Montebello Training Ltd

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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Information about this provider

Montebello Training Ltd is an independent learning provider located in Liverpool. It specialises in training apprentices in the hairdressing sector. Apprentices are employed in 39 salons across Liverpool City Region and Wirral.

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Information about this provider

At the time of the inspection, there were 47 apprentices. Most apprentices were aged 16 to 19 and a few were aged over 19 years. Three quarters were studying towards either level 2 hair professional or hairdressing professional apprenticeships. The rest were studying the advanced and creative hair professional apprenticeship at level 3. 3 to 5 February 2025

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

Apprentices enjoy their apprenticeship, which they describe as amazing. They appreciate the support that they receive from their tutors. Apprentices arrive at lessons prepared and are keen to learn. Three-quarters of apprentices have high attendance. However, a quarter of apprentices do not attend training sessions often enough. Leaders follow up promptly and deal appropriately with apprentices who miss training sessions.

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

Most apprentices make good progress on their apprenticeship. They develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours that benefit their employer’s business. Apprentices become confident and independent in their practical hairdressing skills. They carry out blow dries and hair straightening competently in work. Achievement is high for apprentices who stay to the end of their course.

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

Apprentices benefit from the useful careers advice that they receive that prepares them for their next steps. They learn about working on cruise ships and how to become self-employed. On completion of their course, most apprentices become stylists or progress onto the level 3 advanced and creative hair professional apprenticeship.

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

Apprentices feel safe. They understand the potential signs associated with radicalisation and know how to report any concerns. Apprentices wear the correct personal protective equipment, such as gloves when applying colour. They work methodically and keep their workstations clean and tidy.

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better?

Leaders plan an ambitious curriculum, which includes valuable additional qualifications, such as first aid and hair extensions. Level 2 apprentices study optional units that meet the needs of their employers, including perming and hair relaxing. Apprentices benefit from attending colouring training sessions by brand experts.

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better?

Leaders ensure that tutors provide high-quality teaching and learning to apprentices. Tutors are experienced hairdressers and qualified teachers. They share up-to-date industry knowledge and skills with apprentices, such as current hair-up methods. Leaders provide good support for tutors to improve their teaching practice, including using effective questioning techniques in lessons.

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better?

Leaders and tutors plan the curriculum successfully so apprentices build their knowledge and skills incrementally. Level 2 apprentices learn about client consultation before they move on to shampooing, blow-drying, setting and dressing hair. Leaders work with employers to ensure that apprentices practise in the salon the skills they learn at the provider. In work, apprentices progress from mixing colours to carrying out full head colours and using balayage techniques. 3 to 5 February 2025

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Tutors use questioning well to check apprentices’ recall and understanding of what they have already learned before they move on to a new topic. They correct misconceptions, including the meaning of fragilitas crinium. Consequently, apprentices develop an accurate understanding and use of technical language. Apprentices know what they have done well and what they need to do to improve because of the useful feedback tutors provide. Apprentices adjust their practices because of the effective guidance they receive. For example, when perm winding, apprentices correct their sections to follow the shape of the client’s head.

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Leaders ensure that apprentices develop their English and mathematical skills throughout their apprenticeship. Apprentices use their understanding of ratios correctly when mixing colours. They speak confidently to clients and complete consultation cards accurately. Most apprentices pass their functional skills mathematics examinations first time. However, too many do not pass their English examinations first time. Leaders have identified this as an area for improvement.

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Apprentices benefit from a range of personal development activities that develop their character. They raise money for a local children’s hospital as part of a charity fundraising week. Apprentices have a good understanding of healthy relationships and maintaining good sexual health. They demonstrate their understanding of fundamental British values, such as respect and tolerance, highly effectively when working with clients.

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Leaders have appropriate quality assurance systems and processes in place. They use a range of evidence, including observations of teaching and learning, learning walks and work scrutiny, to identify what tutors do well and what they need to improve. They revisit teaching sessions and review apprentices’ work to check that improvements are in place, such as tutors’ using feedback effectively. Until recently, leaders have not had sufficient focus on apprentices completing their apprenticeship in good time. Leaders have now put appropriate actions in place, and the few apprentices behind in their studies have now finished their apprenticeship. Current apprentices are on target to achieve their apprenticeships on time.

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At the time of the inspection, leaders have not put in place effective governance arrangements. Leaders are not held to account for the speed at which they put in place actions to improve the weaknesses they identify. Progress has been too slow to improve aspects such as target setting for distinction grades. At the time of the inspection, the few apprentices who have completed their final assessment have only achieved a pass grade. Leaders have put in place support and planning to prepare current apprentices for their final assessments, but it is too soon to see the impact of this.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. 3 to 5 February 2025

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Ensure that apprentices have high attendance to their training sessions.  Ensure that the proportion of apprentices who pass their English examinations first time is high.  Increase the proportion of apprentices who achieve merit and distinction grades.  Put in place governance arrangements that hold leaders and managers to account effectively for the quality of the apprenticeship provision. 3 to 5 February 2025

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Provider details

Address 25 Broad Green Road Liverpool L13 5SD

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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 3 to 5 February 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the centre manager, 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

Alison Cameron Brandwood, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Jaqui Scott Ofsted Inspector 3 to 5 February 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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