What inspectors are looking for in adult learning provision

Simon Crowe Westminster Adult Education Service

Who am I?

Learning Resources Manager Support curriculum delivery Team of Learning Resource Assistants 2 Learning Centres Lead on “flexible delivery” The Service ILT strategy E-guides Champion e-learning

Westminster Adult Education Service

12,000 learners 30,000 enrolments Diverse population 30 to 60 age group Mostly women Skills at level 1 and 2 English often an

additional language Huge number of

partnerships and small sites (c. 95)

Main features of today

Today is the story of of what happened to me and my organisation

No surprises, but personal insight

The talk will cover:WAES gradesThe inspection processMy tips for inspection

WAES Inspection

WAES’s first InspectionNovember 2005New inspection cycle – updated CIF

WAES Grades (provisional)

Area WAES ACL

Health, public services and care 2 2.4

ICT 3 2.8

Leisure, travel and tourism 3 3.2

Arts, publishing and media 1 2.6

Languages, literature and culture 3 3.1

Preparation for life and work 2 3.0

1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3= Satisfactory, 4=Inadequate

Leadership and management

WAES ACL

Leadership and management 2 3.2

Equal opportunities 2 2.8

Quality assurance 3 3.6

1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3= Satisfactory, 4=Inadequate

Overall effectiveness - Grade 2

In judging the rigour and accuracy of the Service’s self-assessment process the following judgement

was made:

“The inspection team had a high degree of confidence in the reliability of their self assessment process.” (highest

judgement)

In judging the Service’s capacity to make further improvements the following judgements were made:

“The provider has demonstrated that it is in a good position to make improvements.” (highest judgement)

So what about e-Learning?

A bit of a let-down!WHY?

ALI understands where sector is WAES had:

identified ILT as a weaknessdeveloped action plans and set targetsevidence of progress

Progress on ILT - QIP

Interactive whiteboardsJANET connectionNLN transformation projectE-guidesPC in every classroomUK online partnershipFirst VLE - MoodleILT staff development programmeSecond Learning Resource Centre

Progress on ILT – QIP (continued)

Innovative project workNew MI System Revised course documentationRaised awarenessE-learning Co-ordinatorSenior management championDigital upgrade The strategy - are we back at

square one?

Meeting the inspectors

Why me?2 hours’ noticePreparation

Good practice – ESOL -> ICTEqual OpportunitiesTargets and action plansSuccessful?

Lessons learnt

Some tips……..

Tell the story you want to tell

Make sure all managers can identify good ILT practice – wherever it is

Make sure senior managers draw attention to good practice

Tell your story repeatedly Will learners talk enthusiastically about

ILT?

Get buy-in

Have a vision - make it excitingConsult widely in developing and

updating the ILT strategyNurture championsTask managers with agreeing targetsSupport – it’s difficultCelebrate good practice

Rigorous self-assessment

Updated SAR comprehensively identifies strengths and weaknesses in ILT

Robust action plan in place to address weaknesses

Evidence of actions – will demonstrate improvement over time

Embed into Quality Assurance

Changed schemes of work and lesson plans to identify focus on ILT

Standing item on team meeting agendasIncorporate actions into the quality

improvement plan and monitorMonitor through line managementTraining and development plansEvaluate impact over time

Recap

Tell your storyCreate buy-inRigorous Self AssessmentEmbed into Quality AssuranceMeasure and evaluate

START AGAIN!