Ofsted inspection finds council skills and lifelong learning service continues to be ‘good’

An Ofsted inspection of Cheshire East Council’s skills and lifelong learning has found it continues to maintain a ‘good’ service according to a report published on Monday 4th November.

The service, which offers language and numeracy training and vocational courses offering a direct route to employment opportunities, was inspected between Wednesday, October 2 to Thursday, October 3, 2024. 

The council who subcontracts the service through six learning providers; Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre (CHAWREC), Cheshire Learning Partnership, Create and Develop Career Solutions, East Cheshire Training Speaking Up, Speaking Out (SUSO) and The Skills Network, offers a range of daytime and evening courses across venues within the borough. 

Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements, including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners’ work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider’s documentation and records – all of which they considered to be ‘good.’ 

The report acknowledges learners' study on courses to help them move closer to the job market or to help them to become active members of their local communities, and tutors care about their learners and want them to do well. 

Councillor Carol Bulman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said:

“It’s really pleasing to receive a ‘good’ rating in this inspection, and I was delighted to hear such positive feedback from inspectors in so many areas.

“I hope that adult learners across Cheshire East will make the best of the opportunity to gain more skills. Using our good teaching and learning experience will be invaluable in helping them to obtain their jobs of choice. 

“We have already taken action to start addressing Ofsted’s recent feedback to benefit our learners and we will also be looking at those aspects of the service that Ofsted inspectors found to be ‘good’ to plan how we can make them ‘outstanding’.”