Learners, officer, and councillors are celebrating the news that North Tyneside Council’s adult learner service has maintained its ‘good’ provider status following it’s latest Ofsted visit.
‘Well-planned and implemented programmes that interest learners and stimulate a love of learning’. That’s the feedback from Ofsted inspectors published in a report today 27 July 2023.
With four ‘good’ and four ‘outstanding’ gradings, North Tyneside’s adult learning service has cemented its place as a brilliant place for adults in the borough to access training and learning.
The inspectors completed an in-depth inspection of the service over four days in June, speaking to learners and apprentices, observing teaching, and learning and speaking to managers and partners of the service.
The glowing report outlines how learners feel ‘very welcome, safe and secure’ while attending classes, workshops, and placements and that they make ‘very rapid progress from their starting points’ which instils an enthusiasm about their next steps.
The Adult Learning Service is open to all adults in North Tyneside to access learning opportunities, from distance learning courses and week-long specialist courses through to year-long workplace placements and qualifications.
It’s ‘get into’ employability courses, which include education, social care, welding and much more, is praised as an ‘effectively established working partnership which helps employers recruit into roles that may be hard to fill.
Tutors across the service were praised too for their use of ‘innovation teaching and assessment strategies’ to keep learners engaged in the programmes and inspectors described them as ‘well qualified to teach in their subject specialisms’.
Cllr Steven Phillips, Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Employment and Skills at North Tyneside Council, said: “Going under the microscope for an Ofsted inspection can be intimidating, but I’m absolutely delighted that the inspectors had the opportunity to see first hand the fantastic offer we have in North Tyneside for our adult learners.
“From employment events through to gaining qualifications, there’s so much going on in our borough to ensure everyone has the opportunity to gain new skills and have a career they’re proud of and that shines through in this report.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the inspection including our brilliant learners and our dedicated Employment and Skills Team who work hard every day to create and deliver these opportunities for our residents.”
North Tyneside’s Adult Learning Service offers a huge range of courses and opportunities all designed to help residents get back into work, learn something new or upskill themselves. New courses were recently added for 2023-24, you can find out more here.
The full report can be found here.