QUALITY ASSURANCE
Italia Conti is committed to providing quality vocational training across secondary, further and higher education levels. Each of these levels is validated through different processes and according to varying principles and standards. We recognise the need for our quality assurance to be multi dimensional and able to allow for each programme to develop specific processes appropriate for the frameworks and contexts in which they operate.
Education, learning and vocational training are the core of what we provide at all levels and so practical areas are assessed with the same rigour as conventionally academic programmes. Academic and vocational standards are integrated and not considered as separate or differently valued according to the specifics of each programme.
Italia Conti believes that quality assurance is a central responsibility and that the processes to ensure it should be embedded at all stages within the delivery of the programmes. All staff have responsibilities within quality assurance and it is not considered as an add on or separate to the general provision.
The overall responsibility for quality assurance within Italia Conti lies with the Principal, acting primarily through the Quality Review Board.
Italia Conti recognises that quality assurance is evaluated against a variety of internal and external benchmarks, some formal and statutory (Uk Quality code for HE, Trinity, Drama UK, Independent Schools InspectorateSI, OfSTED), some informal but equally valuable (such as feedback from potential employers).
HIGHER EDUCATION
QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY (QAA)
Italia Conti has undergone a Review for Specific Course Designation by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and has received its final report with the following judgements from QAA:
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The review team has confidence in The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Ltd’s management of its responsibilities for the standards of the awards it offers on behalf of its awarding body.
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The review team has confidence that The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Ltd is fulfilling its responsibilities for managing and enhancing the quality of the intended learning opportunities it provides for students.
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The review team concludes that reliance can be placed on the information that The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts Ltd produces for its intended audiences about the learning opportunities it offers.
OFFICE FOR STANDARDS IN EDUCATION (OFSTED)
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
We are delighted to announce once again, that Italia Conti has been graded as 'OUTSTANDING' by Ofsted.
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"The Principal, Senior Leaders and Head’s of Departments maintain a culture of excellence where students and staff excel."
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"The Academy provides students with exceptionally high-quality professional training."
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body approved by the Secretary of State for the purpose of inspecting schools belonging to the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Associations and reporting on compliance with the Education (Independent School Standards) (England) Regulations 2010. The range of these Regulations, which replace those first introduced on 1 September 2003, can be viewed on the website www.legislation.gov.uk. Additionally, inspections will consider the school’s accessibility plan under Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the ban on corporal punishment introduced by the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE REPORTS
Italia Conti Theatre Arts School is accredited by The Independent Schools Joint
Council and inspected annually by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
The inspection process involves a combined Focused Compliance Inspection followed by the Educational Quality Inspection.
The Focused Compliance Inspection is undertaken to ensure that the school is fully compliant in all of the aspects of school standards. The summary is that the school meets the standards in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and associated requirements, and no further action is required as a result of this inspection.
The Educational Quality Inspection reports on the quality of school’s work. It focuses on two key outcomes:
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The quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements. This has been summarised as 'good overall with pupil achievements in the vocational training noted as exceptional'
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Pupils’ personal development. This has been reported as 'excellent'.
The following recommendation has been made to the school:
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To improve the consistency of the quality of marking.
This has been identified in our internal monitoring procedures and there are strategies in place to ensure that the recommendation will be developed and improved to ensure more consistency in pupil feedback and marking.
While we are very happy with the final report, we are not complacent, as there is more we can do to build on the good progress seen. This will ensure consistency in supporting, enhancing and extending our teaching and learning procedures.
The reports are a very positive step forward for our community. The full reports can be downloaded below.
