Bluelights Digital Ltd

Bluelights Digital Ltd Monitoring visit report

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Name of lead inspector: Rochelle Saneria, His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection dates: 9 and 10 September 2025

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Type of provider: Independent learning provider

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Address:

The Officers’ Mess Business Centre Royston Road Duxford Cambridgeshire CB22 4QH Monitoring visit: Bluelights Digital Ltd, 9 and 10 September 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 Department for Education 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

Bluelights Digital Ltd is an independent learning provider based in Cambridgeshire. It provides a range of commercial training courses for the digital intelligence and investigation sector, working closely with UK law enforcement and military partners. Leaders have been offering apprenticeships since July 2024. At the time of the monitoring visit, there were 25 apprentices studying level 4 digital forensic technician standard. All apprentices were employed within law enforcement and aged 18 and over. There were fewer than five apprentices completing functional skills qualifications. No apprentices had completed the end-point assessment.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders have designed an effective and purposeful curriculum that reflects the complex and demanding nature of apprentices’ roles within law enforcement. Leaders draw on their prior experience and use employer feedback to shape the curriculum to meet the sector-specific needs for digital forensics, meeting the skills requirements of employers and apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers plan the apprenticeship well. They provide clear expectations of the apprenticeship through talks, interviews and induction. Apprentices attend quarterly tripartite reviews with their workplace mentor and provider staff. Trainers communicate the end-point assessment requirements throughout the course. Apprentices know what is expected of them and make good progress.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders are ambitious for their apprentices. They provide training that extends beyond the apprenticeship. Apprentices gain additional qualifications, such as the digital tactical advisor certificate, which improves their future career prospects.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers are well qualified. They bring a wealth of relevant vocational experience to their roles, which enhances the learning experience for apprentices. Leaders do not Monitoring visit: Bluelights Digital Ltd, 9 and 10 September 2025 ensure that all trainers benefit from professional development to enhance their pedagogical skills to improve their teaching practice.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders and managers understand the strengths and areas for development of the apprenticeship provision. Leaders use self-assessment, quality processes and input from trainers and apprentices well. They make changes swiftly, for example improving the tripartite review process.

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Reasonable progress

Governance arrangements are effective and are appropriate for the small number of apprentices currently enrolled. Leaders recognise the importance of quality of education and have plans to strengthen their oversight further.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers sequence the level 4 digital forensic technician curriculum effectively. Apprentices start learning basic forensic work with police officers on the frontline to help their understanding of police work. They then progress to advanced forensic work in the field, which develops their skills and knowledge further.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers share their cutting-edge industry expertise to enhance learning for apprentices. Expert trainers provide current examples, such as drone forensic technology. As a result, apprentices gain the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers present content clearly and draw on secure subject knowledge. However, they do not use questioning effectively to check understanding or promote discussion. Apprentices are rarely challenged to contribute, often keeping cameras off. This limits participation and slows learning for a few apprentices.

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Reasonable progress

Workplace mentors support apprentices’ progress well. They help develop workplace skills, knowledge and behaviours, and ensure apprentices receive their off-the-job training entitlement. In a few cases, apprentices’ roles have not been sufficiently challenging to apply new learning swiftly.

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Reasonable progress

Trainers use assessment effectively to check apprentices’ understanding. Apprentices benefit from helpful feedback from peers and trainers, which improves the vocational content of their work overtime.

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Reasonable progress

The quality of apprentices’ written English varies, and too few apprentices receive support to improve literacy and academic writing. Trainers do not provide developmental feedback consistently on apprentices’ written work. Trainers do give verbal feedback on areas, such as overuse of acronyms. Monitoring visit: Bluelights Digital Ltd, 9 and 10 September 2025 Apprentices receive input on topics, such as mental health, early in their course. However, trainers do not revisit wider curriculum themes enough. As a result, apprentices struggle to recall key learning, such as fundamental British values.

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Reasonable progress

Managers have not yet established a coherent careers programme. Managers plan to introduce career pathways later in the apprenticeship. At the time of the visit, too few apprentices were aware of the progression opportunities beyond their apprenticeship.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to safeguarding. A designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy are in place. Safeguarding is embedded throughout the course and apprentices have access to a dedicated email and phone numbers for in and out of office hours. Apprentices feel safe and know who to approach with concerns.

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Reasonable progress

Leaders prioritise safeguarding through robust staff vetting, role-specific training, such as DSL training, ‘Prevent’ and safeguarding annual training. Staff act swiftly on concerns and take appropriate action. Apprentices demonstrate a good understanding of radicalisation, extremism, local risks and how to stay safe. Monitoring visit: Bluelights Digital Ltd, 9 and 10 September 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 children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding

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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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