Anthony Hopkins, Head of Library, Heritage & Adult Education Service, introduced the item highlighting that there has been a shift to a commissioning model in order to ensure the service is financially sustainable.  The new commissioning model has now been subject to inspection by Ofsted.  The inspection covers a two year period even though the new model has only been in place for a year.  The outcome of the inspection was a requires improvement judgement.  Despite this, the service is on an upward trajectory with work ongoing to secure further improvement.

In response to member questions, further clarification was provided:

·         All provision continues to be in venues within the borough;

·         Whilst the Ofsted inspection praised the community provision, the quality of teaching in particular at Merton College needs to improve;

·         It is a duty on the Council to implement the Prevent duty through its adult learning provision.  This is happening but needs to be developed further; the duty is weaved into courses and teaching;

·         If a student leaves a course before completion, whether funding will be affected will depend on the type of course.  For example, accredited learning is funded by attendance with a further payment if the student achieves their accreditation.  Currently, student retention is good;

·         The Ofsted judgement on outcomes might be considered harsh.  This was based on a decline in student results but there has been a national decline resulting from the introduction of new qualifications.  English and Mathematics GCSE results were highlighted as strengths.  There had been a decline in some ESOL and functional skills provision but this is now showing improvement;

·         There has been a change in the contractor for the provision of family learning and employability training as the former didn’t meet the requirements.  The new contractors are starting this month and have experience in provision to other authorities.  Therefore there is confidence in their abilities;

·         The Advisory Panel to provide independent input and scrutiny of the service is now meeting termly;

·         The Council was routinely overspending between £250-£500K per annum on the adult learning service.  Now the service is on budget representing a considerable cost saving with a small income being achieved through the service;

·         The service has undertaken a mock inspection and there is confidence that it is close to a good judgement; and

·         Unfortunately, inspectors weren’t able to attend all of the classroom based learning that had been scheduled for their visit.

RESOLVED: members recommended that the Panel look at the Prevent duty in adult learning as part of its work programme during the new municipal year.