Govia Thameslink Railway Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Govia Thameslink Railway Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Govia Thameslink Railway Limited is a London based employer provider. The provider has been teaching the level 3 train driver apprenticeship since 2020. Apprentices work across routes on the Govia Thameslink Railway, covering south London, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire.

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Information about this provider

At the time of inspection there were 135 apprentices. All were over the age of 19. There were fewer than five apprentices that had known additional learning needs.

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Information about this provider

Leaders work with one subcontractor, Learnmore Network Limited, to provide functional skills training. At the time of inspection, no apprentices were working towards these qualifications. 13 to 15 May 2025

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

Apprentices flourish in a culture of positivity and mutual respect. Apprentices have constructive and professional working relationships with their trainers, driving instructors and each other. Apprentices who have some experience in the rail industry in different roles coach newcomers by helping them use industry-specific terminology correctly. Trainers maintain a respectful and inclusive atmosphere where apprentices feel valued.

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

Apprentices are committed to their training. They have consistently high rates of attendance to work and training. They take ownership of their learning and show a strong determination to master new knowledge, skills and behaviours in a short space of time, to become competent train drivers.

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

Apprentices are proud to work in the rail industry. Many apprentices have aspired to work in the industry for several years before being successfully employed. Apprentices who complete the apprenticeship remain with their employer, and a few have gained promotions into management roles.

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

Apprentices feel safe while training. Apprentices have access to a phone application that enables them to report safety concerns swiftly. Apprentices carry out safety checks on trains with confidence and know how to keep themselves and passengers safe.

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better?

Leaders and managers have designed an apprenticeship programme that meets the needs of the rail industry, aspiring train drivers and their organisation. The apprenticeship contributes to overcoming national and local shortages of qualified train drivers.

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better?

Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have improved their monitoring and oversight of the quality of training provided by their subcontractor. Managers hold monthly quality meetings, conduct session visits and provide helpful feedback to coaches to improve the quality of teaching. These actions helped increase first time pass rates for functional skills qualifications over the past year.

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better?

Leaders have strengthened their governance arrangements since the previous inspection. Senior leaders and executive teams support managers to make the improvements that are needed to the quality of education they provide. Leaders have ensured that there are additional resources available to oversee the quality of their training. Leaders’ investment in management systems has helped the newly appointed quality manager to provide monthly and quarterly management reports. Those responsible for governance are now effective in holding managers to account for the quality of the provision and apprentices’ rates of success. 13 to 15 May 2025

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Trainers structure learning skilfully to help apprentices learn and remember the essential knowledge and skills they need to be safe train drivers. Trainers frequently revisit past learning. They recap track safety from a previous topic when apprentices are introduced to braking distances and trackside signage in subsequent teaching. This helps apprentices to apply what they have learned in new situations. Apprentices develop the knowledge they need to be train drivers rapidly.

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Trainers make effective use of a variety of assessment strategies to check what apprentices have learned. In practical simulations on board static trains, trainers question apprentices effectively, to check their understanding of different scenarios. If apprentices’ understanding is not secure, trainers revisit the topic, correcting any misconceptions.

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Previously, too few apprentices achieved their apprenticeship in their planned timeframe. This was because too few apprentices passed the functional skills qualifications they needed to achieve their apprenticeship. Leaders have taken effective action to improve the teaching of functional skills. Leaders work closely with apprentices and their line manager to decide whether each apprentice needs to study functional skills. They have also appointed a new subcontractor to teach these qualifications. Most apprentices who are past their expected end date have either passed or have action plans in place to complete their final assessments swiftly. Most apprentices achieve their qualifications. A high proportion pass their driving and final assessments at the first attempt.

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Trainers provide good support for apprentices who need extra help. The support strategies they use include reasonable adjustments for assessments, specific resources to help with identified learning needs, or one-to-one tuition to revisit important topics. Apprentices with identified learning needs achieve in line with their peers.

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Trainers develop apprentices’ knowledge of English and mathematics for their job roles effectively. For example, trainers simulate on-the-job communications, helping apprentices to interpret route information, and demonstrate how to use clear and professional communication to respond to instructions effectively. Apprentices practice their use of mathematical equations using train performance data to calculate safe breaking distances. Apprentices use these skills in their job roles as train drivers competently.

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Staff provide apprentices with helpful career progression advice. Staff share information at the start and throughout the apprenticeship about the various career routes and future study opportunities available to apprentices. Apprentices are aware that they can apply to become a train driving instructor after they have completed a set amount of time driving trains. Apprentices have a good understanding of the roles and training available to them once they complete their apprenticeship. 13 to 15 May 2025

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that apprentices complete their training in their planned timescales.  Improve functional skills teaching so that apprentices achieve these qualifications. 13 to 15 May 2025

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Provider details

Address Go-Ahead House 26–28 Addiscombe Road Croydon Surrey CR9 5GA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Angie Doll, CEO

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 26 to 28 October 2022

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Learnmore Network Limited 13 to 15 May 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the apprenticeship quality 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

Rochelle Saneria, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Mark Care His Majesty’s Inspector David Baber Ofsted Inspector 13 to 15 May 2025

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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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