Barnsley Council’s Adult Skills and Community Learning service is delighted to announce that it has been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by Ofsted. This recognition highlights the exceptional quality of education and support provided to adult learners.
This achievement makes Barnsley Council one of only three local authorities in the country to currently hold an ‘Outstanding’ grade for overall effectiveness of its further education and skills provision.
The latest inspection took place in November 2024. In the Ofsted report that has been published today, Adult Skills and Community Learning was awarded outstanding ratings for:
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
- Overall effectiveness
At the previous inspection in 2018 the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as 'Good'. Since then, leaders and staff have worked hard to design learning pathways that align with local priorities, enabling learners to move closer towards employment and discovering their potential.
In the recent inspection, Ofsted noted the strong commitment to raising the aspirations of adult learners and addressing high levels of economic inactivity.
Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “The recognition as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, reflects our Adult Skills and Community Learning service’s commitment to providing top-quality education and support.
“The achievement is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, learners, and supportive communities. The recognition in the report for our work to level the playing field so that everyone can benefit from work in our borough is a demonstration of the partnership approach to developing better Pathways to Work through learning and skills development.
"Our Adult Skills and Community Learning service remains focused on continuing to build on its successes, exploring new ways to innovate and improve its offerings to be even better.”
For more information about Adult Skills and Community Learning who are based at Wellington House, Second Floor, Market Street, Barnsley, S70 1WA. You can learn more online at barnsley.gov.uk/ASCL.
You can speak to a member of the team by completing an online form, or getting in touch by using the contact details below:
- Call us on 01226 775270
- Email us on AdultLearning@Barnsley.gov.uk
- Follow us on Facebook at Barnsley Adult Skills & Community Learning.
The Adult Skills Fund programmes, delivered by Barnsley Adult Skills and Community Learning, is part-funded across South Yorkshire by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on behalf of the UK Government.
