Agenda Item 9 Board Paper BP341

The Education & Training Foundation “To improve the quality of initial teacher training for teachers in the education and skills sector”

1.0 Background to the project funding

In February 2014, the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) invited up to ten tenders up to the value of £35,000 for strategies to improve the quality of initial teacher education (ITE) for teachers in the education and skills sector. Landex were one of seven successful tenders.

2.0 Context

The project reviewed the current strategies to support and develop new entrant teachers in land-based colleges towards good or better teaching, learning and assessment practice. The project used peer review activities as the mechanism for collating evidence and to identify best practice. The peer review process will be informed by an analysis of the areas for improvement for teaching, learning and assessment in recent Ofsted inspectionsi and examined recruitment, induction, coaching, mentoring and PD activities in each institution. Intended ‘Train the Trainer’ days were replaced by a dissemination event and a sharing of good practice, held on 11th July.

3.0 Participating Colleges - update

The project participation changed slightly as Walford and North Shropshire College was not in a position to engage. They were replaced by Berkshire College of Agriculture. The full list of participating colleges included:

• Askham-Bryan College • Berkshire College of Agriculture • Easton and Otley College • • Hartpury College • Myerscough College • • Reaseheath College • • Writtle College • College (General FE Guest reviewer)

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4.0 Timelines and Progress to date

• 28th February 2014 – Inception meeting with the Education and Training Foundation / Landex • March - Completed the review and analysis of the Ofsted reports for the 13 Land- based colleges inspected between September 2012 and February 2014. • April - Emergent themes were formulated into the framework for peer review activities. • May / June / July 2014 – Eleven colleges received and participated in a peer review supported by a Landex officer. Individual reports are in the process of being issued. • 11th July 2014 - Dissemination event & sharing of good practice held in Milton Keynes. Seven of the original eleven colleges attended the event with a total of 15 delegates. Guest speakers from: Myerscough College, Easton and Otley College, Reaseheath College and Milton Keynes College provided examples across the key themes. Worcester College of Technology, who were one of the other successful ETF tenders provided a guest slot on their findings and strategies to assure teaching staff have adequate IT skills to cope with the increasing demands for digital literacies aligned to the FELTAG report.

5.0 Next stages

The final extended report needs to be completed by 31st July 2014. Three colleges (Myerscough, Reaseheath, Easton and Otley) will feature within the report as case studies based around the following themes:

• Teaching and Learning coaching • Induction processes • The use of the ETF professional Standards

One key finding of the project was the need for training for teaching and learning coaches / mentors. This correlates with the recent feedback from the curriculum and quality group in May 2014. The remaining budget may allow Landex to subsidise the cost of training, if colleges feel this is necessary. The board’s viewpoint on this is requested. If approved, this will need to be carried over into the autumn term for colleges and as such will need approval from ETF.

5.0 Call to Action

The project’s approval for the coach training is sought. Interested colleges are asked to contact Lynn Hart ([email protected]) during July / August.

i Based on Land-based College OFSTED reports published between September 2012 and 19th March 2014.

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