WAES has won a national Learning Provider of the Year award. Ofsted has also scored it Strong standard on nine of its eleven measures.

Westminster’s council-run adult college has been named Learning Provider of the Year at a national awards ceremony. In the same week, Ofsted published its first report card on the service, giving it the second-highest score on nine of its eleven measures.

Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) teaches about 5,000 adults a year from three main centres, on Lisson Grove, Lupus Street in Pimlico and Amberley Road in Maida Vale.

The national award

WAES won Learning Provider of the Year at the Get the Nation Learning Awards, which are run by the Learning and Work Institute. The category is open to every kind of adult learning organisation in England.

WAES said the judges singled out its range of courses, its support for disadvantaged learners and its work with partners.

“This award recognises our commitment to breaking down barriers to learning and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds,” said Arinola Edeh CBE, the principal.

What Ofsted found

Ofsted no longer gives colleges a single overall grade. Its new report cards score each part of a provider’s work on a five-point scale, from “urgent improvement” up to “exceptional”.

The report on WAES, from an inspection that began on 22 September and published on 4 November, gave it:

Area Scores
Inclusion Strong standard
Leadership and governance Strong standard
Apprenticeships (3 measures) Strong standard on all three
Learners with high needs (3 measures) Strong standard on all three
Adult learning programmes (3 measures) Strong standard for participation and development; expected standard for achievement and for curriculum and teaching

Safeguarding standards were met. At its last full inspection, in June 2022, the service was rated Good overall.

Inspectors wrote that learners, “including those facing significant barriers to learning such as refugees who have fled war and conflict, feel safe, welcome and respected at the college”. They found that apprentices “achieve their qualifications very well within the planned timeframe” and that the share gaining distinctions has risen over three years.

The two weaker scores both sit in the everyday adult courses. Ofsted found tutors’ use of assessment “variable”. In a few lessons, tutors moved on before checking learners had understood. Written work on English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses ranged from well presented to “too brief”, with spelling and grammar errors.

The report asks leaders to:

  • make teaching and assessment consistently strong across adult learning courses
  • make sure tutors mark work consistently and give feedback that improves the accuracy and presentation of written work

Who studies there

At the time of the inspection, WAES had 2,059 learners on adult courses, 82 apprentices and 5 learners on high-needs funding, according to the report’s figures. Most adults study ESOL, English or maths. Others take creative arts, hairdressing, childcare, digital and accounting courses.

Its apprentices are mostly in museums, libraries and archives. Forty-one were on the level 7 archivist and records manager apprenticeship.

Two Mayor of London awards

WAES also picked up two awards at the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards at City Hall.

  • Elise Harrison, a former graphic design learner who gained a Distinction at level 3, was named Inspirational Adult Learner of the Year. She now works for the charity Via.
  • Ali Kanu, a former WAES welfare officer, won the Inspirational Professional in Adult Education award for his work helping learners through hardship and homelessness.
  • Adam Walker, a digital learning technologist who built the service’s immersive learning room, was highly commended in the same category.

What it means for you

WAES is run by Westminster City Council, and many of its English, maths and ESOL courses are aimed at residents looking for work or a first qualification. Councillor Tim Barnes, the deputy leader, whose cabinet brief includes the service, called it “an incredible asset to Westminster’s residents and businesses”.

Courses, fees and term dates are on the WAES website, or by phone on 020 7297 7297.