Learners, staff and governors are celebrating as Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Adult and Community Learning (post 16) team is rated ‘Good’ in its recent Ofsted inspection.
The Adult and Community Learning (post 16) service, which offers language and numeracy training and vocational courses offering a direct route to employment opportunities, was inspected by Ofsted between 4 and 6 July 2023.
The inspection found that services for adult learners, apprentices and learners aged 16-18 following traineeships had improved substantially since it was last rated as ‘Requires improvement’ in 2021.
Learners and apprentices were found to enjoy their learning, having a ‘positive attitude to education and being ‘ambitious for their futures’. Through the service, individuals are also offered the opportunity to address social isolation issues and improve their mental health and wellbeing
The inspection assessed a number of areas across the whole service including the quality of education; behaviours and attitudes; personal development; educational programmes for young people and adult learning programmes – with the service rated ‘good’ across all areas.
The report says: “Senior leaders articulate a clear rationale for the curriculums they offer. They demonstrate a detailed understanding of the needs of the areas they serve and have tailored their offer to target specific courses.”
This good news comes as the city council’s Virtual School has been shortlisted for a Children & Young People Now Award in the Children in Care category.
Being shortlisted for these awards is the gold standard for everyone working with children, young people and families. The winners will be announced at the ceremony in London in November.
Since spring 2022 the Virtual School has been operating an enhanced universal service offer for all children aged 2 to 18 in care, whether they are placed in Stoke-on-Trent or elsewhere. The Virtual School supports children in care and those previously in care to do as well as they possibly can in their education. It offers information and advice to parents, carers and schools for children previously in care who attend schools in the city.
Cllr Jane Ashworth, leader of the city council said: “It’s great to see how much progress Adult and Community Learning has made since the last Ofsted inspection. With our ‘Good’ rating and the Virtual School being shortlisted for an award it just goes to show the excellent standard of education and support from the city council.
“We’ve got a strong team that is already delivering for people across the city and we’re determined to continue this improvement across all areas of education.”
Cllr David Williams, cabinet member for communities, education and safety said: “Congratulations to both our Adult and Community Learning (post 16) and Virtual School teams on their recent successes.
“Being shortlisted for the Children & Young People Now Awards is a fantastic achievement. Good luck to the Virtual School for the awards in November.
“I’m also thrilled that our Adult and Community Learning (post 16) team have been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. This represents a great improvement from the last inspection and I’d like to thank all the staff and governors for all their hard work.
“We will, of course, always continue to strive to be even better and will be taking on board the feedback from Ofsted about areas where can improve further.”
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