Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Borough Council is offering good services for adult and community learning say inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

The Ofsted inspection team visited the Bracknell Council in October and their report gives it an overall grade three, satisfactory rating.

The report says that the quality of provision is good and achievement and standards are good, both given a grade two rating.

It also says: Family learners develop good personal skills and community learners develop good specific knowledge and vocational skills.

Learners are highly motivated.

The inspectors' key findings in summary are:

* Bracknell Teaching and learning are good. Teaching is well planned with a good range of appropriate teaching methods which are used to promote learning.
* Learning resources are good. Learning materials are of a good quality and many tutors use information learning technology effectively.
* Assessment is good on practical courses. The recognition and recording of learners’ progress and achievement by tutors on non-accredited programmes is insufficiently developed.
* The Council’s response to social inclusion is satisfactory. Good initiatives are in place to engage new learners from targeted areas.
* Support for learners is good. Staff and tutors are responsive to individual learner needs. Information, advice and guidance to learners in relation to courses and progression opportunities is satisfactory.
* Initial assessment is appropriate for learners on literacy and numeracy courses.
* Leadership and management is satisfactory overall. Operational managers are particularly effective in delivering the programmes offered. The Council’s strategy and development plan is clear.
* The Council has successfully increased new learners from targeted areas.
* Partnership arrangements are satisfactory overall. Quality improvement and the monitoring of subcontracted provision are satisfactory. Equality of opportunity is satisfactory.

Tony Eccleston, Director of Bracknell Education, Children’s Services & Libraries said: "I am pleased that the Ofsted inspectors recognised that the Council is a providing a good service to residents and there are many areas we are doing very well at.

"During 2006-07 we enrolled 1969 learners onto 578 courses. The Council offers subjects for all abilities and I am pleased the Osted report highlights the wide ranging courses we offer."

"The recommendations for improvement are areas which we have already begun to work on including the need to improve our assessment of learners and record learners’ progress and achievements."

Cllr Alan Ward, Executive Member for Bracknell Education and Libraries, said "The inspectors have quite rightly commented on the Council’s strengths including good teaching and support for learners."

This Ofsted report shows there are good quality courses available from the Council and I hope we continue to improve adult learning to benefit residents.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council