Ofsted has praised Wandsworth’s adult education classes as “outstanding” after finding that they deliver good teaching and value for money.

A report by the independent watchdog praised the “vision” of senior managers on the scheme and the “tireless work” of staff.

The publication follows inspections of a range of classes as well as meetings with students, tutors, and the council's lifelong learning team.

Councillor Kathy Tracey, executive member for education, said: "Ofsted has confirmed what we have known for some time, namely that Wandsworth offers an excellent adult and family learning service for almost 12,000 people each year.

"I am delighted that the hard work of everyone involved in the partnership has been acknowledged. It is particularly encouraging that Ofsted recognises how well the service has developed over the past few years and even more importantly what a good position it is in to continue to improve its services to learners in future."

The inspection team also looked at thousands of pages of records to check up on management and support mechanisms.

Inspectors concluded: “This leadership is highly successful in planning and developing programmes to meet the broad range of needs across the borough."

The inspection looked at four subject areas: sport and leisure; art, media and publishing; literacy, numeracy and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and the family learning programme.

It also assessed the capacity of the service to improve, its overall effectiveness and other aspects of its leadership and management.

The lifelong learning service is part of the borough’s children’s services department, employing 26 staff and around 11,800 students.

Its main partners are South Thames College, Putney School of Art and Design, Southfields Community College and the Wandsworth Library Service.

On top of this, it also works closely with 30 smaller, community-based organisations.

Other popular courses on offer include languages, information and communication technology (ICT), health and social care, retail and commercial enterprise and business.

For more information, call the council on 020 8871 8626, email sfragola@wandsworth.gov.uk or visit wandsworthlifelonglearning.org.uk.

To view the full Ofsted report visit ofsted.gov.uk.