Alexander Mann Solutions Limited

Alexander Mann Solutions LTD Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Daniel Beale, Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection dates: 29 and 30 January 2025

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 60 London Wall London EC2M 5TQ Monitoring visit: Alexander Mann Solutions Ltd, 29 and 30 January 2025

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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

Alexander Mann Solutions Limited is an independent learning provider based in London. It provides Skills Bootcamps to train and upskill learners in project management. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 52 adult learners. The provider subcontracts to one employer, Step8UP who provide training.

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Reasonable Progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for their Skills Bootcamp provision. They work very effectively with key stakeholders such as local authorities, employers, Job Centre Plus and the Department for Work and Pensions to understand skills gaps. They use this information to design programmes skilfully which meet these needs successfully. For example, leaders work very closely with Lancashire Council who greatly value the high-quality training that learners receive and the positive impact on their future employment prospects.

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Reasonable Progress

Employers value greatly the skills and behaviours that learners acquire during their training. Leaders structure the training well to ensure learners build their confidence quickly. As a result, learners settle into the workplace comfortably and work with autonomy.

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Reasonable Progress

Leaders and managers select their subcontractors carefully. They ensure there are useful systems and processes in place that help them to monitor continually the quality of training. For example, leaders receive frequent feedback from learners on the quality of their training and work with subcontractors to make any adaptions quickly to meet learners’ needs. Leaders recognise they do not assess the quality of teaching adequately to help tutors to develop their teaching skills. Monitoring visit: Alexander Mann Solutions Ltd, 29 and 30 January 2025

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Significant progress

Tutors work very effectively to ensure learners develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours successfully. For example, learners demonstrate a strong understanding of agile project management early in their training and, as a result, learners express with confidence how to apply this successfully to their workplace projects which they value greatly.

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Significant progress

Tutors assess learners’ starting points very effectively to plan the training. Tutors use information from these early assessments diligently to adapt the training to meet individual learner needs. They teach learners who are new to project management the fundamental skills needed to use or data spreadsheets, before teaching them how to use project management software programmes. For more-experienced learners, tutors start by teaching how to use more-complex software packages. Tutors challenge the more-experienced learners skilfully by providing good opportunities for them to share how they have used advanced tools to manage projects successfully.

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Significant progress

Tutors work effectively with career coaches to monitor learners’ progress. They frequently assess learners’ understanding and intervene swiftly if they fall behind. They work with career coaches to provide additional support quickly for learners who require it. For example, learners can attend additional workshops and access an extensive array of high-quality resources. As a result, learners feel very well supported and most learners make rapid progress during their training.

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Significant progress

Tutors plan learning effectively to ensure learners develop their English and mathematics skills. For example, tutors recognise the value that employers place on effective writing skills in project management. Consequently, they support learners to develop their skills to write succinctly.

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Significant progress

Career coaches enhance learners’ employability skills successfully. They provide frequent and bespoke sessions which help individual learners develop the essential skills that employers are looking for. For example, they learn CV writing skills and how to create a strong network of professionals within their sector.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have created a positive safeguarding culture. The designated safeguarding lead and safeguarding team undertake useful training that ensures they have the skills and experiences to carry out their roles effectively. Safeguarding staff Monitoring visit: Alexander Mann Solutions Ltd, 29 and 30 January 2025 record concerns clearly and involve external agencies when required. Leaders complete thorough risk assessments and health and safety checks on subcontractors to ensure learners are safe when in the workplace. Leaders recruit staff safely and effectively.

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Reasonable progress

While leaders and tutors identify vulnerable adults at the start of their training, they recognise they do not have clear systems in place to monitor these learners diligently during their training.

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Reasonable progress

Learners feel safe and are clear on how to report safeguarding concerns should they arise. They have a secure understanding of the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Alexander Mann Solutions Ltd, 29 and 30 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.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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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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