefit from the same comprehensive improvements as learners at the provider. In addition, they have a digitally shared quality file which is used by the heads of quality in both providers, allowing for a high level of transparency.

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Significant progress

Senior staff at the subcontractor take ownership for the responsibility of their quality procedures. Leaders from the provider continue to offer valuable support. For example, staff from the subcontractor join meetings and professional development activities at the provider.

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Significant progress

Leaders have improved the curriculum to ensure that learners follow courses which better develop their knowledge and skills. For example, senior staff at the subcontractor have replaced an entry level 3 construction course with level 1 energy efficiency and level 2 skills for employment courses. These new courses enable learners, most of whom have prior experience in the sector, to acquire knowledge and develop skills which better prepare them for future employment.

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Significant progress

Staff carry out rigorous processes to determine whether a programme is appropriate for each individual. This includes assessing each learner’s current knowledge and skills and reviewing documents pertaining to prior learning. Tutors use the information from this initial assessment very well to identify accurate starting points for learners and to plan individual programmes. For example, tutors on digital skills programmes identify what learners can already do and focus well on the development of new knowledge and skills which are needed in their workplace, such as using Power Pivot or Power Query to analyse data.

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Significant progress

Adult learners gain valuable new knowledge and skills which are relevant for their current and future careers. For example, learners on children’s and young people’s Monitoring visit: ITEC North East Limited, 4 and 5 June 2024 mental health programmes can clearly articulate how to recognise the signs of self- harm. Most learners make at least expected progress in developing new knowledge and skills, and the vast majority achieve their qualifications.

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Significant progress

Since the previous inspection, tutors at the provider and subcontractor have completed substantial training to develop their pedagogical skills, with a particular focus on assessment. This includes using different methods of assessment, developing the quality of learners’ written English and giving clear feedback, so that learners know how to improve their work.

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Significant progress

Tutors accurately assess learners’ work. They use a wide range of assessment methods effectively, including questioning, observing practical tasks and written assessments. Learners have a clear understanding of what they need to do to improve. For example, in customer service, learners value the verbal and written feedback that they receive to improve their skills and assignments. Learners consistently produce work of a good standard.

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Significant progress

Tutors develop learners’ English skills consistently well. This includes identifying key terminology for the sector in which each learner works and providing feedback to improve spelling and grammar. Learners improve their writing, which benefits their current and future careers. Monitoring visit: ITEC North East Limited, 4 and 5 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 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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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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Significant progress

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