A COUNCIL-run training centre which supports more than 1,000 unemployed young people in Farnham every year has received a ‘requires improvement’ Ofsted rating for a third straight time.

The government inspectorate handed Waverley Training Services (WTS), run by Waverley Borough Council, its second lowest possible grade following a visit in October - having awarded the same ‘requires improvement’ rating in 2013 and 2014.

Ofsted’s latest report awards WTS ‘good’ ratings in two out of six inspection categories, for ‘personal development, behaviour and welfare’ and ‘apprenticeships’.

However, the service - based in Kimbers Lane, Farnham - retained its overall ‘requires improvement’ rating after being told to improve its ‘effectiveness of leadership and management’, ‘quality of teaching, learning and assessment’, and ‘outcome for learners’ and its ‘16 to 19 study programmes’.

Responding, Kevin Deanus, Waverley’s executive member for community services, said: “Over the last two years the council has sought to improve the quality of the service and is pleased that the report confirms the standards at Waverley Training Services have been raised; leading to improved achievement rates in most vocational qualifications.

“The service supports young people who otherwise would not have succeeded in further education and are now achieving excellent outcomes; in last year alone more than 200 young people have gained employment as result of study with Waverley Training Services.”

“The report also acknowledges that there has been a significant advancement in the quality of apprenticeships, personal development, behaviour and welfare which is now, ‘good’.”

Mr Deanus continued: “The inspection has also confirmed that councillors, senior leaders and managers have a clear vision and purpose for WTS and acknowledges our plans to relocate the service to the centre of Farnham providing better access to purpose built facilities.

“While the report notes the quality of teaching and GSCE maths and English attainments need improvement, it confirms that the staff ‘provide a caring and supportive environment for learners, enabling them to overcome their barriers to learning, raising their aspirations and life chances’.”

Waverley Training Services is set to move to the newly refurbished Farnham Memorial Hall in late 2017, which the council says will “ensure the future of the service, better access and raising its profile”.

A Waverley spokesman added the Memorial Hall works are on schedule and foundations are currently being laid for the new extension, which will also accommodate the relocated Brightwells Gostrey Centre once complete.

The full report can be found online at reports.ofsted.gov.uk by searching for ‘Waverley Training Services’.