DRL Services Ltd

DRL Services Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Michael Worgs, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Summit House Horsecroft Road Harlow CM19 5BN Monitoring visit: DRL Services Limited, 19 and 20 June 2024

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Context and focus of visit

DRL Services Limited (DRL) was inspected in September 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

DRL is an independent training provider based in Essex. It started providing apprenticeships in March 2021. At the time of the inspection, there were 38 apprentices. All apprentices are adults. Currently, 26 study the level 3 content creator and 12 study the level 3 teaching assistant apprenticeship standards. There were eight apprentices studying English and mathematics functional skills qualifications.

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Context and focus of visit

There are no apprentices in receipt of high-needs funding. The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have improved their recruitment and induction processes to ensure that employers and apprentices are clear on the expectations of the apprenticeship. The new apprenticeship manager meets with employers and apprentices to thoroughly discuss the apprentices’ job role, qualifications and experience to determine their suitability for the course. As a result, apprentices are recruited with integrity and are clear on the requirements of the apprenticeship. Apprentices are committed to their studies and most are being retained on their courses.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have recently started to use new systems to monitor apprentices’ progress and attendance on their courses. They use this information well to implement appropriate support plans to help apprentices with their studies. This has significantly reduced the number of apprentices that have passed their end dates. Most apprentices are well prepared to complete their final assessments. Monitoring visit: DRL Services Limited, 19 and 20 June 2024

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have increased their focus on developing tutors’ teaching skills. Managers have implemented a new observation process that carefully reviews tutors’ teaching approaches and the activities they use to check apprentices’ understanding. Managers are now able to provide precise feedback to tutors on their teaching practice. Tutors are now aware of how they can improve the quality of their teaching sessions.

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Reasonable progress

Managers use information from lesson observations effectively to provide targeted training to support tutors to develop effective teaching skills. Tutors have a suitable individualised professional development training plan in place that clearly links to the manager’s observation reports. Tutors are set appropriate targets to improve their teaching practice. They undertake peer observations, complete teaching qualifications and complete online courses on teaching and learning pedagogy.

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Reasonable progress

Managers carry out thorough quality assurance checks on the quality of feedback provided to apprentices on their written work. They work closely with tutors to ensure they provide apprentices with constructive developmental feedback on their written work. They set clear expectations on the quality of feedback and how to support apprentices to achieve high grades. Most apprentices benefit from helpful feedback detailing what they have done well and what they need to improve. As a result, most apprentices’ written work is at the right standard and improves over time.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established effective governance arrangements. Governors have the appropriate experience and skills to support leaders to improve. They have a good understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement within the curriculum.

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Reasonable progress

Following the previous inspection, leaders quickly introduced more frequent and purposeful formal meetings with governors to review the progress that they are making in their action plan. Within these meetings, leaders provide governors with up-to-date key performance information such as retention, progress and Monitoring visit: DRL Services Limited, 19 and 20 June 2024 achievement of apprentices. Governors use this information well to support and challenge leaders to further improve the curriculum. Monitoring visit: DRL Services Limited, 19 and 20 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

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Reasonable progress

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

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