TOO few learners achieve highly on council run adult learning courses in Bracknell an influential education watchdog has reported. 

An Ofsted report into the Bracknell Forest Community Learning Service, run from the Open Learning Centre, found it requires improvement across all five areas inspected and noted not enough students go on to achieve qualifications.

Run by Bracknell Forest Council, around 2,165 people enrolled on courses over the past year and despite students enjoying the courses and developing confidence Ofsted say the approach taken to improve the quality of teaching and learning has not yet been effective. 

Published on Wednesday, March 9, the report rated the service as 'requires improvement' across five key areas.

Inspectors judged the effectiveness of leadership and management, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for learners and adult learning programmes. 

The report stated: "Leaders and managers have not yet been successful in improving the success rates for the small number of learners taking English and mathematics functional skills courses. The achievement of these qualifications has remained low since their introduction two years ago.

"Where learners have had to withdraw due to personal circumstances, many have been able to achieve unit awards rather than the full qualification.

"Expectations for learners to attend learning sessions and to arrive on time are not yet high enough and this slows their progress. Too few learners are successful on preparation for life and work courses."

It added students' awareness of British values and the dangers of extremism are 'insufficiently well developed'.

A previous report published in 2013 rated the service as 'good' overall and, despite their concerns, the recent report praised the 'excellent' facilities at the Open Learning Centre where most courses are held and added the English courses for speakers of other languages were enjoyed by students at informal classes. 

The service is run for anyone aged over 19 by the council with cash support from the Skills Funding Agency. Bracknell Forest Homes and Involve also support to the service. 

As well as traditional English and Maths courses and computer skills, cookery and general learning, the service also runs courses to improve family skills and employability skills. 

Bracknell Forest Council have been approached for comment.