Training base for Romford’s troubled youths failing to get them results

Chelmer Training Limited was rated outstanding when last inspected in 2006. But inspectors visiting in June and July gave it the lowest rating possible.

The centre of learning has said it is disappointed with the report and stressed that courses for 16 to 18-year-olds make up only 11 per cent of its educational provision.

Ofsted’s inspectors found that the proportion of learners successfully completing courses and gaining qualifications was too low.

In the watchdog’s report inspectors said that teaching was failing to meet expected standards and too few pupils were ­entering employment on completion of courses.

The report said: “Leaders’ actions have not maintained the high standards judged at the previous inspection.

“The proportion of learners who achieve their qualifications has declined and remains low.

“In-year achievement, particularly in English and mathematics functional skills qualifications, has not improved sufficiently. Too many learners in 2013/14 left their course early.”

Some strengths were recognised and it was praised for the support it gave to students and awareness of their complex personal and social needs.

But the report found that non-attendance was high and tutors were failing to support students to help them gain skills that would help them achieve their future goals.

Managing director of the centre, Jo Nelson, said: “We did work with many hard to reach learners (NEETs), with multiple barriers to learning and at the time of the inspection we only had 37 learners on programme.

“When you have small learner numbers, each learner can drastically ­alter the percentage success rates. We are very disappointed in this report and the outcome.

“Our success rates for the other 89 per cent of our delivery to adults, current stands at over 90 per cent with many adult learners gaining employment as a direct result of their learning with Chelmer.”