Managers plan to 'sharpen up' adult learning objectives

Inspectors also found inadequate leadership and management. The service now has a new strategic manager.

Simon Trotter, assistant director of Lifelong Learning, said the service had "focused a bit too much on enjoyment".

And he said computer courses had been found to be good and vocational courses were described as satisfactory.

'Sharper learning objectives'

But he said: "It's not good enough.

"We would like it to be better - we would like it to be outstanding.

"But I think it is important to be clear that people are getting at least satisfactory work if they have come to improve their skills and they will have a good time if they do subjects like sports, leisure and the visual arts."

He added main areas of weakness were in health, leisure, and visual and performing arts and said: "We have got to keep that element of enjoyment and the feel-good factor going, but sharpen up on learning objectives."

Mr Trotter said management arrangements had been strengthened since the inspection and Medway Council had also agreed to put more than �1m into improving the Rochester centre which will incorporate a library.

The inspection was carried out in April and the report published this month.

Inspectors are due to return to Medway Adult and Community Learning Service next year.