College gets apprenticeship ban after Ofsted report

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College gets apprenticeship ban after Ofsted report

Postby dutchman » Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:43 pm

A college has been forced to stop offering new apprenticeships after a critical Ofsted report

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Coventry College was rated as requires improvement overall, following an inspection in November.

The principal Carole Thomas said the Ofsted report had been "really disappointing", but she believed progress had been made in the two years she had been in charge.

She said apprenticeships accounted for about 4% of its total courses.

The Ofsted inspectors said leaders and managers had "not developed a curriculum that meets apprentices' individual needs" and teachers did not plan effectively, or coordinate with employers.

They also said teachers and assessors had not put in place a challenging or ambitious curriculum and rated the apprenticeship provision as inadequate.

In other parts of the college, there was also criticism of the feedback from teachers, which the report said was inconsistent, they said appropriate targets were not set for learners with high needs and there was too much inconsistency in the quality of teaching.

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Re: College gets apprenticeship ban after Ofsted report

Postby dutchman » Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:39 pm

Apprentices to train at colleges miles away after Coventry College blow

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More than 100 apprentices in Coventry will have to continue their training at colleges miles away from the city under new plans. Coventry College intends to move its apprenticeship provision to WCG, a group with colleges in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, it was announced today (1 March.)

The college was banned from providing new apprenticeships due to an 'Inadequate' rating by Ofsted in January. And it has now been announced that apprentices in the city would continue their training elsewhere as a result of the transfer.

But the closest of WCG's colleges is in Leamington Spa, almost 10 miles from Coventry and 40 minutes by train and bus.

Around 150 apprentices will be affected by the change, which is subject to approval by employers. The move means their assessment and training will be provided by WCG.

Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: "For apprentices it will mean they are able to continue their training locally with minimal disruption. For the employers we look forward to supporting their workforce needs through the existing, and hopefully future apprentices.

"We will be contacting employers to discuss transferring their apprentices to WCG in due course."

Ms Joyce also said the group are "pleased" to be supporting the college and the move will have wider benefits. She said: "We are pleased to be supporting Coventry College, employers and apprentices in the region by transferring delivery of the college’s apprenticeship provision to WCG.

"We have an existing collaboration with Coventry College and aim to continue to work together in the best interests of the Coventry and Warwickshire region.

"Apprenticeships are crucial in developing skilled individuals that can support our region’s economy and by working with Coventry College we are able to retain the economic benefits of over 100 apprentices here in Coventry and Warwickshire."

A WCG spokesman added: "Apprentices who move over to WCG as a result of the agreement would be trained primarily at Rugby College or Royal Leamington Spa College. Apprentices are not expected to need to travel to Evesham College or Pershore College as WCG has the resources to deliver training for the apprentices at its Warwickshire colleges.

Employers will have the opportunity to send students to Moreton Morrell College or Warwick Trident College, but that will only occur on the request of an employer. "Royal Leamington Spa College and Rugby College are both easily accessible to Coventry residents, with strong public transport links including bus routes and then both towns being accessible by rail in under 15 minutes."

Carol Thomas, Principal and CEO of Coventry College, said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for apprentices "to become part of an extensive, well established apprenticeship provider where they can benefit from working with a large apprenticeship delivery team and extended resources".

She added: "We have an existing excellent working relationship with WCG and already have a shared adult learning prospectus along with our other local partner colleges in the Coventry and Warwickshire region."

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Re: College gets apprenticeship ban after Ofsted report

Postby dutchman » Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:47 pm

Staff have 'no confidence' in Coventry college leaders after apprenticeships blow

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A number of staff at Coventry college say they have 'no confidence' in its leaders after a critical Ofsted report saw the college banned from taking on new apprentices.

UCU union members at the college claim it failed to act on 'red flags' regarding its apprenticeship provision before the inspection.

They claim staff morale is at an "all time low" with dozens having left or set to leave the college this year.

Union members are also concerned about possible damage to the college's reputation as a result of the January Ofsted report.

Inspectors graded the college 'Requires Improvement' overall and 'Inadequate' for apprenticeships.

Earlier this month, the college announced that around 150 apprentices are set to move to Warwickshire College Group (WCG) to finish their programmes.

A letter sent by the college's UCU branch to governors this week states the membership "no longer have confidence in the Chair of Governors or the College Principal."

This is "specifically because there was adequate time to avoid the reputational damage now suffered by the college," the letter says.

The vast majority of branch members backed the union's no confidence vote, sources told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Principal Carol Thomas and Chair of Governors Adam Boddison have been given until 5pm on 20 March to respond to the vote.

Some college staff believe the loss of apprenticeships could have been averted if this area had been managed better over the past two years.

The UCU letter said: "It is the view of UCU members that ‘red flags’ were ignored by managers, indeed there were significant failings.

"Experienced, long serving staff left. Apprenticeships, particularly in construction suffered neglect and reported issues were ignored/unresolved."

An anonymous member of staff told the LDRS: "During this time the college has lost PSV, Hospitality and Catering, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Engineering, Nursery and other great facilities.

"Sadly, management and staff have tried to highlight their concerns over the provision but unfortunately, concerns have never been addressed."

The source was critical of the decision to move apprentices to WCG, describing it as "ill-thought out" and saying it has left staff "extremely saddened."

"Members of staff are concerned and asking themselves what is next?" the source said.

"As you can well imagine staff morale and mental health and well-being are all being affected with the current concern."

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