Ofsted praises adult education
Tuesday August 24, 2010
Adult education in Hammersmith & Fulham has been given a Grade 2 ‘good’ rating in its latest Ofsted inspection.
The Adult Learning and Skills Service, which provides courses from the Macbeth Centre in Macbeth Street, Hammersmith, along with another 21 schools and community venues across the borough, was inspected at the end of June, and given a glowing report, with many areas hitting the highest grade of ‘outstanding’.
The centres provide hundreds of various courses to 8,664 part-time adult learners of all ages, but also provide courses for some 14-19-year-olds.
In his report, lead inspector Harmesh Manghra, praised the locally based facilities, saying: “The range of provision is excellent. The classes engage learners onto programmes in their neighbourhood and inspire them to continue into lifelong learning. Learners benefit from excellent specialist facilities and a good range of adaptive equipment and in-class support.”
He also picked out the Agewell programmes, language classes and dance groups for people with learning disabilities as particular success stories. The tutors and teaching staff were also told they were ‘highly experienced and qualified’ and ‘work extremely productively as a team to provide an inspiring learning experience’ with ‘several outstanding lessons’.
In fact, during staff feedback, Mr Manghra said that H&F was the best local authority adult learning service he had inspected for some considerable time.
Adult education results have consistently improved in H&F, going from strength to strength, with this year’s pass rate reaching 88 per cent.
Cllr Joe Carlebach, cabinet member for community care, said: “This is an excellent result for everyone involved in adult and lifelong learning in Hammersmith & Fulham. There is always room for improvement however and we will strive to become even better in the future, and encourage more adult learners to continue their education, whatever their age or background.”
Keren Simoneli studied at the Macbeth Centre after deciding to become a teacher, to get her maths GCSE, which she passed. She continued studying, taking up the European Computer Driving Licence, which helped improve her IT skills and begins training as a primary school teacher next month, at Roehampton University.
She said: “I found the courses extremely beneficial and also convenient, which as a parent, is essential. The course has been invaluable to me, as I believe I would not have gained a university place without the learning and experience I got.”
If you are interested in gaining qualifications, improving your skills and building confidence, visit www.hfals.co.uk or call the enrolment line on 0845 8397912.
