Compass Skills Training Limited

At the most recent full inspection, the following areas were identified as needing to improve:

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 Provide developmental feedback to apprentices so that they know how to improve their work.  Make sure apprentices and their employers understand the requirements of the final assessment earlier in the apprenticeship.  Increase the number of apprentices who remain in learning and achieve their apprenticeship.

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During the monitoring inspection, inspectors focused on the following themes:

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(Curriculum, teaching and training)

Immediately following the previous inspection, leaders focused on urgent business needs such as recruiting new tutors and the relocation of their business offices. Since January 2026, leaders have refocused their attention on their priority improvement areas.

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(Curriculum, teaching and training)

Leaders have designed and very recently delivered staff training on providing high-quality feedback to apprentices. This included information on how theoretical feedback models, such as Hattie and Timperley, can improve the quality of feedback that apprentices receive. Training also included coaching models for apprentices with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, while leaders have imminent plans in place, they have not yet implemented quality assurance activities to gain an oversight of the impact of this training.

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(Curriculum, teaching and training)

Apprentices broadly benefit from useful feedback that helps them to improve their work. Where feedback is effective, tutors celebrate what the apprentice has done well and make useful and specific suggestions on how they can improve their work. For example, apprentices use the feedback that they receive to add further detail to their health surveillance reports by including workplace examples, such as the risks associated with using vibrating tools and having annual respiratory assessments when working in dusty Compass Skills Training Limited Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Euxton Lane, Chorley PR7 1PS

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report:

4 and 5 February 2026 Monitoring inspection report: Compass Skills Training Limited 4 and 5 February 2026

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environments. However, tutors’ feedback on apprentices’ written work is not consistently helpful.

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apprenticeship? (Curriculum, teaching and training)

Leaders have improved the timeliness of the information that they provide to apprentices and employers for their final assessments. Most apprentices and employers have a clear understanding of the content and grading of the final assessments from the beginning of the apprenticeship. This information is revisited frequently at apprentices’ progress reviews. Employers are provided with an information document on their apprentices’ final assessment, and leaders have imminent plans to develop electronic resources to support this further.

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apprenticeship? (Curriculum, teaching and training)

Tutors have introduced new assessment methods to align with apprentices’ final assessments. They use flipped learning and incorporate presentations and multi-choice questions earlier in the curriculums, which provide increased opportunities for apprentices to prepare and practise for their final assessments. This contributes to enabling over half of apprentices achieving distinction grades.

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apprenticeship? (Curriculum, teaching and training)

Apprentices value the support that they receive from staff. They attend one-to-one sessions with the recently appointed apprentice support officer to discuss and plan their final assessments. Apprentices learn to participate in professional discussions, write reports, plan project proposals and deliver presentations to a group. Most apprentices feel well prepared for their final assessments and have targets to achieve distinction grades.

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(Achievement)

Leaders rightly acknowledge that achievement rates remain too low. The improvements that they have implemented have started to have a positive impact. Retention and achievement are beginning to increase. However, it is too early to see the full impact of these improvements.

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(Achievement)

Since the previous inspection, leaders have improved the initial advice, guidance and induction information for apprentices. They have implemented more stringent screening with employers about apprentices’ eligibility for training to ensure that apprentices are on the correct apprenticeship. Consequently, only a very small number of apprentices have left their apprenticeship since the previous inspection.

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(Achievement)

Leaders have ceased recruiting to the subcontracted provision since the previous inspection. They now only collaborate with one subcontractor for the remaining level 7 risk and safety management apprentices. Monitoring inspection report: Compass Skills Training Limited 4 and 5 February 2026

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Additional next steps

Leaders should continue to work to deal with the areas identified as needing improvement in the full inspection report.

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About this inspection

This is the first monitoring inspection following publication of the inspection report on 28 August 2025 which found the provider to be requires improvement overall.

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About this inspection

The provider’s previous full inspection was carried out under the Education Inspection Framework (EIF) at that time. The renewed EIF took effect from 10 November 2025. The areas for improvement identified at the provider’s full inspection have been cross- referenced to relevant evaluation areas in the inspection toolkit for consideration on this monitoring inspection.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this monitoring inspection was not to determine grades for any of the evaluation areas set out in the further education and skills inspection toolkit. The purpose was to identify and report on the provider’s progress in dealing with the areas identified as needing to improve since the provider’s previous inspection.

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About this inspection

Compass Skills Training Limited is an independent learning provider based in Chorley, Lancashire. At the time of inspection, there were 89 apprentices enrolled on 6 apprenticeships in risk and health and safety compliance. There were 50 apprentices at level 3, 29 at level 7, 9 at level 4, and fewer than 5 at level 6. Apprentices are based nationally, and almost all are aged 19 and over. All teaching is delivered online.

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About this inspection

The provider works with one subcontractor. Heriot-Watt University teach the master’s degree as part of the level 7 risk and safety management professional apprenticeship.

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inspection

Monitoring inspection report: Compass Skills Training Limited 4 and 5 February 2026

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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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