Coleg Gwent Curriculum & Quality Internal Review Feedback (March 2010) Nicola Gamlin (Vice Principal) Tuesday 29 June 2010

Coleg Gwent Introduction Internal Review: March 2010 The review team included: Coleg Gwent senior managers independent consultants peer reviewers from other colleges in Wales Representatives from six other colleges in Wales Internal reviewers undertook review activities in areas of the college which are not within their current line management responsibility.

Coleg Gwent Background Learning Areas included were: SSA1 – Health, Care & Public Services SSA5 – Construction SSA8 – Sport & Leisure SSA9 – Art, Media & Performing Arts College Theme – Essential Skills (3- year rolling programme)

Coleg Gwent Background Review activities included: Observation of range of sessions (108 in total) Scrutinising learners’ work (marked and unmarked) Examining course, school and college files Evaluating college facilities Discussions/meetings with college staff and learners Attending meetings of the review team Writing reports and completing documentation Feeding back findings to staff and senior management

Coleg Gwent Findings – Key Question 1

Coleg Gwent Findings – Key Question 1

Coleg Gwent Good Features – Key Question 1 Good and very good outcomes: Care (particularly Public Services) Sport Construction at Level 1 National Awards in Art and Design and Music Technology High levels of understanding and excellent skills demonstrated by learners in some areas Very good key skills outcomes in some areas The positive impact of the WBQ and TEP on retention and attainment in some areas Learners’ excellent relationships with staff and peers and their developing confidence and enthusiasm which promotes their development as independent learners Outstanding enrichment opportunities provided by academies in sport, community participation and in Art, Media and Performing Arts

Coleg Gwent Shortcomings – Key Question 1 Completion on some programmes is poor – for example: National Diploma in Travel and Tourism National Certificate Care Higher level Construction courses Some courses in Art, Media and Performing Arts First Diploma in Outdoor Education Some learners are following key skills at an inappropriate level relative to their ability or prior attainment. Some have no opportunity to undertake key skills qualifications at all Some learners do not take up support to meet their basic skills needs Poor quality and detail of written feedback to learners in some areas does not help them to improve Few opportunities for learners to develop Welsh language skills

Coleg Gwent Findings – Key Question 2

Coleg Gwent Findings – Key Question 2

Coleg Gwent Good Features – Key Question 2 The Grade 1 teaching observed in some areas The support that learners receive from well qualified tutors and technical support staff who assure that activities and assessment opportunities are well planned, appropriately differentiated to meet individual needs, properly resourced and suitably equipped Positive relationships between learners and with college staff enhance reflective practice and promote a culture of self-improvement Good assessment practice in many areas where individual achievement is celebrated and peer assessment is encouraged

Coleg Gwent Shortcomings – Key Question 2 The relatively small proportion of Grade 1 teaching sessions across the areas reviewed and the number of unsatisfactory teaching sessions The inconsistent nature of lesson planning and lack of differentiation The limited range of teaching strategies in some areas and the resulting lack of stimulation for learners, with limited effective use of ILT The lack of challenge for learners in some areas resulting in overdependence on teachers Varying quality of assessment and feedback arrangements in some areas The promotion of Welsh language and culture is not always evident and many opportunities are missed

Coleg Gwent Good Features – Other Key Questions Work with key partners and collaborative arrangements to meet national and local priorities Strong support for learners with good tutorial and enrichment opportunities Good improvements in learner outcomes Increasingly robust quality system and increased commitment to improving quality Highly positive feedback from learners Effective management of a challenging financial position to secure value for money College’s commitment to professional development to improve quality

Coleg Gwent Shortcomings – Other Key Questions Welsh language and culture not embedded well enough Destinations data incomplete Enrolment onto Key Skills at levels that are too low Take-up and monitoring of Basic Skills Dual role of Faculty Chair and Campus Director distracts from practical quality improvement Some non-compliance with central requirements Some inconsistencies in practice across the college Some untidy and cluttered accommodation

Coleg Gwent Next steps Each lead reviewer has met with the Faculty to provide more detailed feedback Faculty to devise specific action plans as part of self-assessment CMT to review common themes and agree actions

Coleg Gwent Curriculum & Quality Any Questions?