Simply Academy Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Inspection dates: 19 to 22 November 2024

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Apprenticeships Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires Improvement

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Information about this provider

Simply Academy Limited is an independent learning provider based in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire. It specialises in teaching apprenticeships for the financial services businesses in England. Apprentices study their apprenticeship online and at work.

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Information about this provider

There are currently 176 apprentices enrolled. Forty-one of these are aged under 18 years old. One hundred and ten study level 3 financial services administrator. Fifty- three study level 3 mortgage adviser, and 13 study level 4 financial adviser.

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Information about this provider

The provider currently works with two subcontractors. They provide English and mathematics functional skills qualifications for apprentices. Only six apprentices are currently working towards these qualifications. 19 to 22 November 2024

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

Apprentices benefit from the support they receive from coaches. Coaches are specialists in the financial services sector. They provide clear explanations to apprentices in online one-to-one sessions and group training sessions. Coaches link apprentices’ learning very effectively with current affairs, making learning more meaningful. Apprentices learn about how the annual government budget and the house price index links to their roles at work.

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

Apprentices develop self-confidence during their course. Apprentices take on more responsibility, which helps them develop their skills. They become confident to finalise mortgage completions using the effective communication skills they develop.

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

Apprentices have high attendance and are punctual. Where apprentices are unable to attend, coaches provide them with helpful individual teaching. This helps apprentices to remain in learning and make effective progress with their studies.

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

Most apprentices have a clear understanding of their next steps in their career. Coaches help apprentices develop appropriate career plans. Apprentices know the roles they can move into in the finance sector. They know how to become a qualified financial adviser professional.

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

Coaches broaden apprentices’ knowledge on how to keep themselves safe, including from radicalisation and extremist views. Apprentices learn about concepts such as phishing, hacking, social engineering, and physical theft. Apprentices can recognise individuals’ rights to equality of opportunities in society.

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better?

Leaders have taken effective action to improve the weakness identified at the previous inspection. They have improved how they plan and teach what apprentices need to learn. Leaders have improved how they monitor apprentices’ progress and attendance, taking swift action when apprentices fall behind in their studies. This means that more apprentices stay in learning and are successful at final assessments, gaining pass and distinction grades.

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better?

Leaders provide specialist apprenticeships that meet the needs of the financial services sector. This attracts those who would not have considered financial services as a career. Apprenticeships provide good opportunities for school leavers to build a career in finance. Many apprentices progress to become financial advisers. Leaders recognise that younger apprentices help redress the balance of the aging workforce.

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better?

Leaders have designed courses thoughtfully so that apprentices promptly become competent in their job roles. Mortgage adviser apprentices learn about data protection, health and safety, and managing their time. They then learn about mortgage life products and being a trusted adviser. Apprentices have a good understanding of the Help to Buy scheme. In financial services, apprentices learn 19 to 22 November 2024

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about ISAs, pensions and investment bonds. They have a good understanding of taxation and how it applies to their clients. Apprentices know they may not provide financial advice until qualified to do so. Tutors ensure that apprentices are well- prepared for their final assessments.

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Coaches use assessments skilfully to correct misconceptions or to focus additional teaching on apprentices’ weaker areas. Coaches make effective use of online breakout rooms so that apprentices can develop and deepen their understanding. Apprentices benefit from this approach and gain the new knowledge they need to progress to further topics.

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Too few apprentices on financial services administration pass the introductory financial qualifications examinations first time. Where apprentices do not pass, they receive helpful supplementary support. Coaches make effective use of online learning to help apprentices pass their examinations. Most apprentices pass their examinations after this extra help.

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Apprentices develop effective English and mathematics skills during their apprenticeship. Financial services administrator apprentices improve their English writing skills. They practise formal writing styles when communicating with clients. Apprentices follow employers’ guidelines adeptly when using professional writing and sending out emails. Apprentices quickly become fluent in using specialist terminology with peers and clients. They develop useful mathematics skills, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication when calculating interest rates.

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Leaders have not ensured that young apprentices have a good understanding of healthy relationships. Apprentices have access to a range of useful resources to learn about topics such as consent. However, coaches have not yet discussed these themes in detail with apprentices.

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Apprentices with additional learning needs receive the appropriate support they need to help them learn and achieve. Leaders and coaches assess apprentices’ learning needs and put suitable support in place. Leaders check that the support for apprentices is impactful. Apprentices now achieve in line with their peers.

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Leaders have ensured that governors are specialists in financial services. Governors use their knowledge supportively to help leaders and managers improve courses. Governors have worked with leaders to further develop the provider’s apprenticeships so there are good career progression opportunities for apprentices within financial services.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 19 to 22 November 2024

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that young apprentices develop a good understanding of healthy relationships.  Increase the proportion of financial administration apprentices who pass their examinations on professional qualifications the first time. 19 to 22 November 2024

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Provider details

Address Thremhall Estates Start Hill Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7TD

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Mark Fenwick

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 20 September 2022 and 11 to 13 January

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Provider details

Main subcontractors Pass Functional Skills Runway Training 19 to 22 November 2024

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the head of academy, 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

Mark Care, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

His Majesty’s Inspector 19 to 22 November 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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