WYK Achieves A “Remarkable” Ofsted Report
The new Ofsted Inspection is notoriously difficult.
After an in-depth overhaul in 2025, the UK education regulator has started to roll out its New Framework which eschews a single headline grade over a more granular “report card” approach to assessing providers.
The new style report has a 5 point scale in 16 individual areas. We were given a week’s notice to prepare for the visit of three inspectors who spent a total of three days forensically assessing our provision standards.
From the outset, the inspectors were adamant to explain to the WYK team the the “Expected Standard” was difficult to obtain. In previous Ofsted visits suppliers would provide evidence of their work against a specific standard then the inspectors would assigned them to a grade based on “best fit”. In layman’s terms if you were there or there abouts you would get the grade most suited to you.
With the new frame work they call it a “secure lock”. This means if you don’t hit every single bullet point, with evidence, then you don’t obtain the grade. Simply put; Expected Standard is a high bar.
We crushed it!
When we stat down on day 3 to review our gradings the Lead Inspector said of our grades "A remarkable achievement from a relatively new provider - don't underestimate how hard this is"
We hit the “high bar’ of Expected Standard across the board and were awarded with Strong Standard in both Curriculum & Teaching as well as Inclusion.
The inspectors were keen to highlight our Key Strengths as a provider:
Inclusion: Culture of inclusion is fully embedded & aligned to social mission. We carefully consider all barriers and move to address them quickly & with innovation, going above and beyond to support through the programme & beyond
Curriculum Teaching & Training - input from employers is very very strong throughout. Experiences significantly enhance learning & learners are well set to go on to succeed after the programmes
Participation & Development - Careers guidance and support is strong with support offered post programme once a learner’s career has started.
Leadership & Governance - Very clear strategy, mission & vision incredibly clear, oversight is there in many forms, including external oversight. Leaders committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
You can read the full report here:
What they had to say
On Inclusion:
“Leaders have established a highly inclusive culture that proactively embraces diversity and welcomes all learners.
Leaders quickly and accurately identify learners’ support needs and swiftly implement strategies to provide the support learners need. This includes helpful adaptations, such as providing teaching material in advance, transcripts and recordings of classes, quiet working spaces and prayer rooms and prioritised individual support for learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Staff are well trained to recognise, respond to and review learners' support needs. Leaders use data effectively and routinely to check the progress of learners and to shape future interventions, such as enhanced support for learners throughout their probation period at work and guidance for learners with SEND to help them feel confident to disclose support needs to employers.
Leaders’ strategic decisions have a significantly positive impact on learners’ experiences. Leaders timetable teaching to support learners with caring responsibilities. They reduce financial barriers through loaning laptops and providing free transport and lunch to learners on universal credit. Leaders sensitively match learners to mentors and projects that align with their values and beliefs. As a result, they support learners highly effectively to begin and enhance their careers in digital marketing.”
On Curriculum & Training
Leaders design highly effective Skills Bootcamp courses. They consider carefully the content of each course and consult extensively with employers. Leaders ensure that expert trainers teach learners up-to-date and relevant content and the employability skills they need to succeed.
Leaders design innovative curriculums that not only build learners' knowledge and skills sequentially but also expose learners to practical experiences in the industry to develop their confidence and resilience. For example, performance marketing learners work with real clients and budgets to develop marketing campaigns and present these to employers.
Learners are taught by a range of industry specialists and gain valuable insights from guest speakers and visits to employers. Trainers and facilitators teach both in-person and live online sessions, enabling staff and learners to get know each other well, supporting participation in peer discussion and group work.
Trainers consistently teach high-quality lessons that maintain high levels of learning. They avoid prolonged periods of lecturing and design innovative activities that enable learners to apply their new learning to scenarios and tasks, such as developing client briefs. Facilitators support learners working in groups, and learners take it in turns to practise their leadership skills in teams. Specialist trainers use their expertise very well to explain topics and underpinning theories and draw on their own experiences. For example, professional speakers support learners to develop their presentation skills. Trainers provide pre-session materials to ensure learners reach the same level of knowledge at the start of their sessions and to reduce cognitive overload during taught sessions.