Ofsted report highlights weaknesses at Derby centre
Inspectors have told a Derby-based independent learning provider that several aspects of its provision "need attention", in a report published this month. The inspection of Workpays Limited – which has branches elsewhere in the country and was established in 2010 – was carried out at the Babington Lane facility in June.
The report criticised leadership and governance, inclusion, achievement and participation, and found shortcomings in teaching on adult learning courses. Inspectors spoke with leaders, managers, adult learning tutors, apprenticeship training and development coaches, learners and apprentices as part of their visit.
"Too many learners on vocational courses do not develop the intended knowledge, skills and behaviours. Many cannot securely recall what they have learned and do not consistently develop the English skills that they need to succeed."
Ofsted also raised concerns about attendance on vocational courses, saying it is "too variable and, in too many instances, is not high enough." The inspectors found that tutors do not record attendance accurately enough. While leaders have introduced new systems to improve monitoring and oversight of attendance, inspectors said it is "too early to evaluate the impact."
Numbers and local scope
Workpays provides apprenticeship training and adult learning. According to the report:
- 201 apprentices are currently on the provider’s programmes, of whom 13 are aged 16 to 18.
- 57 adult learners are taking courses that lead to qualifications or completing Skills Bootcamps.
- Most provision is in the East Midlands, with a sizeable cluster of apprentices in the North West.
Apprentices largely study business and finance apprenticeships at levels 2 to 5, with the largest numbers in financial services and management or supervision.
| Provision | Number |
|---|---|
| Total apprentices | 201 |
| Apprentices aged 16–18 | 13 |
| Adult learners | 57 |
What inspectors found and what’s working
While inspectors identified notable weaknesses in vocational teaching and learners’ ability to retain knowledge, they also found areas of strength. The report states that apprentices are being "well prepared for their next career steps." That suggests the apprenticeship arm is meeting employer and progression expectations in certain respects, even as aspects of provision for adult learners fall short.
The inspectors’ assessment that tutors do not consistently record attendance accurately has practical implications for safeguarding, funding and the ability of staff to identify learners who may be struggling. Leaders have recognised the problem and introduced new systems to increase oversight, but Ofsted made clear the changes have not yet been in place long enough to judge whether they will be effective.
Local impact and next steps
For employers in Derby who use Workpays to train apprentices, and for adults enrolled on Skills Bootcamps or qualification courses, the report is likely to raise questions about consistency of teaching, progress tracking and how gaps in English skills are addressed. Poor retention of course content, as highlighted by inspectors, could mean learners are less prepared for workplace demands unless changes embed quickly.
The report does not call for urgent statutory action, but the criticisms over leadership, inclusion and teaching quality mean the provider will be expected to set out and implement an improvement plan and demonstrate rapid progress when monitored further by Ofsted.
Local learners and employers with concerns should contact Workpays directly to ask how the provider plans to address the issues raised, and can expect the organisation to be subject to further scrutiny by inspectors to ensure standards improve.
