Semester Learning and Development Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Semester Learning and Development Limited

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Inspection dates: 27 to 29 November 2024

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Inadequate Behaviour and attitudes Inadequate Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Apprenticeships Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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Information about this provider

Semester Learning and Development Ltd (Semester) is based in Rugby. At the time of the inspection, it offered 11 apprenticeships from level 2 to level 4, primarily in engineering-related disciplines. Most apprentices study at level 3 and work for employers across England. All aspects of the apprenticeship are provided online.

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Information about this provider

At the time of inspection, 68 apprentices were in learning, just under half of whom were aged 16- to 18- years-old. In total, 19 apprentices were studying the level 3 compressed air and vacuum technician qualification. Twenty-five were studying either level 2, 3 or 4 engineering operative, technician or fitter qualifications. Fourteen were studying the level 3 and level 4 fire safety or emergency systems qualification. Most apprentices also studied National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), primarily at level 3, in addition to their apprenticeship.

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Information about this provider

The current owners of Semester completed the purchase and took full control of the company on 1 October 2024. 27 to 29 November 2024

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

Most apprentices do not have a positive attitude to their learning, and they are not taught a well-structured curriculum. Tutors provide online resources for apprentices to complete, which do not include up-to-date technical knowledge. Apprentices learn most of their knowledge and skills from their employer. They do not develop their skills, resilience, character or confidence because of their studies.

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

Apprentices’ vocational training is provided by their employer. Tutors do not make sure that the training at Semester is coordinated or planned effectively with employers. Employers allow apprentices the time off they need to study the theoretical elements of their apprenticeship, but tutors do not make sure that apprentices use this time productively. Most apprentices’ interest in their apprenticeship has lapsed since they started it.

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

Younger apprentices often struggle with learning independently online. Too often, tutors do not provide apprentices with the support they need to overcome these difficulties. Despite this, apprentices produce work of an appropriate standard. Adult apprentices can work independently and feel competent when completing online learning activities.

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

Apprentices feel safe at work. They told inspectors that they have not experienced any bullying, harassment or discrimination in their workplace.

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better?

The quality of this apprenticeship provision has deteriorated since the previous inspection. On completing their very recent purchase of the company, new leaders immediately began implementing actions to improve the quality and effectiveness of the education and training that apprentices receive. However, it is too early for any of these actions to have had a positive impact on apprentices. Almost all apprentices have had, and continue to have, a poor learning experience.

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better?

At the time of the inspection, the proportion of apprentices achieving their qualification is extremely low. Leaders’ very recent arrangements for apprentices to gain level 1 functional skills qualifications in English and/or mathematics have not yet had an impact.

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better?

Leaders do not make sure that the curriculums offered are ambitious for apprentices, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Most apprentices do not develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours. This is particularly the case with adult learners, where most already have the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn.

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better?

Leaders’ and tutors’ planning of curriculums is ineffective. They do not make sure that apprentices learn the theory related to their existing practical skills or extend these practical skills. 27 to 29 November 2024

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Most apprentices are making very slow progress through their apprenticeship. Tutors place a disproportionate emphasis on apprentices completing their NVQs at the expense of completing the apprenticeship. Many tutors are not preparing apprentices effectively for their end-point assessments, and few apprentices know how their apprenticeship is assessed.

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Leaders and managers do not make sure that tutors’ monthly progress reviews with apprentices are effective. Tutors record only minimal information about apprentices’ progress and do not identify how they can improve. Tutors do not give apprentices targets that are specific or time bound. Apprentices’ employers are mostly unaware of the progress that their apprentices are making and how to contribute to their learning.

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Leaders have not made sure that apprentices learn enough about aspects that are relevant to their work and personal lives. Apprentices develop a superficial understanding of fundamental British values and how to keep themselves safe. Tutors do not teach apprentices how they can protect themselves from radical or extremist views or inform apprentices of any specific local risks. Younger apprentices do not benefit from an age-appropriate curriculum to support their understanding of healthy relationships.

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Leaders and managers do not make sure that most apprentices get the career information and guidance they need to make informed choices about their future careers. Apprentices are unclear about the next steps in their apprenticeship journey.

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Leaders and governors do not have the information they need to monitor and manage the performance of the apprenticeship accurately. Leaders’ new arrangements to improve quality assurance and improvement practices have not yet had an impact.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and managers do not have systems in place that would alert them if apprentices were at risk of harm. Leaders have updated all safeguarding and related policies appropriately, but very few staff are aware of their content or importance.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding lead has not yet received an appropriate level of training for them to complete their role effectively. Staff completed online training and refresher training while the inspection was in progress. Leaders have not made employers aware of leaders’ safeguarding arrangements at Semester. Leaders’ safer recruitment strategy has yet to be implemented. 27 to 29 November 2024

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Implement comprehensive safeguarding arrangements that are known and understood by apprentices, staff and employers.  Make sure that apprentices are taught the relevant new skills, professional behaviours and knowledge they need to make good progress and achieve their apprenticeship.  Make sure that apprentices understand the requirements of their final assessments and are prepared appropriately.  Make sure that apprentices are prepared effectively for their next steps on completion of their apprenticeship.  Make sure that apprentices learn and understand how themes relating to life in modern Britain are relevant to their work and personal lives.  Make sure that apprentices understand fully how to protect themselves from radical or extremist views.  Implement an age-appropriate curriculum to develop young apprentices’ understanding of healthy relationships.  Implement effective quality assurance arrangements that will rapidly improve the

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

learning experiences of apprentices. 27 to 29 November 2024

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Provider details

Address 2 to 3 Allerton Road Rugby Warwickshire CV23 0PA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Michael White

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Provider details

Provider type Independent Training Provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 27 to 29 July 2022

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Not applicable 27 to 29 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the operations director 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

Nick Crombie, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Steve Caldwell Ofsted Inspector Steve Battersby His Majesty’s Inspector 27 to 29 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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