National Film And Television School(The)

The National Film and Television School Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Jo-Ann Henderson, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 12 and 13 February 2025

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Type of provider: Higher Education Institute

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Address: Station Road Beaconsfield HP9 1LG Monitoring visit: The National Film and Television School, 12 and 13 February 2025

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Context and focus of visit

Ofsted undertakes to carry out monitoring visits to all newly directly funded providers of apprenticeship training provision funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency and/or the apprenticeship levy. This monitoring visit was undertaken as part of those arrangements and as outlined in the ‘Further education and skills inspection handbook’, especially the sections entitled ‘Monitoring visits’ and ‘Monitoring visits to providers that are newly directly publicly funded’. The focus of these visits is on the themes set out below.

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Context and focus of visit

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is based at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. It has been offering apprenticeships since December 2023. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 17 apprentices on the level 4 production coordinator standard and eight apprentices on the level 3 broadcast and media systems technical operator standard. All apprentices were aged over 19 years old. NFTS also offers a Skills Bootcamp for adult learners to learn about the skills required to work in television and film production. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 29 learners enrolled on this programme.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers have developed a highly relevant curriculum that prepares apprentices for technical occupations within the media industry exceptionally well. Apprentices benefit from excellent, high-quality on- and off-the-job training. Leaders work collaboratively with employers such as the BBC and Amazon Prime to make sure the curriculum provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be successful.

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Significant progress

Leaders provide apprentices with high-quality resources that mirror those used in industry. For example, apprentices have access to the 4K Dolby Atmos Cinema where they are able to screen their work. They work in studios where they are able to practice the skills they need, such as lighting, sound and camera use. This helps apprentices apply the expert knowledge and skills they gain through their training in their job roles very successfully. Monitoring visit: The National Film and Television School, 12 and 13 February 2025 Leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of the provision very securely. They have sensible quality assurance systems in place so that they can be sure apprentices benefit from high-quality teaching and learning. They take swift and successful actions where required. For example, leaders identified that apprentices were not taking sufficient breaks when learning online. Leaders worked quickly with

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Significant progress

teachers to adapt online teaching sessions effectively to provide apprentices with time away from their screens and reflect on their learning. Apprentices greatly value this approach to consider their well-being. Leaders use robust quality assurance measures to make sure that training meets the requirements of apprenticeships fully.

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Significant progress

Governors use their industry and education expertise well to work with leaders to develop a clear and compelling vision for the apprenticeship provision. Governors hold leaders to account successfully in making sure they maintain the reputation and high regard in which the school is held.

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Significant progress

Staff use initial assessment very effectively to identify apprentices’ prior experience and skills, as well as any additional support they may require. They use this information to carefully adapt training and support. For those learners with additional support needs, staff work closely with these apprentices and their employers to make individual adjustments to their learning. This helps to contribute to these apprentices making excellent progress in their studies.

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Significant progress

Apprentices benefit from excellent progress reviews where employers, tutors and apprentices reflect closely on apprentices’ progress and their learning. Leaders monitor apprentices’ progress through monthly quality meetings very effectively. Where apprentices fall behind, staff take quick and effective action to support them back on track. Staff provide additional sessions to help apprentices who were absent from lessons to catch up on missed learning very effectively.

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Significant progress

Apprentices develop excellent knowledge and skills of the creative sectors in which they work. For example, they learn about the importance of wider skills required, such as personal presentation and networking to build freelance work. They learn to manage their careers and benefit greatly from tuition on more niche production management software. They flourish because of expert teaching and become skilled in their job roles.

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Significant progress

Leaders and managers make sure the curriculum is sequenced well so that apprentices build on what they already know and can do. Staff plan appropriately challenging tasks to help apprentices develop mastery and fluency in their studies. For example, level 3 broadcast and media systems apprentices, in camera operations, quickly move on from observing practical activities when filming to being Monitoring visit: The National Film and Television School, 12 and 13 February 2025 supervised operating cameras, then filming independently. Tutors use their industry expertise to provide insightful feedback that enables apprentices to improve their future work and make good progress.

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Significant progress

Apprentices benefit from learning about the latest technology and techniques. For example, staff provide expert masterclasses on managing freelance careers and tuition on specialist production management software, so that apprentices use these skills with confidence in their workplace.

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Significant progress

Leaders have a clear intent to offer the production ready Skills Bootcamp to meet industry needs and address skills gaps in the sector. They have developed a high- quality Skills Bootcamp to help those who want to work in the creative industry to develop their knowledge and practical skills. The programme equips learners with the essential foundation knowledge and skills essential for accessing entry level jobs in the sector.

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Significant progress

Learners benefit from the high-quality learning environment and facilities greatly, including access to fully functioning and well-equipped television studios, sound recording studios, cinemas and dubbing theatres. Expert staff use up-to-date software and equipment for learners to assist with their work. Consequently, learners have opportunities to learn, practise and master techniques and skills they can use in employment.

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Significant progress

Expert and experienced staff identify learners’ starting points effectively and use initial assessment successfully to plan highly individualised learning, advice and guidance. They plan carefully so that learners develop very secure knowledge and understanding of the sector. Tutors teach learners skilfully about different aspects of production in detail, such as script properties and how they are developed. Tutors plan assessment very well to check learning, correct mistakes and adapt future learning very effectively. They carefully build the complexity of tasks to challenge learners to think creatively and recall previously taught content. Tutors provide detailed, helpful feedback which enables learners to further improve.

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Significant progress

Learners, including those who work in the industry, greatly value the new knowledge and skills they gain. For example, learners wanting to work as self-employed independent film producers understand how to approach big production houses to market and promote themselves and their work. Learners develop high levels of confidence and recognise the importance of personal attributes such as self- motivation. Monitoring visit: The National Film and Television School, 12 and 13 February 2025 Staff provide excellent support for learners to work in the creative industries. They teach learners how to access jobs in different departments within film and television as well how to navigate the complexities of working freelance, such as budgeting, contracts and taxation. Staff provide expert support to help learners apply for job roles. All learners have a guaranteed interview with a world-renowned international employer at end of their training.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders ensure that all staff are suitably trained in safeguarding.

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Reasonable progress

Staff teach apprentices and learners how to keep safe in their workplace. Learners and apprentices feel safe. They know who to speak to if they have any concerns and are confident that staff will take appropriate action if required.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders make sure apprentices are well informed about the risks of radicalisation and extremism and know how to stay safe online. However, this is not yet in place for adult learners. Consequently, adult learners do not have suitably detailed understanding of how to identify and report different risks. Leaders have been swift to respond to this issue and have taken steps to address this. Monitoring visit: The National Film and Television School, 12 and 13 February 2025 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

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Reasonable progress

children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

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Reasonable progress

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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