Groundwork South and North Tyneside

Overview

Groundwork South and North Tyneside continues to be a "good provider," offering an "inclusive and rich curriculum" tailored to learners with high needs, including many with autism. The inspection highlights a supportive environment where staff help learners overcome barriers to learning and develop essential life and employability skills.

Strengths

• Tutors are "well-qualified and experienced," enabling learners to make "good progress" in developing skills such as independent travel, communication, and handling money.
• The curriculum includes "practical activities in real-life learning environments," such as working with livestock on a local farm, which learners value highly.
• Staff provide a "supportive environment" that helps learners cope with mental health issues, resulting in regular attendance even for those who have not attended school for long periods.
• Learners receive "effective careers advice and guidance," including one-to-one meetings with specialist officers and support with CVs and interview skills.
• Leaders have accurate oversight of education quality, using activities like "learning walks" to identify training needs and improve engagement techniques.

Areas to improve

• Increase the proportion of learners who achieve functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics.
• Use initial and diagnostic assessment information to set individual targets for all learners so they have a clear understanding of the specific skills they need to develop in English and mathematics.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that learners feel safe due to staff support and CCTV, and receive education on local risks and healthy relationships.