wp header logo 439

Ofsted have a happy 'tail' to tell after visiting a college with a difference – Lancashire Telegraph

Ofsted praised a Ribble Valley dog grooming academy that develops the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of its apprentices.
Canine Groom School, in Howgill Farm, Rimington, was inspected on January 8 and 9, and was making ‘reasonable progress’ in their leadership, quality of training and the arrangements for safeguarding.
Having recently opened, the provider offers Level 2 dog grooming apprenticeships, with two- thirds of apprentices aged over 19, with a third aged between 16 and 18.
In their report, inspectors said: “Leaders have a clear vision to provide high-quality apprenticeships so that apprentices develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to be successful in the dog grooming industry.
“In collaboration with experts from the sector, leaders use their specialist knowledge to develop an ambitious curriculum.
“Apprentices benefit from studying aspects beyond the expectations of the apprenticeship, including a canine first-aid qualification and advanced grooming skills.
“They are confident in completing teddy cuts on breeds such as cockapoos and poodles.”
With a growing demand for qualified dog groomers nationally, the leaders have developed a scheme to recruit apprentices.
The employers the provider works with were said to understand their roles and responsibilities taking on an apprentice and give apprentices enough time off for them to complete their studies.
Leaders also ensure that end-point assessment arrangements are in place and that apprentices understand what they need to do to be successful.
Having set up an advisory board in November 2024, leaders provide oversight and challenge of the quality of education their apprentices receive.
Inspectors added: “Leaders have developed the curriculum in a sensible order. Apprentices learn about the basics of dog grooming before moving on to more-complex topics such as dog behaviour and anatomical extremities.
“They learn the purpose of different tools, such as an undercoat rake, which they use instead of clippers on double-coated breeds.
“Tutors are well-qualified and experienced. They have completed a teaching qualification specifically for the canine and feline sectors. Tutors have very recently received training on providing feedback to apprentices.
“Leaders recognise that this has not yet resulted in improvements to tutors’ teaching practices. In too many instances, tutors do not provide feedback to apprentices that explains fully what they need to do to improve.”
Ofsted said that there is now a more robust process in place to evaluate the quality of education that apprentices receive, including a formal process for checking and improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
Apprentices can identify equipment, bathe dogs correctly and faces of breeds that have shorter muzzles, with most students making good progress.
Checks, including ones which ensure that staff are suitable to work at Canine Groom School, meant that appropriate safeguarding arrangements were in place.
Students were said to benefit from training to keep themselves safe while carrying out grooming, and they use restraints for dogs that become aggressive.
Leaders are aware that they need to provide further training for apprentices on aspects such as healthy relationships.
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community – a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s Editors’ Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here
© 2001-2025. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW | 01676637 |
Data returned from the Piano ‘meterActive/meterExpired’ callback event.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.
Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.
These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.
It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.

source

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top