Digital Peninsula Network Limited

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection of Digital Peninsula Network Limited

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Digital Peninsula Network Limited (DPNL) provides apprenticeships and Skills Bootcamps in the digital sector. It started offering apprenticeships in 2021. At the time of the inspection there were 22 apprentices, all studying level 3 apprenticeships. Eleven apprentices were studying the original digital marketing apprenticeship and 11 were studying the newer multi-channel marketing apprenticeship.

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Information about this provider

DPNL first started offering Skills Bootcamps in June 2023. At the time of the inspection, there were 33 learners studying digital Skills Bootcamps. Eighteen learners were studying website development and 15 were studying digital marketing.

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Information about this provider

All learners and apprentices were over the age of 18 and most were located in the south west of England. All training and support are provided through online methods. 2 to 4 October 2024

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

Learners and apprentices enjoy their learning and look forward to their online training sessions. Tutors use their industry expertise and teaching experience well to enrich learning. For example, they use case studies and real-life scenarios to explain how digital marketing tools are used by different businesses.

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

Learners and apprentices attend well, are punctual and work hard to complete all the work they are given to high standards. This is because leaders and managers set very high expectations. Tutors encourage learners and apprentices to take up their offer of additional personalised one-to-one support. Most do this, showing a very high level of commitment to their learning.

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

Learners and apprentices increase their confidence and resilience by applying their new learning at work. Tutors teach learners and apprentices the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact to their businesses. For example, web design bootcamp learners with no previous experience are now able to create their own websites, sell directly to customers, and increase their sales through tailoring their social media campaigns to their customers.

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

Learners and apprentices feel safe. They develop trusted relationships with their tutors, with whom they feel comfortable to discuss any concerns they have.

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better?

Leaders and managers use their extensive partnerships with employers, training providers and organisations to identify the digital skills needs of local and regional businesses. Leaders and managers work collaboratively with employers to design ambitious curriculums that meet employers’ needs.

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better?

Leaders and managers carefully consider the sequence of teaching the curriculum content so that it builds knowledge and skills logically. For example, web design bootcamp learners begin by evaluating other websites to identify features to include in their own design. They then learn how to create these features and launch their own websites by the end of the course.

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better?

Tutors are well qualified, highly skilled and knowledgeable of their industry. Tutors use a variety of effective methods to teach apprentices online. For example, by using two tutors each session, one tutor monitors learners’ and apprentices’ questions and answers through the chat function effectively. This enables them to identify misconceptions early and to give one-to-one support in online break out rooms.

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better?

Tutors support learners and apprentices to retain knowledge in their long-term memory by linking new modules to previous content and discussing the links between topics. As a result, learners and apprentices apply their learning from different topics in the workplace confidently. For example, multi-channel marketing 2 to 4 October 2024

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apprentices use their knowledge of regulations and legislation to create compliant communications plans for their workplaces.

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Tutors do not use the information they gather at the start of learners’ and apprentices’ courses effectively. They do not use this to support the development of English and mathematical skills within the curriculum. Tutors ensure that apprentices who need to gain functional skills qualifications in English or mathematics are given individual support linked to the skills they need to develop. However, tutors do not tailor support for learners and apprentices who do not need these qualifications to develop their individual English and mathematical skills.

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Tutors know their learners and apprentices well. They put appropriate measures in place to support learners and apprentices who have additional learning needs. For example, tutors give more one-to-one support and make more frequent checks on progress for learners who speak English as an additional language, and learners who suffer with anxiety.

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Tutors do not provide Skills Bootcamp learners with feedback on the assessments they are set. As a result, although learners learn new knowledge and skills, they do not know what they could do to improve further.

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Tutors provide useful feedback to apprentices. Leaders and managers ensure that apprentices, employers and tutors meet frequently to review the progress that apprentices make. Tutors help apprentices to identify their areas of strength and weakness, and plan opportunities with the employer for apprentices to apply their new knowledge and skills in the workplace.

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Tutors work with employers to ensure that apprentices get the time they need to complete the apprenticeship. They also adapt learning tasks to different businesses to ensure apprentices get the wide range of experiences they need to practise their skills.

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Just over a half of apprentices in the first cohort stayed on the programme and achieved their apprenticeship. Fewer apprentices in later cohorts have left early. Apprentices who complete their apprenticeship achieve high levels of skills, with over half gaining distinction grades. Around one quarter of apprentices gain promotion within six months of completing their apprenticeship, and a few use their skills to start their own businesses.

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The large majority of Skills Bootcamp learners stay and complete their programme. A high proportion see a positive impact on their businesses, as a result of the skills they have learned and applied. For example, they see measurable increases in customer reach, sales and profits.

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Leaders and managers provide most apprentices with a broad range of useful careers advice and guidance, including signposting to relevant employment and training opportunities. However, Skills Bootcamp learners are not aware of how to 2 to 4 October 2024

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access this information and do not routinely discuss future opportunities available to them.

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Tutors do not teach learners and apprentices about the dangers of radicalisation and extremism in a way that is meaningful for them. As a result, learners and apprentices do not know the relevance of this for their work and lives.

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Leaders and managers use a variety of well-established and largely effective methods to assess and evaluate the quality of their provision. Leaders identify the large majority of their areas for improvement and take suitable and timely actions to improve their provision.

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Leaders and managers are supported well by a board of directors who maintain an appropriate oversight and support with the strategic direction of the organisation. They are engaged with the digital sector and use their insight to consider future digital training needs and opportunities.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Improve the feedback given to Skills Bootcamp learners on their assessed work, so they know how to improve further.  Use the results of initial assessments and skills scans to inform the curriculum more effectively.  Improve the teaching about radicalisation and extremism, and contextualise this to learners and apprentices so that it is meaningful for their lives and work. 2 to 4 October 2024

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Provider details

Address 1–2 Brewery Yard Penzance TR18 2SL

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Janus Howard

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected 2 to 4 October 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the managing director, as nominee. Inspectors took account of the provider’s most recent self-assessment report and development plans, and the previous monitoring visit 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

Lowenna Bradley, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector John Evans Ofsted Inspector Nirosha Holton Ofsted Inspector 2 to 4 October 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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