Symposium IT Ltd

Symposium IT Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Suzanne Wainwright, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 13th Floor City Tower Manchester M1 4BT Monitoring visit: Symposium IT Ltd, 29 and 30 August 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

Symposium IT Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Manchester. It secured a contract with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in May 2024 and started to offer digital Skills Bootcamps in June 2024. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were eight learners on a level 3 cloud-technology-based Skills Bootcamp that was taught online.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have carefully designed an ambitious digital Skills Bootcamp to meet regional economic needs. It serves to fill identified skills gaps in the rapidly growing area of cloud-based systems, structures and services. Most learners have little or no digital knowledge or skills prior to starting the Skills Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders work closely with their subcontractor to help learners to develop skills, in addition to the level 3 qualification, to prepare them for job interviews. Learners learn how to write effective CVs, answer interview questions and develop their understanding of personal branding to gain employment at the end of the Skills Bootcamp. While learners have started to receive this training, the impact is not fully evident because they have yet to complete their course.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that the Skills Bootcamp curriculum aligns with current sector requirements and practices. They use up-to-date industry-standard learning materials and resources. Leaders collaborate closely with large employers in the digital sector, who contribute to the design of the curriculum. This approach ensures that instructors train learners in current industry practices. Employers guarantee interviews with learners at the end of their Skills Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place appropriate quality assurance processes. They undertake learner surveys and monitor the quality of online lessons frequently. Leaders use Monitoring visit: Symposium IT Ltd, 29 and 30 August 2024 lesson observations to identify clearly what instructors need to do to improve their teaching practices. These observations also identify how learners can improve their learning to gain maximum benefit from the online sessions and learning resources. Leaders do not use a few quality assurance activities effectively, such as the self- assessment process, to evaluate the quality of education.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors verify carefully what learners already know and can do at the start of the Skills Bootcamp. They assess learners’ knowledge of cloud-based systems and their practical application of learning to inform the content of the curriculum. Instructors provide additional individual training sessions to support learners who are at risk of falling behind. Learners make their expected levels of progress.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors plan teaching and learning in a coherent order. They ensure that learners develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours that they need for potential employment in the cloud-based systems and services sector. Learners benefit from online ‘labs’ that simulate real-life business scenarios. Instructors use these digital platforms to provide practical opportunities for learners to apply and reinforce their new knowledge.

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Reasonable progress

Learners know more and remember more over time. They learn about the differences between company- and service-managed systems. Learners become knowledgeable about the benefits of scale and the potential cost savings of using an externally managed service. They discuss articulately the principles of scaling, updating, security patching and configuration on virtual machines in a serverless environment.

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Reasonable progress

Instructors are subject experts and licenced qualification instructors. They use their expertise to clarify misconceptions, such as through skilful questioning to reinforce learning. Learners find their instructors knowledgeable, insightful and helpful. They feel comfortable to seek clarity when they are unsure about new concepts and ideas. Learners enjoy attending taught sessions rather than completing self-learning. They describe the opportunity to network, discuss experiences with peers and check areas of uncertainty with their instructor as being beneficial.

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Reasonable progress

Learners value the knowledge and skills that they develop during their Skills Bootcamp. They recognise the competitive edge that an understanding of cloud- based systems will give them for employment in a rapidly changing workplace environment. Monitoring visit: Symposium IT Ltd, 29 and 30 August 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented appropriate safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies and procedures. Staff know what they need to do to safeguard their learners. They take appropriate steps, including through web-filtering and digital-monitoring systems, to protect learners online. However, not all staff have completed formal training.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe. They are aware of safeguarding procedures and know how to set the permissions and security settings on their digital equipment to protect themselves and their data. However, learners do not have a sufficient understanding of the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders complete appropriate pre-employment checks to ensure that instructors are suitable to teach their adult learners. Monitoring visit: Symposium IT Ltd, 29 and 30 August 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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