Ofsted Watch: Difficult week for FE as providers hit with low grades | FE Week

FE has faced a difficult week in Ofsted inspections as three providers were hit with ‘inadequate’ ratings, notes Pippa Allen-Kinross, Senior Reporter at FE Week.

Photo: FE Week

Three others were graded as ‘requires improvement’ in a week which saw 15 inspection reports published for FE and skills providers.

Norfolk’s Easton and Otley College was hit with its second grade four rating in a row in a report published on November 12, which raised concerns about poor quality study programmes and adult education courses and low completion rates on both.  

More than a quarter of students on study programmes and adult learning programmes, which together make up a large majority of the college’s provision, do not achieve their qualifications,” the report said.

Two independent learning providers also received ‘inadequate’ grades this week. Inspectors found that the 500 learners at the Harrow-based Academy Training Group had received “no teaching” and some were “not aware” they had taken out an advanced learner loan...

Bolton’s Focus Training was criticised for having too many learners leave their course early and too few achieve their qualifications.
Focus Training’s courses consist of distance learning via an online learning platform and planned telephone support tuition sessions. However, inspectors said leaders had not “been swift enough to improve the quality of the telephone support tutorials” and said tutors “do not provide effective telephone support”.
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Source: FE Week