Blue Sky shines as first apprenticeship provider judged ‘exceptional’ for inclusion

Blue Sky Assessing & Consultancy has become the first apprenticeship provider to be rated ‘exceptional’ for inclusion under Ofsted’s report card framework.

The independent training provider, now branded Diverse Futures, was awarded the top grade for the judgment area following a full inspection on 18 August, with inspectors saying its approach had a “sustained and transformational impact” on disadvantaged apprentices and those with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Ofsted said inclusion was “a defining feature” of the organisation, with staff using detailed onboarding, cognitive and skills assessments and ongoing coaching to identify apprentices’ starting points and barriers.

This information is then used to provide personalised support, which is regularly reviewed and adapted as apprentices become more confident and independent.

Inspectors found that apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities achieved at least as well as their peers and frequently achieved higher grades.

The provider also offers targeted coaching, specialist resources and workplace adjustments, with employers reporting that these interventions substantially improve apprentices’ confidence, resilience, communication and ability to take on greater responsibility.

Ofsted praised Blue Sky’s work-readiness programme, which draws on research and expertise in literacy, mental health and employment to tackle barriers to successful employment.

The provider also identifies care-experienced apprentices at onboarding and has staff with appropriate expertise to coordinate support when required.

Inspectors said Blue Sky goes beyond its own provision by sharing its inclusive approaches with employers, schools, charities and other organisations.

The provider received a ‘strong standard’ judgment for leadership and governance, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and participation and development.

Blue Sky had 211 apprentices at the time of inspection, with its largest programmes being level 4 associate project manager, level 2 customer service practitioner and level 3 HR support.

Its overall apprenticeship achievement rate was 86 per cent in 2024-25, compared with 65 per cent nationally.

The provider was acquired by its current owners in January 2025.

Ofsted said the new leadership team had substantially strengthened its strategic, governance and quality arrangements since then.

CEO Keith Conway said: “Diverse Futures is really proud of its staff, employer customers and other partners who have worked so hard to achieve outstandingly successful career starts for its apprentices.

“We are really pleased that Ofsted has judged our inclusive approach towards young people from diverse backgrounds – who often need special or additional needs support – with an unprecedented ‘exceptional’ standard and how this focus is not at the expense of our fantastic achievement rates.”

Ofsted said apprentices made “very good progress” from their starting points and achieved very well, with outcomes consistently strong across almost all programmes.

The report noted that many apprentices achieved distinctions, while those from disadvantaged backgrounds often performed particularly well.

Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which uses the five-point scale of exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention and urgent improvement, defines ‘exceptional’ as practice that is “among the very best nationally” and from which other providers can learn.

Only a handful of FE and skills providers have achieved the top grade so far for inclusion, including adult education provider Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association and employer provider BAE Systems.

Blue Sky was the first independent apprenticeship training provider to achieve the feat.

Another ITP – Crosby Aviation Training Limited – also received an ‘exceptional’ Ofsted grade today, this time for its curriculum and teaching of apprentices.