Academy Training Ltd

Academy Training Hair and Beauty Limited Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Martin Ward, Her Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

42-44 Hill Street Coventry CV1 4AN Monitoring visit: Academy Training Hair and Beauty Limited, 30 and 31 March 2022

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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

Academy Hair and Beauty Training Limited was established in 2014 and started providing apprenticeships as a main contractor from October 2020. Between 2014 and 2020, Academy Hair and Beauty Training Limited delivered training as a subcontractor.

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Context and focus of visit

The Managing Director provides most of the training on day-release and at the head office, which also serves as the training centre. At the time of the visit, there were 18 apprentices on hairdressing and beauty apprenticeships. Some 15 apprentices were enrolled on level 2 hair professional, one on barbering level 2, and two apprentices on the advanced creative hair professional apprenticeship. Apprentices were based in Coventry, Leamington, and Warwick with 11 employers.

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Reasonable progress

The Managing Director has a clear mission to respond to the local skills shortages in the hair industry. She has wisely grown the business slowly in line with the small management and training team.

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Reasonable progress

The Managing Director builds well on long-established relationships with employers. She selects employers who are committed to the long-term development and retention of their apprentices. Employers are rightly involved in the initial recruitment of apprentices and their regular reviews. The Managing Director ensures that employers’ training plans for the apprentices are integrated well with those of the provider. As a result, apprentices are on the right level of course and make good progress in the development of hairdressing skills. They quickly become useful in the workplace.

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Reasonable progress

The Managing Director, who is the main trainer, has recruited an experienced part-time assessor, and another well-qualified internal quality manager and reviewer. This small Monitoring visit: Academy Training Hair and Beauty Limited, 30 and 31 March 2022 team closely monitor apprentices’ progress and participation in off-the-job training. The team are swift to intervene if apprentices are making slow progress or are not receiving their training entitlement. Where apprentices are falling behind with their hairdressing skills, managers put plans in place, and nearly all apprentices catch up. Managers do not track the development of apprentices’ mathematics and English skills well enough. A small number of apprentices are not making good progress in their mathematical functional skill.

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Reasonable progress

Since September 2021, the Managing Director has worked closely and effectively with an external company to provide external governance. The external governor provides clear guidance and effective challenge and support. The Managing Director has produced an accurate self-assessment report. The Managing Director has developed a detailed plan for improvement in line with the weaknesses identified in the self-assessment report. Managers are making positive progress on nearly all areas.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that apprentices understand the job opportunities within the hairdressing and beauty industry that become available on completion of their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have developed apprenticeship programmes which meet the needs of the employers.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers and assessors are highly experienced and knowledgeable. They use their knowledge to teach apprentices about how to use industry-standard products and techniques. For example, when teaching colouring, they can demonstrate the general principles of colouring and apply them to the colour products used within salons. As a result, apprentices understand the colouring process within their salon and are aware of differing colouring products that are used across the industry.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices value working in small groups and in the well-resourced and attractive training centre. When demonstrating practical skills, the trainer breaks down learning into small steps. The apprentices improve their technical skills gradually and repeat them until they become fluent. The trainers willingly provide additional individual support for apprentices who find particular theories or practices difficult to grasp.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices develop the knowledge and skills needed for the hairdressing industry. For example, apprentices on level 3 programmes learn to cut short hair well. Level 2 apprentices confidently handle the hair during the blow-drying process and demonstrate dexterity when using the hairbrush and hand dryer. Monitoring visit: Academy Training Hair and Beauty Limited, 30 and 31 March 2022 Leaders have developed well-structured workbooks and portfolios, which apprentices use to record and reflect on their learning. Apprentices understand and are well prepared for their end-point assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Apprentices benefit from good employer support. Employers are involved in apprentice reviews. Most have a good understanding of what their apprentices learn, and what they need to do to improve to achieve their next steps. A few employers provide additional practical training events where apprentices further develop the skills on live clients.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers do not continue to develop apprentices’ English and mathematics skills well enough. Trainers do not use the initial assessment to plan a curriculum which swiftly addresses apprentices’ gaps in knowledge. Within the vocational curriculum, although trainers identify errors in numeracy and literacy, they do not provide the detailed support that apprentices need to improve.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have developed appropriate safeguarding policies with clear roles and responsibilities. They ensure that apprentices understand how to stay safe online, and where they can find support for their mental health.

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Reasonable progress

The Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) has completed recent, relevant training and certification.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders follow appropriate procedures when recruiting new staff. Leaders provide detailed training materials for staff when they join the organisation and provide regular updates about safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty.

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Reasonable progress

Through effective working with partners, managers have a good understanding of the prevailing risks of extremism within most areas where apprentices work. However, some apprentices cannot apply their understanding of the Prevent duty to their job role or their locality.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders identify apprentices who are ‘at risk’ and provide support, liaise with external authorities, and monitor their progress closely.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make sure apprentices understand how to keep themselves safe at work. Trainers provide training on posture and how to care for their skin and lungs within the industry. Apprentices that we spoke to felt safe and knew how to report any concerns. Monitoring visit: Academy Training Hair and Beauty Limited, 30 and 31 March 2022 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

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 .

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Reasonable progress

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

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