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 grades The inspection process My tips for inspection

WAES Inspection WAES’s first Inspection November 2005 New inspection cycle – updated CIF

WAES Grades (provisional) AreaWAESACL Health, public services and care22.4 ICT32.8 Leisure, travel and tourism33.2 Arts, publishing and media12.6 Languages, literature and culture33.1 Preparation for life and work23.0 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3= Satisfactory, 4=Inadequate

Leadership and management WAESACL Leadership and management23.2 Equal opportunities22.8 Quality assurance33.6 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 weakness developed action plans and set targets evidence of progress

Progress on ILT - QIP Interactive whiteboards JANET connection NLN transformation project E-guides PC in every classroom UK online partnership First VLE - Moodle ILT staff development programme Second Learning Resource Centre

Progress on ILT – QIP (continued) Innovative project work New MI System Revised course documentation Raised awareness E-learning Co-ordinator Senior management champion Digital upgrade The strategy - are we back at square one?

Meeting the inspectors Why me? 2 hours’ notice Preparation Good practice – ESOL -> ICT Equal Opportunities Targets and action plans Successful?

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 exciting Consult widely in developing and updating the ILT strategy Nurture champions Task managers with agreeing targets Support – it’s difficult Celebrate 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 agendas Incorporate actions into the quality improvement plan and monitor Monitor through line management Training and development plans Evaluate impact over time

Recap Tell your story Create buy-in Rigorous Self Assessment Embed into Quality Assurance Measure and evaluate START AGAIN!