Mike Taylor Education

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

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

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Information about this provider

Mike Taylor Education (MTE) is an independent learning provider based in Poole, specialising in barbering and hairdressing. MTE was awarded a direct contract to offer apprenticeships in August 2022, having previously taught apprenticeships as a subcontractor. At the time of the inspection, there were 27 apprentices. There were eight level 2 barbering professionals, 16 level 2 hairdressing professionals and three level 3 advanced and creative hair professionals. 13 to 15 August 2024

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

Apprentices are very satisfied with the training that they receive. They benefit from the excellent work that leaders and educators (trainers) do with employers to plan the curriculum. This ensures that apprentices are very well prepared to undertake a wide variety of hairdressing and barbering services.

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

Apprentices’ attitudes to their training and work are exemplary. They have a genuine thirst for learning. This is often inspired by educators’ knowledge and enthusiasm. Apprentices develop high levels of professionalism: they set up their workstations neatly and check that all equipment is clean and sterile; they clean their work area meticulously after each client and they interact respectfully with customers and take the time to ensure they understand their wishes.

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

Apprentices frequently participate in activities that go well beyond the requirements of their courses. They attend a wide range of industry events, such as trade shows; they participate in, and often win, competitions and they contribute to community events, such as recently providing haircuts to dementia patients in a local hospital. These activities contribute extremely well to the development of their character and confidence.

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

Apprentices feel safe at work and at training academies. They know when and how to report any concerns that they have. They feel confident that educators and employers will address any concerns promptly and effectively. Apprentices do not experience bullying, harassment or discrimination.

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better?

Leaders have an infectious passion for education and training in barbering and hairdressing. They insist that teaching and learning resources are of a very high standard. They expect apprentices to master all the required skills and knowledge thoroughly. They communicate their expectations clearly through standardisation meetings and frequent conversations with the small team of educators. As a result, the quality of education is outstanding.

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better?

Leaders and educators work closely with employers to identify the precise skills and knowledge that apprentices need for successful careers. They ensure that courses include a full range of techniques, such as wet and dry shaving in barbering and balayage (free-hand colouring) in hairdressing. As a result, apprentices are equipped with the skills that they need to perform a wide range of services.

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better?

Apprentices attend frequent high-quality practical and theoretical lessons at MTE academies. Those who need the most practise attend additional sessions. Where apprentices face barriers to attending the academy, educators visit them in their workplaces to provide the same training. Educators sequence lessons very effectively so that apprentices develop secure foundational knowledge before they move on to more complex themes. 13 to 15 August 2024

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Educators are experts in their field. They use their expertise to provide apprentices with thorough explanations, clear demonstrations and excellent coaching and advice. Apprentices also benefit from a comprehensive range of professionally produced videos that supplement their classroom learning. These include demonstrations of techniques at professional speeds that support apprentices in perfecting their timings.

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Employers contribute very effectively to apprentices’ training. This is because educators work very closely with them to ensure that they have a detailed understanding of what apprentices study. Educators describe the progress that apprentices make and explain the extra support and practise they need at work.

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Educators assess the starting points of apprentices carefully and accurately. They use the information that this provides to adapt each apprentice’s course. They continually monitor apprentices’ progress and adjust individual training plans appropriately. They provide apprentices with frequent opportunities to demonstrate and sharpen their skills. As a result, apprentices can work at speed and to a consistently high standard.

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Educators use a range of useful assessment methods to check apprentices’ understanding of theoretical topics. These include questioning, discussions and written tasks. When apprentices’ answers lack precision or detail, educators ask additional probing questions that help apprentices to develop their understanding.

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Educators prepare apprentices thoroughly for their final examinations. Almost all apprentices achieve their qualifications, with many achieving high grades.

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From the outset, leaders and educators set high expectations for apprentices’ behaviour. Apprentices understand what is expected of them and apply themselves diligently to their training. They are punctual and have high rates of attendance at academy training sessions. They understand the importance of professional standards and the implications for their reputation and clients if they were to arrive to work late.

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Apprentices take part in frequent tutorials on a wide range of relevant themes. Through these tutorials, they develop a very good understanding of fundamental British values. For example, a recent tutorial helped apprentices to develop their understanding of democracy through a review of the process and outcome of the recent general election. Tutorials also help apprentices develop their understanding of topics, such as sexual health and healthy relationships.

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Leaders and educators promote equality very well. They have a clear equality and diversity policy that they ensure apprentices understand. The tutorial programme tackles topics, such as homophobia. Educators teach apprentices to deal with clients of both sexes, different ages and varying hair types, such as type-4 (coily or Afro- textured) hair. They have adjusted learning resources to reflect the inclusive nature of the industry by, for example, eliminating gender-specific language from textbooks and including more images of female barbers. 13 to 15 August 2024

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Educators use their extensive industry knowledge to provide apprentices with helpful guidance on career options, such as self-employment, becoming trainers and working in sales and marketing. They organise a range of employer events that allow apprentices to watch demonstrations, to listen to experts talk about their experiences and to ask about careers. Leaders also pay for a professional photographer to take pictures of apprentices’ work so that they can improve their social media profiles.

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Leaders have implemented suitable quality assurance processes that include assessment sampling, standardisation meetings, lesson observations and learner feedback activities. These contribute well to maintaining the exceptionally high standard of training. Leaders frequently discuss areas for improvement with educators and support them to update their knowledge and skills through a very wide range of professional development activities.

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Leaders have made sound arrangements for governance and oversight. They have recruited two external governors, who have a wealth of experience in the sector and in education and training. Governors communicate frequently with leaders, both informally and through formal monthly meetings. As a result, governors know the business well and provide suitable challenge and support.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 13 to 15 August 2024

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Provider details

Address MTE Hair and Barbering Academy 8 Tatnam Crescent Poole Dorset B Poole Dorset BH15 2HG

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Principal, CEO or equivalent

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Principal, CEO or equivalent

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Principal, CEO or equivalent

Main subcontractors None 13 to 15 August 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the quality lead, 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

Russ Henry, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Nikki Brady His Majesty’s Inspector Denise Olander His Majesty’s Inspector 13 to 15 August 2024

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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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