‘Good’ Adult Learning team commended for support through challenging times

Blackburn with Darwen’s Adult Learning team is celebrating after retaining its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.

Inspectors highlighted the great work carried out since the last inspection – commending the service for its Long Covid peer support course in response to local need.

Sayyed Osman, Strategic Director for Adults & Health, said:

I would like to thank the whole of the Adult Learning team for their ongoing passion and commitment to helping the residents of our borough with their lifelong learning opportunities.

Karen Wignall, Service Lead for Adult Learning & Employment Support, said:

I am beyond proud of the whole team. It’s so difficult to maintain a ‘Good’ Ofsted, but to do it during these challenging times is no mean feat.

Throughout the pandemic we have continued to adapt and flex, incorporating a new remote offer to ensure we can still support our learners both online and in person.

Blackburn with Darwen Adult Learning has consistently achieved the ‘Good’ rating for the last four inspections.

The service offers a range of accredited and non-accredited short courses, funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

Each year, the service helps around 2,700 people complete courses and benefit from the holistic approach to skills, qualities and behaviours needed to increase their employability, improve family life, and health and wellbeing.

Courses focus on employability, health and wellbeing, ICT and digital, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and family learning, predominantly at two local neighbourhood learning centres.

The inspectors’ report included: ‘Learners are motivated to achieve their goals and improve their lives. They enjoy their programmes and are proud of the progress they make.’

Coun Mustafa Desai, Executive Member for Adults Services & Prevention, said:

It has been an immensely challenging period and to not only maintain the ‘Good’ rating, but also to show development since the last inspection, is testimony to the dedication and passion of our staff.

These Ofsted reports help us to identify further opportunities to build on our ‘Good’ rating and we will continue to take these forward.

For more information about the variety of courses on offer through Blackburn with Darwen’s Adult Learning service, visit www.bwdlearning.org.