Forestry Commission

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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Information about this provider

The Forestry Commission is a national employer provider, working through Forestry England’s technical training centre in Birches Valley, Staffordshire. It has held a contract to provide apprenticeships since 2019. At the time of the inspection, there were 10 apprentices, one of whom was under the age of 19. All apprentices are studying the level 3 forest craftsperson apprenticeship. Apprentices work within one of the six national districts. It employs a subcontractor for the teaching of English and mathematics functional skills. 9 to 11 July 2024

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices enjoy their learning. They benefit from the combination of classroom teaching and practical activities, which supports their development. Apprentices are highly motivated and take responsibility for managing their studies.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Tutors create a calm and orderly learning environment. Workplace supervisors are supportive and proactive in ensuring apprentices are well looked after. Apprentices feel safe because staff focus on health and safety as a priority in the workplace.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to become competent forest craftspeople. They deepen their understanding of forestry and land management and how accuracy in their role is key to the successful upkeep of the forest. They develop pride in their work.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices’ attendance is high. Managers and tutors closely track and monitor attendance and take swift action to ensure apprentices who miss a lesson can catch up. Almost all apprentices complete their apprenticeship successfully.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Tutors ensure apprentices are taught key personal development topics, such as safeguarding, online safety and the ‘Prevent’ duty, during their induction. Tutors revisit these topics frequently. Most apprentices understand how to keep themselves and others safe. However, too many apprentices do not have a sufficient understanding of the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism in their local areas.

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better?

Leaders have a clear strategy and rationale for the curriculum they teach. Leaders’ involvement in the trailblazer for developing the level 3 forest craftsperson apprenticeship means that the qualification meets their business needs. They teach the curriculum to recruit and supply skilled staff to replace an aging workforce and thus support a national skills shortage in the sector.

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better?

Managers have effective systems in place to monitor the quality of education that apprentices receive; this includes oversight of their subcontractor. They use information from their quality monitoring activities to accurately assess the effectiveness of their curriculum. They plan frequent training for staff to focus on continuous improvement in their teaching and their sector knowledge. For example, managers have taken action to improve the quality of feedback tutors give to apprentices to help them to improve their work.

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better?

Since the previous inspection, leaders have restructured the role of governance. They have created an apprenticeship board with representation from a wider selection of senior managers from the Forestry Commission. Board members challenge leaders and hold them to account for improving the quality of education that apprentices receive. They closely monitor the progress made against the 9 to 11 July 2024

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recommendations from the previous inspection to secure improvements in areas, such as careers education, information, advice and guidance, marking and feedback, and the quality of mathematics and English teaching for apprentices who need to achieve these qualifications. This scrutiny ensures increased success for apprentices.

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Managers and tutors have developed a well-designed and sensibly sequenced curriculum. The vocational content relates to seasonal work so that apprentices can apply and practise their skills. For example, tutors teach apprentices’ knowledge and skills on brush cutting and the safe use of pesticides in the springtime as this is a key activity during this season.

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Tutors use effective teaching strategies. When teaching chain saw skills, apprentices start with learning chain saw maintenance so that they understand how the equipment works and how to carry out safety checks. Tutors use repetition and recall frequently so that apprentices can remember and apply these safety checks long term. Tutors regularly assess learning and application of skills. They set assignments to test recall of knowledge and observe apprentices’ practical skills frequently.

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Apprentices develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours. They learn how to work with machinery and techniques, such as using a chain saw, brush cutter and sprayers in a range of different circumstances and conditions. They develop surveying skills, tree identification and inspection skills. They are also given the opportunity to develop additional skills, such as off-road driving, trailer towing and the use of scanning equipment for the detection of underground utilities. As a result, they gain more responsibility and contribute well at work.

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Apprentices who need their English and mathematics qualifications to pass their apprenticeship receive teaching and support to help them prepare for their examinations. However, tutors do not routinely plan for apprentices who have already achieved their qualifications to continue to improve their skills. As a result, these apprentices do not develop their English and mathematics skills they need to help them prepare for their next steps at work or in education.

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Managers and tutors ensure apprentices receive frequent and useful careers education, information, advice and guidance. Apprentices are clear on the progression opportunities that are available to them in the future, including further or higher levels of study and career routes in the forestry industry.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 9 to 11 July 2024

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that apprentices who have already achieved their English and mathematics qualifications continue to develop their skills in preparation for their next steps.  Ensure apprentices are clear on the potential risks of radicalisation and extremism in the local area in which they work and live. 9 to 11 July 2024

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Provider details

Address Technical Training Centre Birches Valley Rugeley WS15 2UQ

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Michael Seddon

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 28 to 30 June 2022

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Provider details

Main subcontractors KNW Training 9 to 11 July 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the apprenticeship delivery manager, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Rachel Clark, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Kate Murrie Ofsted Inspector 9 to 11 July 2024

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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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