A MIDDLESBROUGH education service has a “life-changing impact” on learners, a report into its effectiveness has found.
An Ofsted inspection of Middlesbrough Community Learning praised the good and outstanding features of the service which targets its provision at people aged 16 and over.
Around 5,000 people a year access the service and during its visit in January this year Ofsted found that “all learners and apprentices demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and take immense pride in their achievements”, despite 80% having no previous formal qualifications.
Overall effectiveness was rated as ‘Good’, while the effectiveness of leadership and management and personal development, behaviour and welfare were rated as ‘Outstanding’.
In a summary of the key findings the report states: “Through strong partnership, effective collaboration and a well-structured review of local and regional priorities, Middlesbrough Council have constructed a flexible curriculum that meets the needs and interests of a local communities and individuals extremely well.”
Elsewhere in the report it is said MCL has a “powerful ethos of community improvement through learning”.
Ofsted said this message given by managers and staff at Middlesbrough Community Learning “permeates everything they do, and because of this they encourage Middlesbrough residents to see learning as central to improving their lives and ‘be part of it’.
“There is a vibrancy evident in partnership management meetings that emphasises their commitment and zest for improving people’s lives.
“Consequently, aspirations and expectations for all learners, regardless of their background or their previous achievements are high.”
Middlesbrough Community Learning manager Chris Kemp said: “Everyone involved in the service puts an enormous amount into improving outcomes for learners in Middlesbrough and we are delighted that this has been recognised by Ofsted.”
Cllr Jan Brunton, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “We are very proud of the achievements of Middlesbrough Community Learning and this Ofsted report confirms everything we already know about its brilliant work.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to the team who make it such a success and to all the thousands of people in Middlesbrough who are helped by the service.”