ACE Training and Consultancy Limited

ACE Training and Consultancy Limited Report following a monitoring visit to a ‘requires improvement’ provider

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Name of lead inspector: Richard Kirkham, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

15a Station Field Industrial Estate Kidlington Oxford Oxfordshire OX5 1JD Monitoring visit: ACE Training and Consultancy Limited, 15 and 16 July 2025

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Context and focus of visit

ACE training and consultancy limited was inspected in September 2024. At that time, inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

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Context and focus of visit

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and managers have made in resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection.

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Context and focus of visit

ACE Training and Consultancy Limited is an independent learning provider based in Oxford. It provides education programmes for young people and apprenticeships in construction. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were approximately 70 learners studying education programmes for young people in brickwork and carpentry at levels 1 and 2. Leaders intend learners to complete these ‘pre- apprenticeship’ courses to prepare them for apprenticeships. There were 83 apprentices, of which 34 were studying level 2 carpentry and joinery, 33 were studying level 2 brickwork, eight were studying level 3 carpentry and joinery and the remainder were studying on level 2 property maintenance operative and level 3 brickwork. All learners and apprentices attend their studies at the purpose-built workshop and training centre in Oxford.

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Reasonable progress

Since the last inspection, leaders have developed an appropriate personal development curriculum for apprentices. Staff now teach apprentices a broad range of useful topics, including fundamental British values, mental and physical health, and finance management.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recently introduced opportunities to widen apprentices’ experiences and learning. Apprentices now contribute positively to their community by taking part in community action projects. For example, carpentry apprentices have constructed planting areas at a local care home and nursery school. This supports apprentices to become active citizens.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors provide apprentices with helpful guidance on further training options available upon completion of their apprenticeship. Staff do not provide apprentices with up-to- date information about potential career opportunities, and so apprentices are not Monitoring visit: ACE Training and Consultancy Limited, 15 and 16 July 2025 clear on the full range of options available to them after completing their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Staff teach apprentices how to staff safe from the broader risks associated with extremism and radicalisation. However, they do not help apprentices to understand how these relate to their professional role and personal lives.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have reviewed and put in place appropriate actions for the pre- apprenticeship programme following the previous inspection. They have made effective changes to the design of the curriculum. For instance, leaders have increased the amount of teaching in GCSE English and maths so that learners make better progress in these areas. Leaders have introduced a greater range of vocational levels so that learners are enrolled on courses that are appropriate to their needs and starting points. As such, learners engage well with their studies and make positive progress.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders set high expectations and support their learners successfully throughout their studies. As such, learners become enthusiastic about their learning, attend well and participate actively in all areas of their studies.

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Reasonable progress

As a result of leader’s actions, learners mostly achieve well and go on to positive destinations at the end of their studies. Leaders have significantly increased the proportion of learners who remain in learning and complete their qualifications at levels 1 and 2, including in functional skills. Leaders recognise that outcomes for learners in diploma courses as well as those on functional skills is still too low. Monitoring visit: ACE Training and Consultancy Limited, 15 and 16 July 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

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Reasonable progress

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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