A COUNCIL-RUN community learning service has received a positive rating from the education watchdog.

Bracknell Forest’s community learning service, which provides educational courses for adults in the borough, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted following its inspection in November 2017.

Inspectors found the service to be ‘good’ in all five key areas: effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for learners and adult learning programmes.

The community learning service provides a range of courses, from computer skills, arts, crafts and cookery to classes to help people prepare for employment.

Councillor Gareth Barnard, executive member for children, young people and learning, said: “Our community learning service provides opportunities for all adults in the borough to develop new and existing skills, as well as offering people who are unemployed the opportunity to improve their chances of finding work via our weekly ‘job club’.

“I am pleased Ofsted recognises the hard work of the team in ensuring the service improves since its last inspection and now rates it as a good provider of community learning for residents."

The majority of Bracknell Forest’s community learning courses are run at the Bracknell Open Learning Centre on Rectory Lane.

Courses are also run in community centres, Bracknell Forest children’s centres and schools across the borough, as well as through council partners, Involve and Bracknell Forest Homes.

Councillor Barnard admitted that there are still some areas with a need for improvement but believes that the service is heading in the right direction.

He added: “We recognise there are still some areas for improvement and are already working on plans to address these, to ensure residents have access to the very best courses which enable them to continue building on their knowledge and skills and achieve their goals.”

To find out more about Bracknell Forest Council’s community learning service please visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/communitylearning.