Wetherby Training Limited

Wetherby Training Limited Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Joanne Stork, His Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address: Unit 1A Locksley Park Blind Lane York YO26 7QJ Monitoring visit: Wetherby Training Limited, 8 and 9 January 2025

p.1

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.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Wetherby Training Limited is an independent learning provider based in North Yorkshire. Leaders offer a level 2 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) Skills Bootcamp, which they began delivering in August 2024. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were fewer than five learners enrolled. During the current academic year, 40 learners have completed the Skills Bootcamp.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear purpose in offering a Skills Bootcamp to meet a national skills priority. The training supports adult learners to develop the skills and knowledge they need to become qualified HGV drivers.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders work well with employers to recruit learners into the haulage sector. Employers identify potential candidates in their businesses who are currently working in other roles. Learners with no direct link to an employer are guided to interviews and job vacancies. As a result of their course, a high proportion of learners secure new employment or gain increased responsibility in current roles such as mechanics, enabling them to collect and deliver vehicles for service or drive car transporters.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit instructors who are well qualified and experienced. They meet with staff informally to discuss any issues or ‘hot spots’ when drivers have failed tests. Instructors have access to newsletters and industry magazines to keep up to date with current practice and legislation. However, leaders do not have in place a planned programme to develop instructors’ practice, knowledge and skills.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have in place basic quality assurance processes. They focus on compliance with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency requirements but not the quality of education. Leaders carry out observations of training and testing. However, they identify few improvement actions and do not provide specific feedback to help instructors improve their practice. Monitoring visit: Wetherby Training Limited, 8 and 9 January 2025 Instructors use their expertise well to plan helpful training for learners during the practical part of the Skills Bootcamp. They provide information that includes how to stay safe and identify risks to personal safety in different situations and when meeting different people. Learners understand the steps they need to take to identify hazards and personal risks to their safety. They know how to stay safe when entering unfamiliar areas of the country to collect and deliver loads or when having

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders provide potential applicants with clear advice and guidance about the requirements of the course and accurately assess applicants’ suitability. This is followed by an off-road driving assessment to confirm that learners are safe to progress to driving HGVs. Staff provide learners with good support to complete the procedures to acquire the provisional HGV licence and carry out a medical assessment prior to the start of training.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors sequence practical driver training well to meet individual learners’ needs. They use repetition and recall effectively. Instructors help learners practise frequently until they master difficult techniques such as reversing. A high proportion of learners pass the practical driving test first time. When learners fail, test instructors focus on helping them refine their manoeuvring skills before retaking the test.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors give useful feedback to enable learners to improve their practical driving. They check that learners remain vigilant to blind spots and understand how to approach roundabouts carefully and at the correct speed. When learners are driving on public roads, instructors constantly question them about speed limits to increase awareness about how these differ from other vehicles. Consequently, learners feel well prepared and confident as they take their tests.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Instructors use ongoing and final assessment activities well. They confirm that learners have gained the required knowledge needed to work in the industry. In the final certificate of professional competence, learners demonstrate acquisition of significant knowledge about daily vehicle safety checks and planning a route to an unfamiliar destination. Learners show awareness of procedures to follow in a motorway emergency. They know the checks to carry out before crossing an international border in case potential illegal immigrants stow away or contraband such as drugs are hidden on the vehicle. Monitoring visit: Wetherby Training Limited, 8 and 9 January 2025

p.3

Insufficient progress

Leaders do not have in place a suitable ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment. They have not ensured that instructors have completed appropriate ‘Prevent’ duty training. Consequently, staff do not provide sufficient or contextualised information on how learners can keep themselves safe from radicalisation and extremist views. Most learners do not recall any information in the training on how to recognise risks posed by individuals or groups who have extremist views and may be radicalised or how HGV drivers may be targeted.

p.4

Insufficient progress

Leaders and managers assure themselves that staff are suitable to work with vulnerable adults. They ensure that all staff complete safeguarding training and carry out Disclosure and Barring Service checks. Monitoring visit: Wetherby Training Limited, 8 and 9 January 2025 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.

p.4

Insufficient 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 .

p.5

Insufficient 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 .

p.5

Insufficient progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Insufficient progress

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

p.5