Ace Scores For ACE

10.33.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th Apr 2005

Equal opportunities, successful students and good progress through strong partnerships are just some of the highlights from an in-depth new inspection of Milton Keynes Council's Adult Continuing Education Service (ACE).

The Adult Learning Inspectorate found many strengths within ACE, when it carried out in-depth interviews with scores of members of staff, dozens of clients and many partner organisations, during a visit to Milton Keynes in March.

At the end of the week-long inspection the 11 inspectors said that teaching in five of the six areas that they inspected were adequate or better and that learners are motivated by the tutors' enthusiasm and are encouraged by the good individual support they receive.

The inspectors also observed:

• Learners' attainment is often good

• The best teaching is in sport and leisure, English and languages, and arts

• ACE successfully promotes adult learning within its local communities

• ACE has strong partnerships to develop and use resources effectively.

• There are particularly innovative projects and learning activities in wider family learning

Areas in need of attention included the teaching on foundation programmes.

The inspectors were satisfied by the overall management and leadership of the service and gave specific praise to equality of opportunity, saying that senior managers attach high importance to equality and diversity, which are central to ACE's plans, aims and actions.

Euan Henderson, Liberal Democrat cabinet member with responsibility for Lifelong Learning, said: "This is a helpful report, and it is very good to see so many strengths recognised. It is particularly positive that inspectors recognised the role of ACE in the community and the contribution our community partners add to the service. This is a strong base from which the service can grow. An action plan is being developed to address the areas that the inspectors identified for further development."

The full inspection report is available on the Adult Learning Inspectorate's website at www.ali.gov.uk.