Momentum Training and Consultancy

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Momentum Training and Consultancy

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Education programmes for young people Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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Information about this provider

Momentum Training and Consultancy (MTC) is the training strand of Group Momentum. Group Momentum owns several salon chains and three hairdressing academies in London and the East of England. These are Falltricks Hairdressing Academies in Romford and Ipswich, Headlines Hairdressing Academy and Hairforce 1 Barbering Academy in Romford. MTC teaches standards-based apprenticeships and education programmes for young people in hairdressing and barbering at levels 2 and 3.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 137 apprentices on the level 2 hair professional apprenticeship. Of these, 93 were on the hairdressing and 44 on the barbering pathway. There were 18 apprentices studying the level 3 advanced and creative hair professional standard. There were 22 learners aged 16 to 18 on the hairdressing education programme for young people that began in September 2023. Most apprentices and learners are young women at the start of their careers. 24 to 27 October 2023

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

Apprentices and learners enjoy learning in a very supportive, nurturing and safe environment. They appreciate working with staff and employers who are passionate and knowledgeable about the sector, care about them, and have great enthusiasm to help them have a great start to their careers. Apprentices rapidly gain confidence as they develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need for work. For example, they are quickly able to conduct consultations with a wide range of clients.

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

Study programme learners quickly acquire the foundation knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to go on to further training. For example, early in their training, tutors teach learners about safe working practices, the importance of sterilising equipment, wearing personal protective equipment to mix colour solutions, and maintaining clean surfaces. This prepares young learners well for their next steps.

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

Apprentices and learners develop good interpersonal skills that they put into practice in training and at work. Staff very effectively model how to behave in a salon environment. For example, apprentices learn how to speak to a wide variety of clients, and how to manage their time and become more independent at work and when they study. Employers value the contribution apprentices make at work.

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

Apprentices value the up-to-date training they receive from industry experts on new products. Tutors teach apprentices and learners the technical hairdressing skills they need effectively. Most apprentices successfully complete their training and achieve high grades. A high proportion secure jobs in the hairdressing industry.

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better?

Since the previous inspection in 2016, leaders and managers have maintained good quality training despite the impact of COVID-19 on the hairdressing industry. Leaders and managers understand the key strengths and weaknesses of the provision. They take effective action that leads to improvements. For example, leaders adapted the curriculum so that apprentices master their cutting skills and form good habits early on in their training.

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better?

Tutors teach the curriculum in a logical order so that apprentices and learners develop the fundamental knowledge and skills they need before learning more complex topics. Early in the training, tutors teach apprentices the basics of consultation, such as completing accurate consultation sheets and gowning clients. Learners understand different hair types and textures so that they can choose the correct shampoo before developing their effleurage techniques.

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better?

Tutors are highly knowledgeable, qualified hair professionals, many of whom work as commercial hairdressers. They use their expertise skilfully to teach apprentices and learners the knowledge they need and how to apply this in the salon. For example, apprentices know how to select suitable colours and divide the hair into 24 to 27 October 2023

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sections when applying a root tint. Apprentices and learners develop good practical hairdressing skills.

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Tutors use effective techniques to make sure that apprentices remember what they have been taught. Tutors recap and revisit topics and check apprentices’ understanding. For example, tutors recap the need to blow-dry hair in the direction of the cuticles to smooth it, rather than against it so as to avoid causing frizzy hair.

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Tutors and employers make sure that apprentices and learners have ample time to practise and develop their skills. For example, apprentices observe and question experienced stylists at work. Through repeatedly practising how to hold and control the comb while cutting, barbering apprentices quickly master this skill which is essential in their trade. Employers know what skills their apprentices have, and where they need to develop further, because they carefully check apprentices’ work and give them guidance on how to improve.

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Tutors routinely give apprentices and learners helpful written and verbal feedback on their work. Tutors check that apprentices complete their work to a good standard and correct any mistakes. For example, tutors check apprentices’ skills in the use of handling clippers and scissors at the same time and give feedback on how they can improve their technique. As a result, apprentices and learners are clear about what they need to focus on to improve their skills.

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Tutors provide suitable support for apprentices and learners with additional learning needs. For example, tutors give learners who have dyslexia opportunities to answer questions verbally rather than writing their answers. Tutors provide apprentices and learners with coloured handouts to make it easier for them to read course materials.

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Tutors provide most apprentices and learners with helpful guidance about their next steps once they complete their training. They use their own industry experiences to help apprentices and learners explore potential progression routes. As a result, apprentices and learners quickly understand what they need to achieve to move onto higher-level courses or into junior stylist roles.

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Apprentices and learners develop their knowledge and use of English and mathematics well. Tutors teach learners and apprentices the vital mathematics skills they need at work. For example, they teach learners how to calculate percentages and ratios in order to mix colours and chemicals. Most apprentices achieve the mathematics and English qualifications they need.

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Leaders do not make sure that employers are always effectively involved in reviewing the progress that their apprentices make. When employers do not attend reviews, tutors limit their focus to the tasks that apprentices need to complete. Tutors do not sufficiently identify the specific skills that apprentices need to develop. As a result, a few apprentices are not clear about the skills they need to develop at work. 24 to 27 October 2023

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Leaders give apprentices and learners helpful advice and guidance about how to lead a healthy life. This includes teaching apprentices and learners about healthy relationships, coercive control and staying safe in the community. For example, local police talk to apprentices and learners about walking home safely. However, not all apprentices and learners have secure knowledge on these topics.

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A small senior leadership team provides effective scrutiny of the quality of education that apprentices and learners receive. They have identified that these arrangements need strengthening to add expertise and achieve further improvements. However, leaders have been slow to do so, and this inhibits the development of the provision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Make sure that employers are effectively involved in reviewing the progress that apprentices make so that apprentices understand the specific skills they need to develop.  Improve governance arrangements so that leaders and managers receive suitable support and challenge to improve the provision. 24 to 27 October 2023

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Provider details

Address Falltrick Hairdressing Academy 13 Western Road Romford RM1 3LD

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Simon Watts

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 11 to 14 October 2016

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Not applicable 24 to 27 October 2023

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of 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

Jon Bowman, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Andrea McMahon His Majesty’s Inspector Eileen O’Gara Ofsted Inspector Rebecca Jennings His Majesty’s Inspector Philip Elliott Ofsted Inspector Ramin Narimani His Majesty’s Inspector 24 to 27 October 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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