Exeter Army Training Unit (West) rated ‘good’ for welfare and care of Reserve recruits

The inspection of Exeter and Cardiff based ATU(W) contributes to Ofsted’s 13th annual report, which assesses the effectiveness of care and welfare arrangements for recruits, trainees and officer cadets in Armed Forces initial training.

Inspectors carried out and assessed 14 inspections between October 2020 and May 2021, at the request of the MoD, for the annual report.

Two establishments were judged outstanding in all 4 key judgements and for overall effectiveness. Another 7 were graded good overall, and 2 were rated requires improvement.

ATU(W) provides phase 1 training to Reserve recruits at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter and Maindy Barracks, Cardiff. Around 400 recruits pass through each year from across the UK, drawn from a variety of regiments and parent units.

During the inspection of ATU(W), inspectors found that the training teams at Wyvern and Maindy Barracks work well together to train and support recruits. And as a result of the good training received, Reserve recruits learn new skills and knowledge quickly and most pass their courses.

Elsewhere, inspectors found that recruits at the 2 barracks benefit from good welfare amenities and appropriately resourced training facilities, including classrooms and firing ranges. The gymnasiums at both locations are good and support recruits effectively to develop and maintain the required fitness levels.