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Versa Voice :: Issue
4 May 2010
The Newsletter of Versa Professional Services
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Welcome to this
May
edition of Versa Voice.
In this month's newsletter we consider the shift in
Ofsted inspection criteria with a increased focus on
Equality & Diversity.
We hope you find Versa Voice interesting and informative, and welcome your
feedback.
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Improving quality: seeking the Holy Grail!!
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Media Clippings
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Since 1993, the FE, work-based learning and the
adult learning sector has had to get used to four
different national inspectorates and seven
inspection frameworks. Second guessing Ofsted
inspectors is a daunting activity and surprisingly
more and more providers are paying less attention to
what inspectors want and concentrating on what
learners want and need. Leaders and managers have
always seen the importance of raising standards for
securing funding, growth and giving learners a good
deal. Inspection regimes may change, but...
Recent changes to the latest Ofsted inspection
framework have introduced two key elements of
government policy and given them high status and
high stakes. Equality and Diversity focuses not only
on meeting legislative requirements and the
promotion of E&D but importantly on the
effectiveness of closing achievement gaps between
different groups of learners; based on age, gender
disability, ethnicity or social class. Truly meeting
the needs of all learners is at the heart of the
message.
Safeguarding of young learners and vulnerable adults
has been extended by most providers of post-16
education and training to include all learners.
Again, it is not just compliance with legislative
requirements and ensuring that learners work safely
that motivates managers and inspectors. Increasingly
they are focusing on ensuring that all learners are
safe and are protected. All risks must be identified
and managed appropriately.
The stakes have been raised. Poor or even
satisfactory performance in either Equality and
Diversity or Safeguarding can limit the grades
awarded for Leadership and Management, (how can L&M
be good or better if it doesn’t safeguard learners
and meet the needs of all well?) and Overall
Effectiveness.
Anecdotal feedback from some early inspections
indicates that some inspectors have been zealous in
their pursuit of standards in these areas and may
have made some judgements that appear rather harsh.
More recent judgements indicate more consistency
between inspectors in the way they deal with the two
matters and the impact they have on other grades!!
Versa works with many providers to improve quality
and to help ensure that all learners get a good deal
and that their needs and interests are met and
safeguarded. For more information about how we can
work with you please see our guide to Performance
improvement or contact Les August at
les.august@versa.uk.com.
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The Inside Track with
Ela Piotrowska
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Versa Voice recently met with Ela Piotrowska who is Principal of Morley College at Waterloo in London. Morley College is a vibrant and exciting adult learning college where adults can experience the sheer pleasure of new learning and satisfy their curiosity for learning.
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What have you got in your briefcase today?
Ten application forms for the post of marketing
manager that we are interviewing for later today. A
very well worn and full Filofax with a To Do list
that has grown since leaving home at 7.15 this
morning. Contact details for builders who have begun
fixing my roof at home... and some lipstick to
repair the ravages of the day before the interviews
this afternoon!!
What's the most embarrassing (work!) mistake
you've made?
Asking the speaker in a meeting to repeat
themselves…was I day-dreaming or did they fail to
engage me?.....
Click here to read the full interview |
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Doing more with less!
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Following on from our article in December's Versa
Voice, Versa will be running, in partnership with
Kingston Adult Education, a workshop for senior
managers across London adult and community learning
services looking at how people should go about
managing the cost reduction process. The workshop
will also explore how best to get the best from the
remaining resources using the principles of lean
working.
If you are interested in finding out how Versa can
help you to do more with less, please contact Paul
Essery at paul.essery@versa.uk.com or on 0771 782 3377.
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Versa Voice
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T: 07502
393867
E: versavoice@versa.uk.com |
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Versa Professional
Services Ltd
The Clock Tower, Farleigh Court, Old Weston Road,
Flax Bourton, Bristol, BS48 1UR
Company No.
05868501
Copyright © 2009 Versa Professional Services Ltd.
All rights reserved. |
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