Ofsted Rate the County’s Learning Service ‘Good’

Following an Ofsted Inspection in October 2017, Inspire Learning has been rated a GOOD provider for the provision they deliver on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. The full report can be downloaded here.

Inspire Learning was formed in May 2015 following a merger of the Adult and Community Learning Service and the Skills for Employment Service. Since April 2016, Inspire Learning joined the rest of Inspire to form a new not for profit charitable organisation that was established to deliver culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. 

The service delivers a range of vocational Study Programmes to young people aged between 16 and 18 years and community learning for adults over 19 years of age across Nottinghamshire.

The four-day inspection was undertaken between 16- 19 October 2017 by five inspectors. Ofsted inspections rate provision as: Grade 1 – “Outstanding”; Grade 2 – “Good”; Grade 3 – “Requires Improvement”; and Grade 4 “Inadequate”.  The Service was last inspected in May 2015, and previous to that in November 2012 and was on both these earlier occasions was judged to be a ‘Good’ service.

The inspection recognised that the service makes a valuable contribution to learners, who progress well and have excellent opportunities for work experience and extra-curricular activities. Learners who require extra help receive additional support to achieve at the same level as other learners.   Leaders and managers were recognised for the range and location of courses offered and quality assurance arrangements. The report identified some areas for improvement such as increasing learners’ attendance and retention.

The lead inspector during the feedback meeting to staff commented, “Some areas of the provision are outstanding – there is really good provision out there and the learners are getting a good deal.”

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of Communities and Place Committee, Nottinghamshire County Council commented;   

‘I’m thrilled that the inspection team have judged the learning service as good. I have spent time talking to learners and seeing the work they produce. The positive impact our courses can have on people’s confidence and prospects for further training, volunteering and work. This service makes a real contribution to the wellbeing and future prosperity of our county.’

Peter Gaw, Inspire’s Chief Executive added;

“We are delighted that yet again our service has been recognised as good, against a more demanding inspection framework and in particular that Ofsted identified that provision has been strengthened since the creation of Inspire in April 2016. We will continue to work on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council to further strengthen the quality of learning and skills across the county.”