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Professional Academy - Ofsted Inspection Findings 2024

Professional Academy - Ofsted Inspection Findings 2024

As a longstanding and well-respected professional training provider, Cambridge Professional Academy, known as Professional Academy, have a history of successful results and positive external audits from awarding bodies, and they can now add a successful Ofsted inspection to their record.

After adding apprenticeship programmes to their professional learning portfolio in 2017, Professional Academy received their third inspection in early October 2024 and were graded as ‘Good’.

What does that mean?

The inspection looked at the quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and rated all aspects good.

The report is broken down into three key areas:

  • What is it like to be a learner with Professional Academy?
  • What does Professional Academy do well?
  • Safeguarding

Key Findings

  • Apprentices learn valuable sales and marketing knowledge and skills.
  • Apprentices approach their jobs in a structured and planned manner because of their training.
  • Staff prepare apprentices comprehensively for successful careers in the industry.
  • Apprentices frequently gain promotions and more responsibility because of their learning.
  • Apprentices show great confidence and fluency when presenting their work.
  • Two-thirds of apprentices now complete their apprenticeship and achieve their qualification.
  • Most achieve with a distinction grade.
  • Leaders work highly effectively with employers in the marketing sector.
  • Employers, including large national companies, value greatly the skills and professional behaviours apprentices develop during their apprenticeship.
  • Staff plan interesting lessons and use questioning effectively.
  • They ensure that apprentices can relate their learning to their workplace practice.
  • Mentors prepare apprentices thoroughly for examinations and for their next career steps.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Statements from Leadership

Hazel Lott-Canning, Head of Operations: "The Ofsted inspection not only highlighted some excellent plus points but also provided invaluable constructive criticism which Professional Academy and I will be implementing to the benefit of the business and all of our apprenticeship partners."

Philip Knowles, Head of Learning: "The Ofsted inspection not only recognised the excellent results of our teaching, but also tangible outputs for both apprentices and employers."

Martin Hutchins, Founder and Managing Director: "The Ofsted inspection and positive assessment is a welcome reminder of just how good we are at what we do. It was pleasing to see all the amazing feedback and acknowledgement that our apprentices receive high quality learning and valuable career support."

Apprenticeship Programs Offered

Professional Academy currently offers the following Marketing, Sales, and Management apprenticeships, with various face-to-face workshops and start days throughout the year:

Marketing Sales Management
Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Level 4 Sales Executive Level 3 Business Administrator
Level 4 Marketing Executive Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor
Level 6 Marketing Manager Level 5 Operations / Department Manager

For more information on apprenticeship opportunities, get in touch at 01223 365505 or email apprenticeships@professionalacademy.com.