SquareOne Training

SquareOne Training Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Kim Bleasdale, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

Egerton House 2 Tower Road Birkenhead CH41 1FN Monitoring visit: SquareOne Training, 9 and 10 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

SquareOne Training is an independent learning provider based in Birkenhead, Wirral. It provides Skills Bootcamp training courses in graphic design and data analysis for adults in the Cheshire and Warrington and, Liverpool regions. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were seven learners studying a Skills Bootcamp course in data analysis.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for their Skills Bootcamps. They are passionate to empower individuals to reach their career goals in data analysis and graphic design. Leaders remove a financial barrier to learning for those learners who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of this specialised training. They provide laptops with current industry software for learners to use during the course. Because of their courses, learners evolve into confident and skilled data analysts and graphic designers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work with a wide range of employers to understand the specific skills needs relevant to data analyst and graphic design roles in the industry. They have designed online training courses for learners who are employed or self-employed. Learners attend courses to fit in with their busy working or family lives. They appreciate this flexible offer and, consequently, most learners stay on their course and complete their training.

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Reasonable progress

At the end of the course, trainers refer the few learners who are, or who wish to be self-employed, to agencies such as StartUp Wirral. These learners receive a range of helpful information and advice on aspects of self-employment, such as writing business plans and available finance opportunities.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have an accurate oversight of the progress that learners make towards the completion of their course modules. They meet regularly with trainers to discuss Monitoring visit: SquareOne Training, 9 and 10 July 2024 learners’ progress. Most learners make their expected progress and complete their training on time.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers know the strengths and weaknesses of their provision. They routinely check on the quality of teaching and, feedback to learners on their marked work. However, leaders’ findings and areas for improvement are not always recorded well enough so that trainers know what aspects of their teaching practice they need to improve.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have identified the need to strengthen their governance arrangements. They have plans to form a governance board with external partners.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers teach the curriculum in a logical order to help learners build the relevant knowledge and skills they need to be successful at work. Learners firstly learn how to organise data, use spreadsheet functions, such as IF statements and VLOOKUP, and record simple macros. After this, learners create custom forms and work with multiple table data sources, dashboards and other interactive software to help them to produce reports. Because of their training, learners start to believe in themselves and their abilities as they quickly improve their knowledge and skills.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use a range of effective strategies to identify gaps in learning and inform teaching. They routinely demonstrate how to use spreadsheet functions, such as pivot tables. Trainers carry out engaging discussions and individual and group activities. They use probing questions to check learners’ deep understanding of topics. This helps learners to know more and remember more over time. Learners clearly recall aspects of using a spreadsheet, such as copying formula, locking and cell naming.

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Reasonable progress

Learners are very keen to apply their new knowledge and skills at work. They quickly become more efficient and effective in their roles. Learners complete tasks such as preparing reports for their senior leaders more quickly than before. They skilfully apply shortcuts and manipulate data to obtain the information they need. Learners are very motivated to complete the course and move on to other more advanced courses.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers are subject experts who have the relevant qualifications and extensive experience to teach learners. They routinely update their subject knowledge. Trainers ensure they are well informed about the frequent software changes in their sector. They have recently updated their knowledge of Power Bi, Microsoft 365 and Monitoring visit: SquareOne Training, 9 and 10 July 2024 Microsoft Teams. However, leaders have not provided any training for trainers to improve aspects of their teaching practice.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders are dedicated to keeping learners safe. Leaders ensure that all members of the safeguarding team have appropriate training. All staff receive training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. Leaders complete a range of effective checks when appointing new staff to make sure they are suitable to work with learners. They have beneficial partnerships with a range of external agencies, such as Households into Work.

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Reasonable progress

Learners know who they can go to if they want to discuss any concerns they may have about themselves or others. However, leaders recognise that they need to strengthen learners’ understanding of the risks in relation to extremism and radicalisation. Monitoring visit: SquareOne Training, 9 and 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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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 .

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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 .

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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