Evolve Academy Ltd

Evolve Academy Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Andrea Machell, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

2 New George Street Manchester M4 4AE Monitoring visit: Evolve Academy Limited, 5–6 May 2021

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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 the Education and Skills Funding Agency 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.

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Context and focus of visit

Evolve Academy Limited received its first publicly funded contract for apprenticeship training in February 2020. Prior to this, it delivered apprenticeships as a subcontractor. Evolve Academy Limited is an independent learning provider that provides apprenticeships in the hairdressing sector. At the time of the visit, there were 42 apprentices studying level 2 standards in hairdressing or barbering. The vast majority of apprentices are aged 16 to 19, and two are aged over 19 years. All are employed in salons in the Greater Manchester region, with most based in the City of Manchester.

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Context and focus of visit

The hairdressing industry has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic due to the closure of hairdressing salons. This has reduced the opportunities for apprentices to practise and consolidate their learning in work until very recently. Almost all apprentices were furloughed, and two apprentices took a break in learning.

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Context and focus of visit

The impact of COVID-19 has been taken into account in the findings and progress judgements below.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have ensured that their apprenticeship programmes meet the requirements of an apprenticeship, including the arrangements for the final assessment. Their actions have already had a beneficial impact on apprentices. For example, apprentices gain substantial new practical skills that prepare them well to work as junior stylists.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have a clear rationale for the apprenticeship programme, which provides training for the hairdressing sector in the Greater Manchester region. Leaders have Monitoring visit: Evolve Academy Limited, 5–6 May 2021 used their experience of delivering apprenticeships as a subcontractor to design apprenticeships that meet the needs of employers and apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders recruit staff who have the expertise to be able to implement apprenticeships effectively. Staff benefit from extensive professional development, including safeguarding training and the updating of their hairdressing skills. Leaders do not ensure that trainers develop their teaching skills sufficiently to ensure that apprentices retain the theoretical knowledge they need. Apprentices find it difficult to recall concepts such as the science behind the successful blow-drying of different types of hair.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have an appropriate oversight of individual apprentices’ progress. They meet with staff regularly to discuss apprentices’ progress. As a result, most apprentices make good progress.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders communicate their expectations to staff effectively. For instance, they briefed them on the changes that were needed during the restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

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Reasonable progress

While leaders have processes in place to evaluate the quality of subcontracted courses they deliver for other providers, they have not yet completed one for their own contract. Senior leaders ensure that when staff do not meet the expected standards, they are provided with support to help them improve. If they do not improve, they leave.

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Reasonable progress

The board of directors who owns the company monitors the overall quality of training that apprentices receive. It provides appropriate guidance and support to managers. There is no external governance to provide impartial challenge to leaders.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers ensure that apprentices develop the new skills, knowledge and behaviours that they need to work in the hairdressing sector. As a result, they become more productive in the workplace, for instance, they competently shampoo and blow-dry clients’ hair.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices learn how to use the right equipment and products to successfully apply colour to meet customers’ needs. Apprentices are less confident about the theory that underpins the practical aspects of their course, such as the concepts that underpin curling hair.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers plan the order of the curriculum to build apprentices’ skills over time. Apprentices learn about shampooing before they move on to blow-drying. They move on to more complex techniques, such as hair up-styles and pin curls, after perfecting a range of blow- drying skills. Monitoring visit: Evolve Academy Limited, 5–6 May 2021 Apprentices develop the English and mathematical skills they need while in work. They measure out and mix colours correctly and speak confidently with clients over the phone. Apprentices have not started their training for English and mathematics qualifications because leaders have only recently put in place plans to teach these subjects.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices receive useful feedback from trainers that enables them to make improvements in their practical skills, such as how to use a brush correctly to produce a smooth blow-dry. Trainers assess gaps in apprentices’ practical skills and put in place individual plans to help them catch up when necessary, for example when returning to work after salon closure due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that they recruit apprentices on to the right course and match them with a suitable employer. Apprentices benefit from help to prepare them in their applications to employers for an apprenticeship. Trainers do not provide guidance on how they can achieve their longer-term future goals.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders place a high priority on keeping apprentices safe. Appropriate safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty policies to safeguard apprentices are in place. All staff and apprentices complete safeguarding and ‘Prevent’ duty training and receive regular updates. Leaders ensure staff are appropriately checked to work safely with apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use effective resources to raise apprentices’ awareness of safeguarding concerns, such as extremism, terrorism, online safety and well-being issues. Apprentices learn how to keep themselves and their clients safe. They apply strict hygiene measures correctly when using chemicals to sterilise equipment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have identified that mental health and well-being concerns have escalated during the pandemic. To support their apprentices, they have adapted the curriculum to include topics such as alcohol and drug misuse, healthy diet and lifestyles.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices know who to go to if they have any concerns. They can access a range of support if needed, for example counselling sessions or services offered by external agencies. Monitoring visit: Evolve Academy Limited, 5–6 May 2021 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.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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

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