Decision details

Amanda Melton, Interim Principal Lancashire Adult Learning College, attended and presented a report giving an update on the County Council's response to the Ofsted inspection of Lancashire Adult Learning.

A monitoring visit was carried out by a Further Education (FE) Advisor over the period 23/24 June 2015 to consider the progress that had been made in line with the FE Commissioner's recommendations.

The report from the FE Commissioner was set out at Appendix 'A' together with the covering letter from Nick Boles MP, Minister of State for Skills.

It was reported that the FE Commissioner had concluded that Lancashire Adult and Community Learning was being transformed, and the practical partnership between the local authority and the Board of Nelson and Colne College in introducing interim arrangements was to be applauded.

There was clear evidence of a changing culture. A strong Governing Body with appropriate experience and autonomy had been complemented by an equally strong Senior Leadership Team which has maintained an inexorable focus on quality improvement. It was hoped that these arrangements could translate into a permanent arrangement.

The FE Commissioner had recommended that in the light of the service's performance, the service should no longer be subject to a review by the FE Commissioner but included in the normal Skills Funding Agency monitoring procedures.

Ofsted carried out a third follow up re-inspection monitoring visit on 17^th March 2015. A copy of Ofsted's follow up re-inspection monitoring visit report was included at Appendix 'B'.

A further one day monitoring visit is expected in November carried out by a single HM Inspector where we would learn when a full re-inspection is likely to happen.

A further update report would be presented following the final OFSTED full inspection in spring 2016.

Resolved: - That the report now presented be noted.