Listen to this story Members can listen to an AI-generated audio version of this article. 1.0x Audio narration uses an AI-generated voice. 0:00 0:00 Become a member to listen to this article Subscribe Poor attendance and low achievement on access to higher education courses have resulted in two ‘urgent improvement’ judgments for a subsidiary of major training provider network Learning Curve Group (LCG). Profound Services Limited, based in Durham and part of LCG since 2018, was handed Ofsted’s lowest rating for achievement and participation and development in adult learning programmes, in a report published today. It also received three ‘needs attention’ judgments, including for leadership and governance and inclusion, alongside three ‘expected standard’ ratings for apprenticeships delivery. Profound is led by Tracey Fletcher-Ray, who became LCG’s chief executive in May following the departure of the group’s high-profile leader Brenda McLeish. At the time of Profound’s last Ofsted inspection in 2022, the provider was judged to be ‘good’ overall, while adult learning programmes were considered ‘outstanding’. Ofsted’s report noted that many leaders at the provider are “very new to the organisation or recently promoted”. Alongside a newly appointed governance board, they “generally understand the quality of their provision, particularly regarding apprenticeships”. However, inspectors criticised leaders for failing to “accurately identify several weaknesses” in access to higher education programmes, such as low attendance, low participation in learning and poor assessment of learners’ gaps in knowledge. Profound had 112 adult learners studying for access to higher education diplomas at the time of its inspection in September. It holds a £328,119 advanced learner loans facility with the Department for Education. The provider recorded an overall adult learning achievement rate of 57 per cent in 2024-25, compared to the national average of 87 per cent. Ofsted’s report said achievement on higher education diploma courses had remained “consistently very low and shows no sign of improvement”. Achievement rates for learners with a declared learning need were also “significantly lower than those without”, inspectors said. Learners who complete the diploma gain the grades needed to attend university. But despite this, a “significant proportion” of these learners do not progress to university. Many adult learners at Profound are returning to education after long periods of time. But inspectors found that leaders do not consistently identify or address barriers to learning, including for learners who speak English as an additional language, lack level 2 qualifications in English or maths, or have demanding personal circumstances such as caring responsibilities. The few learners who need to gain formal qualifications in English and maths alongside their higher education diplomas are not supported “well enough to achieve these”. Inspectors said this “too often” prevents them from securing university places. Low attendance drives poor achievement Leaders and teachers were criticised for not requiring learners to attend their classes. Adult learners are “not prepared well” for attending university or entering employment in sectors such as health or teaching because they miss taught sessions, do not catch up with their work, and miss out on opportunities to share experiences and develop additional knowledge and skills alongside their peers. Profound’s main area of delivery is apprenticeships. The provider currently trains 464 apprentices across a range of standards within the care, housing, logistics and digital sectors. Although Profound’s overall apprenticeship achievement rate was 44 per cent for 2024-25, compared with a national average of 65 per cent, Ofsted praised the quality of this delivery and said the proportion of apprentices who stay and complete their apprenticeships on time is increasing. A spokesperson for Learning Curve Group said: “We take Ofsted’s findings extremely seriously, and an improvement plan is already in place to address this specific area of our wider provision. “We also welcome Ofsted’s positive assessment of Profound’s apprenticeship provision and confirmation that safeguarding standards are met.” FE Week has asked the DfE whether it plans to take any action against Profound following Ofsted’s judgment. The department typically terminates a provider’s contract following ‘urgent improvement’ ratings for apprenticeship delivery.