OFSTED HAS returned to a Harlow-based training provider following a “requires improvement” inspection last year.

DRL Services Limited (DRL) based at Horsescroft Road, was inspected in September 2023. At that time,
inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of the provision to require improvement.

The focus of this monitoring visit was to evaluate the progress that leaders and
managers have made in resolving the main areas for improvement identified at the
previous inspection.

DRL is an independent training provider based in Essex. It started providing
apprenticeships in March 2021. At the time of the inspection, there were 38
apprentices. All apprentices are adults. Currently, 26 study the level 3 content
creator and 12 study the level 3 teaching assistant apprenticeship standards. There
were eight apprentices studying English and mathematics functional skills
qualifications.

The report stated:

What progress have leaders and managers made to ensure that apprentices remain in
learning and complete their apprenticeship within planned timescales?

Reasonable progress

Managers have improved their recruitment and induction processes to ensure that
employers and apprentices are clear on the expectations of the apprenticeship. The
new apprenticeship manager meets with employers and apprentices to thoroughly
discuss the apprentices’ job role, qualifications and experience to determine their
suitability for the course. As a result, apprentices are recruited with integrity and are
clear on the requirements of the apprenticeship. Apprentices are committed to their
studies and most are being retained on their courses.

Leaders and managers have recently started to use new systems to monitor
apprentices’ progress and attendance on their courses. They use this information
well to implement appropriate support plans to help apprentices with their studies.

This has significantly reduced the number of apprentices that have passed their end
dates. Most apprentices are well prepared to complete their final assessments.

What progress have leaders and managers made to assess tutors’ teaching skills and
provide training for tutors to further develop their teaching skills?

Reasonable progress

Since the previous inspection, leaders have increased their focus on developing
tutors’ teaching skills. Managers have implemented a new observation process that
carefully reviews tutors’ teaching approaches and the activities they use to check
apprentices’ understanding. Managers are now able to provide precise feedback to
tutors on their teaching practice. Tutors are now aware of how they can improve the
quality of their teaching sessions.

Managers use information from lesson observations effectively to provide targeted
training to support tutors to develop effective teaching skills. Tutors have a suitable
individualised professional development training plan in place that clearly links to the
manager’s observation reports. Tutors are set appropriate targets to improve their
teaching practice. They undertake peer observations, complete teaching
qualifications and complete online courses on teaching and learning pedagogy.

How much progress have leaders and managers made to improve the quality of feedback tutors
give to apprentices on their written work?

Reasonable progress

Managers carry out thorough quality assurance checks on the quality of feedback
provided to apprentices on their written work. They work closely with tutors to
ensure they provide apprentices with constructive developmental feedback on their
written work. They set clear expectations on the quality of feedback and how to
support apprentices to achieve high grades. Most apprentices benefit from helpful
feedback detailing what they have done well and what they need to improve. As a
result, most apprentices’ written work is at the right standard and improves over
time.

How much progress have leaders made to implement effective governance arrangements?

Reasonable progress

Leaders have established effective governance arrangements. Governors have the
appropriate experience and skills to support leaders to improve. They have a good
understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement within the curriculum.

Following the previous inspection, leaders quickly introduced more frequent and
purposeful formal meetings with governors to review the progress that they are
making in their action plan. Within these meetings, leaders provide governors with
up-to-date key performance information such as retention, progress and
achievement of apprentices. Governors use this information well to support and
challenge leaders to further improve the curriculum.

For more information, click here

https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50253432