by IfL welcomes Ofsted focus on outstanding teaching and learning
Wednesday 30 May 2012
The Institute for Learning (IfL) has welcomed Ofsted’s announcement that providers of further education and skills training will need to demonstrate outstanding teaching, learning and assessment in order to be judged outstanding overall. This is one of the measures that will be incorporated in the Common inspection framework and Handbook for inspections of further education and skills, which Ofsted intends to publish by 15 June 2012.
Toni Fazaeli, chief executive of IfL, said, “IfL’s response to Ofsted’s consultation, A good education for all, was informed by a member survey in which 88 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal that outstanding teaching equals an outstanding college or provider. Members were also positive about proposals to grade ‘inadequate’ a provider that has not improved after three consecutive inspections at grade 3, as they felt it was in learners’ best interests for improvements to be made quickly.
“Having expressed our concerns about the vast importance of learner feedback not being reflected in Ofsted’s inspection framework proposals, we are pleased to see the way in which Ofsted has presented distinctively the views of learners, including those who responded to surveys conducted by the National Union of Students and the online learner panel. The FAQ document is quite clear that inspectors’ judgements will not be based on data alone: as well as looking at retention, progress and whether learners go on to do further learning or into sustainable employment, they will talk to learners about whether they enjoy their course and whether it is meeting their needs.
“The move to just two days’ notice for inspections should remove unnecessary build-up and pressure for teachers and trainers – there was a strong sense from members who took part in our consultation that they think inspection is important, and that short-notice inspections would feel more professional and less stressful.
“Finally, we reiterate our offer to work with Ofsted to explore how teachers and trainers can get the most from inspection, including improvements so that teachers observed always get clear and informative feedback from inspectors, to help improve practice and confirm what works well.”
Notes
Download Responses to Ofsted’s consultation ‘A good education for all’ on further education and skills (PDF, 367KB)
Download the accompanying FAQ document (PDF, 20KB)
Download IfL’s response to the Ofsted consultation, A good education for all (PDF, 825KB)
Paul Champion
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www.apprenticeshipblog.com
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