Gwent Welsh for Adults Centre Learner Voice Class Representative Training 2015 - 2016

What is the Learner Voice? What is a Class Rep? Possible Scenarios SESSION AIMS What is the Learner Voice? What is a Class Rep? Possible Scenarios Meetings & Duties How the system works Learner Voice on Y BONT Where to direct concerns Hints & Tips for Meetings Contact Details

United Nations Human Rights Charter notes:- 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 a. 2589 b. 3139 c. 4251 ch. 1889 a. 41% b. 2549% Gwent Welsh for Adults is the only provider of Welsh courses in Gwent True False In 2014 – 15, the number of enrolments on Welsh courses in Gwent numbered… a. 2589 b. 3139 c. 4251 ch. 1889 The number of ‘hits’ on the Centre’s Facebook page in 2014 – 15 increased by… a. 41% b. 2549% c. 66% ch. 17% The percentage of learners who sat the Mynediad exam last year was… a. 52% b. 24% c. 100% ch. 76% Class reps can ask for SKYPE meetings with the Learner Voice Officer True False

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

5 Minutes What is the role of a class rep? Why do we have class reps? Time for Group Work What is the role of a class rep? Why do we have class reps? 5 Minutes

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

CLASS REPS What do they 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

What meetings will Class Reps attend? Class Reps Explained What meetings will Class Reps attend? What are the main meetings? Welsh for Adults Centre Meetings (1 per year) 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

What issues will Class Reps deal with? 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 More informal learning to be held in the evening. Unhappy with the coursebook

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

How the system works 1 Learner Rep obtains comments from class during class meeting Learner Rep attends Learner Rep meeting / passes comments onto Anthony Morgan, Learner Rep Officer (WfA) Learner Rep Officer passes comments to Sean Driscoll, Centre’s Quality Manager

How the system works 2 These comments will be raised with Centre managers and Community Adult Education Managers. They will discuss the comments and respond. Report written by the Quality Manager and distributed to Learner Reps at the end of every term. The Report will:- Be e-mailed to Learner Reps in order for them to inform their class of responses.

How the system works 3 Be placed on Y BONT in Learners’ Area/Learner Reps/Termly Reports for everyone to see – not only Learner Reps. E-mailed to tutors – for information

Learner Rep Area – Y BONT: One Stop Shop Learner Rep area on Y BONT. (Learner Area> Learner Reps) Everything Learner Reps need will be here. This will be open to all learners Here you will find:- Copy of the Quality Manager’s latest termly report List of Learner Rep meetings, and a chance to confirm your attendance on line

Learner Rep Area – Y BONT: One Stop Shop Spotlight Area: list topics to be discussed at the Learner Rep meetings Training Area: Here you can access copies of the Learner Rep Information Booklet and copy of this Powerpoint presentation Contact Details for the Centre’s Quality Team & Unitary Authoritys’ Community Education Operational Managers

Learner Rep Area – Y BONT: One Stop Shop Also, you’ll see the Your Voice area: This is a new on-line Forum for Learner Reps. You can discuss any issues here with other learner reps. This Forum will be accessible to learner reps only If you have any problems accessing the Forum, please e-mail Catrin Thomas: Catrin.Thomas@coleggwent.ac.uk

Where do you go with a problem – Community Course? Class Rep Prep School Where do you go with a problem – Community Course? Speak to your tutor Speak to the manager of the Centre where your course is being held if provided by a unitary authority. Speak to Heads of Adult Community Learning (ACL), depending upon who is your course provider.

Where do you go with a problem – Coleg Gwent course? Class Rep Prep School Where do you go with a problem – Coleg Gwent course? 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.

Handy Hints for a Meeting Be prepared! Class Rep Prep School Meeting Skills Handy Hints for a Meeting Be prepared! Talk to your class beforehand – complete Learner Voice Questionnaire with the help of your class 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

Communicating with your Class 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

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

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

Contact Details Gwent WfA Quality Team Geraint Wilson-Price Ffôn: 01495 333710 E-bost: Geraint.Wilson-Price@coleggwent.ac.uk Sean Driscoll Ffôn: 01495 333701 E-bost: Sean.Driscoll@coleggwent.ac.uk Anthony Morgan: E-bost: anthonylmorgan@aol.com Ffôn: 07599212527

Support in the Community Class Rep Prep School Support in the Community Adult Community Learning Managers Helen Jackson Tracey Parker Karen Bennett Angela Price Torfaen Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent Monmouth

Useful Contact Details Helen Jackson: Torfaen Helen.jackson@torfaen.gov.uk 01633 648814  Tracey Parker: Caerphilly parket@caerphilly.gov.uk 01495 227113 Karen Bennett: Blaenau Gwent Karen.bennett@aneurinleisure.org.uk 01495 355301 Angela Price: Monmouthshire angelaprice@monmouthshire.gov.uk 07920 708 999

Useful Contact Details Gwent WfA Courses John Woods: Fast Track, Coleg Gwent Community Courses John.Woods@coleggwent.ac.uk 01495 333710 Debbie Knott: Newport Community Courses Debbie.Knott@coleggwent.ac.uk 01291 674615 Mair Turner: Welsh in the Workplace/Welsh for the Family Mair.Turner@coleggwent.ac.uk 01495 333710  

Any Questions?