The revised Common Inspection Framework for further education and skills

Charlie Henry HMI

Principal Officer

Special Educational Needs and Disability

Natspec Conference

May 2012

The current Common InspectionFramework

Learning and Skills inspections are currently based on the Common Inspection Framework for further education and skills 2009.

We have received positive feedback on the current framework from learners, stakeholders, providers, employers and inspectors.

In light of this positive feedback, we are reviewing and improving the framework, rather than radically changing it.

Background to the proposals

In proposing revisions to the framework we took into account changing government policy including:

the 2011 Education Bill and the Schools White Paper: ‘The Importance of Teaching’

exemption of outstanding providers greater FE reforms and freedoms empowerment of learners, employers

and parents localism: meeting local community

needs

employability skills and progression onto sustainable employment

the Comprehensive Spending Review

Aims of the revised framework

We plan to streamline and simplify the Common Inspection Framework by focusing on:

the aspects of a provider’s work that have most impact on learners

fewer judgements and grades

teaching, learning and assessment

the impact of leadership on the learner experience

The current Common InspectionFramework

Overall Effectiveness: the proposed framework

Outcomes for Learners

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Leadership and Management

Overall Effectiveness

Responses to the original consultation

The consultation which closed on 24th November showed strong support for streamlining the framework and for the proposed new judgements.

750 responses were received from learners

328 other responses were received which included key stakeholder groups

All proposals were positively received

Feedback from providers followingconsultative pilot inspections

“The central emphasis on teaching and learning worked very well.”

“The approach to judging outcomes for learners both academically and about personal, social and employability skills was sound and relevant.”

“Judgements were well-defined, interesting and informative, providing a clear picture of judgements in relation to outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment and leadership and management.”

“The removal of the limiting grades is a positive move, whilst at the same time ensuring that safeguarding and equality and diversity remain a constant theme is reassuring.”

We propose to continue to:

focus on the things that have most impact on improving outcomes for learners – teaching, learning and assessment

take account of providers’ self assessment

involve a senior member of staff in the inspection process

listen to the views of learners, employers, staff and, where appropriate, parents

make clear recommendations for the provider’s improvement

continue to focus inspections on the weaker providers

We propose to continue to:

undertake an annual risk assessment of all providers

inspect providers previously judged as good within six years

take account of the management of safeguarding arrangements to ensure all learners are safe

have a strong focus on equality and diversity, which will be embedded throughout the framework

consider capacity to improve, but within the context of leadership and management

What will be different in the revisedframework?

We propose to raise expectations by placing a stronger emphasis on:

fewer key judgements and grades.

the importance of teaching, learning and assessment

the extent to which the provision meets local and national needs

increased observation of teaching, learning, skills development and assessment

success, rates of progress and progression of different groups of learners

Outcomes for learners

We propose to evaluate the extent to which:

all learners achieve and make progress relative to their starting points and learning goals

achievement gaps are narrowing between different groups of learners

learners develop personal, social, and employability skills

learners progress to higher level qualifications and into jobs that meet local and national needs

Teaching, learning and assessment (1)

We propose evaluate the extent to which:

learners benefit from staff’s high expectations, engagement, care, support and motivation from staff

staff use their skills and expertise to plan and deliver teaching, learning, assessment and support to meet each learner’s needs

staff initially assess starting points and monitor learners’ progress, set challenging tasks, build on and extend learning for all learners

learners understand how to improve as a result of frequent, detailed and accurate feedback from staff following assessment of their learning

Teaching, learning and assessment (2)

We propose evaluate the extent to which:

teaching and learning develop English and mathematics, including functional skills, to support the achievement of learning goals and career aims

appropriate and timely information, advice and guidance support learning effectively

equality and diversity are promoted through teaching and learning

Sector subject areas

We propose to:

award a grade for teaching and learning overall, which will be supported by a grade for each subject area

continue to inspect a sample of subject areas,

use subject specialist inspectors

increase their focus on teaching and learning

write a section in the report on each of the subject areas sampled

Leadership and management (1)

We propose to evaluate the extent to which leaders and managers, including, where relevant, governors:

demonstrate an ambitious vision, have high expectations for what all learners can achieve and set and meet high standards for quality and performance.

improve teaching and learning through rigorous performance management and appropriate professional development

successfully plan, establish and manage learning programmes and the curriculum to meet the needs and interests of learners, employers and the local and national community.

Leadership and management (2)

We propose to evaluate the extent to which leaders and managers, including, where relevant, governors:

evaluate the quality of the provision through robust self assessment, taking account of user views, and use findings to promote and develop capacity for sustainable improvement

actively promote equality and diversity, tackle bullying and discrimination and narrow the achievement gap

ensure the safeguarding of all learners.

Consultation- ‘A good education for all’

‘outstanding providers’ must have ‘outstanding’ teaching and learning

‘requires improvement’ replaces ‘satisfactory’

early re-inspection for those who ‘require improvement’

limit the opportunity to be graded as ‘ requires improvement’ to two consecutive occasions

No notice inspection

anonymised summary of the outcomes from performance management of teachers, trainers and assessors

Revised framework: a broad timeline

Original consultation 1 September to 24 November 2011

Consultative pilot inspections September 2011 to January 2012

‘Live’ pilot inspections between January and March 2012

Further consultation: ‘A good education for all’ published February 2012.

Further consultative pilot inspections during March and April 2012

Publish revised inspection framework and inspection handbook in May 2012

Commence inspections under the new framework from September 2012.

Questions