Cumbrian training provider rated by Ofsted under new scheme

SP Training Managing Director, Tony Higgins

A Cumbrian training provider was one of the first in England to be inspected under the education watchdog’s new scheme.

System People Ltd, based in Carlisle, was one 19 providers chosen by Ofsted to be rated under the new education inspection framework.

Ofsted introduced the new system to give more information and said it would help raise standards.

Inspectors visited the firm, which provides apprenticeships and adult learning programmes within the education sector, in November and the report has just been published.

System People, which trades as SP Training and System People, was found to be meeting standards and its adult learning achievement was called exceptional by providers.

The report said: “Learners, including those with barriers to learning, achieve highly ambitious career goals in the logistics sector.

“They consistently make extensive progress from their starting points. Training has a transformational impact on learners’ future careers and employability prospects, and on their employers’ businesses.”

Tony Higgins, managing director, said: ‘While expectations are undoubtedly higher, we welcome the direction Ofsted is taking.

“High-quality education deserves clarity, consistency, and ambition. We were heartened to see how thoughtfully inspectors applied and contextualised the framework throughout the visit.”

Despite the pressures of being among the first to experience the new system, System People Ltd said it found the process to be collaborative, transparent, and constructive from start to finish.

Robert Brown, chairman, said: “Our aim is to deliver high-quality vocational training within the logistics and education sectors that enables learners to develop their skills, improve their knowledge and succeed in their chosen profession.

“We’re extremely proud of the feedback from the Ofsted inspectors, which celebrates the quality and talent of our experienced team.”