English teaching for speakers of other languages has dropped in standards at Islington Council, an Ofsted report has said.

The course is part of the authority’s adult and community learning service.

However, in its first Ofsted report since 2011, the service still maintained its “good” rating: second highest on a scale of four.

Adult learning is delivered in community venues across the borough to help unemployed and low income residents develop skills and confidence.

The Oftsed report, published last Tuesday, said: “In many areas, such as in mathematics, further improvements have been made and almost all learners achieve their learning aims and/or qualifications.

“However, the previously ‘outstanding’ [highest on the scale] provision in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) has not been maintained at its former high standard.

“Of the three key areas for improvement identified at the previous inspection, your senior leaders and managers have tackled two well. They have made clear improvements to the monitoring of learners’ progression at the end of their courses, and to the identification of the performance of different groups of learners.

“However, attendance and punctuality, particularly for ESOL learners, remain a challenge.”

But the English course is still rated “good”, and head of learning Ellen Ryan added: “We’re pleased at recognition of our commitment tackling poverty and helping people into work, good support for vulnerable adults and improvements in key areas such as maths and vocational provision. We’ll continue to work to improve the service for Islington residents.”