Ofsted watch: Two grade crash to inadequate for independent training providers

Two of the three independent training provider full inspection reports published this week have resulted in a two grade crash to inadequate.

And two other providers have lost their outstanding rating in another less-than-positive week for the FE and skills sector.

Just one of the 11 full reports published between January 14 and 20, based on inspections carried out late 2016, resulted in a higher grade – while five stayed the same and five went down at least one grade.

But after last week’s bad start, general FE colleges have had a breather as no inspection reports have been published this week.

Ineffective safeguarding and poor achievement rates were among the issues that led to Bradford-based Bowling College plummeting from grade two to four in a report published today.

Meanwhile, poor teaching, learning and assessment were among the concerns leading to Sheffield-based SYTG’s two grade tumble to inadequate in a report published January 19.

City Lit, a community-based learning provider in central London, swapped its grade one – which it had held since 2011 – for a grade two overall in a report published January 19.

And employer provider British Telecommunications also lost the grade one it had held since 2012, as it was rated good in a report also published January 19.

This week saw the publication of three sixth form college reports – including the only inspection to result in a higher grade.

Leaders at Strode’s College in Surrey were found to have “pursued improvement with energy”, leading to a one grade rise from three to two in a report published January 17.

New College Telford retained its grade three rating, while East Norfolk Sixth Form college held on to its grade two.

Also maintaining the same grade this week were adult and community learning providers Adult College of Barking and Dagenham and North East Lincolnshire Council, with grade two and grade three respectively, and independent provider The Virtual College, with a grade three.

Meanwhile, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council slipped one grade from two to three.

And Chiltern Training Ltd was the only short inspection published this week – meaning it remains a grade two.