Aspiration Training Limited

Aspiration Training Limited Reinspection monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Bev Ramsell, His Majesty's Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

Aspiration Training Limited Suite 9B Floor 4 Grosvenor House Prospect Hill Redditch Worcestershire B97 4DL Monitoring visit: Aspiration Training Limited, 5 and 6 June 2024.

p.1

Monitoring visit: main findings

This is the reinspection monitoring visit to Aspiration Training Limited following the publication of the inspection report on 25 August 2023, which found the provider to require improvement overall.

p.2

Monitoring visit: main findings

Aspiration Training Limited (ATL) is a national independent learning provider based in Redditch, West Midlands.

p.2

Monitoring visit: main findings

ATL provides apprenticeships at levels 2 to 5 in the health and public services sectors. At the time of the inspection, the provider had 1,664 apprentices, most of whom were over the age of 19. The dental sector is the largest area of teaching, with 878 apprentices. The next largest is the early years, with 598 apprentices. Health and social care are the third largest, with 178 apprentices. The remaining apprentices were on business management apprenticeships.

p.2

Monitoring visit: main findings

The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have increased the number of employers who attend progress review meetings successfully. Leaders aspire to high levels of employer attendance at review meetings. They have taken many actions to support this goal. They recently recruited staff to check review documentation to evaluate how many employers attend review meetings. When engagement is not seen, leaders helpfully support coaches in engaging with the employer. Leaders have improved the review meeting structure and paperwork that supports this process. This helps the conversations between the vocational coach, apprentices and employers to run smoothly and efficiently. As a result of these actions, many employers now attend review meetings.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Many employers are proactive and support apprentices during their review meetings. In the most effective reviews, employers support apprentices by helping them to explain the learning activities they have undertaken at work. They provide coaches with the necessary assurance that the work carried out is to a high standard. Employers support the planning for future activities to help apprentices enhance their skills. Because of this, apprentices and employers understand the progress apprentices are making and what they need to do to succeed.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Coaches track the study time apprentices receive from work effectively. Most apprentices have time set within their working week to study. Apprentices have Monitoring visit: Aspiration Training Limited, 5 and 6 June 2024. access to relevant learning at work that helps them to develop the skills they need for their next steps. For example, apprentices have taken train-the-trainer courses, attended management meetings and learned to write care plans. As a result, apprentices swiftly develop the knowledge and skills they need.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Coaches at ATL support apprentices who undertake English and mathematics qualifications effectively. All apprentices undertake an assessment of their English and mathematical skills when they start their apprenticeship. Coaches use the results of these assessments successfully to identify apprentices’ gaps in learning. Apprentices get weekly one-to-one support, have access to online learning modules and can attend group lessons. As a result, apprentices develop their confidence and understand the English and mathematical skills they need to pass their qualifications.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Coaches do not routinely help apprentices to develop the English skills they need for work. Following the previous inspection, coaches have undergone a range of training to help them understand sector-specific English and mathematical skills. Coaches value their training and understand the significance of apprentices improving their skills in these subjects. However, the impact of this training is not yet regularly seen. Too often, apprentices' general grammar mistakes are not identified or corrected. Therefore, apprentices do not know they are making mistakes and continue to create the same errors throughout their written work.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Coaches support apprentices in preparing for their end-point assessment (EPA) successfully. At the start of the apprenticeship, coaches train apprentices about the requirements for assessment. This understanding is effectively reinforced with apprentices and employers through the review process. Coaches arrange practice through professional discussions, provide example multiple-choice question papers and support apprentices with revision workshops. As a result of these actions, apprentices understand the EPA requirements well and are confident in their ability to achieve their highest grades.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Coaches check that apprentices have a solid understanding of key topics related to their personal learning. Through the new review process, coaches now check that apprentices have taken the personal learning courses available to them. Coaches evaluate apprentices' knowledge well through discussions to ensure that they have a Monitoring visit: Aspiration Training Limited, 5 and 6 June 2024. secure understanding of these topics. This can be seen when coaches talk to apprentices about their understanding of healthy relationships. However, a few apprentices have been slow to take the opportunity to start this learning. Therefore, a small number of apprentices do not yet understand key and relevant topics linked to their work and personal lives.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented an effective careers guidance programme that offers advice to apprentices, helping them recognise the next steps that are available to them within their sectors. They have put in place useful resources and information on career pathways based on individual apprenticeship standards. Coaches use the review process to hold helpful discussions about apprentices' next steps. Coaches use their expertise well to discuss complex career choices such as maxillofacial surgical routes for dental nursing or becoming special educational needs coordinators for early-year apprentices. Very recently, leaders have made specialist careers staff available to apprentices needing additional career support or considering a career change. Because of this, many apprentices have a good understanding of the next steps available to them. Monitoring visit: Aspiration Training Limited, 5 and 6 June 2024.

p.4

Reasonable progress

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.

p.5

Reasonable progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5