OUTSTANDING TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT TECHNICAL SKILLS NATIONAL PROGRAMME Interim case study on project led by South Devon College HOLLY VAUGHAN Managed by In partnership with BRUSHING UP “Brushing Up” is an innovative partnership lead by South Devon College (SDC). The partnership is made up of the following: − Six partner education providers; South Devon College, Cornwall College Group, PETROC College, City College Plymouth, Yeovil College and Gershwins Academy. − Five employer partners; Tom Chapman, Carol Caine, Take Two, RT Hair and Kumiega Skin Care Clinic. − One awarding body: City and Guilds Group Business. The project aims to reduce the skills gaps within the Hair and Beauty industry by enhancing teaching, learning and assessment approaches. Project stages 1. Identifying the skills gaps; both vocational and teaching, learning and assessment (TLA) focussed. 2. Undertaking training and development days; hosted by each of the education partners. 3. Dissemination of the training and development days back to the teams of each education partner. Learning plans and resources developed. 4. Delivery of the new learning plans and resources to learners. 5. Evaluation of the project and future plans. Progress to date Identifying the skills gaps The initial stage of the project was to identify the skills gaps. To capture this data and to provide a baseline for the project, the project produced two surveys for the education partners to complete. The first survey asked the Hair and Beauty staff to assess their confidence of vocational skills. The second survey asked them to reflect on their TLA practice, this was based on the Education and Training Foundation Professional Standards survey. An additional survey was also sent out to local employers, within the region, to reflect on the skills gaps when employing a learner directly from college; this focused on learners’ practical skills, knowledge and professional behaviour. OTLA project case study by South Devon College 19/09/2017 Education & Training Foundation Results of the initial survey Key areas of focus for the training and development days were based around the results of the skills gap surveys. “Loads of fantastic delivery and engaging ideas. Feeding back to my salon manager and owner.” TLA PRIORITIES MAPPED TO THE RATING (0-6) PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS EMPLOYER PARTNER 18. Technology 5.27 19. English and mathematics 5.29 “I have thoroughly enjoyed 12. Theories of education and research 5.38 today as it has given me the opportunity to network, share 11. Maintaining and updating knowledge of 5.42 good practice and enhance educational research my skills, lots of new ideas 22. Collaboration with employers 5.45 going forward.” 6. Creative and innovative strategies to help learners 5.78 EDUCATION PARTNER to learn The TLA themes have also been underpinned within the project by aligning to the theory of Vocational Pedagogies (Lucas, Spencer and Claxton, 2014). With the support of City and Guilds awarding body, the project also considers changes to qualification structure and how new delivery and assessment methods have potential to support greater learner success. Beauty skills gaps identified included: stage and screen makeup, cosmetic camouflage, lash lift, reflexology, red vein removal, laser or IPL hair removal. Hair skills gaps identified included; hair extensions, various colouring techniques, wet shaving, Indian head massage, smoothing systems, hair ups, razor cutting. The dual skillset of teaching practitioners and learners was also established as an essential aspect of the project; for example softer skills surrounding selling and promoting products and services and social media skills such as blogging and microblogging. Training and development days All training and development days have now taken place. The sessions have been split into two key areas; learning new skills and enhancing and sharing TLA strategies and innovation. Many of the practical workshops have been employer-led which has helped to inform the education partners of the local needs within industry. South Devon College’s Teaching, Learning and Assessment Coaches (TLCs) have also been involved in the project, attending a number of practical sessions to encourage teaching staff to consider innovative and new strategies for delivering or assessing the skill. The training days have OTLA project case study by South Devon College 19/09/2017 Education & Training Foundation also facilitated heightened collaboration across the education partners, with additional training days planned as a result, for example an additional IPL training day has been offered by Cornwall College and a World Skills training day hosted by Yeovil College. “This session was a great example of collaboration. The session was delivered by English lecturers from Embracing collaboration South Devon College to hair and beauty staff from all education partners, a PETROC construction staff member (who had delivered a previous session for us on use of ICT) and several employer partners.” PETROC COLLEGE - INNOVATIVE METHODS OF EMBEDDING ENGLISH IN THE HAIR AND BEAUTY CURRICULM “Employer partner Carol Caine delivering a session on the dual skillset required within the hair and beauty industry.” CORNWALL COLLEGE Listening to employers Next steps The next steps of the project is for the education partners to work collaboratively to create innovative learning plans and resources, in line with both the TLA and vocational skills gaps identified of the project. These learning plans will be delivered in September and October 2017 OTLA project case study by South Devon College 19/09/2017 Education & Training Foundation within the education partner establishments, with additional peer observations planned for further opportunity to reflect and enhance both delivery and assessment. Expected impact − Increased use of innovative strategies within TLA - both the skills and how they are taught/ assessed: o More confident staff, o More willing to take risks in the classroom, o Encouraging reflective practitioners, o Use of 300 learner evaluations on new TLA strategies delivered to further develop and improve. − Learners involved in the project will have improved chances to pass end assessments through their developed skills (summer 2018). − Local employers have the opportunity to develop their skills to reflect the changing curriculum. Expected outcomes − A final dissemination and training day event is being planned for October 2017 to share wider the findings and outcomes of the project. − Continuation and longevity of collaboration and sharing of best practice between the partnerships formed. − Impact within the wider sector; with support from City and Guilds, the outcomes of the project to help inform future qualification planning within the Hair and Beauty industry. OTLA project case study by South Devon College 19/09/2017 Education & Training Foundation .