In this section, the issue of quality improvement is addressed. Self-assessment reports that are active and on-going are essential to maintaining and improving quality. Other essential factors include a coherent programme for teacher observation, with appropriate CPD, and the implementation of a thorough screening and assessment process for learners. Ensuring that quality improvement includes the views of learners through learner satisfaction surveys is also a key factor in quality improvement.
Quality improvement - things to consider:
Self-assessment report - Self-assessment for all curriculum areas should include an examination of Skills for Life needs of learners. See the Excellence Gateway page on self-assessment support.
Observation of teaching and learning - All observations of teaching and learning should include Skills for Life support for learners. The Raising Standards guides give useful summaries of what to look for.
Coherent screening and assessment process - New versions of standard, workplace and contextualised Skills Check (formerly ‘screening') and Initial Assessment tools are available from the Tools Library website. Guidance documents to support providers to use the tools effectively are also available on the Tools Library website.
Learner feedback - The National Learner Satisfaction Survey is the largest survey of the views of post-16 learners ever undertaken in England. It is useful for comparison with your own survey data.
Staffing and CPD - Ensure that both Skills for Life and vocational teaching staff are appropriately qualified and delivering high quality provision. For current requirements visit the National Reference Point for Skills for Life professional development and visit the Institute for Learning for CPD regulations.
Professional development was a key part of developing a whole organisation approach for pathfinders:
Implementation, monitoring and review - For support with continuous improvement visit the QIA website.
For support with improving quality through a whole organisation approach, the Skills for Life Health Check (PDF) is a key document.
Quality systems, structures and processes - The following documents and case studies show some of the lessons from the pathfinders:
Source: Skills for Life
You can find this page and download any referenced resources from the Excellence Gateway at http://excellence.org.uk/156146.
