Floorskills Limited

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

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Name of lead inspector: Sharon Dowling, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 2 Lyndons Farm Poolhead Lane Earlswood Solihull B94 5ES Monitoring visit: Floorskills Limited 10 and 11 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Floorskills Limited 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

Floorskills Limited is an independent learning provider specialising in flooring trade training. At the time of the visit, there were 50 apprentices. All of the apprentices were on the level 2 floor laying apprenticeship. Of these, seven were under the age of 19. The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented a personal development curriculum, which aims to ensure that apprentices understand topics to keep themselves safe. Staff teach apprentices subjects such as consent, fundamental British Values and equality and diversity. Apprentices can recall the topics they have learned and demonstrate an understanding of the relevance to their lives and work.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors check apprentices’ understanding of the topics they are taught through discussion, comprehension exercises, quizzes and written questions. When apprentices discuss topics, such as knife crime, they relate them to their prior knowledge and experiences, this enables them to better recall what they have learned.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices improve their understanding of key aspects of working safely within their apprenticeship. Tutors explain the importance of using appropriate personal protective equipment, particularly knee protection, to support the longevity of floor layers’ careers and ensure that apprentices routinely follow health and safety guidance within the training centre. Monitoring visit: Floorskills Limited 10 and 11 July 2024 Although tutors ensure apprentices know how to stay safe in their daily lives and at work, they do not ensure that apprentices develop the knowledge of the topics they need to lead healthy lives. Tutors do not teach apprentices subjects such as staying healthy, healthy eating or healthy sexual relationships, consequently, a few apprentices have a less secure understanding of these areas.

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Reasonable progress

Staff do not provide all apprentices with the information they need to help them plan their careers. Apprentices who know their next steps routinely use reflective journals to review their career pathways. Tutors provide clear guidance to help them reach these goals. However, where apprentices are unclear on their career goals, tutors do not provide sufficient information to enable apprentices to identify future career opportunities.

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Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have recruited suitably experienced governors. Governors have experience of working within apprenticeship training providers as well as being employers within the flooring trade.

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Reasonable progress

Governors receive information that helps them to support and challenge senior leaders. They frequently discuss apprentices’ progress and challenge how leaders are supporting apprentices who are on breaks in learning, or who are past their end date to ensure they achieve. Leaders respond well to this challenge; they understand the progress that apprentices are making and act quickly when necessary.

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Reasonable progress

Governors clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of the quality of training at Floorskills. They understand the challenges facing leaders and are supporting them to bring about improvements, such as in English and mathematics and their curriculums. Managers respond well to suggestions and support, which has led to improvements in these key areas.

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Reasonable progress

Managers are ambitious for their apprentices to develop the English and mathematics skills they need for their future careers. They actively encourage apprentices to work towards higher-level English and mathematics qualifications, for example level 2 functional skills in mathematics. Many apprentices value this support Monitoring visit: Floorskills Limited 10 and 11 July 2024 and are motivated to continue studying English and mathematics when they have completed their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors assess apprentices’ English and mathematics starting points and use these to plan teaching effectively. Tutors use these plans to focus on specific topics in the classroom to help apprentices fill the gaps in their knowledge. Apprentices learn new skills, such as multiplication and ratios. As a result, they develop their mathematical skills over time and become more confident in applying them in the workplace and at home.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have put in place extra support to help apprentices achieve. When required, apprentices access additional sessions outside of their formal lessons. Those apprentices who participate in these sessions find them helpful, particularly when preparing for examinations. Consequently, these apprentices are on track to achieve their qualifications.

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Reasonable progress

Through group teaching and skills lessons, tutors ensure that apprentices can practise their English and mathematics skills. They develop the skills they need to achieve their functional skills qualifications based on their starting points. However, too often tutors do not relate their teaching to the skills apprentices need for the workplace. A few apprentices do not always see the link between the English and mathematics skills they are developing and how they can apply these to the role of a floor layer and place less value on their learning. Monitoring visit: Floorskills Limited 10 and 11 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

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Reasonable progress

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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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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