From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by ESFA and/or the apprenticeship levy. 

This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below. Elev8 Training Limited (Elev8) received its first publicly funded contract for apprenticeship training in November 2017. 

Elev8 is an independent learning provider that delivers apprenticeships in the sport and leisure sector. Currently, one apprentice follows the activity leadership framework apprenticeship at level 2. The provider also delivers apprenticeship training in sport and leisure as a subcontractor. The subcontracted provision is not in scope for this monitoring visit. 

Leaders are ambitious to deliver high-quality training for apprentices in the sport and leisure sector. They focus specifically on developing the knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviours that apprentices need to be successful in the industry. Leaders have high expectations for apprentices to become excellent sports coaches and managers. Leaders work with employers and partners effectively in order to develop a bespoke curriculum.

Tutors have the qualifications and experience they need to teach and assess apprentices. Leaders provide effective staff development that improves the quality of training for apprentices. For example, tutors complete ‘back-to-the-floor’ industry placements, such as the physical education in schools programme. These provide them with up-to-date and relevant practices from industry. Tutors pass this current practice on to their apprentices effectively. 

Leaders and tutors use their expertise in sport to plan and deliver high-quality on and off-the-job training. Apprentices develop the substantial new occupational knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviours that they need for work. They apply them to good effect and improve their performance at work. Apprentices can explain clearly where this has happened. For example, apprentices explain the need to adapt their coaching and leadership styles for different groups. This has proved useful in work and in life.

 Tutors complete a full review of apprentices’ roles, responsibilities and prior experience at the start of the programme. They ensure that apprentices are on the correct programme at the right level. However, tutors do not use this information routinely to plan learning from the start of the programme.

 Apprentices receive their full entitlement to off-the-job training during working hours. Leaders and tutors work skilfully with employers to plan on- and off-the-job training. They ensure that apprentices apply what they learn to their workplace. For example, tutors recognised that apprentices had skills gaps in planning and organisation. They co-designed a ‘laser-tag’ project with the employer. As a result, the apprentices developed their planning and organisational knowledge and skills. 

Leaders ensure that safeguarding has a high priority. The designated safeguarding officer has the training and experience to carry out the role effectively. Staff benefit from regular training on safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. They know how to report any issues relating to safeguarding, radicalisation and extremism. 

Managers follow safe recruitment practices. Staff have relevant pre-employment checks to ensure that they are suitable to work with apprentices. Leaders and tutors carry out appropriate checks and risk assessments on all employers. They ensure that apprentices are safe in the workplace. 

Apprentices are safe and feel safe on their programme. They know how to keep themselves safe, including online. Apprentices know who to contact should they have any concerns. They receive extensive safeguarding training because of their work in sport with children.