Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre Learner Voice Class Representative Training

SESSION AIMS What is the Learner Voice? What is a Class Rep? Possible Situations Meetings & Duties Where to direct concerns Hints & Tips for Meetings Contact Details

LEARNER VOICE It’s a Human Right! United Nations Human Rights Charter notes:- “It is a basic human right that people should be able to have an input into any decisions or actions which may directly or indirectly affect them”

Know your Centre Gwent Welsh for Adults is the only provider of Welsh courses in Gwent In 2013 – 14, the number of enrolments on Gwent Welsh for Adults courses numbered… The number of ‘hits’ on the Centre’s Facebook page in 2013 – 14 increased by… TrueFalse True The % pass rate for the Uwch exam in 2013 – 14 was… Class reps can ask for SKYPE meetings with the Learners Voice Officer a b. 15,234 c ch a. 41% b. 2459% c. 517% ch. 73% a. 62% b. 79% c. 100% ch. 32%

Welsh Government Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre Regional Partnership Members Torfaen CBC Caerphilly CBC Monmouthshire CBC Blaenau Gwent CBC Newport Community Courses Welsh in the Workplace Welsh for Family Structure

LEARNER VOICE How are we doing? 1. What one thing would have made your experience of learning Welsh better up to this point (something the Welsh for Adults Centre can control)? 2. Name one thing that the Centre does that you hope they carry on doing. The course book needs to be improved. More revision courses Excellent range of informal leanring opportunities

CLASS REPS Time for Group Work What is the role of a class rep? Why do we have class reps?

CLASS REPS Why do we have Class Reps and what do they do? Why do we have Class Reps? Its easier for us to speak to all class reps, rather than every learner To gather general opinions, and obtain more focussed feedback. To put learners at ease when airing their opinions To gather the views of EVERY learner, not just the ones that actively fight for change To help MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

What do Class Reps do?What do Class Reps do? Attend meetings on behalf of their class Pass forward opinions of other learners Provide a 2 – way feedback link Act as a point of contact for the Centre Act as a point of contact for other learners Act on issues Escalate other concerns, where appropriate Being a Class Rep can increase your confidence speaking Welsh CLASS REPS What do they do?

Class Reps Explained What meetings will Class Reps attend? What are the main meetings? Welsh for Adults Centre Forums (1 per year) Community Learner Forum – (Optional) Learner Panels – with the Principal of Coleg Gwent (Optional) Focus Groups as required (Optional) What other duties are there? Classroom meetings Complete a short class questionnaire Feedback to WfA Quality Team Feedback to class

Class Reps Explained What issues will Class Reps deal with? Open Question What situations do YOU think you’ll deal with? Course related: Unsure of navigating around Y BONT Learners don’t want to sit exams More informal learning to be held in the evening. Unhappy with the coursebook

Non course related:- Parking issues at the Centre No Creche Inadequate lighting outside building during winter Class Reps Explained 2 What issues will Class Reps deal with?

Class Rep Prep School Speak to your tutor Speak to the manager of the Centre where your course is being held if provided by a UA. Speak to Heads of ACL, depending upon who is your course provider. Where do you go with a problem - UA?

Class Rep Prep School Where do you go with a problem – Coleg Gwent? Speak to you tutor Speak to Learners Voice Officer for courses provided by Coleg Gwent. If dissatisfied, contact Quality Manager at Gwent Welsh for Adults, regardless of course provider. If dissatisfied, contact Director of Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre.

Class Rep Prep School Meeting Skills Handy Hints for a Meeting Be prepared! Talk to your class beforehand – complete Learner Voice Questionnaire Make notes on your classes concerns Make notes on any solutions given Feedback to your class!! In a meeting Be aware that some issues may be sensitive, and will need to be dealt with carefully Try to keep criticism constructive Don’t just give your own opinion Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Class Rep Prep School Communication Communicating with your Class Ask your tutor to leave while you speak to the class, if you like Meet either before or after the class, or in your breaks Make sure you take notes Make sure you give everyone a chance to speak

Class Rep Prep School Support Geraint Wilson Price (Centre Director) Sean Driscoll (Quality Manager) Anthony Morgan (Learner Voice OFficer) LEARNER VOICE Llun

Geraint Wilson-Price Ffôn: E-bost: Sean Driscoll Ffôn: E-bost: Anthony Morgan: E-bost: Ffôn: Contact Details Gwent WfA Quality Team

Pontypool Campus Blaendare Road Pontypool NP4 5YE Contact Details Gwent WfA Quality Team

Class Rep Prep School Support in the Community ACL Managers Linda Dean Tracey Parker Julie Sussex Chris Postle Blaenau Gwent Monmouth Torfaen Caerphilly

Linda Dean: Torfaen Tracey Parker: Caerphilly Julie Sussex: Blaenau Gwent Chris Postle: Monmouthshire Useful Contact Details

Sian Griffiths: Fast Track, Welsh for Family Debbie Knott: Newport Community Courses John Woods: Welsh in the Workplace Useful Contact Details Gwent WfA Courses

Any Questions?

Learner Panel Meetings with Principal of Coleg Gwent Meetings scheduled for:- Newport Campus – 14:00 – 15:00 Pontypool Campus – 14:00 – 15:00 Crosskeys Campus – 14:00 – 15:00 Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone – 14:00 – 15:00 Newport Campus – 14: :00 Pontypool - 14:00 – 15:00 Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone – 14:00 – 15:00 Crosskeys Campus – 14:00 – 15:00