Britasia TV Network Ltd

Britasia TV Network Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Mark Parton, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address: 158 Broad Street Birmingham B15 1DT Monitoring visit: Britasia TV Network Ltd, 9 and 10 July 2024

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of adult learning provision where the provision offered is in scope for inspection. 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

Britasia TV Network Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Birmingham, West Midlands. The provider offers 12-week Skills Bootcamps in digital content creation and music production, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. At the time of the visit, there were 25 learners studying on the digital content creation Bootcamp and 20 learners studying on the music production Bootcamp. The provider does not work with any subcontractors.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers have a clear rationale for the Skills Bootcamps that they offer. They have developed curriculums to meet the increasing local demand for high- quality digital content creators and music producers. Through their effective work with employers, leaders ensure that the courses they offer develop the necessary practical skills learners require to be successful in the digital and media arena.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that they recruit learners with integrity. They take clear and sensible actions to ensure candidate suitability. Learners undertake thorough assessments and interviews before they enrol to ensure that they possess the appropriate aptitude and commitment for study. As a result, a high number of learners successfully complete their course.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that learners study a well-considered and broad curriculum. Tutors ensure that taught concepts are logically ordered and increase in difficulty. For example, digital content creation learners first learn to photograph in a variety of depth of fields. Learners then move on to study different aspects of lighting, and the complexities of working with both static objects and live models. Learners build on their prior knowledge effectively over time.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers do not evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculums that they offer sufficiently well. Leaders recognise this and have recently Monitoring visit: Britasia TV Network Ltd, 9 and 10 July 2024 begun to carry out activities to determine the long-term impact of the curriculums they teach. However, it is too early to assess the impact of these recent actions.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders do not currently have sufficient arrangements for oversight and external scrutiny. Leaders have plans in place to construct a governing body to provide them with the challenge needed to improve the quality of education that learners receive.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors are experienced professionals and have high levels of subject-specific knowledge. Learners benefit from tutors and guest speakers who enrich their teaching with real-world examples. Learners, as a result, know how the skills they develop can be used to further their careers. However, leaders do not support tutors to develop their teaching skills well enough. Tutors are not supported to ensure that all learners are taught consistently and effectively.

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Reasonable progress

Learners benefit from verbal feedback which helps them to know how to improve their work. Tutors provide digital content creation learners immediate feedback on their social media projects, which tells them clearly how to improve their work to engage a wider audience. Learners use this feedback well in further developing the complexity of their work.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that learners develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that are relevant to working in the digital sector. For example, music production learners can communicate and collaborate effectively while they create their professional portfolios. Learners, because of the teaching they receive, know how to be successful within the digital media industry.

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Reasonable progress

Tutors ensure that, in most cases, learners have opportunities to experience the world of work during their studies. Learners attend live film and TV sets and studios and shadow professional engagements and interviews. As a result, learners develop a clear understanding of the industry they wish to work in.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that learners receive useful careers advice and guidance during their course and afterwards. Learners undertake mock interviews and CV writing workshops to prepare them to take their next steps. A high proportion of learners aspire to move into freelance work after they complete their course. These learners do not receive sufficiently detailed advice and guidance on how to achieve this. Leaders recognise this and have in place plans to provide additional advice for these learners. However, as leaders have yet to implement these plans, the impact cannot be seen. Monitoring visit: Britasia TV Network Ltd, 9 and 10 July 2024

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have put in place appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures to work with adult learners. Leaders undertake a range of appropriate checks prior to appointing new staff to ensure they are suitable to work with adult learners. Leaders follow their policies for safer recruitment diligently.

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Reasonable progress

The designated safeguarding lead is appropriately experienced and trained. Leaders ensure that all teachers undertake relevant safeguarding training, including in the ‘Prevent’ duty, which staff update regularly.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders acknowledge they do not currently take sufficient actions to ensure that learners have a sound enough understanding of the risks associated with their locality. Monitoring visit: Britasia TV Network Ltd, 9 and 10 July 2024 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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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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