Roots And Shoots praised by Ofsted

Monday 6th February 2012

Education watchdog Ofsted has praised the work of a learning and environmental charity which works with disadvantaged young people.

Inspectors found that London-based Roots And Shoots, in Lambeth, "makes outstandingly effective provision" for disadvantaged young people from the inner city.

The programmes help learners aged between 16 and 24, who have been unable to cope in the traditional education system and to help them to progress into education, training or employment.

An Ofsted team visited the charity in November and has now published their findings. The report shows that young people training in retail and horticulture at the charity improve their life chances "particularly well" during their time at Roots And Shoots.

Teachers are flexible to each learner's needs and offer high levels of support. Ofsted also praised the "highly effective" partnerships in the community.

Roots And Shoots, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, also provides "outstanding value for money", according to Ofsted.

Alongside the vocational and life skills training, Roots And Shoots provides environmental education to nearby schools and the wider community based on its half-acre wild garden, home of the London Beekeepers' Association.

To further improve, Ofsted has suggested Roots And Shoots needs to develop and refine data management to make better use of feedback from learners and partners. It also needs to develop the system for observing teachers in action to help "improve their practice continuously".

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