EASI Hairdressing Academy Ltd

Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd Monitoring visit report

p.1

Name of lead inspector: Derrick Baughan, Her Majesty’s Inspector

p.1

Inspection dates: 30 September – 1 October 2019

p.1

Type of provider: Independent learning provider

p.1

Address:

158 High Street Colchester CO1 1PG Monitoring visit: Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd, 30 September-1 October 2019

p.1

Context and focus of visit

From October 2018, Ofsted undertook to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision which began to be funded from April 2017 or after by ESFA and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

p.2

Context and focus of visit

Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd (Easi) gained a direct contract to provide apprenticeships in January 2018. It operates from one location in Colchester and uses hired, or in-salon, training venues in Chelmsford, Clacton and London. Almost all of the 87 apprentices are studying hairdressing. Of these, about three quarters are on level 2 standards-based apprenticeships and the rest on level 3 framework apprenticeships. In September 2018, Easi started delivering equine apprenticeships and has five apprentices at level 2. Apprentices are mostly based in North Essex. Easi does not use subcontractors.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have made good use of their previous experience as a subcontractor and their hairdressing sector knowledge to establish high-quality hairdressing programmes that meet the requirements of an apprenticeship. Leaders have made reasonable progress towards establishing suitable equine apprenticeship training for the few apprentices currently in learning. However, the development of subject specific resources has been slow.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders involve all staff fully in planning the provision at both a strategic and programme level. Leaders hold a biannual conference to plan curriculums and develop and update schemes of work. As a result, apprentices study programmes that meet their needs and prepare them well for careers in hairdressing and equine.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Leaders have implemented effective plans to prepare for end-point assessments (EPA). Staff provide employers with detailed information. Apprentices attend an EPA ‘boot camp’. In addition, they undertake mock EPAs. As a result, apprentices and employers have a good understanding of these assessments. Monitoring visit: Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd, 30 September-1 October 2019 Leaders have a good knowledge of the provision and its strengths and weaknesses. They work to improve the quality of the training they provide, and continually review how quickly apprentices are developing the skills and knowledge they require to complete their qualification.

p.2

Reasonable progress

Governance arrangement are impactful and effective. Those responsible for governance have a clear oversight and challenge leaders appropriately to improve continually the standard of training they provide.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop new skills, knowledge and behaviours, which they talk about articulately and confidently. For example, one apprentice explained why she was braiding with the tail of her comb, while applying bleach to hair to ensure that highlights were graduated and natural-looking when the treatment was complete.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Apprentices’ technical, practical and written work meets the requirements of their framework. Tutors provider apprentices with constructive feedback, which helps them improve the quality of their work.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors plan learning to ensure that it meets the needs of the apprenticeship standards. Their planning takes good account of the outcomes of the detailed assessments they make of apprentices’ starting points

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors are skilled practitioners who work closely and effectively with apprentices. They help apprentices develop a good understanding of what employers and clients expect from the services they provide. Tutors use questioning skilfully to check and reinforce apprentices’ knowledge. Their very effective demonstrations of hairdressing techniques, such as completing a one-length cut, inspire apprentices to refine and improve their own practice.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors are particularly adept at adapting teaching to take account of apprentices’ progress in specific lessons. For example, tutors change the pace of the learning or modify the schemes of work, while still ensuring that apprentices cover all aspects of the programme over time.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that apprentices receive the time away from their busy salons to study and reflect on their learning. Tutors make good use of a mobile telephone ‘app’ to ensure that apprentices and employers record this training in detail.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Apprentices are not rapidly improving their English skills. Leaders and managers have not ensured that tutors focus closely and effectively enough on the English skills apprentices require to succeed in life and work. Tutors often do not provide Monitoring visit: Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd, 30 September-1 October 2019 apprentices with effective feedback about how they can improve the quality of their English work.

p.3

Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices are safeguarded. As a result, apprentices feel safe, are safe at work, and use safe working practices. Leaders work effectively to ensure that staff are suitable to work with apprentices. Leaders undertake disclosure and barring service checks on all staff. Leaders ensure that dedicated safeguarding staff receive appropriate training.

p.4

Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that all staff receive suitable training to help them safeguard apprentices. As a result, staff deal promptly and effectively with issues that arise. They record these issues in detail. Managers carry out appropriate risk assessments of locations and activities to ensure that they minimise the risks to apprentices.

p.4

Reasonable progress

The provider has met its duty under the ‘Prevent’ agenda and apprentices know the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. Monitoring visit: Easi Hairdressing Academy Ltd, 30 September-1 October 2019 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Reasonable progress

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Reasonable progress

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Reasonable progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.5