Bauer Radio

Further education and skills inspection report

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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Information about this provider

Bauer Radio is part of Bauer Media Group. Through Bauer Academy, Bauer’s education arm, leaders offer mainly media-related apprenticeships from level 3 to level 7 nationally. Apprentices follow a blended learning model of remote learning and face-to-face workshops at the provider’s offices in Peterborough, London and Manchester.

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Information about this provider

At the time of inspection, there were 339 apprentices in training. Most apprentices were studying level 3 production assistant, content creator and multi-channel marketer apprenticeships. Leaders also offered the level 4 junior production coordinator, level 5 operations manager and level 7 senior leader apprenticeship. Ten apprentices were studying towards functional skills qualifications in English and mathematics.

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Information about this provider

Around a third of apprentices were employed by the provider, with the remaining mostly employed by other media companies. There were fewer than five apprentices under the age of 18. Sixty-nine apprentices had declared a learning disability or difficulty. 3 to 6 June 2025

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

Apprentices model exceptional professional behaviours required for success in the competitive creative and media industries. Media apprentices work with colleagues highly effectively, whether on location, remotely or at live events. Coaching apprentices work in reflective groups to support their development and professional practice.

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

Apprentices demonstrate extremely positive attitudes towards their learning. They have excellent attendance and strong motivation. Apprentices exceed expectations by undertaking additional workplace tasks and prioritising their studies.

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

Apprentices have access to valuable personal development activities. Apprentices employed directly by the provider benefit from a wide range of opportunities such as volunteering days. However, apprentices who are employed by external organisations do not routinely access or participate in activities.

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

Apprentices develop their confidence and character highly effectively during their training. Apprentices have a positive impact on their work and their teams. For instance, content creator apprentices confidently call and liaise with external agencies. Apprentices make meaningful and valued contributions in their workplace.

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

Apprentices feel safe at the Bauer Academy and across diverse work locations. They have a sound understanding of safeguarding practices and of the dangers of radicalisation and extremism. Apprentices know how to maintain clear boundaries and keep themselves safe.

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better?

Leaders are highly ambitious for their apprentices. They have designed creative and leadership apprenticeships that are aligned with the latest industry practice and meet the evolving needs of the creative sector. For example, leaders have designed a bespoke digital senior leadership pathway, providing apprentices working mostly in creative organisations with the skills and tools they need to navigate digital transformation. Consequently, apprentices are well prepared for employment and future career opportunities.

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better?

Leaders and staff have successfully designed a curriculum that builds apprentices’ skills and knowledge progressively. They have structured the curriculum skilfully to ensure that apprentices gain the skills required to succeed. Apprentices have access to high-profile, real-life opportunities at work, where they apply what they learn confidently. On the level 4 production coordinator, apprentices rotate through departments such as radio, social media and commercial operations. This contributes to apprentices acquiring a wealth of knowledge and skills that align with their career aspirations and that they can swiftly use in the workplace. 3 to 6 June 2025

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Apprentices experience high-quality teaching. Tutors use a range of highly effective approaches to help develop apprentices’ understanding of the concepts they study. Tutors use interesting and creative methods such as a facilitated problem-solving methodology using building blocks to look at group culture. They use practical activities to explore the impact of voice recognition on online searching. Tutors on the level 3 content creator use complex workplace scenarios as learning case studies, helping apprentices to acquire higher-level skills such as negotiation. This helps apprentices develop a deep understanding of key concepts and relate them to their roles.

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Tutors develop apprentices’ English, mathematics and digital skills effectively. Apprentices develop and use sector-specific vocabulary with accuracy and confidence. Apprentices evaluate return on investment on social media platforms. Apprentices enhance their copywriting skills throughout the apprenticeship and tutors encourage apprentices to use proofreading tools. This helps apprentices to communicate professionally and improve their written accuracy.

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Apprentices receive exceptional individualised support from tutors, workplace mentors and supervisors. Tutors tailor adjustments by arranging readers for assessments and adapting practical activities for learners with mobility challenges. Apprentices thrive in their studies and work. They make sustained progress on their apprenticeship and towards achieving their qualifications.

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Since the previous inspection, leaders have worked diligently to improve the proportion of apprentices who achieve their qualifications. Leaders now produce accurate and timely reports that staff use to monitor the progress apprentices are making. Staff proactively identify apprentices at risk of falling behind. They swiftly put in place targeted interventions to help apprentices get back on track. This has contributed to most apprentices completing their training in the planned timescales. Most apprentices pass their final assessments at their first attempt, and a high proportion achieve a distinction.

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Apprentices are very well prepared for the next stages in their careers. They are assigned additional responsibilities in the workplace such as supporting high-profile gigs and shows. This contributes to a high proportion of apprentices moving on to meaningful destinations. However, leaders do not place sufficient emphasis on monitoring apprentices’ destinations so they can measure the impact their training is having on apprentices’ long-term careers.

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The board of governors challenges and holds leaders accountable for the quality of their apprenticeships effectively. Governors bring a diverse range of expertise, offering valuable insights and encouraging innovation. Governors use comprehensive data reports to hold leaders to account for the progress that apprentices make. This contributes to sustained improvements in the quality of education and apprentice outcomes. 3 to 6 June 2025

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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What does the provider need to do to improve?

 Capture and monitor apprentices’ destinations consistently to measure the impact training is having on apprentices’ long-term career goals.  Promote the wide set of meaningful personal development opportunities further to enable a higher proportion of apprentices to participate. 3 to 6 June 2025

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Provider details

Address Bauer Radio Ltd Bauer Media Media House Lynch Wood Peterborough PE2 6EA

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Provider details

Principal, CEO or equivalent Courtnay McLeod

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Provider details

Provider type Independent learning provider

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Provider details

Date of previous inspection 18 to 21 February 2020

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Provider details

Main subcontractors None 3 to 6 June 2025

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Information about this inspection

The inspection team was assisted by the director of education, 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

Rochelle Saneria, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector Georgina Ager His Majesty’s Inspector Saskia Niderost Ofsted Inspector Claire Griffin Ofsted Inspector Kathryn Townsley Ofsted Inspector Philip Elliott Ofsted Inspector 3 to 6 June 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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