University of Leeds rated ‘good’ in Ofsted report

This past June, the Office for Standards in Education, Ofsted, compiled an inspection in which the University received the “good” mark on overall effectiveness. The university has been running levyfunded apprenticeships since 2017, through their Lifelong Learning Centre, which is the main reason Ofsted decided to run a report on their programmes for the first time. The report stated the institution gives its apprentices ‘significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours required for their roles’. It also mentioned the effectiveness of the ‘high-quality’ training provided in these programmes by leaders and managers, which results in a high proportion of apprentices achieving the qualifications they need to progress towards their end-point assessments. Furthermore, they benefit from their teachers’ professional and academic expertise in their specialised sectors. They carefully plan the curriculum, using a range of assessment strategies, to ensure that the apprentices get a full understanding of key concepts necessary to succeed in their workplaces. For instance, the report exemplifies it with a level 7 advanced clinical practitioner learning how to conduct a medical diagnosis prior to prescribing medication. The success of the apprenticeships also relies on the commitment of the ones taking them which is why, according to Ofsted, most of them develop very positive attitudes towards their learning and develop professional workplace behaviours. Therefore, they are more plausibly to achieve the high standard their teachers and employers expect of them. The apprentices commented they are proud to be part of the university community since it creates an environment that makes them feel ‘valued and safe’. For example, the apprentices in level 6 of digital and technology solutions benefit from guest speakers who cover topics such as sexual harrassmwnt in the workplace. This ensures they build positive relationships with the staff and their peers, and that they become aware that actions can contribute to sustain a culture that eradicates harassment. Another example is the mature students, who stated they feel ‘well supported’ and this enables them to develop the study skills, resilience and confidence needed to progress in their academic path. Although the government department mainly complimented the work being done within the programmes, specially the effectiveness of governance in monitoring the actions of leaders and managers who value the opportunity for improvement, and the effectiveness of safeguarding, it finalised the report pointing out four main points that need improvement in the apprenticeships:

- Ensuring that employers understand the work-life balance that apprentices have so they can complete their studies effectively.

- Ensuring that all aprendices are provided with clear feedback on what they have done well and what need to improve for a positive outcome

- Ensuring that both employers and apprentices have a clear understanding of the commitment needed to complete the apprenticeship

- Ensuring that staff, employers and apprentices engage in discussions during reviews to make the apprentices’ progress clear to themselves. Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, said: “Working with businesses and helping upskill their workforces is a key part of our work in the region and beyond. We have a close relationships with many diverse employers, and work together to design workplace-based education and training that helps meet business priorities. This Ofsted report recognises the hard work that goes into preparing and running our apprenticeships programmes, which equip apprentices with the skills needed for highlevel roles in their workplaces”. Optimiscally, with the recommendations taken into account the ‘good’ rating can turn into an ‘outstanding’ in a future Ofsted report.