ATL’s Vision for Excellence in Customer Care and Community Engagement
Our number one objective remains our unwavering commitment to delivering improved standards of customer care for our local community. As we look ahead to 2030 and beyond, our plan focuses on ensuring that our facilities and curriculum align with emerging local labour market needs. Our goal is to deliver a curriculum that meets current and future training requirements for employers, employees and job seekers.
Empowering Learners with Essential Skills and Knowledge
We aim to equip all learners with the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to contribute positively in key local economic areas, including Digital and Health. To achieve this, we will:
- Expand progression routes across all sectors to enable wider access to Higher Education.
- Continuously expand employer engagement and encourage dialogue to understand market needs.
- Invest in marketing activities to promote ATL’s achievements and foster a positive local image.
- Work towards attaining ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted recognition, supported by the highest QAR and client satisfaction in the Southwest.
- Remain flexible and agile in responding to both the local economic climate and wider emerging trends, such as embedding environmental awareness.
Creating Supportive and Inclusive Learning Environments
At ATL, we are highly experienced in providing access to education for those with barriers to learning, whether these are long-standing or newly emerging, simple or complex. Many learners choose our services based on their perception of a supportive environment that they have been unable to find elsewhere, making this a strong USP for the company.
Our close links with schools, local businesses, the Training Provider Network, City Council and Chamber of Commerce have given ATL an established reputation for flexibility. We will build on our existing strengths by expanding our response to emerging trends and employment requirements.
Investing in Cutting-Edge Education and Technology
Taking into account economic trends and the impact on local skills availability, we are committed to investing in hardware, software and staff development to deliver cutting-edge qualifications.
ATL recognizes that students sometimes fail to enrol after initial enquiries due to issues like child care, mental health and wellbeing. We provide comprehensive pastoral care, with approximately 25% of our Learner Support time dedicated to one-on-one guidance to address external factors impacting learning. By addressing these areas and expanding our provision of flexible, holistic support, we aim to eliminate key barriers to learning.
Expanding Accessibility through Distance Learning
We are investing in distance learning models to improve accessibility for learners who may be excluded due to health issues, caring for dependents, or travel costs. Further expansion of these models will improve access to learning, enhancing the prospects of financial wellbeing for wider sections of the community and supporting the improvement of basic digital skills.
Continuous Improvement and Community Empowerment
With nearly 30 years serving the Plymouth community, ATL has developed an acute awareness of how barriers to learning evolve over time. Our objective in this area is supported by a rolling cycle of research and monitoring of local, regional, and national trends to determine ongoing staff development needs. ATL staff will be supported in developing holistic care skills, with the intent to cultivate a more empowered community, confident in accessing support and understanding their rights and responsibilities.
Commitment to Learner Satisfaction
ATL has been awarded the highest marks in the Southwest in a Government-run learner satisfaction survey, achieving an impressive score of 96.8%. This result from the FE Choices learner survey is a testament to our outstanding customer service, training and teaching team. We firmly believe that even with such a high satisfaction rating, there is always room for improvement. Our Quality team works closely with teaching staff to identify and address specific issues, ensuring continuous enhancement of our services.
Recognition from Ofsted
In the 2020 Ofsted inspection (8-9 January 2020), ATL received commendation for its flexible course offerings, effective advice and careers guidance and extensive support for learners. The report highlighted how well staff make learners feel part of the ATL family, contributing to a nurturing and supportive learning environment.
Taken from 2020 Ofsted inspection 8–9 January 2020:
“The products designed for adults are flexible enough to enable learners who cannot attend on a specific day to attend on a different day and to spend time with their tutor to catch up or complete work using distance learning.
Advice and careers guidance for adults before and during their courses are effective and ensure that learners are placed on the appropriate course and level. Beauty learners are offered the opportunity of a trial day to help confirm whether the course is right for them before they enrol. Tutors in animal care ensure that learners are placed on courses that match learners’ abilities and their future career aspirations. Many learners, particularly adults progress from level 2 to level 3 courses with ATL
Learners feel safe, nurtured and supported by ATL. They comment particularly on how well staff make them feel part of the ATL family. One full time designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and two part time leads maintain the extensive support available.”