Weir Training Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 14 May to 16 May and 17 to 18 July

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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Information about this provider

Weir Training Limited is an independent learning provider located in Chobham, Surrey. It provides apprenticeships at levels 2 to 5 in the southeast of England. At the time of inspection, there were 125 apprentices, of whom 29 were under the age of 18. Over half the apprentices were studying level 3 business administrator, with a further 21 on the level 3 team leader apprenticeship. The remaining apprentices were studying the level 2 supply chain warehouse operative, level 2 customer service practitioner, level 3 customer service specialist, level 3 improvement technician, level 3 learning and development practitioner or level 5 operations manager apprenticeship. 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 2025

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

Apprentices thrive during their time at Weir Training Limited. They greatly value the positive impact of training on their job roles. Apprentices enjoy working with expert staff, who provide exceptionally high-quality training and support. Staff have very high expectations in relation to apprentices’ level of professionalism, which they communicate clearly. Apprentices consistently demonstrate highly professional and respectful behaviours when in training and in work.

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

Apprentices have exceptionally positive attitudes to their learning. They are keen to develop their professional knowledge and skills. Apprentices have very high rates of attendance. They are punctual and know the value of timekeeping in their work.

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

Apprentices make outstanding progress in the development of their knowledge, skills and confidence in completing complex tasks. They achieve excellent results in their final assessments, including a high proportion of distinctions. Most apprentices gain additional responsibility or promotion because of their training.

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

The small proportion of apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) feel highly supported. Staff use their strong understanding of apprentices’ individual needs to adapt teaching successfully. Apprentices with SEND make the same significant progress as their peers.

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

Apprentices feel safe and value the culture of care that staff have created. They are confident that staff will deal with issues appropriately. Apprentices diligently follow the safe working practices that they have learned in the workplace.

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better?

Leaders have developed a highly effective curriculum offer, which equips apprentices for success in the workplace. They are very ambitious for all apprentices, including those with SEND, to make very rapid progress. They provide opportunities for apprentices to complete additional qualifications alongside their apprenticeship to develop their employability skills further, which many do.

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better?

Leaders are highly committed to upskilling the regional workforce. They collaborate effectively with employers to adapt apprenticeships to meet specific business needs. Leaders and managers have responded successfully to identified needs by developing the level 3 business administrator apprenticeship to help younger apprentices take their first steps into employment.

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better?

Leaders and staff engage with employers very successfully. They make sure that employers understand their responsibilities fully and are active participants in supporting apprentices. Through frequent progress reviews, employers work closely with staff to support apprentices’ training and progress. This helps apprentices rapidly improve in their roles and make significant contributions to their workplaces. 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 2025

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Leaders have sequenced the curriculum effectively. Team leader apprentices initially learn about organisational culture models, such as those of Schein and McKinsey, and then apply these models to meet employees’ needs as part of performance management. Leaders and staff ensure that on-the-job and off-the-job training is well aligned, so apprentices can practise and consolidate learning at work. As a result, apprentices develop key knowledge, skills and behaviours incrementally as they progress.

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Experienced and expert training staff use a range of effective teaching strategies to help apprentices build knowledge and skills. These include research activities that support apprentices to become curious and self-sufficient. They carefully assess apprentices’ starting points and adapt teaching successfully to meet their individual needs. Staff model technical language expertly, helping apprentices understand and use specialist terminology accurately in the workplace. Employers value the way that this supports apprentices to provide a good service to customers.

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Training staff use assessment carefully to check and extend understanding. They use effective questioning to probe apprentices’ answers. Most staff provide high-quality, developmental feedback that helps apprentices understand what they are doing well and what they need to improve. However, in a small number of instances, staff do not provide feedback that helps apprentices improve the quality of their written work, which limits the development of literacy skills.

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Leaders provide apprentices with rich opportunities to develop personal and professional interests. Staff prioritise apprentices’ well-being, so apprentices know how to stay physically and mentally healthy. With close staff support, apprentices explore relevant topics, such as the menopause, mental health strategies and sleep.

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Apprentices demonstrate a strong understanding of fundamental British values and consistently exemplify these in the workplace. For example, business administrator apprentices promote democratic values and mutual respect when collaborating on team projects. Apprentices take pride in participating in regional and national competitions, where they frequently achieve success.

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Apprentices have a particularly thorough understanding of their next steps. Staff give high-quality, individual advice and guidance, so apprentices know the career opportunities available to them.

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Leaders and managers have a comprehensive understanding of the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. They track apprentices’ progress closely and intervene successfully when necessary. Experienced governors know the strengths of the provision. They provide leaders with effective challenge and hold them to account for the quality of training. As a result, the proportion of apprentices who complete on time and achieve their apprenticeship has improved significantly.

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Leaders care about staff well-being and development. They focus exceptionally well on staff training and develop expertise through a range of relevant pedagogical 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 2025

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topics, including remote education and supporting learners with mental health challenges. Consequently, teachers rapidly improve their confidence, teaching practice and subject knowledge.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 2025

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Provider details

Address Alpha 319, Building K Ground Floor Chobham Business Centre Chertsey Road Chobham Surrey GU24 8JB

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Julie Ridley

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the 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

Mark Hillman, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Richard Kirkham His Majesty’s Inspector Jo Dyson Ofsted Inspector Saher Nijabat, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Paul Manning His Majesty’s Inspector Claudia Harrison His Majesty’s Inspector 14 to 16 May 2025 and 17 to 18 July 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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