Rinova Limited

Name of lead inspector: Paul Manning, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Sierra Quebec Bravo 77 Marsh Wall London E14 9SH Monitoring visit: Rinova Ltd, 24 and 25 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

Rinova is a social enterprise company based in Canary Wharf East London. Rinova Trustees Ltd, an employee ownership trust, owns most of the company. Rinova was founded in 2010 to support young people into the labour market. Rinova was awarded direct adult education funding in September 2023.

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Context and focus of visit

At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 421 adult learners. Of these, 321 were studying level one, level two and unregulated short courses in hospitality, dance performance and adult social care. A further 100 adult learners were studying functional skills in English and mathematics.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear mission to promote social mobility and the economic independence of adults. Most learners are from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as long-term unemployed, learners with disabilities and those on low incomes. Leaders aim to increase learners’ employability skills and provide pathways to sustainable careers.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have effective partnerships with local stakeholders. In hospitality, leaders have implemented an employer advisory board to discuss course content, skills shortages and industry requirements. Employer boards for creative industries and health are in the initial stages of development. Leaders are well informed about local industry skills shortages. Stakeholders speak positively about their work with the provider.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place some appropriate quality assurance processes. They are clear on their strengths and areas for further improvement. Leaders undertake lesson visits, provide useful feedback to teachers, and respond effectively to learners’ feedback. However, they do not have effective systems in place to track the overall Monitoring visit: Rinova Ltd, 24 and 25 July 2024 progress and forecast the outcomes of their learners accurately. Leaders do not have a good enough oversight of their subcontractors. In their quality checks, they focus on compliance and not sufficiently on evaluating the quality of training and learners’ progress. Leaders have suitable governance arrangements in place. Trustees and the board provide effective support to the delivery team.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make sure learners receive the careers advice and guidance they need. Hospitality learners benefit from CV writing, interview technique sessions and develop an awareness of the shift patterns often worked in the industry. Social care learners discuss career opportunities at enrolment and throughout their training. As a result, learners are aware of the further training and career opportunities available to them.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have recruited experienced and well-qualified teachers. For example, dance teachers are experienced performers still working in international dance companies. Leaders provide a range of continuous professional development opportunities for staff. Staff value the training and support from leaders. However, leaders do not focus sufficiently to support staff to develop their skills for teaching lessons online.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers plan their training effectively in order to meet the needs of learners. For example, dance teachers brief learners on intimacy touch and personal space so that they can complete paired activities to develop trust and balance. They make sure learners with physical limitations have access to chairs and rest areas, and that learners with anxiety can access quiet spaces. Learners participate well and respect each other’s needs.

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Reasonable progress

Learners quickly develop new knowledge and skills. For example, hospitality learners develop a detailed understanding of winemaking. They know about different grape varieties and harvest times, and also learn about pairing wine with food. Learners on the mental health awareness course understand the importance of safeguarding adults, how to support adults with suicidal thoughts and the support mechanisms available. Learners enjoy their training and are proud of what they achieve.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers are not consistently good at assessing the progress learners make. Functional skills tutors use quizzes and practice examinations effectively, to check learners’ progress in English and mathematics. However, when teachers give written feedback to learners, they do not make clear enough how learners can improve their work. In a few cases, when drafting individual learning plans, teachers do not consider learners’ prior knowledge. They set targets which do not identify specific areas for learners to improve. Monitoring visit: Rinova Ltd, 24 and 25 July 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place. The designated safeguarding lead is appropriately trained and experienced. Staff complete mandatory safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ training frequently.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have effective partnerships with local safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ agencies. They have an appropriate ‘Prevent’ risk assessment in place. However, they do not provide sufficient training to teachers on the local risks and threats associated with radicalisation and extremism. Teachers do not have relevant and up-to-date information to pass on to learners.

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Reasonable progress

Learners, including those with subcontractors, feel safe, including when working online. Monitoring visit: Rinova Ltd, 24 and 25 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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Reasonable progress

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

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