Inspection report. Inspection date 4 5 August 2015

Transcription

1 Inspection report Organisation name Nottingham Language Academy Inspection date 4 5 August 2015 Section standard Met Not met Management: The management of the provision will operate to the benefit of its students, in accordance with its publicity and in accordance with the Declaration of legal and regulatory compliance. Resources and environment: The learning resources and environment will support and enhance the studies of students enrolled with the provider, and will offer an appropriate professional environment for staff. Teaching and learning: Teachers will have appropriate qualifications and will be given sufficient support to ensure that their teaching meets the needs of their students. Programmes of learning will be managed for the benefit of students. The teaching observed will meet the requirements of the Scheme. Welfare and student services: The needs of students for security, pastoral care, information and leisure activities will be met; any accommodation provided will be suitable; the management of the accommodation systems will work to the benefit of students. Care of under 18s section Met Not met There will be appropriate provision for the safeguarding of students under the age of 18 within the organisation and in any leisure activities or accommodation provided. Recommendation We recommend continued accreditation. Summary statement The British Council inspected and accredited Nottingham Academy in August The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching, welfare, and care of under 18s and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected (see for details). This private language school offers courses in general, academic and professional English for adults (16+) and for closed groups of under 18s and vacation courses for under 18s and adults. Strengths were noted in the area of staff management and leisure opportunities. The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme. Report expires 31 March 2020

2 Organisation profile Inspection history Dates/details First inspection September 2011 Last full inspection September 2011 Subsequent spot check (if applicable) August 2013 Subsequent supplementary check (if applicable) Subsequent interim visit (if applicable) Current accreditation status Other related non-accredited activities (in brief) at this centre Other related accredited schools/centres/affiliates Other related non-accredited schools/centres/affiliates Private sector Date of foundation 2010 Ownership Other accreditation/inspection Accredited Modern languages classes, an introductory course in teaching EFL Limited company two directors, principal/owner major shareholder Premises profile Address of main site Details of any additional sites in use at the time of the inspection Details of any additional sites not in use at the time of the inspection Profile of sites visited 8 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DT The school is a two-storey Georgian building, a short walk from the centre of Nottingham. There are five years left of a ten year lease. There are seven group classrooms of different sizes, not all able to accommodate with the maximum class numbers of 15. There is also a small one-to-one classroom. There are three classrooms on the ground floor and five on the first floor. On the ground floor there is the main hall with a staircase leading up to the first floor. There is a reception area, a kitchen for staff use, and a large student common room which leads onto the terrace. Just before the common room is a refreshment area where students get tea, coffee and biscuits free of charge at all break times. There is also a computer room on the ground floor. The staff rooms and student services office are on the first floor. There are comfortable seating areas on both floors and toilets also on both floors. The building retains many original features, which add to the character of the school. Student profile At inspection In peak week July (organisation s estimate) Of all international students, approximate percentage 100% 100% on ELT/ESOL courses ELT/ESOL students (eligible courses) At inspection In peak week Full-time ELT (15+ hours per week) 18 years and over Full-time ELT (15+ hours per week) aged years Full-time ELT (15+ hours per week) aged under Part-time ELT aged 18 years and over Part-time ELT aged years 0 0 Part-time ELT aged under 16 years 0 0 Overall total of ELT/ESOL students shown above Minimum age Typical age range Typical length of stay 3 months 3 months Predominant nationalities Spanish, Italian, Saudi Arabian Spanish, Italian, Saudi Arabian

3 Number on PBS Tier 4 General student visas 5 10 Number on PBS Tier 4 child visas 0 0 Number on student visitor visas Number on child visitor visas Staff profile At inspection In peak week (organisation s estimate) Total number of teachers on eligible ELT courses Number teaching ELT under 10 hours/week 4 Number teaching ELT hours/week 5 Number teaching ELT 20 hours and over/week 1 Total number of administrative/ancillary staff 7 Academic staff qualifications to teach ELT/TESOL Profile in week of inspection Professional qualifications Total number of teachers Diploma-level ELT/TESOL qualification (TEFLQ) 4 Certificate-level ELT/TESOL qualification (TEFLI) 5 Holding specialist qualifications only (specify) 0 YL initiated 0 Qualified teacher status only (QTS) 0 Rationale(s) required for teachers without appropriate ELT/TESOL qualifications 1 Total 10 These figures include the academic managers. The director of studies (DoS) usually has a teaching commitment during the summer months, but was not teaching on the inspection days. The assistant director of studies (ADoS) has a teaching commitment during the mornings throughout the year and was teaching during the inspection. The DoS and ADoS have both been with the school since the foundation. The teacher population changes from time to time as can be expected but there is a core of teachers who have been working at the school for some time. Course profile Eligible activities Year round Vacation Other General ELT for adults General ELT for juniors (under 18) English for academic purposes (excludes IELTS preparation) English for specific purposes (includes English for Executives) Teacher development (excludes award-bearing courses) ESOL skills for life/for citizenship Other Run n Run n Run n

4 The school offers General English (Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate and Advanced). Examination preparation (Cambridge PET, FCE, CAE, CPE and IELTS). Pronunciation /Conversation Class, Academic English, Business English and one-to-one classes. The Young Learners Summer School runs for eight weeks and is for 9 to 13 year-olds and 14 to 17 year-olds. Closed groups for young learners can be arranged throughout the year. Students can join General English classes for anything between two and 17 hours per week. Lessons can be arranged for mornings, afternoons or evenings in order to accommodate students individual circumstances. A one-to-one class had been scheduled but was cancelled during the inspection. An introductory course in teaching EFL is well established and a new course was due to start in the autumn. Accommodation profile Number of students in each at the time of inspection (all ELT/ESOL students) Types of accommodation Adults Under 18s Arranged by provider/agency Homestay 8 22 Private home 0 0 Home tuition 0 0 Residential 0 0 Hotel/guesthouse 1 0 Independent self-catering e.g. flats, bedsits, student houses 0 0 Arranged by student/family/guardian Staying with own family Staying in privately rented rooms/flats 0 0 Overall totals adults / under 18s Overall total adults + under 18s 109 Introduction The school was founded in The director/owner has extensive experience working in the state further eduation (FE) sector. Following a substantial re-structuring of the college the director decided to start her own EFL operation. Some of her college colleagues decided to join her and are still working at the school. The school benefits from a stable senior staff as the DoS, the ADoS and the centre manager have all been with the school since the beginning. The director has a very high profile in the school although, as she looks after the students accommodation arrangements, she often works from home. The school offers a wide range of general English courses, exam preparation courses, business English, English for academic purposes (EAP) courses, custom-made courses for groups and a summer school for young learners. The school also provides introductory courses in teaching English as a foreign language and offers classes in a variety of modern languages. The inspection took place over one full day, one half day and one part of a day. Meetings were held with the director, the DoS, the centre manager and all the administrative staff. Focus groups with representatives of the young learners and with adult students, as well as with teachers, were held. All teachers working during the inspection days were observed. One inspector visited three homestays.

5 Management Legal and statutory regulations Criteria M1 Declaration of compliance M1 The items sampled were satisfactory. Staff management M2 Management structure M3 Duties specified M4 Communication channels M5 Human resources policies M6 Qualifications verified M7 Induction procedures M8 Monitoring staff performance M9 Professional development M2 The director has overall charge of the day-to-day running of the school. Key members of staff, both academic and administrative, have been with the school since its foundation five years ago. There is plenty of across-theboard shared knowledge and they all work extremely well as a team, each with their own areas of responsibility, but each able to support the other. The principal can rest assured that the school will be properly run in her absence. The director is also the accommodation officer, a role she has had since the school started. The roles of the school are repeatedly made very clear to students. M3 Job descriptions are clear for all categories of staff. There is no job description for the director in her role as accommodation officer, however. M4 Channels of communication within the school are very good. All staff work closely together and share information as appropriate. In addition to this more informal contact, regular separate formal meetings are held with both administrative staff and with the academic staff. The director promotes an open and accessible management style which encourages good contact between departments. M7 New employees are placed on a six month probation period and are assigned a mentor who will provide support as necessary. Mentors are provided with practical guidelines. Induction procedures are thorough for all staff. The induction programme is tailored to the needs of the particular position, but in all cases involves a good level of detail. There are very good handbooks to support induction procedures. M8 There is a carefully considered appraisal system which is thorough and helpful to both school and staff. It is well documented. M9 The director is committed to providing appropriate training opportunities for all categories of staff that appraisals or school and personal circumstances have highlighted. Student administration M10 Administrative staff and resources M11 Information on course choice M12 Enrolment procedures M13 Student records M14 Student attendance policy M15 Conditions and procedures

6 M10 There is a stable administration staff. Numbers of staff are sufficient in all areas of the operation and well able to cope with summer increases. They are very professional in their work. All staff appear genuinely interested in the students and provide a courteous and supportive service. M11 Courses are well described in publicity. All staff are knowledgeable about available study programmes. The school prides itself on its ability to respond to changing student needs and wishes. M14 The attendance policy is made very clear to students in simple terms early on. Attendance is carefully monitored and any unexpected absences are followed up swiftly and effectively. Quality assurance M16 Action plan M17 Continuing improvement M18 Student feedback and action M19 Staff feedback and action M20 Complaints M16 All points raised in the previous report have been addressed satisfactorily. M18 In addition to the constant and caring enquiries from staff, the school uses an online survey tool to collect initial, mid-course and end-of-course feedback from the students. The results are collated and an overview created for easy reference. M19 Staff meetings provide more formal opportunities for feedback but the easy relationship between the director and her staff indicates that staff are listened to and that their suggestions are valued. Publicity M21 Accessible accurate language M22 Realistic expectations M23 Course description M24 Course information M25 Cost M26 Accommodation M27 Leisure programme M28 Staff qualifications M29 Accreditation The school s publicity consists of a website with two downloadable brochures (Nottingham Language Academy 2015 brochure and Summer School brochure). The standard Nottingham Language Academy brochure has downloadable versions in French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. The school also subscribes to social media sites. The printed brochure is currently out of date and not in use. M21 Met but some sections in the publicity are written in language that is inaccessible to lower level learners. M24 Met but the timetable for the summer school students can be seen as misleading. The timetable indicates that lessons take place in the mornings and activities in the afternoons. This is not always the case as a zig-zag system can be in place. Report expires 31 March 2020

7 Management summary The provision meets the section standard. The management of the organisation operates effectively and responsibly to the benefit of its students in accordance with its publicity. The school is run by a hard-working and committed team, and the management structure is clear and entirely appropriate. There is very good communication at all levels and staff and student administration is efficient. Staff management is an area of strength. Resources and environment Premises and facilities R1 Adequate space R2 Condition of premises R3 Classrooms and learning areas R4 Student relaxation facilities R5 Signage and display R6 Staff room(s) R2 The building s appearance is of a well-maintained, bright and airy space. It is in good decorative order, and is well furnished so staff and students have sufficient space both to study and work effectively and to relax. R3 The classrooms vary in size and not all could cope with the maximum class numbers of 15. The DoS takes this into account when timetabling. R4 The student common room is comfortably furnished and has a large TV, and leads out onto the terrace. The terrace has sturdy furniture and is used for relaxation in good weather as well as popular social events like barbecues. The hallway at the entrance to the common room serves as a mini café where students can get tea, coffee, fruit juice and biscuits free of charge. R5 Noticeboards and other information displays in the school are well positioned and contain neatly arranged and up-to-date items. R6 There are two staff rooms. They are not large so teachers tend to hot desk rather than having their own personal working areas. There is a good size, well-equipped kitchen for staff use. Learning resources R7 Learning materials R8 Resources for teachers R9 Educational technology R10 Self-access facilities R11 Library/self-access guidance R12 Review and development R7 In addition to the coursebooks which students have to buy, supplementary learning materials are appropriate to the level and type of courses offered and teachers are able to request additional materials. Although the resources can be found in many different places they are are appropriately organised and easy to find for even newly arrived teachers. R8 The stocks of practitioner books and other teacher resources materials are more than adequate. R11 There is a bookcase with books and DVDs near the students common room, which can be borrowed by students. Students are shown this and also the computer room during the induction. Resources and environment summary The provision meets the section standard. The learning resources and environment support the studies of the students and offer an appropriate professional working environment for all staff.

8 Teaching and learning Academic staff profile T1 General education (and rationales) T2 ELT/TESOL teacher qualifications T3 Rationales for teachers T4 Profile of academic manager(s) T5 Rationale for academic manager(s) T1 Three teachers did not have a first degree or equivalent. Rationales were provided and accepted in the context of this inspection. T2 One teacher did not have a TEFL qualification. T3 The teacher in question has completed the school s own introductory course in TEFL, is a graduate and has worked at the school for three years as a cover teacher. A rationale was provided and accepted in the context of this inspection. T4 The academic management team consists of the DoS, ably supported by the ADoS. Both are suitably qualified and experienced for their posts and have been with the school since its foundation. Academic management T6 Deployment of teachers T7 Timetabling T8 Cover for absent teachers T9 Continuous enrolment T10 Support for teachers T11 Observation and monitoring T6 The DoS takes the teachers many varied skills and interests into account when allocating classes to them and as teachers share classes she ensures that less experienced teachers receive support from their more experienced colleagues. T7 Timetabling is a complex process as students are allowed so many different study options. The DoS still manages to timetables to teachers every Friday so that they know what class they have been allocated for the following week, even if they do not know exact student numbers at that time. T8 The cover system is effective, as could be observed during the inspection. T9 The ADoS has produced very helpful guidelines regarding dealing with continuous enrolment. As the student body can potentially change almost on a daily basis due to the flexible timetable, this is essential information for teachers who may not be familiar with such class arrangements. T10 Teachers receive all the support they require from the competent and responsive academic managers who work closely with them. Teachers on permanent contracts are selected to become course leaders with a range of academic administrative responsibilities which also help and support the rest of the team on a daily basis. Teachers in the focus group said they felt well supported and that they appreciated the mutual support they experienced in the staffroom. There are more formal information staff meetings for teachers once a month and they usually have a training component. During the busy summer months staff meetings are usually more frequent. T11 Teachers are regularly observed in class and provided with oral and written feedback and given the opportunity to reply. The academic managers also do short unannounced pop-in observations from time to time. Course design and implementation T12 Principled course structure T13 Review of course design

9 T14 Course outlines T15 Study and learning strategies T16 Linguistic benefit from UK T12 The course programmes are coursebook based. Teachers also have a syllabus checklist of language areas to cover and can supplement the coursebook with additional materials available in the school or with their own materials. T13 Coursebooks are changed every four months. T15 Study and learning strategies are incorporated in the coursework and homework. Student handbooks include study advice. T16 Lessons include everyday language that students can use within the local community. Learner management T17 Placement and level T18 Monitoring students progress T19 Examination guidance T20 Assessment criteria T21 Academic reports T22 Information on UK education T17 Effective placement procedures are in place. Students are carefully monitored during the first week. Should a student be placed in the wrong level, the student is moved at once. T18 There are monthly group tutorials. One-to-one tutorials are usually arranged on request. Students are also given weekly progress tests from the coursebook. T19 The academic management team is experienced in examination preparation work and well able to advise students on which exam to take. Classroom observation record Number of teachers seen 9 Number of observations 9 Parts of programme(s) observed Adult classes: a range of levels and FCE and IELTS. Young learner and Teen classes were also observed. Both one-to-one evening classes were cancelled. There were ten teachers timetabled for the week of the inspection. One teacher was not teaching during the inspection days. Classroom observation T23 Linguistic systems of English T24 Appropriate language T25 Planning content T26 Coherent and relevant activities T27 Classroom management T28 Teaching techniques T29 Student engagement T30 Sensitivity and learning atmosphere

10 T23 Most teachers showed sound knowledge and understanding of the systems and functions of English, and grammar and vocabulary explanations were generally fluent and clear. Some noticeable grammar mistakes in the teacher s classroom language were noted in one case. T24 Teachers on the whole were able to match their language to the levels of their students. T25 Teachers planned their lessons based on the coursebook. Plans were generally well thought through and many teachers built revision phases in. Teachers had not always checked the suitability of chosen topics and language content for young learners. T26 Lessons were well staged and shifted easily and sensibly from one activity to another. T27 There was plenty of movement in some lessons and not only in the young learner classes, through games and other activities. Teachers integrated the range of resources available into their lessons well. In many cases the teachers took the opportunity to personalise materials. Technology was handled well overall. T28 Appropriate techniques were used depending on age, level and specified learning outcomes. Some very good examples of genuine pair work with a real exchange of information were seen. Good pacing and timings were evident throughout. Opportunities to correct were often missed and only a couple of teachers were skilled at including pronunciation drilling in to the lessons. T29 All students were engaged in the activities and very good attention was paid to individuals within the group. Teachers were careful to include the weaker students and generally showed awareness of different ages, interests and cultural needs. T30 The learning atmosphere was very positive and student interest was high. Classroom observation summary The teaching observed met the requirements of the Scheme. Teaching was never less than satisfactory, many lessons were good and some were excellent. Lessons had been well planned. The techniques employed were appropriate to the different ages of the students. Resources were overall well chosen and put to good use. Students were attentive, receptive and engaged overall. Teaching and learning summary The provision meets the section standard. Almost all teachers have appropriate qualifications. The academic managers provide the teaching team with very good and inclusive support to ensure that their teaching meets the needs of the students. Programmes of learning are managed to the benefit of the students. The teaching observed met the requirements of the Scheme. Welfare and student services Care of students W1 Safety and security onsite W2 Pastoral care W3 Personal problems W4 Dealing with abusive behaviour W5 Emergency contact number W6 Transport and transfers W7 Advice W8 Medical and dental treatment W1 Overall the school makes good provision for the safety and security of students. Access to the building is primarily restricted to one front entrance and access to the staff and visitor car park is gated. A premises risk assessment covers key areas. Fire drills are conducted monthly and students are given a walk through during induction. There are three trained first aiders. W2 A prayer and washroom is available within the school and information is provided about places of worship for different faiths. W3 The students commented positively on the welfare support available from all staff. Young learner students and adults knew who to contact as required. W4 A full range of policies is available in the student handbook but the language used is not accessible to lower levels. W7 Detailed information is available to students through the handbook but the density of information and language

11 level limit its usefulness. Accommodation profile on the accommodation seen by the inspectors Homestay accommodation is the principle type of accommodation provided by the school. A substantial number of students live with family members and arrange their own accommodation. The school advises and directs students to self-catering and hotel accommodation on request. One inspector visited three homestays, two of which are used by young learners and one by over 18 students only. Accommodation: all types W9 Services and facilities W10 Accommodation inspected first W11 Accommodation re-inspected W12 Accommodation registers W13 Information W14 Student feedback W15 Meals in homestay/residences W9 The three homestays visited provide good to very good accommodation for their visitors. Hosts were very warm and welcoming and provided a comfortable environment for their students. One homestay only provides fresh bed linen every two weeks. W10 Although the school has grown in recent years the director retains an active role in the selection of homestays and has a very good knowledge of the accommodation available. This close understanding means she is able to match hosts and students. W12 The records are detailed and regularly updated. Information is easy to access and track when visits are required. Accommodation: homestay W16 No more than four students W17 Rules, terms and conditions W18 Shared bedrooms W19 Students first language W20 Language of communication W21 Adult to welcome W17 The rules and terms and conditions are clearly presented and confirmed with every new booking. Accommodation: residential W22 Cleaning W23 Health None.

12 Accommodation: other W24 Information and support W25 Other accommodation W24 Students are signposted to the student service team who provide further information on request. Leisure opportunities W26 Events and activities W27 Leisure programmes W28 Health and safety W29 Responsible person W26 For adult students, information about excursions and trips provided by an outside agency is readily available in the refreshments area and common room. The students commented positively on the in-house activities such as BBQs and cinema visits and the weekend trips. The young learner programme of activities is very full and varied. Activities include rock climbing, go-karting, sports and adventure park trips. Students talked enthusiastically about the fun and engaging programme available. W27 Staff regularly join in the adult programme on a voluntary basis. Although the number of in-house activities is quite limited, usually one activity per week, the students were very positive about the suitability of what was available. They also commented on how the activities were tailored to their needs and interests. The young learner programme is well-organised and generously staffed. Staff are fully briefed and well-informed. Alternative arrangements are in place in the event of bad weather. W28 Risk assessments are available for all on and off-site activities but do not always include action on how to respond in the case of problems. The provision for health and a safety on the young learner course is very good with appropriate information and resources, for example on a half day visit: class registers, contact numbers, first aid kit, contingency activities and games. W29 Appropriately qualified and experienced staff accompany students on sporting and leisure activities. Welfare and student services summary The provision meets the section standard and exceeds it in some respects. The needs of students for security and pastoral care are well met. The leisure programme available is excellent and the accommodation is of a good standard. Leisure opportunities is an area of strength. Care of under 18s C1 Safeguarding policy C2 Guidance and training C3 Publicity C4 Recruitment materials C5 Suitability checks C6 Safety and supervision C7 Accommodation C8 Contact arrangements Report expires 31 March 2020

13 The school accepts 16 and 17 year-olds on adult courses, and they account for a very small percentage of total student numbers. The summer school which runs for eight weeks during the summer months only accepts students aged under 18. C1 The safeguarding policy is well-framed and written in clear accessible English. There is a code of conduct and good incident reporting documentation. The policy includes safe recruitment checks. C2 The policy is shared with staff via the staff handbooks and all staff have received basic awareness training. Two managers have received specialist training. The policy is shared with all homestay hosts. C3 At the time of the inspection there was no information on the website about the pastoral care of under 18s. When this was highlighted the school made immediate changes to the website, which now has clear information about supervision outside class time and travel arrangements. Students enrolled on the last two weeks of the summer programme were sent an . C5 All staff are DBS checked or have police checks from their home country. Homestay hosts are DBS checked. C6 The very varied leisure programme for young learners occupies the students time fully during the day and is tailored to their age and interests. Staff to student ratios are very good. The students spend their evenings and weekends with their homestays. The homestay hosts were all clear about who to contact in the school in the event of any issues with students. However, the school rules were not known to all parties. When this was highlighted the school acted promptly and added rules to the medical consent form already in place and ed the following weeks intake of students to ensure they had signed consent forms from parents and guardians. C7 Information on accommodation and meals provided to parents is clear. Young learners are accommodated in with their own families or in homestay. Hosts provide all meals including a daily packed lunch. Hosts are aware of their responsibilities but there are no standard rules and curfews in place. This was remedied before the end of the inspection and hosts were sent a copy of the signed consent forms from parents. C8 The school holds emergency contact details for all students. Parents, guardians and agents are issued with an emergency contact number for use outside office hours if required. Care of under 18s summary The provision meets the section standard. The safeguarding policy, recruitment of staff and training is good. At the time of the inspection several points within the Care of under 18s were not in place namely: accurate publicity about the pastoral care of under 18s; shared rules about what under 18s are able to do outside class time, and making these rules clear to homestay hosts. Within 48 hours of the inspection these points had been addressed and written documentation and measures were in place. The Care of under 18s section now meets the Scheme requirements.

14 Report expires 31 March 2020