The Gas Rooms Limited

The Gas Rooms Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Joel Dalhouse, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 12 and 13 February 2025

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: Unit 26 Clawthorpe Hall Business Centre Burton-In-Kendal Carnforth LA6 1NU Monitoring visit: The Gas Rooms Limited, 12 and 13 February 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

The Gas Rooms Limited is an independent learning provider based in Cumbria. It began offering Skills Bootcamps in July 2023. At the time of the monitoring visit, five adult learners were studying the air source heat pump Skills Bootcamp.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have designed a curriculum to address local and regional skills needs, aligning with the local authority’s green strategy. In collaboration with Cumberland Council, they have identified the growing demand for air source heat pump installation and developed a curriculum to upskill heating and ventilation engineers with these essential skills.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure learners benefit from teaching by experts with extensive knowledge and experience in installing and designing air source heat pumps. This expertise is valued by learners because they acquire the necessary skills to work confidently and competently in the industry.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders organise the curriculum logically, allowing learners to progressively develop their understanding from fundamental concepts to more complex ones. Initially, learners focus on the basic elements of a heat pump before advancing to system design and buffer calculations while also considering building heat loss to modify the systems accordingly.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders acknowledge the need to improve the quality processes they use to assess the quality of teaching. The process of evaluating teaching is informal and lacks thorough analysis, restricting leaders’ comprehension of the overall teaching quality within the organisation. As a result, areas for improvement in the quality of teaching are not always quickly identified and improved. Monitoring visit: The Gas Rooms Limited, 12 and 13 February 2025 Leaders frequently evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and implement necessary modifications to enhance its impact. This evaluation highlighted the importance of incorporating lessons on the design of air source heat pump systems so learners can better assist customers during the installation process.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recognise the necessity of implementing governance arrangements that provide external oversight of the quality of education offered to learners. They are currently in the process of establishing suitable governance. However, this was not in place during the monitoring visit.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers measure learners’ existing knowledge and skills at the start of the course. They use this information to individualise teaching to learners’ needs, contributing to most learners making swift and sustained progress throughout their studies.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers employ strategies effectively to enhance learners’ understanding and build upon their knowledge. They use demonstrations and hands-on activities to clarify technical concepts, making learning more engaging and practical.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers assist learners in developing mathematical skills throughout their studies. For example, learners are taught how to calculate the sizes of hot water cylinders for air source heat pump systems. They learn to determine cylinder capacity based on household size and demand, ensuring peak usage without energy waste. Mastering these calculations equips learners well for their next steps after completing their studies, teaching them how to meet Microgeneration Certification Scheme registration requirements and eligibility for government renewable energy funding.

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Reasonable progress

In a minority of cases, teachers do not use assessment effectively. Although teachers use questioning techniques to gauge learners’ comprehension and identify misconceptions, they do not consistently use this information to inform their teaching. Consequently, in these instances, learners do not receive timely guidance, which hinders their progress.

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Reasonable progress

Teachers ensure learners acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to install air source heat pumps. Learners develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in fitting these systems and can install them competently. The vast majority of learners successfully complete their studies and apply their knowledge to start installing air source heat pumps for their customers. Monitoring visit: The Gas Rooms Limited, 12 and 13 February 2025

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have established effective safeguarding measures to ensure the safety of adult learners. They have appointed a trained designated safeguarding lead, and staff receive annual training to stay vigilant about potential concerns. Leaders also meet their statutory obligations by conducting a ‘Prevent’ duty risk assessment, implementing an action plan and maintaining an appropriate safeguarding policy.

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Reasonable progress

Learners report that they feel safe in their learning environments and know how to raise any concerns. They are aware of the safeguarding procedures in place and feel confident that staff will take any issues they report seriously. Monitoring visit: The Gas Rooms Limited, 12 and 13 February 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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