A HAIRDRESSING college has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Central Training Academy in Alexandra Street, Southend was rated as good by inspectors, after a two day visit.

The academy trains apprentices in hairdressing and administration.

Ofsted inspector Joy Montgomery said: “The provider is good because the vast majority of apprentices successfully complete their qualifications and become good hairdressers or administrative employees – they are highly valued by their employers.”

Inspectors found trainees gain qualifications and often move on to employment or further education and praised tutors for their teaching.

Mrs Montgomery said: “Tutors are enthusiastic and use their occupational expertise really well to inspire learners and encourage them to achieve high professional standards in their work and good support and mentoring from tutors help learners solve personal matters so that they can attend regularly, build their confidence and succeed.”

Despite praising tutors’ enthusiasm inspectors said the academy needs to, “improve the standards of teaching, learning and assessment by ensuring staff have the skills and confident to systematically correct spelling and grammar in learners’ written work” and review the academy’s evaluation process.

Ofsted ruled the academy must make some improvements in order to become outstanding.

In a detailed report, inspectors said the academy needs to increase opportunities for students on employability programmes to apply their skills in work placements.