'Unsatisfactory teaching' mars adult skills provision: Ofsted

The government's adult basic skills strategy is being hampered by "poor quality provision and unsatisfactory teaching", a new report from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) finds today.

'Literacy, numeracy and English for speakers of other languages: a survey of current practice in post-16 and adult provision' has revealed that the government's strategy has successfully attracted more adults than ever before back into the classroom to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills. However, "poor teaching and weaknesses in the initial assessment of students" have led inspectors to call for a sharper focus on the quality of education and training currently available for low skilled learners.

Today's comprehensive report, based on evidence from more than 600 inspections, evaluates quality and standards in literacy, numeracy and ESOL in range of post-16 education and training contexts, and draws on evidence from every type of publicly funded post-16 education or training provider, with the exception of universities and sixth forms in schools.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, said: "Far too many young people reach the end of their compulsory schooling with inadequate basic skills. For them FE provision represents their best chance of access to opportunities the rest of us take for granted. There are seven million adults in this country who have inadequate basic skills. They represent the greatest single failure of the education system."

Skills for Life, the government's adult basic skills strategy, has been highly successful in increasing the number of literacy, numeracy and ESOL learners, but few providers of these basic skills courses monitor retention and achievement or the effectiveness of learning support, the report found.

The rapid increase in the number of literacy, numeracy and ESOL learners has resulted in a "serious shortage" of qualified and experienced teachers and the delay in introducing the new teaching qualifications has "aggravated the problem". Many of the learners with the greatest need are with providers with the least qualified staff, the fewest resources and the lowest budget for staff training, Ofsted said.

The report also found many who start courses do not complete them successfully. Around two thirds of learners who start foundation apprenticeships in retailing, care, hairdressing and hospitality do not achieve their key skills qualifications. And most teachers of ESOL pay "insufficient attention" to developing learners' listening comprehension and speaking skills.

The report calls for training for staff working on Life Skills and Entry to Employment programmes, JobCentre Plus provision and prison education, where many staff are unqualified and the most disengaged, but needy, learners are to be found.

David Sherlock, Chief Inspector of Adult Learning, said: "Inadequate basic skills prevent too many people fulfilling their potential, either at work or in life in general. The personal, social and economic consequences are immense. Better training in basic skills teaching is needed for tutors in colleges, training providers, New Deal programmes and prisons, so they can meet the needs of all their learners."

(gmcg)