In The Press

A long-running hairdressing apprenticeship provider has enlisted Duncan Lewis Solicitors to challenge a damaging Ofsted grade.

UK Training & Development Limited (UKTD Ltd) says inspectors failed to take into account the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic when deciding to give it an “inadequate” rating, FE Week has reported.

The decision means the Hemel Hempstead based company is likely to have its funding contracts terminated by the Government.

However, managing director Theresa Wisniewski is not taking the rating lying down and has enlisted Duncan Lewis Solicitors to take on the inspectorate in the courts.

Wisniewski said the report was “devoid of any details about Covid” and the resulting lockdowns, which have all had a significant impact on work-based training.

Expert public law and litigation director at Duncan Lewis, Angela Sandhal, is leading the legal challenge.

She said: “Our client believes the current inspection findings are part of a pattern of grade four inspections at a time when providers are still in the Covid recovery phase.

“We have asked Ofsted to provide us with the raw data gathered during the inspection process but so far they have failed to do this.”

The company is the third in recent months to complain Ofsted is handing out grade fours without considering the effect of the pandemic.

The report claims too many students fail to secure work, and many struggle to meet the demands of work and study because they “do not regularly receive their entitlement to time away from work”.

Public Law and Litigation director Angela Sandhal has extensive experience in matters of judicial review, administrative law, education law, equality law, mental capacity and civil litigation. She often represents represent claimants in claims and appeals arising from public body decision making including Ofsted inspection outcomes, appeals to the care standards tribunal, disclosure and barring appeals in the Upper Tribunal and claims that raise equality act issues.

For legal advice contact her via email at AngelaSa@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 0113 487 3901.

Read the full coverage of the case here FE Week