We’ve previously been critical of teacher education quality, and there’s little evidence it’s improving, as found in a large ITE provider report published just last week as inadequate. Teachers need our full support so the initial training needs to be at least good. “Leaders do not plan a curriculum that adequately informs trainees about the […]
Usually, with a ‘good’ Ofsted report, there is no expectation of a return for four to five years. Recently, a GFE college inspected in May 2022 as good saw inspectors return in September 2023, downgrading the outcome to requires improvement. The college was not expecting a return visit, so what triggered this? The FE press […]
Consistency across programmes, personal development, careers guidance and governance feature in Kerry Boffey’s review of Ofsted inspections in 2023. Here at the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN), we are looking forward to making a contribution to the new Ofsted chief inspector’s “big listen” when he starts in the new year. During the autumn, we invited […]
Caught between completion and assessment, too many apprentices are left to an inadequate support system. Completing an apprenticeship is a significant achievement, marking the end of formal training and the beginning of a new journey – recognition, promotion or new career. However, what follows this milestone is a phase that has been relatively under-explored and […]
As the year ends, we focus on significant events or personalities from the past 12 months. We could introduce a ‘Word of the Year’ award for inspection. Nominations include the word ‘Consistency’. While it’s good to have excellent individual curriculum programmes, if the quality is inconsistent across the range, the quality of education and overall […]
Why do many providers find inspection a challenge? Nationally, across the FE sector, the proportion of inspections RI or poor is slowly rising. Why? Is it that Ofsted is becoming more critical, provision is getting weaker or something completely different? Is there a pattern or a trend? The analysis is fascinating. When we ‘run the […]
Analysis of inspection reports calls into question the accuracy of a grade category ascribed to nearly two-thirds of FE providers, explains Kerry Boffey In further education, the pursuit of excellence is a noble endeavour. Yet as we navigate the intricate landscape of Ofsted-graded institutions, a crucial question is whether ‘good’ or grade 2 is too […]
Just as a skilled musician adapts their performance to their audience’s preferences, trainers must adapt their language to resonate with learners’ unique motivations. In the ever-evolving landscape of education and training, the concept of “one-size-fits-all” no longer holds sway. In today’s diverse learning environments, recognising and harnessing the unique motivations of each individual is key […]
An update on Ofsted inspection outcomes At the end of September, our six-month data analysis indicates providers graded inadequate and requiring improvement are increasing, with over 28% of inspections from April to September appearing in this category. There is a greater focus on retention data and outcomes in more recent inspections. We know there is […]
How can you tell if the inclusivity you have within your organisation’s setting is leading to a positive culture, better safeguarding and stronger learner outcomes? Questions like these are enough to panic any organisation leader. The intangibility of many of the factors of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion makes answering these questions with any substance a […]
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