BioGrad

Name of lead inspector: Alison Cameron Brandwood, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Innovation Centre 131 Mount Pleasant Liverpool L3 5TF Monitoring visit: BioGrad, 3 and 4 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

BioGrad is an independent learning provider based in Liverpool. Learners study levels 3 and 5 science-based Skills Bootcamps (Bootcamps). The Bootcamps are funded by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Enterprise Cheshire and Warrington. The first cohort of learners started in March 2023.

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Context and focus of visit

Since April 2024, 60 learners have attended two Bootcamps. Forty-eight learners studied laboratory skills and biotechnology, and 12 studied mammalian cell culture Bootcamps. Learners attend full-time over 10 days. The large majority of learners are unemployed, and all are aged over 19 years.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear vision and purpose to provide a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the science sector in the region. They have designed high-quality Bootcamps that upskill staff already employed in the science sector and graduates who want to gain employment as scientists. Over the past year, three quarters of learners have secured a new role and/or responsibilities with their existing employer or have gained employment following completion of the Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work with local employers and education providers to develop ambitious curriculums that they review and update frequently. In response to feedback from employers, lecturers teach learners about the economy of performing experiments. In response to developments in the sector, leaders have identified the need for learners to study flow cytometry in future advanced cell culture Bootcamps. This means that learners will have the skills to extract therapeutic source cells from patients.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recently restructured the organisation to refocus the provision on providing high-quality education. The new quality leader has started to establish a formal process for quality assuring and improving the provision. Leaders have undertaken observations of teaching and learning. They identified that lecturers did not always Monitoring visit: BioGrad, 3 and 4 July 2024 provide effective feedback to learners. Lecturers’ verbal feedback helps learners to improve their skills and knowledge. However, written feedback remains an area for development. Leaders acknowledge that they have further work to do to ensure that they embed their quality processes.

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Reasonable progress

Senior leaders are clear about the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They have plans in place for lecturers to attend training to further develop their teaching skills. Leaders rightly recognise that their current governance arrangements need to be formalised. They plan to set up a governance board, including experts in the fields of HR, finance, education, science and careers guidance.

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Reasonable progress

Lecturers assess and gauge what learners already know and can do at the start of the course. They adapt their teaching to focus on individual’s strengths and areas for improvement. Learners benefit from regular assessment to check and extend their skills. They develop effective routines through repetition and practise of fundamental protocols. This ensures that the experiments that learners undertake are successful. Learners benefit from close supervision in their early work. They develop greater independence as they progress through the course.

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Reasonable progress

Lecturers are highly qualified experts in bioscience across a range of specialisms. They remain active in academia and research to maintain and enhance their subject knowledge. Lecturers have extensive and current experience in laboratory work. They use their knowledge and experience effectively in order to develop learners’ laboratory skills in biotechnology or mammalian cell culture. Learners gain practical skills in high-quality, industry-standard environments. They develop safe, accurate and reliable working practices. However, learners are frustrated by the poor WIFI connectivity, which means that they struggle to complete the online research and data analysis aspects of the Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Learners know more and remember more because of what they learn on their course. They grow in confidence and hone their practical skills. Learners become competent to risk assess hazards and implement appropriate control of substances hazardous to health practices. They know how to use a range of industry-standard laboratory techniques and protocols, such as PCR, Western blot and ELISA. Learners value the advice and guidance that they get with CV writing that enhances their employment opportunities and showcases their skills.

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Reasonable progress

Monitoring visit: BioGrad, 3 and 4 July 2024 Staff follow appropriate procedures for reporting concerns about learners’ welfare and well-being. The designated safeguarding lead is suitably trained to carry out their role. They respond promptly and effectively to concerns and provide appropriate support for learners where necessary. Leaders resolved a few minor documentation discrepancies during the inspection.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe on their course and in life. They understand the importance of following the correct health and safety procedures while working in the laboratory, such as working safely with potential hazardous substances. Monitoring visit: BioGrad, 3 and 4 July 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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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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