Adult Learning Wales (ALW) is delighted to announce the highly positive findings of its recent Estyn report for 2025. The report, based on an organisational-wide inspection in March of this year, praises ALW’s significant strengths in delivering high-quality, impactful education that genuinely transforms the lives of adult learners across Wales.

Within the report, ALW is commended for its distinctive mission and deeply embedded values, which permeate every aspect of its work. It notes the effective leadership demonstrated by the senior management team, operational managers, tutors, and staff, all of whom possess a clear and shared understanding of the organisation’s mission and goals.

The Estyn report spotlights the motivated and enthusiastic learners of ALW, with a high percentage reported to be making sound progress, demonstrating impressive engagement, sustained concentration, and perseverance in their learning. Many learners are inspired to continue learning independently, which has a profound impact on their personal development. The report highlights explicitly how learners significantly increase their confidence and evolve into independent individuals who make valuable contributions to their communities, workplaces, and wider lives. The productive working relationships between learners and their tutors are also noted.

The quality of teaching at Adult Learning Wales is reported by Estyn as strong, with suitably qualified tutors demonstrating excellent subject knowledge. Tutors are praised for their effective lesson planning, use of high-quality resources and appropriate methods for adult learners, and their provision of useful feedback.

Furthermore, the report acknowledges ALW’s strong ethos of support for learners’ wellbeing, ensuring they can fully participate in educational experiences. Support for learners with additional learning needs is deemed highly effective, both in specialist classes and across general courses.

The organisation’s collaborative approach has been seen as a key strength, working seamlessly with partners across Wales, including numerous adult learning in the community partnerships. This extensive network enables Adult Learning Wales to offer a wide and well-balanced range of provision, strategically addressing critical areas such as adult literacy, numeracy, digital skills, preparation for employment and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages). The report also commends the proportionate and rich range of provision supporting citizens’ wellbeing, addressing local priorities, and its distinctive Trade Union education programme.

Mark Baines, Head of Curriculum and Performance at ALW, said:

“This report highlights the impact of the work we do across Wales which is a reflection on our tutors, staff, and partners. It also demonstrates the hard work, effort, and achievements of our learners. It is worth recognising the distance Adult Learning Wales has travelled and grown since the last inspection in 2019, especially given the challenges of the past few years.”

The report also recognises the recent strategic shift to increasing online provision to ensure continued accessibility and reach in ALW’s delivery across Wales. This allows learners in all areas, including those in three counties where in-person delivery has transitioned, to access high-quality learning opportunities. There is also praise for ALW’s self-evaluation processes, which are continually evolving to reflect its broader partner network, enabling community partnerships to access Adult Learning Wales’ data for their own evaluation purposes.

Kathryn Robson, Chief Executive for ALW, added:

“This report is a powerful reflection of the care, commitment, and expertise across our organisation. It highlights the life-changing impact of adult learning and the dedication of our staff, tutors, and partners. I’m proud of how far we’ve come — and excited about what’s ahead as we continue to grow and reach more learners across Wales.”

Adult Learning Wales remains committed to delivering accessible, high-quality adult education that promotes personal growth, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more skilled and confident Wales. The full 2025 Estyn report for Adult Learning Wales can be read here.