FI Reading Managing Director Matt Dyson says:

‘’When we set up FI Reading 12 years ago our aim was to create a training organisation which put our learners, our employers, and our team at the heart of everything we do. These values are entrenched in our business and have been instrumental in achieving this endorsement. I am incredibly proud of our team’s achievements and I look forward to an exciting future.”

FI Reading Education Director Jo Dyson says:

“When we started to deliver apprenticeships 5 years ago we put a lot of thought into how best we could support apprentices on their journey. An apprenticeship is much more than a technical qualification. It supports the apprentice’s overall development and prepares them for their future career.

Through collaboration with employers and apprentices we have developed a delivery model which brings together all of the skills and behaviours needed to succeed. The key to this programme has been our ability to adapt to the changing needs of the markets and especially the impact which COVID has had on both apprentices and employers.

The feedback collated by Ofsted from our apprentices and employers vindicates the decisions we took in those early days. It reflects the need in the industry for the wider skills developed by an apprenticeship. The 7 foot high comment really captures what we have set out to achieve and makes me smile every time!

At the heart of our outstanding grade is the skills and enthusiasm of our team, as well as the support of employers.  I am totally inspired by the team who have dedicated their efforts to deliver this result. It belongs to them and they deserve it!”

FI Reading Operations Director Claire Needham says:

‘’When we started FI Reading we knew that it took a bold and courageous client to transfer their trainees to us, as the “new provider on the block”. We felt very honoured and grateful when they did and have continued to value every client and each trainee ever since. We remained committed to our mission of individualised and effective training alongside the support clients need, which flowed easily into the landscape of apprenticeship training. 

We know how important trainees are to any organisation, and feel privileged to be entrusted with this valuable resource.  Just like any parent hoping to choose the very best school for their children, the Ofsted report provides wonderful validation for our clients that they have chosen well and can be confident their trainees will receive the highest quality training and support.

We are a modest bunch really, and believe our quality should speak for itself, so for me the outstanding Ofsted report represents the independent assurance that employers should be looking for when seeking out the very best training on offer for the new generation of accountants.‘’

FI Reading Commercial Director Ryan Hill says:

‘’We have always endeavoured to provide student centric support backed up with personalised and dedicated client service, it was the foundations that we built our college on.  To have received the Outstanding grade from OFSTED for ALL 4 criteria is a true testament that we are achieving this mission.  I’m incredibly proud of this company, the amazing team that work tirelessly to provide the support to both learners and clients, the wonderful partnerships we have with the employers and the dedication that our learners show.  It’s fantastic that OFSTED have validated this hard work from all parties, and we look forward to continuing our journey helping learners achieve their ambitions in the world of accounting and finance.’’

First Intuition Reading Receives Outstanding Ofsted Grade

An Outstanding training provider must achieve Grade 1 (Oustanding) for most if not all inspection categories. This demonstrates that they provide the highest quality of education and care for their learners. Below is a summary of the grades achieved by First Intuition Reading at their recent Ofsted inspection.

• The quality of education – Outstanding
• Behaviour and attitudes – Outstanding
• Personal development – Outstanding
• Leadership and management – Outstanding
• Apprenticeships – Outstanding

Key quotes from the report

Below we share some highlights from the Ofsted report.

‘Employers endorse the very strong partnership they have with FI Reading. They appreciate the thoughtful and significant support for them and their apprentices. One employer said “they take employees who often don’t have much confidence and get them to walk 7 feet tall’’’

‘Leaders have established a highly successful specialist apprenticeship provision where apprentices flourish. It meets the needs of a range of employers in their region and the requirements of the relevant sector professional bodies. Their strap line ‘where people count’ informs the culture and practices at FI Reading.’

‘Tutors and skills coaches expertly plan the order they will teach topics. As a result, apprentices secure their basic knowledge and understanding before moving on to more complex subjects.’

‘Apprentices benefit from a highly supportive, professional, and inclusive environment that promotes a strong culture of learning. They enjoy their studies, are listened to, and gain substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours. Many apprentices gain promotion during their apprenticeship or take on responsibility for more complex tasks.’

‘Apprentices thrive and develop as highly competent and skilled accountancy professionals who can communicate financial or taxation information professionally and clearly.’

FI Reading Limited is now one of just four level 7 accounting providers to achieve an outstanding Ofsted rating, the other three also being awarded to FI centres.

The full Ofsted report can be downloaded here.