Ofsted update for Blackpool business training provider focused on skills, marketing, and bootcamps
Business training provider The Small Business Academy was told some aspects of its offering needs attention when Ofsted inspectors came to call.
The Academy based at Peel Road, Blackpool, was designed to help start up business owners get the professional help they need in vital skills.
It provides support through a hub of resources, mentoring, marketing training and delivery of Government Programmes as well as hosting skills bootcamps.
Ofsted found that learners enjoy their training “because leaders have established a culture where they feel welcomed, supported and respected”.
They particularly appreciate face-to-face sessions at the start of the Skills Bootcamp that help them to form strong bonds with others.
“Learners create support systems with their peers and follow each other on social media platforms to generate wider networks for their businesses,” says the Ofsted report.
Ofsted found that safeguarding standards were met and that inclusion and achievement were to the expected standard.
But the aspects the inspector felt need attention were leadership and governance, curriculum and teaching and participation and development.
The Ofsted report said: “Learners mostly complete their Skills Bootcamp and use their training to be successful in their employment.
“They produce useful marketing plans to benefit their business. However, tutors do not routinely check the progress that learners make throughout the course.
“They do not ensure that learners make sustained progress from their starting points.
“Learners are prepared well to gain additional responsibilities at work or to access new business opportunities. However, leaders do not ensure that learners are informed about potential career pathways or wider training that is available to them.
“While leaders provide learners with access to additional business training, too few take up this offer.”
Under the ‘next steps’ section of the report, Ofsted says: “Leaders should put in place a programme of training that develops tutors’ teaching and assessment skills.
“They should ensure that the information they gather at the start of the course accurately identifies what learners already know and can do, so that learners make extensive progress from their starting points.
Sign up for our Blackpool Gazette retro newsletter - warm nostalgia delivered to your inbox - weekly.
“They should ensure that tutors use assessment to identify learners’ gaps in knowledge so they can support learners to make the progress of which they are capable.
“Leaders should ensure that learners receive tailored advice and guidance so that they can make informed decisions about their next steps and potential career pathways.”