In November 2024 the Living Well Rutland structure was created, which brought together an all-age service incorporating Adult and Community Learning, Libraries, Physical Activity and Family Hub services. Our vision is to build an environment where everyone, at all stages of life, is supported to live well within their communities by building upon their strengths. We aim to work inclusively with our partners and communities to identify what exists, what works, and what is missing. By providing the right mix of support – from professionals, the voluntary sector, communities, families, and friends – our goal is for everyone to reach their full potential. In doing so, we can build thriving communities that support each other and create opportunities to live well.
In March 2025, Ofsted carried out an inspection of Rutland Adult and Community Learning. The service was praised in several areas, with personal development, behaviour, and welfare rated as ‘Good’. The inspection report contains a number of positive comments, including recognition that, “Adult Learning’s new leadership team is ambitious for the future and is aspirational” – this reflects the service’s commitment to taking learning out into local communities, including plans to deliver through libraries. Whilst the report contains encouraging feedback, the overall rating was ‘Requires Improvement’.
One key area of concern raised by inspectors was the repeated use of funding by some learners for the same course where progression wasn’t demonstrated. Learners can repeat courses, as long as they are showing progression and getting ready to move onto the next steps. For example, some learners accessing courses for wellbeing rather than technical skills were found to be repeating the course without making progression towards their next steps in wellbeing. Ofsted stated that learners should be supported to move forward, rather than repeating the same provision for the same purpose. To be compliant with the funding rules, funding cannot be used for leisure.
To address this, Ofsted has asked for improvements in two specific areas:
- Develop clear progression routes or appropriate signposting to other relevant activity from all courses.
- Improve oversight of learners’ progress toward their intended primary goals to ensure they make swifter progress.
Rutland Adult and Community Learning is already working on an action plan to respond to the recommendations and build on the positive foundations highlighted by inspectors.
In addition to the Ofsted inspection, Rutland Adult and Community Learning has also been affected by a national funding reduction. The Department for Education has reduced funding to further education providers across the country for the 2025–2026 academic year, and this cut has had an impact locally.
As a result of the inspection and the cut in funding, the service has looked closely at the needs of Rutland residents as well as what residents want. The Curriculum for 2025-2026 will reflect this. There are some courses that will no longer be funded by Rutland Adult & Community Learning and so learners will need to pay full cost for these. This means that learners can continue to attend the course they love for leisure, and will fund their course themselves. In light of rising costs and funding reductions all course fees have been raised. Our funding will focus more on those whose progression can still be extended and evidenced.
The service will be taking the learning out to communities with the intention of reaching those who have not previously accessed the learning. The programme will be exciting and feature new courses. For example, French will be delivered in Uppingham library. We will be delivering Family Learning, short courses which could include Baby Signing, Baby Massage and Storytime. These courses will take place across Rutland, in our libraries and at Kendrew Barracks. We will be delivering bite size Digital programmes which will help people understand how to use their smart phones or tablets. There will also be a focus on upskilling residents in relation to work type qualifications. For example, Counselling levels 1 & 2, and Accountancy. The team are also looking into the possibility of a Teaching Assistant qualification. We will also have a number of tasters running throughout the academic year. For example, Painting with Acrylics and Mixed Media & Abstraction. Poetry and Creative Writing workshops, and Astronomy will come later in the year.
For more information or if you have any concerns and would like to talk to a team member, please contact Rutland Adult and Community Learning by emailing adultlearning@rutland.gov.uk or calling 01572 758122.