Ofsted seal of approval for BPN programmes Inspectors gave their seal of approval to Best Practice Network programmes after two in-depth inspections. An Ofsted inspection team visited BPN’s headquarters in May for a lead provider monitoring visit – the first since BPN started to deliver the ECF and the new-look NPQ programmes. And in September an Ofsted inspection team looked at early years apprenticeship programmes. The inspection team’s spring report praised the leadership of the programmes, highlighting a range of positive features.
These included: Ҍ Effective systems have been established
for managing the delivery of the NPQ and ECF programmes and leaders are “highly responsive” to the needs of participants. They added: “Leaders have established strong relationships with delivery partners to ensure consistency of delivery and the speedy resolution of any issues. They check regularly that facilitators are well trained to deliver the respective programmes.”
Ҍ Self-evaluation is effective, drawing on a
breadth of information about the delivery of the programme, including the views of participants. “This information is analysed and informs leaders’ continual evaluation of the programmes and enables them to adapt and improve,” the report adds.
Ҍ Governance continued to be strengthened, the
report notes. This includes an advocacy board where delivery partners can raise concerns and share their views about the programmes.
Ҍ Leaders are highly responsive to stakeholder
BPN’s leaders and managers have made “significant” progress in ensuring that apprentices benefit from high-quality training that leads to positive outcomes.
3 | Best Practice Network
feedback, with the result that programme delivery is continually revised to reduce unnecessary workload.
Ҍ The report highlighted the importance placed on equalities and inclusion in NPQ and ECF programmes.
