Adult learners across County Durham are receiving a good standard of education, a recent inspection has found. Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service, which works with voluntary organisations, employers and public health to deliver training for people to change their lives for the better, was rated Good by Ofsted following a short visit.
Key findings of the inspection include:
• Senior managers have responded successfully to a series of changes to the service
• The portfolio holder and senior leaders demonstrate strong support for the service in its work to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of the most economically disadvantaged and vulnerable residents in the county
• Staff and senior managers are honest and self-critical about the strengths and weaknesses of the provision
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective and learners and apprentices are safe
• The quality of teaching, learning and assessment has improved since the previous inspection
• Highly qualified staff provide effective and impartial advice and guidance to learners prior to their enrolment, meaning the proportion of those who complete their courses is very high.
Inspectors also highlighted the external partnership board, which has been set up to provide greater scrutiny, and the strong performance of sub-contractors as examples of good practice.
Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the great work of our Adult Learning and Skills Service, which gives people the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives by gaining new skills and qualifications.
“Both those who learn with us as well as the staff who support them should be proud of this achievement, which is a result of their continued hard work and passion over the last three years.”
