Poor quality teaching and provision means the government's basic skills strategy is failing to deliver, according to Ofsted and ALI inspectors.

Their latest report, Literacy, numeracy and English for speakers of other languages: a survey of current practice in post-16 and adult provision finds that although the "Skills for Life" strategy has attracted a record number of adults into the classroom to develop their literacy and numeracy skills, poor teaching and assessment of students is letting them down.

What's more, the rapid increase in student numbers has not been matched by the number of qualified and experienced teachers available to tutor them. Many who start courses do not complete them successfully, and foundation apprentices on a number of programmes do not achieve their key skills qualifications. Rather damningly, the report also suggests staff training needs to focus on tutors’ own levels of literacy and numeracy, as well as their teaching skills.

Inspectors reviewed the findings of around 625 full inspections of post-16 education and training providers offering literacy, numeracy and teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages.