Can you tell us a bit about your business?
Ramsden Hall Academy is a residential special school located in Ramsden Heath, Billericay, Essex. We provide education and care for boys aged 10 to 16 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.
Our goal is to support every student in overcoming individual challenges and barriers to learning, helping them achieve their full potential both academically and in managing their behaviour. We deliver this through high-quality teaching and learning, effective assessment, active engagement, and the development of tailored educational programmes. Working closely with students and their families is central to ensuring positive outcomes for all.
The Academy currently supports over 100 students, including secondary-age pupils and those in Year 6. Our current number on roll (NOR) is 117, while our Published Admission Number (PAN) is 100.
What led you to consider a levy transfer?
We aimed to reduce training costs because, as a small employer, we did not have sufficient funds in our apprenticeship levy pot to cover the full expense. At the same time, we wanted to upskill our team members to support their career development and ensure they have the skills needed to contribute effectively to the academy. Our training provider connected us with the Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service team, who then sourced a levy donor on our behalf. This partnership enabled us to find a cost-effective solution that allowed us to achieve both objectives.
How has the Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service helped your organisation?
As a small organisation in the education sector with very tight budgets, accessing levy transfer funding has made a significant difference. This support enabled us to fund a Level 4 School Business Professional apprenticeship and a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship for our staff. The levy transfer allowed us to invest in leadership development and career progression without overstretching our budget, ensuring our team could grow and develop while maintaining financial stability.
Having a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant on our team is a major asset to the Academy. The advanced knowledge, skills, and behaviours gained through this qualification provide targeted, strategic support in areas such as social, emotional and wellbeing, literacy, numeracy, behaviour management, and intervention work. This expertise leads to more effective interventions, improved pupil outcomes, reduced teacher workload, cost-efficient specialist provision, and enhanced Ofsted readiness - ultimately strengthening the Academy’s ability to deliver high-quality education.
Similarly, the Level 4 School Business Professional qualification brings advanced knowledge and practical expertise, enabling schools to operate efficiently and supporting leadership teams in making informed financial and business decisions. This role contributes significantly to the Academy’s success by improving operational effectiveness, promoting optimal resource utilisation, and ensuring compliance with educational regulations. It plays an integral part in the Academy’s operations and helps enrich the educational experience of our students.
Would you consider applying for another levy transfer in the future?
Definitely, it’s an excellent way to invest in our team while supporting business growth. The benefits have been clear, and we would definitely consider applying again in the future.
Would you recommend the service to other businesses?
Certainly. The process was straightforward once all the connections and agreements on the Employers’ GOV.UK Apprenticeship Service Account were set up. The support we received helped us upskill our team without the usual financial pressures. We would highly recommend this service to others looking to develop their workforce.