COUNTY support workers responded “quickly” to the influx of families from Ukraine, Ofsted has said. 

The education regulator has praised the skills and learning service providing adult community education across Dorset as good, following a recent inspection.

The service, provided by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council, has been providing adult education since 2013 as a joint service, and separately for over 25 years.

Providing more than 300 courses to disadvantaged and special educational needs and disabled (SEND) adults, the joint service has more than 100 subject areas across 30 centres across the county. 

Inspectors looked at the quality of education provided, leadership, adult learning programmes, apprenticeships and the overall effectiveness of the service. 

At the time of the inspection, 3,204 adults were studying a wide range of programmes including English, mathematics, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), bookkeeping and counselling.

The report said: “Leaders and managers responded quickly to support the influx of Ukrainian families by providing additional community-based ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) programmes. 

“ESOL tutors provide individual training plans that take into account the starting points of learners.  

“In hairdressing, tutors begin teaching learners fundamental knowledge, such as how to work with a range of different hair types.  

“As a result, most learners make good progress in building on and deepening their knowledge over time. 

“However, a small minority of tutors do not teach a few key concepts early enough.” 

It said that most tutors are “well qualified and have high levels of subject-specific knowledge” and that the young adults make “good progress” in developing skill and knowledge. 

The service provides a number of courses, including English, maths and digital lessons to improve academic skills. 

However, the report said improvements need to be made in giving all learners developmental feedback as well as ensuring those aged between 16 and 18 know what options they have after the course. 

Cllr Richard Burton, portfolio holder for children and young people at BCP Council, said: “The service was inspected under a new education inspection framework which focuses on the skills and knowledge that learners have attained.  

“The report highlights the dedication and commitment of the team to provide the best outcomes for the young people and adults who learn with them. 

“I am delighted that this has been recognised by Ofsted.” 

Cllr Byron Quayle, portfolio holder for people, children, education, skills and early help at Dorset Council, added: “Congratulations to the skills and learning team for their good Ofsted inspection results, which recognises their dedication to providing quality education for both young people and adults.” 

 

 

 

 

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