University for the Creative Arts

Further education and skills inspection report

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Short inspection of University for the Creative Arts

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Outcome

University for the Creative Arts continues to be a good provider.

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Information about this provider

University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a specialist provider which has campuses in Farnham and Epsom in Surrey and Canterbury and Rochester in Kent. UCA offers further education which provides students with specialist qualifications that prepare them for higher level learning and careers in the creative industries, such as fashion and photography.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection visit, there were 522 students studying at level three across the four campuses. Of these, 66 were studying access to higher education courses, 322 were studying the foundation diploma in art, design and media practice and the remainder of students were studying the extended diploma in art & design practice.

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Information about this provider

UCA works with one sub-contractor, Fleet Education Services Ltd, to provide students with courses and qualifications in English and mathematics.

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better?

Leaders, managers, and staff are highly ambitious for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to learn new specialist skills, thrive and excel in their chosen subjects. Leaders communicate their ambitions for students effectively through challenging key performance indicators which staff use to support students to achieve well. As a result, almost all students achieve better than expected at their starting points and most students progress to their chosen next step in higher education.

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better?

Leaders, managers, and staff expertly plan and deliver a well-sequenced curriculum in vocational subjects. Students learn about the five possible pathways early in their courses, enabling them to make informed choices of which pathway they specialise in. As a result, students can focus their studies on expressing their own creativities. Staff ensure that students benefit from tailored, individualised learning plans which 8 and 9 February 2023

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build their skills and knowledge over time and culminates in a final major project where they showcase their learning.

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Staff are suitably qualified and highly experienced in the subjects they teach. They use their expertise to provide engaging and interesting sessions, and they motivate students extremely well to apply their learning to practical tasks. Teachers ensure that students learn new techniques and develop new skills in academic and practical learning. For example, students benefit from improving their academic writing skills, critical thinking, and research skills, as well as how to use hand drills to explore random objects which they would not have used in the past.

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Leaders ensure that students benefit from an effective careers programme which offers useful information, advice and guidance that encourages students to aspire to further achievements and enables them to make informed choices about their next steps. For example, students following the extended diploma benefit from interview workshops, workshops to prepare for university applications and support for CV writing. Most students benefit from activities which prepare them effectively for their next steps, such as industry expert speakers, supported production of exhibitions of their work and visits to workplaces.

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Leaders and those responsible for governance have in place appropriate methods to evaluate the quality of the vocational curriculum and students’ experiences, progress, and achievement. They develop effective actions which have a positive and timely impact on the education that students receive.

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Although, leaders ensure that students with additional needs are well supported in their academic studies, leaders do not ensure that students with high needs receive structured support that is monitored and reviewed regularly in order to ensure that they progress in their non-academic outcomes. As a result, leaders do not have clear oversight of the quality and effectiveness this provision and the progress that students make.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have ensured that they have created a structure of well-qualified designated safeguarding officers (DSOs) across all campuses. The DSOs ensure that safeguarding is promoted. The senior DSO has ensured that policies, processes, and training are effective so as to ensure that staff can recognise concerns and understand how to report these in an appropriate manner.

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Safeguarding

Students feel safe at the university and understand how to report any concerns.

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 Leaders must ensure that students in receipt of education, health and care plans progress in their non-academic outcomes as swiftly as their vocational programmes. 8 and 9 February 2023

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Provider details

Address Falkner Road Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Bashir Makhoul

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 13 and 14 January 2016

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Fleet Education Services Ltd 8 and 9 February 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was the second short inspection carried out since University for the Creative Arts was judged to be good in November 2011.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of school, further education, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider's most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous inspection report. The inspection was carried out using the further education and skills inspection handbook and took into account all relevant provision at the provider. Inspectors collected a wide range of evidence to inform judgements including visiting learning sessions, scrutinising learners' work, seeking the views of learners, staff and other stakeholders, and examining the provider's documentation and records.

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Inspection team

Emma Leavey, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector Montserrat Perez-Parent His Majesty's Inspector Lee Hunt Ofsted Inspector 8 and 9 February 2023

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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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