Straight A Training Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Straight A Training Limited

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Inspection dates: 29 July to 1 August 2025

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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 Good

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Information about this provider

Straight A Training is a national independent learning provider with a head office in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. It offers a wide range of apprenticeships in hospitality and customer services, business and marketing, and facilities. At the time of the inspection, 295 apprentices were studying at levels 2 to 5, including 57 on level 4 facilities manager, 38 on level 3 business administrator and 27 on level 2 customer service practitioner. Forty-four apprentices were 16 to 18 years old. 29 July to 1 August 2025

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

Apprentices enjoy their training and have excellent attitudes to learning and work. They are highly motivated and well supported by staff to complete their training in the planned time. The small number of apprentices experiencing significant challenges in their lives persevere with their training, showing great resilience. A significant minority of apprentices take on additional qualifications in English and mathematics. Most pass on their first attempt. Apprentices are highly committed to success and personal growth.

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

Apprentices confidently and securely develop new knowledge and skills. For example, level 3 business administrator apprentices use their newly acquired knowledge of project management tools and skills to engage with stakeholders effectively to deliver successful improvements at work. Apprentices use what they have learned effectively to add value to their workplaces.

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

Apprentices have access to a wide-ranging personal development curriculum. This includes raising awareness of topics such as domestic abuse, fundamental British values, radicalisation and extremism, sexual harassment in the workplace and mental health and well-being. Level 5 learning and development apprentices take part in networking groups so they can learn from others in different organisations. Apprentices benefit from sector-related activities such as student memberships and visits to exhibitions.

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

Apprentices feel safe and know how to keep themselves safe, including online. They know who to contact if they have any concerns and have the confidence to challenge inappropriate behaviours.

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better?

Leaders provide high-quality training that gives apprentices clear progression routes into careers. They are ambitious for their apprentices. Staff support apprentices well so that they make good progress and achieve. A significant majority of apprentices gain additional responsibilities or promotion on completion of their apprenticeship.

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better?

Leaders have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They rightly identified previous issues with apprentices remaining in learning, and they took robust action, which has increased the proportion of apprentices who achieve their apprenticeship, including within the planned time. As a result, apprentices now remain in learning, and many achieve distinction grades.

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better?

Managers and tutors have developed carefully sequenced curriculums. They make sure training and experiences apprentices receive in the workplace are closely aligned with their off-the-job training. Tutors challenge apprentices effectively by, for example, setting additional projects and research activities. Apprentices develop a good knowledge of their specialisms. 29 July to 1 August 2025

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Tutors explain new information clearly and use teaching strategies effectively such as case studies and scenarios so apprentices remember more. Tutors regularly recap learning and use questioning effectively to reinforce apprentices’ learning of, for example, the large number of technical terms and acronyms in their jobs. Apprentices apply what they have learned fluently in the workplace.

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Tutors use assessment effectively so that apprentices are well prepared for their final assessments. In level 3 business, apprentices complete frequent knowledge tests and presentations of their workplace project that reflect assessment requirements. Tutors provide high-quality feedback so apprentices know how to improve their work. The standard of work apprentices produce is at the level expected or higher and improves over the course of their training.

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Tutors adapt training thoughtfully and put effective support in place to help apprentices with additional learning needs. For example, tutors provide apprentices who are neurodivergent with extra sessions and adjust the length and format of one-to-one tutoring sessions when needed. Apprentices with additional learning needs achieve well and in line with their peers.

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Leaders and staff have productive relationships with employers that benefit apprentices’ training. Staff have a deep understanding of employers’ businesses, which they use to plan apprentices’ training effectively. Employers appreciate the frequent, helpful communications they receive, which they use to support apprentices to practise the skills they have learned. Employers highly value the contributions that apprentices make at work. Apprentices become valued members of the team in which they work.

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Leaders and managers provide apprentices with suitable careers advice and guidance such as webinars and career-related activities taught by subject specialist tutors. Apprentices know where to find careers advice about jobs at their employer and are aware of progression routes such as further apprenticeship training. Apprentices are well supported by staff to find new roles and apply for promotions.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Increase further the proportion of apprentices who achieve their qualifications within the planned timescales. 29 July to 1 August 2025

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Provider details

Address Straight A Training Limited Kenward House High Street Hartley Wintney Hook RG27 8NY

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Jayne Raftery

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 25 to 28 October 2016

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 29 July to 1 August 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

Jo-Ann Henderson, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Mark Hillman His Majesty’s Inspector Jon Bowman His Majesty’s Inspector Steve Lambert His Majesty’s Inspector Claudia Harrison His Majesty’s Inspector 29 July to 1 August 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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