MANAGERS of a Thurrock college which was ordered to improve are set to be grilled by borough councillors next week.

Thurrock Adult Community College was inspected by Ofsted in May last year and graded as "requires improvement" in June.

The college, which relocated from its former premises on Richmond Road, Grays, to premises spread across the borough, has prepared a progress report for Thurrock's children's services overview and scrutiny committee which will meet on Tuesday (16 January).

The education watchdog criticised the college for its apprenticeship provision and it has now ceased providing this training.

Twelve apprentices were moved to South Essex College from September, 2023. The college continued to support five apprentices who were close to their end of their assessment.

The disappointing report said: "Apprentices do not benefit from a well-planned curriculum. Too many apprentices study topics that do not apply to their job roles. Apprentices' line managers help them to become valued members of their teams.

"However, apprentices do not apply their learning at work effectively. Their line managers are not sufficiently familiar with the content of the apprenticeship. Line managers do not provide sufficient opportunities at work for apprentices to put their learning into practice. As a result, too many apprentices are behind in their studies."

Councillors will learn about action taken since the inspection. Training sessions have been held for staff.

A staff restructure was carried out with a "team leader for quality and exams" post created to support the assistant principal. Vacant posts have been filled.

The report adds: "The college's Quality Improvement Plan includes all improvements identified at inspection and actions needed to address these.

"An Ofsted Inspector with many years' experience as a senior leader in Adult Community Learning provided three days support to the Quality team and tutors in October and November.

"This included class visits, feedback to tutors and feedback on the college's self-assessment Report). In January 2024 they will carry out a "mock Ofsted monitoring visit".

The college, which previously had a "good" Ofsted grade, received "requires improvement" in four areas with only behaviour and attitudes retaining a "good" grade.

The college provides adult education programmes in the borough and at the time of inspection it had 339 learners were on adult learning courses, studying English for speakers of other languages, counselling, accounting and functional skills English and mathematics.

There were 32 apprentices on the level 3 business administrator standard apprenticeship programme, all employed by the local council.