Code Institute Limited

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 Adult learning programmes Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this provider

Code Institute Limited is an independent training provider based in Dublin. It is a global company that has been teaching Skills Bootcamps, funded by four combined authorities and a local enterprise company, to learners across England since 2023.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the visit, there were 245 learners. There were 157 participating in lessons, of these 123 learners were studying on the high-performance full-stack software developer course, 19 were studying the data analytics with artificial intelligence (AI) non-accredited training course, aimed at developing skills for entry- level roles in the coding industry and 15 were studying a level 3 certificate in software development. The remaining 88 learners had completed the high- performance full-stack software developer course and were receiving support as part of the Skills Bootcamp funding to enter employment. 21 to 24 January 2025

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

Learners are incredibly enthusiastic about their learning. They are highly driven to extend their learning beyond the classroom, participating in research and independent learning activities to deepen their knowledge. Learners with coding experience in other scripts translate their projects into the new code they are learning, such as Python, to compare coding methodologies and analyse which is most effective for a particular application.

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

Learners are part of an extensive, extended global network of alumni and other coders. They participate enthusiastically in challenging hackathons and coding challenges in the wider Code Institute network. They also contribute positively to society through charitable projects, such as raising awareness of modern-day slavery.

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

Learners’ attendance at online sessions is exceptional. Facilitators use highly effective strategies to guarantee that learners are participating fully and are committed to their studies. Learners understand that this is a major contributor to their skills development and success on their course.

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

Learners have a well-developed understanding of safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. They make strong links between working in the coding industry, and the importance of safeguarding future employers’ reputations by protecting client information or minimising opportunities for code to be manipulated for illegal purposes.

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

Learners feel safe and supported by approachable and caring staff. Managers monitor the virtual learning environment diligently and do not tolerate any abusive or derogatory language.

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better?

Leaders have developed a curriculum offer that is highly responsive to the skills needs of the coding industry. They have fostered strong partnerships with a well- developed network of leading global employers in the digital industry. These networks have enabled them to design and continuously adapt curriculums to reflect current trends in the industry. They have added artificial intelligence (AI) modules to the Skills Bootcamps in response to a growing industry need, giving learners the skills they need to be successful.

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better?

Leaders have an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their courses. They quickly and effectively identify ways to improve and innovate across the organisation. For example, following a review of early withdrawals, leaders strengthened the advice and guidance provided to learners at the start of their course, leading to a substantial decrease in learners leaving their courses early. 21 to 24 January 2025

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Governors have valuable experience, knowledge and appropriate skills. They carefully monitor quality improvement and provide high-quality support and challenge on the quality of education that learners receive. For example, they work proactively with leaders to improve learners’ job outcomes and capture and report on learners’ next steps.

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The curriculums are extremely ambitious. Learners find their courses challenging and stimulating. They contribute enthusiastically to the virtual learning environment, participating in collaborative problem-solving, discussions and highly challenging assessments. This means learners quickly develop the coding and analytical skills that will allow them to gain entry-level employment in the industry.

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Facilitators and subject matter experts (SMEs) use a range of innovative teaching methods that reflect industry practice. They skilfully replicate industry style stand-up and stand-down sessions, where they discuss progress and set demanding goals for the coming day.

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Learners develop increasingly complex knowledge and application of skills. Learners develop high levels of fluency in their coding. On the level 3 software developer course learners start with the basics of variables and selection concepts before covering more complex skills such as lists, iterations, and functions.

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Facilitators and SMEs are highly experienced industry professionals. They effectively use their knowledge to enable learners to develop industry-specific skills, such as in HTML and Python. They encourage the use of industry-specific technical language throughout the course. For example, learners on the full-stack software development course develop user stories and discuss and critique these in stand-up and stand-down sessions, becoming proficient in the language they will use in the industry.

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Facilitators and SMEs consistently use a wide range of assessment methods to exceptionally good effect. Quizzes and coding exercises are continually used by learners as part of their learning to help them develop fluency. Facilitators use hackathons effectively to check the learner’s coding and application understanding. As a result, learners generate complex web applications before synthesising their learning of full-stack and AI technologies in a significant project.

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Facilitators and SMEs provide comprehensive developmental feedback that learners find useful. Learners can articulate areas for improvement in their knowledge and skills. They are keen to learn from their subject-expert staff, with whom they have excellent working relationships.

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Learners engage frequently with the highly skilled careers team. They develop technical CVs and cover letters tailored to specific digital skills roles and improve 21 to 24 January 2025

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their interview skills. This helps learners to advance their skills and the personal and professional qualities they need to succeed in technical interviews.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 21 to 24 January 2025

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Jim Cassidy

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 21 to 24 January 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of quality and continuous improvement, 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

Sharon Dowling, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Maggie Fobister Ofsted Inspector Julia Stevens Ofsted Inspector Rochelle Saneria His Majesty’s Inspector Jack Bullock Ofsted Inspector 21 to 24 January 2025

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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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