Carlisle College has been rated by inspectors as good overall – but its apprenticeships require improvement.
Ofsted inspectors visited the college, which is part of the NCG group, in January.
NCG is one of the largest providers of further education in England and is made up of seven colleges, including Carlisle College. The inspection was for the whole of the group.
Inspectors said: “Across all colleges in the group, most learners on education programmes for young people, adult learning programmes and provision for learners with high needs achieve their qualifications and progress onto higher education, further training or employment.
“Most learners are highly motivated to learn and to develop their skills and knowledge. They work diligently in and outside the classroom.
“Learners and apprentices benefit from being taught in modern facilities with up-to-date technical equipment that meets industry standards. Construction and engineering learners at Carlisle College enjoy the state-of-the art resources available to them in the newly opened advanced manufacturing centre.”
However, it added: “On too many apprenticeship programmes, particularly across the large construction programmes at Newcastle College, West Lancashire College and Carlisle College, skills trainers do not plan learning based on the starting points of apprentices.
“They do not take sufficient account of what apprentices can and cannot do before setting them tasks. As a result, too often, apprentices do not develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours.
“Skills trainers do not involve employers enough in the planning of activities on these apprenticeship programmes. Consequently, employers do not understand what tasks they should set apprentices at work to improve the development of apprentices’ skills.
“Managers of some apprenticeship programmes, such as at Carlisle College, do not have sufficient oversight over the progress that apprentices make in the development of their knowledge, skills and behaviours. Not enough apprentices receive advice on the next steps they can take in their careers or further training.”
To improve, inspectors said, the group needs to identify the starting points of apprentices more accurately, develop more effective links with employers, use more rigorous scrutiny of apprentices’ progress, provide all apprentices with opportunity to receive careers advice, ensure that all teachers and learning support assistants have secure knowledge in the subjects they teach and in which they provide support and increase the attendance of learners at English and maths lessons.
Sarah McGrath, Carlisle College principal, said: “After four years of hard work, it is fantastic to know that we have been able to drive such positive change and improvement amidst a lot of change and many unforeseen challenges, including a pandemic.
“I am personally extremely proud to be the principal of such a fantastic college. We can now build on this success and continue our journey as we strive for excellence in all that we do.”
