Harrow London Borough Council

Further education and skills inspection report

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Short inspection of Harrow London Borough Council

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Inspection dates: 23 and 24 October 2024

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Outcome

Harrow London Borough Council continues to be a good provider.

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Information about this provider

Harrow London Borough Council is a local authority adult education provider operating under the name of Learn Harrow. The provider works with 11 subcontractors. At the time of inspection, there were around 700 learners on courses offered directly by Learn Harrow or one of their subcontractors. Courses are taught online and face to face. Learn Harrow has one learning centre and subcontractors teach courses at community venues across the borough. Learners come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and many speak English as an additional language.

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Information about this provider

The largest provision is courses for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) that are offered from pre-entry to level 1. Almost half of the learners study community learning courses in subjects such as parenting and family learning, health and well-being, pottery and dance. About two thirds of the courses lead to a formal qualification.

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

Learners are taught and supported by staff who take pride in seeing them achieve their personal and career goals and developing their interests and hobbies. Many learners progress from learning English to taking vocational subjects, alongside improving their ability to use mathematics. Staff support learners very well on every step of their journey.

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

Learners attend courses that are accessible because they meet their personal circumstances. For example, vocational learners who are in employment or seeking to progress in their careers learn online or through mixed online and in-person classes. Those who are parents to younger children use the onsite creche facility while they attend their lessons. This carefully considered approach to training makes the courses accessible to a wide range of local residents. 23 and 24 October 2024

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Learners acquire new knowledge and skills and make good progress. For example, those on parenting courses learn how to manage their own emotions when parenting. They grow in confidence as they learn strategies to manage their children’s behaviour. Learners on community dance classes learn well how to complete complex sequences of dance moves. Learners are highly satisfied with the quality of their courses and the support they receive from their tutors.

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better?

Leaders and managers carefully plan the curriculum so that it meets very well a wide range of community needs and has clear progression opportunities for learners. ESOL learners can study courses at entry level and go on to functional skills qualifications in English. As a result of their community learning education, learners improve their well-being and are able to pursue their interests. There are also clear progression routes for those on vocational courses.

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better?

Tutors are knowledgeable about their subjects and teach learners well. They use a range of methods, including demonstrations, clear explanations and practical work, effectively in order to ensure that learners understand what they are taught. When needed, tutors break down information into smaller sections and use visual prompts to explain ideas. They use assessment methods in lessons effectively so as to identify gaps in learners’ knowledge and revisit topics where necessary. As a result, learners have good recall of what they are taught.

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better?

Tutors make sure that learners develop their subject-specific language well and understand the meaning of technical terms. For example, in paediatric first-aid courses, tutors skilfully break down complex technical words, such as hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, into smaller parts and fully explain the meaning of each section of these words. Learners learn to use the correct technical terminology accurately as they progress with their course.

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better?

Learners produce written work of a suitable standard for the level of their course. Tutors provide learners with good developmental feedback that clearly shows them how to improve their work. For example, English tutors use writing correction symbols to mark and provide feedback on learners’ written work. Learners use this feedback to review and correct their work. Over time, they improve their spelling and grammar.

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better?

Leaders and managers make sure that learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have the support and help they need to be successful on their course. For example, tutors provide lesson materials in an enlarged format for learners who are partially sighted. When needed, tutors provide good additional one-to-one support for learners with SEND. Learners with SEND achieve equally as well as their peers.

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better?

In a few cases, the quality of teaching is not sufficiently high, and tutors do not use questioning techniques well enough to check learners’ understanding effectively 23 and 24 October 2024

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before moving to the next topic. At times, tutors on functional skills English courses choose lesson material that is too challenging for the group. In these cases, learners struggle to fully participate and complete activities and tasks set for them in the classroom.

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Leaders and tutors provide effective information and support to learners about their next steps in training or employment. Careers officers give helpful feedback to learners on their CVs and provide them with useful tips on how to prepare for job interviews. As a result, learners produce good quality CVs and become more confident to apply for jobs. ESOL tutors make learners aware of progression pathways to functional skills and higher level ESOL or vocational courses. Learners on childcare courses obtain good insight into working in the childcare sector by visits to nurseries. Learners are well informed about their next steps and many progress to further learning and employment.

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Leaders and managers monitor the performance of their subcontractors closely and give them suitable support. They provide useful professional development opportunities to subcontractor staff on topics such as the ‘Prevent’ duty and inclusion of safeguarding in the curriculum. Leaders know the strengths and areas for development of their subcontractors well because of their robust quality assurance activities. For example, leaders know about issues regarding recording of the progression of learners in a few cases and support their subcontractors to improve their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Check learners’ understanding of each topic thoroughly before teaching the next topic.  Provide learners on functional skills English courses with teaching and learning materials that are suitable for their level of study. 23 and 24 October 2024

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Provider details

Address The Kenton Learning Centre 86 Glebe Avenue Harrow HA3 9LF

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Karen Bhamra

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Provider details

Provider type Community Learning and Skills – Local Authority

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Provider details

Dates of previous inspection 27 and 28 September 2017

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Find Your Voice Harrow Arts Centre Harrow Family Learning Network Hope Harrow Headstone Manor Museum London’s Community Kitchen Maxability Stanmore College The Ballroom Dance School Harrow 23 and 24 October 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was the second short inspection carried out since Harrow London Borough Council was judged to be good in October 2013.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the service manager for adult learning, 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

Ramin Narimani, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Julie Baxter Ofsted Inspector Jon Bowman His Majesty’s Inspector 23 and 24 October 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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