BPEC Training Provider is Ofsted Good

Since being established in 2016, Smart Gas Training & Assessment Centre in Ashbourne has grown to be one of the leading training providers in the East Midlands, delivering the Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship to train the next generation of plumbing & heating professionals.

The Training Centre was subject to an Ofsted inspection towards the end of 2022, where the aim of the visit was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of Smart Gas in a range of criteria including the: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, apprenticeships and leadership and management.

Independent learning providers have historically struggled to achieve good Ofsted ratings; however Smart Gas has bucked that trend having received a good rating in every criterion which emphasises the centres excellent work and commitment to deliver exceptional apprenticeship delivery.

The Ofsted inspectors found that “apprentices enjoy their learning and are highly motivated”, while also being “very satisfied with the quality of their tuition”. The centre prides itself on the quality of their teaching and this was recognised by the awarding body BPEC who awarded tutor Matt Mellor with the honour of being the best plumbing training in the workplace.

Smart Gas co-founder and Director Hon. John Grocott said “We always make sure that our teaching and safeguarding practices are at the forefront of what we do, the Ofsted inspectors have commended us on our teaching ability and the fact our students feel safe and enjoy studying at Smart Gas”.

With apprentice numbers now reaching close to the 100-mark, Smart Gas Training Centre is one of the very few independent training providers who are accredited to deliver the gas engineering apprenticeship. The Ofsted inspection was the first full inspection after their initial monitoring visit and the newly-published Ofsted report mentions that “apprentices learn about a wide range of situations that they will encounter in the workplace, and this helps them to become confident in their job roles”.

The report goes onto say that “Tutors plan the curriculum well. They consider the best order in which to teach subjects so that apprentices progressively build their skills and understanding.” With a strong curriculum and having “tutors provide suitable extra help for apprentices who have additional learning needs”, apprentices who attend Smart Gas have everything they need to succeed.

Neil Collishaw, BPEC CEO says, “It’s great to hear that Smart Gas Training has had such a positive result from their Ofsted inspection by achieving a ‘Good’ grading, and reinforces the ongoing dedication and commitment of their team. I’m delighted to be visiting their Centre in Ashbourne in January and really looking forward to meeting their staff and students.”

Now this recent Ofsted inspection has been concluded and the dust has settled, the centre hopes to build on the outcome and John Grocott said “We don’t rest on our laurels here at Smart Gas and despite our good rating, we continually strive to improve and we are committed to deliver the best for our apprentices.” 

 To read the report in full, visit: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/33/2626827

BPEC is keen to publish good news stories from other centres, so please don’t hesitate to email your suggested posts to info@bpec.org.uk.