Learning and skills progress

PRISE BY OFSTED INSPECTORS

Ofsted inspectors have noted ‘significant progress’ in family, adult and community learning and apprenticeships in Sunderland.

Last month, education watchdogs carried out their final monitoring inspection of Sunderland City Council’s provision of further education and skills training.

The service was previously labelled ‘inadequate’ overall following an inspection in 2018.

At the time, a report highlighted concerns around apprenticeships, leadership and management and the lack of staff training in disand cussing the risks of extremism and radicalisation with learners.

However, the service retained the majority of its apprentices after discussions with employers and has shown progress in two subsequent Ofsted visits.

Following a third visit last month, inspectors noted“significant progress’ in four out of the six areas examined.

This includes actions and extra training for subcontractors around identifying radicalisation and extremism and a new policy around staying safe online.

Praise also came for new systems for reporting safeguarding concerns, the ability of council leaders to hold service managers to account the way performance is monitored.

The report, published on February 26, said: “The portfolio holder (for children learning and skills) and her deputy have developed a good understanding of the strengths and areas for further development of the provision since they took up their posts at the last council elections.

“They have used their knowledge of the council’s strategic priorities and the economic needs of the area to inform the commissioning process of the new subcontracted providers of adult and community learning. As a result, there is a greater emphasis on developing the skills of local residents.”