Virtual Learning UK has today announced it has achieved the top grades of ‘significant progress’ in all three themes of the Ofsted New Provider framework. This is the first time a new 16-19 provider has ever achieved the top grade in all three themes. The report has been published by Ofsted today (5th November 2021), based on an inspection carried out on 13th and 14th October 2021.
VLUK began a direct contract with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) in 2019 for 16-19 study programmes and this is the first time Ofsted has visited its campuses. The judgement recognises that VLUK is making ‘Significant Progress’ in; designing and delivering relevant education programmes; providing quality teaching and learning experiences; and keeping learners safe. Ofsted specifically recognised the work done by the VLUK Leadership, stating: “‘They have meticulously designed the curriculum so that learners swiftly develop the skills, knowledge and professional behaviours they need for higher education and employment”.
A New Provider Monitoring Visit (NPMV) is carried out by Ofsted within 3 years of a direct contract being awarded. It assesses the progress being made towards a full inspection.
In response to Theme 1, which investigates how much progress leaders and managers have made in designing and delivering relevant education programmes that have a clearly defined purpose, the ‘Significant Progress’ judgement states, “‘Leaders and managers use rigorous quality assurance systems to improve the quality” and “ They provide high-quality, individualised professional development for staff on topics such as successful questioning so that staff become better teachers”.
For theme 2, which looks at how much progress leaders and managers have made to ensure that learners benefit from high quality education programmes for young people that prepare them well for their intended job role, career aim and/or personal goals. In awarding a grade of ‘Significant Progress’, Ofsted noted; “‘Appropriately qualified and experienced staff provide high-quality teaching” and “Staff provide useful feedback that helps learners to understand their progress so that they know how to improve. As a result, all learners, including those with additional learning needs, make very good and often excellent progress”.
Theme 3 assesses how much progress leaders have made in ensuring that effective safeguarding arrangements are in place The grade of Significant Progress, concluded “The highly experienced and qualified designated safeguarding leads have developed a robust culture of safeguarding” and “The safeguarding team has introduced highly effective systems to identify, track and monitor learners who are or may be at risk. As such, they rapidly intervene and support vulnerable learners effectively”.
VLUK Chief Operating Officer, Dominic Anderson said: “I’m delighted at the result VLUK has achieved with this NPMV visit, and the clear strengths we have across all education programmes. Our success is down to the hard work of everyone at VLUK, alongside our unwavering commitment to our learners and their achievement. Everyone within the VLUK family is thrilled with the result. Our learners are at the core of everything that we do and we look forward to the future journey for VLUK and learners who continue to achieve and experience learning in the heart of the industry".
Virtual Learning UK (VLUK) is an independent Training Provider offering nationwide 16-19 study programmes and higher education in workplace settings, specialising in Sport and Performing Arts.