Cambridge Marketing College Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Cambridge Marketing College Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Cambridge Marketing College Limited (CMC) is an independent learning provider. It has offered marketing and public relations apprenticeships nationally since September 2018. CMC specialises in online training. At the time of the inspection, there were 335 apprentices in learning. More than half of apprentices study marketing executive at level 4 or marketing manager apprenticeship at level 6. CMC currently does not work with any subcontractors, and no apprentices are in receipt of high-needs funding. 21 to 24 March 2023

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices learn new and specialist marketing and public relations knowledge. For example, marketing apprentices learn how to plan and deliver successful marketing campaigns. They learn how to focus on long-term growth of their organisation, considering factors beyond individual products and services. These campaigns enable businesses to increase their income and improve their brand image.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices feel that leaders and tutors listen to their suggestions. For example, level 6 marketing manager apprentices attend marketing strategy sessions in which they choose the topics of discussions. Furthermore, apprentices feel that tutors patiently listen to any concerns and frequently check in with them. This allows apprentices to be independent learners and to succeed on their course.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Most apprentices enjoy their studies and rapidly become confident in studying online. They benefit from the one-to-one learning that tutors provide.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices benefit significantly from the expertise and knowledge of their tutors. Apprentices study current and future marketing and public relations subjects. For example, they learn about new, online marketing analytics techniques. Apprentices’ use of innovative marketing techniques helps their businesses stay competitive.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices with additional learning needs receive appropriate support from tutors. Course tutors and specialist staff provide learning materials and strategies to apprentices to overcome their barriers to learning. Despite this, a small minority of apprentices with additional learning needs do not progress through their qualifications swiftly.

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What is it like to be a learner with this provider?

Apprentices know how to keep themselves safe. They have a deeper understanding of the dangers to look out for when working and studying online. For example, most know how to protect clients and their own personal information when they are online and using social media for marketing campaigns. However, level 3 marketing assistant apprentices have a limited understanding.

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better?

Leaders have designed a highly effective marketing and public relations curriculum. The curriculum offers individuals, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, access to high-quality education. Around half of the apprentices who study the marketing manager apprenticeship at level 6 do not have a previous higher qualification. As a result, apprentices can improve their work practice and add value to the organisations for which they work.

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better?

Leaders have planned effectively programmes that meet the current and future skills needs in the marketing and communications industry. They frequently review these programmes to ensure that they take account of the changing skills needs of 21 to 24 March 2023

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employers. Employers value the knowledge, skills and behaviours that apprentices develop.

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Apprentices swiftly learn significant new skills on their courses and apply these in the workplace. Level 3 marketing assistant apprentices learn about effective presentation skills early in their course. They use these skills to pitch marketing ideas successfully to external clients. Apprentices improve their confidence and become independent employees.

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Apprentices benefit from high-quality teaching resources. They have access to a wide range of resources, including study guides, videos, webinars and podcasts. Level 3 marketing assistant apprentices make good use of these resources, which explain key concepts, such as product life cycles and analytical dashboards. Apprentices are clear about what they need to do to progress through their qualifications.

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Tutors use a range of highly effective techniques to check apprentices have understood concepts. This allows apprentices to retain the knowledge they learn on their courses. Tutors introduce technical concepts adeptly, such as the situation, objectives, strategy, tactics, action and control model, when they teach marketing campaigns.

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Apprentices develop good English and mathematical skills. Level 3 marketing assistant apprentices use their mathematical skills to analyse the success of social media posts. Level 6 marketing manager apprentices improve their communication skills through creating effective marketing plans to pitch to senior leaders.

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Leaders and tutors do not take swift and timely actions to ensure that apprentices continue with their studies. As a result, too many apprentices change their job roles and do not complete their qualifications. Most apprentices who complete their qualifications achieve high grades in their final examinations.

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Employers highly commend the behaviour of apprentices. They are positive about how well apprentices integrate into the workplace. Therefore, apprentices receive additional responsibilities, including at management level. They become key contacts for their clients.

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Apprentices rapidly develop and model appropriate, professional behaviours. They increase their confidence in challenging businesses to consider ethical behaviour in marketing practices. Apprentices are well respected by their staff, peers and managers in the workplace.

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Most apprentices deepen their knowledge and understanding of equality and celebrate diversity. Level 6 marketing manager apprentices design and lead on campaigns to recruit more women into construction. Apprentices are confident to work effectively with, and lead, diverse teams. 21 to 24 March 2023

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Leaders and tutors do not ensure that apprentices routinely receive impartial and ongoing careers advice and guidance. Tutors do not have discussions with sufficient frequency to ensure that apprentices understand and fulfil their career aspirations. Furthermore, tutors do not ensure that apprentices benefit from accessing high- quality resources to further their career choices.

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Leaders and tutors do not teach a curriculum that extends beyond the requirements of the apprenticeship. Tutors do not encourage apprentices to participate in projects in the communities where they live and work or to develop their wider interests and talents.

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Governance arrangements are effective. Governors have appropriate experience and expertise to support and challenge senior leaders. Governors challenge senior leaders to analyse information on the quality of education and training, to look for patterns and to be more proactive in their actions. As a result, senior leaders can identify potential issues and take appropriate actions to improve the quality of education.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders and tutors recognise that apprentices can feel isolated due to their online learning model. They have taken several steps to ensure that apprentices have ongoing opportunities to network with their peers and tutors. For example, leaders have put on additional weekly team-building sessions for apprentices. Apprentices have the choice to discuss topics that are of personal interest to them. Furthermore, leaders have established social media channels to allow apprentices to share ideas and concerns.

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Safeguarding

The safeguarding team works effectively with partner agencies. For example, the safeguarding lead works effectively with local doctors to provide support for apprentices who suffer from eating disorders. Apprentices develop a deeper understanding of the risks that might affect them in their personal and professional lives. They have a secure knowledge of acceptable behaviour at work. They are confident to report any incidents of bullying or sexual harassment in the workplace.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Leaders must ensure that apprentices remain in learning, value their studies and complete their apprenticeships.  Leaders must ensure that apprentices receive ongoing and impartial careers advice and guidance to help them achieve their personal and professional ambitions.  Leaders must ensure that they teach a curriculum beyond the technical qualification, enabling apprentices to develop their wider interests. 21 to 24 March 2023

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Provider details

Address 1 Cygnus Business Park Middle Watch Swavesey Cambridge CB24 4AA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Kiran Kapur

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 21 to 24 March 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the chief executive officer, 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

Sambit Sen, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector George Chittock-Nash Ofsted Inspector Georgina Ager His Majesty’s Inspector Trisha Franklin Ofsted Inspector Clare Hood Ofsted Inspector Christine Leeding Ofsted Inspector 21 to 24 March 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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