Reed Learning Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 30 October to 1 November 2024

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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 Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Reed Learning is a part of the Reed group of companies whose aim is ‘improving lives through work’. It started delivering apprenticeships in December 2017. Reed Learning trains apprentices who work in human resources (HR) and learning and development roles across the country at levy-paying organisations. All training for apprentices is online. All apprentices are adults. The provider subcontracts English and mathematics provision to Runway Training.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 91 apprentices, of whom 22 were studying level 3 HR support, 27 were studying level 5 HR consultant/partner, 23 were studying level 5 people professional, seven were studying level 5 learning and development consultant business partner and 12 were studying level 7 senior people professional standards. 30 October to 1 November 2024

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

Apprentices learn in a calm and respectful environment where they enjoy interacting with each other and sharing their ideas in small groups. They are confident to ask and answer questions and engage well with their learning. They are motivated to do well at work and progress to higher-level training.

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

Apprentices develop the vital professional behaviours and qualities they need for work. Through the personal development curriculum, they build their resilience and confidence to deal with challenging situations at work. For example, HR apprentices discuss the impact of unrest caused by recent riots and explore how to exercise their duty of care towards employees. Apprentices enjoy using their recently acquired knowledge to support employees in the workplace.

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

Apprentices receive good support from advisers. Advisers understand the pressures that many apprentices are under as they balance demanding jobs with their home life and study. Advisers give apprentices who are returning from maternity leave extra help to make sure their knowledge about topics such as changes to employment law is up to date. This helps apprentices stay on track with their studies.

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

Apprentices have access to good-quality resources that support their studies. This helps them to complete research and study independently at times that fit around their work commitments. For example, they have access to professionally produced podcasts, videos, articles and factsheets. This deepens their knowledge of key topics and helps them complete assignments to a good standard.

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

Most apprentices are well informed about the career choices available to them and what they need to do to succeed in their career. However, in a few instances, advisers do not routinely discuss with apprentices the potential career pathways and progression routes available in their chosen field.

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better?

Leaders and managers ensure that the curriculum is effectively structured so apprentices gain knowledge they can quickly apply at work. Advisers teach level 5 HR apprentices project management models at the start of their training. Apprentices use their new knowledge well at work to introduce new processes such as recognition and reward schemes for employees. As a result, the curriculum meets employers’ and apprentices’ needs well.

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better?

Advisers are professionally qualified and have extensive experience in the HR and learning and development sectors. In online sessions, advisers clarify apprentices’ misconceptions using their sector expertise. They explain new concepts clearly and check apprentices’ understanding of new knowledge thoroughly. For example, they ask apprentices to recall information from previous sessions and share this on digital 30 October to 1 November 2024

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whiteboards. This helps apprentices remember key terminology and concepts accurately.

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Advisers give apprentices useful feedback on their written assignments. For example, they add links to wider theory, explain how to follow command words more effectively and ask apprentices to include case studies from their workplace. Consequently, apprentices improve their work for the final submission and produce good-quality work.

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Advisers provide effective support for apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Apprentices with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have clear learning plans. The dates of sessions and assessment deadlines are prepopulated in their diaries. During online sessions, advisers adapt their teaching effectively to meet the individual needs of learners.

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Leaders and managers at the subcontractor provide suitable support for apprentices who need to achieve English and mathematics qualifications. They have implemented a range of measures to help apprentices achieve their examinations in these subjects. For example, they check apprentices’ skills in these areas at the start of their apprenticeship and maintain good oversight of apprentices’ progress. A high proportion of apprentices pass their English and mathematics examinations in good time.

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Managers and advisers work effectively with employers and keep them well informed about their apprentices’ progress. They meet frequently to review in detail apprentices’ strengths and areas for development. Subsequently, employers make sure that apprentices have timely opportunities at work to apply their learning. They facilitate work-shadowing opportunities to help apprentices deepen their understanding of other areas of work.

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Advisers teach apprentices and coordinate on- and off-the-job training effectively. This helps apprentices gain significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours. Employers value the increasing contribution that apprentices make at work. With their improved skills, apprentices take on more responsibility. For example, HR apprentices write policies, develop organisational strategies and conduct investigations independently.

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Historically, too many apprentices left their programme early. This was due to factors outside of the control of leaders and managers. For example, last year, a large number of apprentices worked for employers who were unable to continue to support their training. Of those who stay on the programme, a high proportion achieve and gain their professional qualification, and a few gain a distinction.

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Leaders and managers have effectively tackled the weaknesses in curriculum design that contributed to some apprentices leaving. This has led to a rapid reduction in the number of apprentices who are past their planned end dates. Advisers provide effective ongoing support to apprentices who have had a break in learning or have 30 October to 1 November 2024

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fallen behind in their studies. As a result, these apprentices get back on track with their studies.

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The advisory board provides effective oversight of the training. Board members support and challenge managers to make the improvements needed. The board includes external members with relevant education and apprenticeship experience and expertise. Leaders and managers provide them with detailed performance information about the provision that helps them scrutinise the quality of education that apprentices receive. This means that the board is well informed about the quality of provision and understands well the strengths and weaknesses.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Make sure apprentices are aware of the career opportunities that are available to them once they complete their training. 30 October to 1 November 2024

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Provider details

Address California House 120 Coombe Lane London SW20 0BA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Pierre Vangrevelynghe

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Runway Training 30 October to 1 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the apprenticeship 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

Jon Bowman, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Claudia Harrison His Majesty’s Inspector Kanwaljit Dhillon Ofsted Inspector 30 October to 1 November 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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