Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) has received a strong endorsement of its learning provision following an Ofsted inspection of its educational division in November. The report, which is now live, awarded FEL a green ‘Expected Standard’ rating under Ofsted’s newly introduced and exceptionally stringent scorecard system.
The inspection covered learning provision delivered through the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA), including apprenticeships, adult learning programmes and specialist courses offered across FEL’s education and training hubs, such as the FC Designer Workspace and Fashion Hub.
Under the new framework, providers are assessed against a tougher and more detailed set of criteria. Achieving an ‘Expected Standard’ confirms that a provider is fully meeting Ofsted’s expectations, with no areas falling below the required benchmark. FEL achieved this standard across seven key areas, including Safeguarding, Inclusion, Adult Learning Programmes and Apprenticeships.
Lan Leeder, Head of Education at Fashion-Enter Ltd, welcomed the outcome and paid tribute to the team behind the delivery:
“This is a great result for the team following the Ofsted visit. I am proud of every single team member at the FTA. Achieving seven ‘Expected Standards’ in Safeguarding, Inclusion, Adult Learning Programmes, and Apprenticeships shows that we have met Ofsted’s expectations as a provider. This success reflects the hard work we all put in to support our learners in achieving their goals.”
The inspection outcome reflects FEL’s ongoing commitment to high-quality, inclusive education that supports learners at every stage of their journey into the fashion and garment manufacturing industry. From apprenticeships and accredited training to short courses and professional development programmes, FEL’s education provision is designed to combine technical excellence with real-world industry insight.
While the result is a strong validation of current practice, FEL sees the Ofsted process as a foundation for continuous improvement rather than an endpoint. This forward-looking approach ensures that FEL / FTA learners continue to benefit from evolving, industry-relevant training that responds to both employer needs and the changing landscape of fashion manufacturing and design.
“However, there is still work to be done,” Lan added. “We are now working closely with Kurt Hintz, on our Non-Executive Board, to review our provision and to make changes and improvements for the FTA.”
FEL CEO Jenny Holloway added:
“I echo the comments made by our Head of Education, Lan, and I am mindful that our small Fashion Technology Academy was one of the first academies in the country to be inspected under the new Ofsted framework. Our mantras — Achieve, Thrive and Belong — truly reflect who we are at FTA.
“The inspection was a valuable learning experience for us all. We received excellent feedback directly from our learners, clearly evidenced through the videos and testimonials we have gathered. However, this positive learner voice is not fully reflected in the published report, and as CEO, I question what more we could reasonably have demonstrated.
“No examples of ‘strong practice’ were identified, despite there being no complaints raised. While we are a small academy, we are actively leading major curriculum development in areas such as AI and are engaged in international collaborations with partners in Amsterdam and the USA. At a time when many FE colleges are slow to adapt, we are entrepreneurial, innovative and agile.
“I was personally concerned that the two areas identified as requiring improvement appeared to reflect directly on my leadership. Due to technical signal issues, I was unable to participate fully in the evening feedback session, which may have limited clarity at that stage. In addition, there needs to be greater transparency around the severity and implications of a ‘requires improvement’ judgement. My understanding during the inspection was that the entire governance pillar was at risk, which caused understandable concern.
“Overall we were pleased with the review – it’s a deep dive into all areas of education and we’re extremely proud of what our learners achieve and how they progress into industry.”