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Inspectors find ‘enormous and enduring’ failures in prison education

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Inspectors find ‘enormous and enduring’ failures in prison education

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FE Week Article 23.03.22

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Inspectors find ‘enormous and enduring’ failures in prison education

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Poor reading education at prisons is an “enormous and enduring problem” Ofsted’s chief inspector has said as a new review by inspectors finds reading education at prisons is “minimal at best”. Ofsted and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) carried out a joint review of reading education in…

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'You can't teach phonics through a cell door' - Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Prisons have carried out a joint review of reading education in prisons.

Applies to England and Wales

Details

Following concerns about the poor state of prison education, Ofsted and HMIP decided to find out how prisoners are helped to improve their reading skills. Specifically, we sought to understand how prisoners' reading is assessed, what provision is in place and how much progress prisoners make.

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Prison education: a review of reading education in prisons

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'You can't teach phonics through a cell door' - Ofsted and HM Inspectorate of Prisons have carried out a joint review of reading education in prisons.

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Please note this Network has now ended due to the DfE cuts.

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Please note this Network has now ended due to the DfE cuts.

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A new network sponsored by the Prisoner Learning Alliance is now running: the Essential Skills Network.

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Presentation by Esther Kelly - Novus, HMP Liverpool 12.11.2021

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Presentation by Esther Kelly - Novus, HMP Liverpool 12.11.2021

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A collection of ESOL resources;)

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vikkiliogier@vikkiliogier

5

5

A collection of ESOL resources

Jessie Ramirez's Art Literacy Portfolio

ESOL

Online teaching activities & ed tech

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Click here to download full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prisons-strategy-white-paper

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New technology to thwart smuggling and bolstered plans to tackle addictions to keep offenders clean

Rigorous new literacy and numeracy standards and job-matching service to find employment

'Resettlement Passports' to ensure prisoners have the basics to stay crime-free upon release

Modern jails will cut reoffending and protect the public by giving prisoners the education, skills and addiction support they need to live crime-free lives.

The Prisons Strategy White Paper, published today (7 December 2021), sets out a new plan to deliver the biggest prison-building programme in more than 100 years - creating the right conditions to reform and rehabilitate offenders and ultimately cut crime, keeping streets safe.

Key measures include:

A zero-tolerance approach to drugs - all new-build prisons will have cutting-edge body scanners and airport-style security as standard to prevent offenders from continuing criminal activity behind bars

Getting offenders clean and treating addictions that thwart rehabilitation - assessing all prisoners on arrival for drug and alcohol addictions and putting in place a comprehensive plan to support them to properly recover from day one - including abstinence-based treatment

Making sure prisoners gain basic standards of numeracy and literacy while inside -ensuring every single prisoner has a basic level of English and maths so they are equipped for work on release, and a new Prisoner Education Service to train up offenders with vocational skills including construction and coding - improving their job prospects and steering them clear of crime

New drive to get offenders into work - introducing a new job-matching service that pairs offenders up with vacancies in the community on release and dedicated employment advisors in prisons to help offenders find work

Resettlement Passports to put proper plans in place for prisoners on release - providing all prisoners with a personalised passport that brings together all the things offenders need to start looking for work straight away, including a CV, identification and a bank account as well as vital support services in the community

New fast-tracked punishments - bringing forward a speedier punishment scheme when prisoners transgress. Penalties will be linked directly to their offence and support rehabilitation, for instance forcing prisoners to repair their cells or prison landings if they cause damage

Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab said:

We're building the prisons to incarcerate dangerous and prolific offenders. We're deploying the tech to stop the flow of drugs, weapons and phones into prisons. And we're re-orienting the regime to get offenders off drugs for good, and into work - to cut crime, and keep the pubic safe.

This new strategy will be backed by unprecedented investment and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Last month, the government allocated an extra £550 million to reduce reoffending and £3.75 billion to create 20,000 extra prison places across the estate. These will ensure the right modern, innovative and secure conditions are in place to truly rehabilitate offenders and keep the public safe.

The 6 new prisons to be built over the next 5 years will have the latest in technology - meaning more in-cell learning so offenders leave prison with the skills they need to move away from crime and into employment. This will include basic education like maths and English, vocational skills such as IT and engineering, and even driving theory tests so they can get a licence on release - helping them get to and from work.

Frontline staff are also crucial to making the strategy a success, and the White Paper includes a new commitment to recruit an additional 5,000 officers, with 2,400 employed in the next two years, and a new retention programme to keep existing staff.

Prison governors will be given greater autonomy and freedom to run their jails, with new key performance measures and public league tables incentivising the spread of best practice right across the estate in vital areas including security, training and employment and drug and alcohol addiction.

New prisons, such as those currently under construction at Glen Parva, Leicestershire, and HMP Five Wells, Wellingborough, will play a crucial role in cutting crime by training prisoners in the skills of the future, helping them find a job on release and dramatically reducing their chances of reoffending.

These will act as a blueprint for the government's ambitious prison-build programme, which will create 20,000 modern, rehabilitative places by the mid-2020s.

The White Paper follows the publication of the 10 Year Drugs Strategy yesterday which outlines plans backed by record investment to crack down on supply chains and criminal gangs profiting from the trade in illegal drugs, as well as boost treatment services to get people off the drugs responsible for driving crime in the first place, so that everyone across the country can benefit from the safety and security that comes from a safe neighbourhood.

Note to editors

The Prisons Strategy White Paper can be found on GOV.UK.

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New prison strategy to rehabilitate offenders and cut crime

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New technology to thwart smuggling and bolstered plans to tackle addictions to keep offenders clean Rigorous new literacy and numeracy standards and job-matching service to find employment 'Resettlement Passports' to ensure prisoners have the basics to stay crime-free upon release Modern jails will cut reoffending and protect the public by giving prisoners the education, skills and addiction support they need to live crime-free lives.

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Education Committee discussion - employment of ex-offenders 14.12.21

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Education Committee discussion - employment of ex-offenders 14.12.21

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FE News Article - Government promises prison education service is coming – but when?

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FE News Article - Government promises prison education service is coming – but when?

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In-cell technology is set to be expanded and new employment advisors in prisons are being introduced

In-cell technology is set to be expanded and new employment advisors in prisons are being introduced

The government is pushing ahead with its manifesto promise of a prison education service, but has failed again to say when it will be introduced.

The new prisons strategy white paper also commits the Ministry of Justice to improve prisons' and young offender institutions' Ofsted grades year-on-year to bring them in line with local FE colleges.

Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman's annual report, also released today, reveals around 60 per cent of all prisons and young offender institutions are graded 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate,' compared to 20 per cent of other FE and skills sector providers.

Announcing the new white paper, justice secretary Dominic Raab said: "We're re-orienting the regime to get offenders off drugs for good, and into work - to cut crime, and keep the public safe."

Prison education service will help offenders 'improve job prospects'

The white paper reforms are intended to ensure prisoners gain basic numeracy and literacy standards while inside.

The new prison education service will be training offenders with vocational skills such as construction and coding, which the government says will "improve their job prospects and steer them clear of crime".

However, the white paper fails to make clear when the new service will be introduced - two years after it was promised in the Conservatives' 2019 manifesto.

The white paper also commits to a new drive to get offenders into work, through a new job-matching service which pairs convicts with vacancies in the community on release, as well as dedicated employment advisors in prison.

Six prisons set to be built over the next five years will include in-cell learning technology so offenders can access basic maths and English education, vocational skills such as IT and engineering, even driving theory tests so they can get a licence on release.

'Significant' investment needed or provision 'will not improve'

Collins

Responding to the white paper, Prison Education Trust chief executive Jon Collins welcomed the "focus on getting people leaving prison into jobs," but warned education is "the key building block that enables prison leavers to secure employment and urgently needs more funding".

Plans to roll out digital technology need to "go further and faster," he added, so the government "must put in-cell technology in place in every prison, new and old".

"Without significant investment in teachers, technology, equipment and the physical environment, and without more prison officers around, prison education will not improve," Collins said.

"If the government wants to succeed in its ambition to significantly boost the employment opportunities of prison leavers, the first step must be to get prison education right."

Prisoner apprenticeships still in the long grass

These new reforms come after Ofsted and the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons launched a review in September into the "very poor" state of prison education.

The Commons education select committee is currently conducting its own inquiry into prison education, which heard last month from a panel of ex-prisoners of the "dreadful" provision and lack of communication from providers inside.

While the white paper says the prison education service will "equip prisoners to get jobs or apprenticeships after they leave custody," no mention is made of allowing prisoners to take up an apprenticeship.

A prisoner apprenticeship pathway was mooted by the government in 2016, in collaboration with the Association of Employment and Learning Providers. But by 2019, this had failed to get off the ground, and the education committee heard from social justice charity NACRO last May that allowing prisoners to take up apprenticeships would require changing legislation.

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Government promises prison education service is coming - but when?

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In-cell technology is set to be expanded and new employment advisors in prisons are being introduced In-cell technology is set to be expanded and new employment advisors in prisons are being introduced The government is pushing ahead with its manifesto promise of a prison education service, but has failed again to say when it will be introduced.

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Ex-prisoners tell of their experiences of the education system in prisons during an Education Committee (@CommonsEd) evidence session on 2nd November. 

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Ex-prisoners tell of their experiences of the education system in prisons during an Education Committee (@CommonsEd) evidence session on 2nd November. 

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Watch the video here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ekr4dLLHNyYQiF6vdyCxBhqCGVExgAZb/view?usp=sharing

Recording can be downloaded from the site also.

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Subject: Prison Education

Witness(es): Jonathan Gilbert, PhD Researcher and Graduate Tutor, Cardiff University; Kiri Jolliffe, Caseworker, St Giles Trust; Femi Laryea-Adekimi, Network Coordinator, Prison Reform Trust; David Breakspear; Ben Leapman

Subject: Prison Education

Witness(es): Jonathan Gilbert, PhD Researcher and Graduate Tutor, Cardiff University; Kiri Jolliffe, Caseworker, St Giles Trust; Femi Laryea-Adekimi, Network Coordinator, Prison Reform Trust; David Breakspear; Ben Leapman

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Subject: Prison Education Witness(es): Jonathan Gilbert, PhD Researcher and Graduate Tutor, Cardiff University; Kiri Jolliffe, Caseworker, St Giles Trust; Femi Laryea-Adekimi, Network Coordinator, Prison Reform Trust; David Breakspear; Ben Leapman Subject: Prison Education Witness(es): Jonathan Gilbert, PhD Researcher and Graduate Tutor, Cardiff University; Kiri Jolliffe, Caseworker, St Giles Trust; Femi Laryea-Adekimi, Network Coordinator, Prison Reform Trust; David Breakspear; Ben Leapman

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ETF's Maths Centres of Excellence Newsletter

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ETF's Maths Centres of Excellence Newsletter

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You can sign up to the latest newsletters here: https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/newsletters/?utm_content=buffer3a842&utm_medium=social&utm_source=etf_linkedin&utm_campaign=buffer

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The phenomenal work of the Centres and the growing number of partner colleges in their networks continues apace. Despite the many obstacles, there is much to celebrate: innovation, professional development and action research. All of this is contributing to good practice across the country. Some of that practice is explored in this newsletter, with Lucy Hancock writing a on how to achieve the right balance between on-line and 'in person' support.

This academic year promises to be another interesting one for maths provision in colleges. The impact of Teacher Assessed Grades on the GCSE maths grade profile of school leavers has meant that more students have higher grades while also having missed out on more maths teaching overall because of the disruption caused by the pandemic. Many colleges are finding that their initial assessments and diagnostics are revealing substantial support needs as more students are joining with a grade 4 or above while also having a greater need to consolidate their maths skills.

Looking forward to next summer, we have yet to hear what adaptations will be put in place to help exam candidates or what the contingency arrangements will be in case of further disruption to exams. There are also many questions about how the November retakes will be graded in the absence of a comparable exam benchmark for this summer. These exams will be 'back to normal' and the grade descriptors remain unchanged. It is possible that the grade profile might be 'set' to reflect the results in 2021 or 2020 in order to avoid disadvantaging retake students.

What is clear, is the challenge of teaching post-16 maths at level 2 and below. The need to re-motivate and re-engage students, build their confidence and experience and support them to address the gaps in their knowledge and skills is greater than ever. This has been and continues to be the focus of the Centres for Excellence programme.

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Alina, your Centres for Excellence in Maths Newsletter

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The phenomenal work of the Centres and the growing number of partner colleges in their networks continues apace. Despite the many obstacles, there is much to celebrate: innovation, professional development and action research. All of this is contributing to good practice across the country.

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FE News Article 13.08.2021 on staff turnover

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FE News Article 13.08.2021 on staff turnover

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7 in 10 teachers set to leave prison education, report shows

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Report calls for urgent prison education reform with 7 in 10 teachers set to leave Prison educators in England, Wales and Northern Ireland urgently need a pay rise and improved training, as well as access to improved facilities for learners, according to a report published today (Friday). The report, by...

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See all current English CPD courses on offer

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See all current English CPD courses on offer

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The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has a wide range of CPD courses and resources to support maths and English delivery.
Our offer has been carefully designed to provide solutions to concerns around progress in post-16 maths and English attainment and to develop subject specific skills.

The courses are for practitioners at all levels and stages of their development and include:

Webinars
online free of charge

National Network Meetings
online free of charge

Level 5 maths GCSE and Functional skills
20 hour courses, online 2 hours x 10 weeks (also available in-house) - £350 per person

A range of modules that can be packaged for delivery in-house (online or face to face) to meet organisational needs

These can be packaged and delivered in-house and tailored to meet the needs of the organisation, either online or face-to-face.

Prices start from £400 for an in-house group booking for one CPD module. Discounts are available for packages of modules - contact us for details.

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CPD for English teachers and trainers - The Education and Training Foundation

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The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has a wide range of CPD courses and resources to support maths and English delivery. Our offer has been carefully designed to provide solutions to concerns around progress in post-16 maths and English attainment and to develop subject specific skills.

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See all current maths CPD course on offer

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See all current maths CPD course on offer

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This suite of courses is designed to meet the CPD needs of all maths teachers and trainers in the Further Education and Training sector. To support busy practitioners, courses are primarily made up of short and focused, one-hour webinars and two-hour interactive courses. This is to enable practitioners to build up specific subject and pedagogical knowledge and skills through a regular and ongoing rhythm of CPD.

Most courses can be done on their own and in any order, but are designed to be undertaken as a package, according to individual needs, skills and knowledge.

We also offer longer GSCE and Functional skills courses that take place over 10 sessions. Most of our offer is currently live online, with one eight-week asynchronous course (Teaching Functional Skills Maths).

Courses are delivered by our expert delivery partners. Note that not all courses may have session that you can currently book, but please register your interest as there may be new sessions arranged, partly driven by demand.

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CPD for maths teachers and trainers - The Education and Training Foundation

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This suite of courses is designed to meet the CPD needs of all maths teachers and trainers in the Further Education and Training sector. To support busy practitioners, courses are primarily made up of short and focused, one-hour webinars and two-hour interactive courses.

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Link to ETF page for all CPD and Webinars

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Link to ETF page for all CPD and Webinars

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We have produced a range of CPD and webinars that are available online. This ranges from original content that has been specifically created in response to Covid-19, to other content that was originally designed to be face to face but is now online.

A range of the new content can be found below and you can also visit the booking website directly which allows you to explore the large range of opportunities that are available.

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Upcoming online CPD and webinars - The Education and Training Foundation

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We have produced a range of CPD and webinars that are available online. This ranges from original content that has been specifically created in response to Covid-19, to other content that was originally designed to be face to face but is now online. A range of the new content can be found below and you [...]

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The Enhance Digital Teaching Platform CPD guide. It includes both our EdTech and Essential Digital Skills programmes. 

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The Enhance Digital Teaching Platform CPD guide. It includes both our EdTech and Essential Digital Skills programmes. 

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See 'Your Resources' column for Richard's presentation and IA resources

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Advanced Practioners Programme - Lou Mycroft's Presentation, expression of interest form and contacts.

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Advanced Practioners Programme - Lou Mycroft's Presentation, expression of interest form and contacts.

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LouTo express an interest in the Programme, please complete this brief form: https://forms.gle/BYkfQ1YLGVgDVMYz6

Further information is on the website here: touchconsulting Ltd website: https://touchconsulting.net/ (follow programmes, then APConnect)

Contact Lou Mycroft: loumycroft@loumycroft.org & via Twitter @loumycroft

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National Offender Learning Network 6.8.21

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Check out this presentation designed by lou.mycroft.

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Contact Teresa Carroll: Teresa.Carroll@etfoundation.co.uk

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In this section

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) advocate an approach to mentoring and coaching of teachers in the Further Education and Training sector which is:

developmental and nurturing in nature

rooted in collaboration and support

adaptable to the individual needs of the mentee/coachee.

The ETF also believe that in order for this mentoring approach to flourish it requires an organisational commitment to developmental mentoring and a broader learning culture.

The Department for Education (DfE) started funding a programme of work in 2020-21 that focuses on developing high quality mentoring training to support teachers from early careers onwards to develop and progress within the sector in order to improve the retention of new teachers entering the Further Education and Training sector.

The overall aims of this programme are to improve the quality of mentoring for practitioners in the Further Education and Training sector to increase the effectiveness of the support offered to mentees. We know from previous delivery that this programme promotes a shared understanding of what makes up effective mentoring practices, produces high-quality and evidence-informed training for new mentors, produces an ambitious ongoing professional development for experienced or qualified mentors, raises awareness of what mentoring looks like and promotes best practice for mentoring.

We are currently accepting expressions of interest for the 2022-23 programme via this short survey.

For any other general enquiries please contact the ETF Mentoring Team by emailing MentoringETF@etfoundation.co.uk

T Level Leadership Mentoring

If you are leading on delivery or the planning for delivery of one or multiple T Levels, you may be interested in our T Level Leadership Mentoring Programme. You may be in a middle manager position, or you may simply be leading the T Level or an element of it, e.g. curriculum, recruitment, industry placements. A specialist mentor will help you grow your leadership and management skills through coaching and reflection, whilst exploring your motivations, strengths and areas for development in relation to your T Level delivery.

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Mentoring - The Education and Training Foundation

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The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) advocate an approach to mentoring and coaching of teachers in the Further Education and Training sector which is:  developmental and nurturing in nature  rooted in collaboration and support  adaptable to the individual needs of the mentee/coachee.  The ETF also believe that in order for this mentoring approach to flourish it requires an organisational commitment to developmental mentoring and a broader learning culture.

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Your breakout suggestions on future topics:

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Your breakout suggestions on future topics:

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Neurodiversity: What are prisons doing to cater for this? How can we provide day to day support for Tutors? Not much focus of neurodiversity on women, what can we do about it? Mental Health: How can we cater for it? How do we upskill and support staff/learners that need it.
Mainstream: What is happening in mainstream education, is there anything new/anything we can learn/integrate into Prison Education?
Networking: Opportunity for staff from the various Prison Contracts to network with each other/share best practice etc.; sharing practical ideas; learning about what projects people are working on; opportunities for collaboration. Making links and connections between providers.
LDD awareness: a need for a collaborative whole prison approach to raising LDD awareness with IOs and officers - LDD is not just relevant to education.
Awarding bodies bringing practitioners together for subject specific sessions
CPD on ESOL Initial Assessment and special arrangements/adaptations;
Technology: sharing effective practice. Developing use of technology such as Essential Digital Skills assessments and doing assessments online etc.
Sharing resources as we have found that many of us are the only tutor of our particular subjects.
ESOL -Also how to get across the problem of ESOL learners understanding language heavy maths questions.

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Gateway Qualifications - links to topics discussed

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Gateway Qualifications - links to topics discussed

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For information on any topic below form today's meeting, feel free to contact:
Chris.Deeprose@gatewayqualifications.org.uk
Michelle.Sparkes@gatewayqualifications.org.uk

ESOL Adaptations: https://www.gatewayqualifications.org.uk/webinars/esol-adaptations/

Getting ready for delivery in 21/22: https://www.gatewayqualifications.org.uk/webinars/quality-assurance-getting-ready-for-delivery-2021-22/

Pre-Entry ESOL Qualification: https://www.gatewayqualifications.org.uk/qualification/gateway-qualifications-entry-level-award-introduction-english-non-native-speakers-entry-1/

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Here's the presentation (Initial Assessment materials below).  Any questions, get in touch on richard.hammond@weston.ac.uk

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Here's the presentation (Initial Assessment materials below).  Any questions, get in touch on richard.hammond@weston.ac.uk

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See ESOL Initial Assessment materials and the presentation PowerPoint in the posts below:

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See ESOL Initial Assessment materials and the presentation PowerPoint in the posts below:

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ESOL Initial Assessment materials from Weston College at HMP Maidstone:   

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ESOL Initial Assessment materials from Weston College at HMP Maidstone:   

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This Padlet is a space to share ideas, questions, resources and updates on maths, English and digital literacies. We will also store copies of presentations used at our network meetings. Scroll down ⬇ to meet the group facilitators.

Scroll right for more columns ➡

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Welcome back!... and where did September go? The theme of this newsletter is new beginnings and, like you, our three Centres for Excellence in SEND as colleges in their own right, have been working hard to make learners feel welcomed and settled into the sector.

We have our regular features from each of the Centres with their take on new beginnings. The Centre at City College Norwich talk about how they've been using our Promoting Positive Behaviour Guide and occupational standards for learning support with their learning support assistants, which have been really helpful in welcoming learners back. The Centre for Excellence at Derby College talk very thoughtfully about the power of learning and how as teachers, we can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration - well worth a read! And finally, talking of inspiration, our Centre at Weston College talk about their new learner-led communities of practice across the FE sector.

Below you will find a lots of activities for you to join, and in the next newsletter, we will be announcing our new employer spokes to the Centres for Excellence in SEND. We want to make sure that all employers see the benefits that employing our learners can bring to their businesses and the people working within them.

There's no denying this is going to be a really busy term, so do remember to look after yourselves. And our partners at Education Support are there to help if you need to talk. There is also a lot of resources to support you and your learners on the Let's Chat portal .

So that's it for now. If you've received this newsletter from a colleague, do make sure you sign up and don't forget to tick the 'SEND' box.

With very best wishes,

29 September

Emotional recovery and differentiation webinar , CfE in SEND (people). 4:00pm - 5:30pm. The webinar re-introduces the emotional recovery framework and differentiation strategy previously presented and then explores how to implement emotionally authentic differentiation and communication post Covid-19.
4 October
Monthly effective practice and share session in creating an inclusive curriculum specifically for communication support workers and those supporting Deaf learners and learners with hearing loss, CfE in SEND (curriculum), 4:10pm - 4:40pm. This session has a specific focus and is being held for communication support workers and those supporting Deaf learners and learners with hearing loss.
5 October
SEND Curriculum review - Do you want to develop personalised study programmes for learners with inclusion needs/SEND which support their aspirations? Personalising study programmes, Centre for Excellence in SEND (curriculum), 4pm - 4:45pm.
7 October
Monthly effective practice and share session in creating an inclusive curriculum (online), CfE in SEND (curriculum), 4:10pm - 4:40pm. A monthly informal gathering of inclusionists to discuss moving forwards the inclusion agenda in FE.
8 October
Share and Shape - the SEND sector (online) CfE in SEND (community), 10:00am - 11:00am. In these sessions held monthly, we will look at emerging current themes, share effective approaches and ask ourselves 'how might we' to shape ideas together.
13 October
SEND Matters in Derby: beyond the SENCO (webinar series) CFE in SEND (curriculum), 4:00pm - 4:45pm. We will discuss, explore and share the five parts of the Derby City Local Area SEND strategy.
19 October
Vocational profiling with learners: preparing learners for employment (webinar), CFE in SEND (community), 3:00pm - 4:00pm. We will explore what good vocational profiling looks like to prepare learners for adulthood and employment.
21 October
RARPA - developing your SEND curriculum - An introduction to RARPA, Centre for Excellence in SEND (curriculum), 4pm - 4:45pm.

Further information and support

Book in house training

We are offering both in house training on understanding the complexities of high needs and non-high needs funding. Do get in touch for more information. And if there is something that we don't currently offer, do get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Register your interest in the following CfE in SEND CPD offer
Book individual and organisational support from one of the three Centres for Excellence in SEND. For more details visit the Leadership offer or the Communities of Practice offer. Corrienne Peasgood, CEO and Principal of City College Norwich; Mandie Stravino, CEO of Derby College Group and Dr Paul Phillips, CEO and Principal of Weston College and their project delivery teams would like to work collaboratively with you.

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Alina, Your latest SEND update from the ETF

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Welcome back!... and where did September go? The theme of this newsletter is new beginnings and, like you, our three Centres for Excellence in SEND as colleges in their own right, have been working hard to make learners feel welcomed and settled into the sector.

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rachel.oner@btinternet.com.
Rachel is the ETF's Regional Specialist Lead for English (West Midlands) and a Specialist in English and ESOL.  Rachel provides FE providers with curriculum support and advice on staff training to organisations in all FE settings. However, Rachel has had 4 years experience working in the Secure Estate, as she was Education Manager at a large Cat C training prison in Norfolk. Rachel delivers tailored CPD to offender learning providers.

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alisonpearson1@yahoo.com
Alison is the ETF's Regional Specialist Lead for English and maths in the South West. With many years’ experience in the FE sector, including in a number of senior leadership roles, she now works as an independent educational consultant and trainer. She uses a coaching approach to support those in both teaching and management roles to develop their practice, either individually or through a whole organisation approach.

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Padlet for the Practice Development Group: Marginalised learners

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Padlet for the Practice Development Group: Marginalised learners

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City & Guilds Maths and English resources

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City & Guilds Maths and English resources

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Resource Hub: Support - Maths & English | City & Guilds (cityandguilds.com). Includes slides, etc, from recent webinars, links to other useful background/support info.

Functional Skills qualification documents: Functional Skills qualifications and training courses | City & Guilds (cityandguilds.com) NB: the chief examiner reports and guidance for delivery documents are particularly worth a look, if you haven't already seen.

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Support - Maths & English | City & Guilds

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City & Guilds have a wealth of Maths and English teaching tools, tips and guilds. To help guide you and improve your teaching methods.

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Presentation by Sarah Jones of PeoplePlus 12.11.2021

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Presentation by Sarah Jones of PeoplePlus 12.11.2021

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See links below for videos

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Video presented by Sarah Jones

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As presented by Sarah Jones 12.11.21

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‘Thinking outside the box’ Innovative ways to support learners with neurodiverse needs and disabilities.

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‘Thinking outside the box’ Innovative ways to support learners with neurodiverse needs and disabilities.

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Powerpoint
https://stafflinepeopleplus-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/sarah_jones_peopleplus_co_uk/EezUYc0CsI5GuSQFgWvO2gIBZliyCUPd9yjI_xsGin_9lg?e=cUh6Ed
Video 1 - Digital system walk through at HMP Wayland
https://stafflinepeopleplus-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/sarah_jones_peopleplus_co_uk/EV6lWxKFTVlOrQIYoH3nCmABx2KCXzfpA7fQmVsFtbeVGQ?e=19pXwa
Video 2 - Example of one of the support videos created for the DVD https://stafflinepeopleplus-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/sarah_jones_peopleplus_co_uk/EcNV-oarXzFPt9yeiG0ZqDYBzzjD_WwcX46O1OzsBAQxyw?e=UI12cd

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You will find a link to all our newsletters at the bottom of this page. Why not subscribe to be kept up to date with our free events and CPD sessions?

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The ETF's focus has been on how technology can help teachers and trainers in their current professional practice, develop their understanding of how to redefine their pedagogic approaches with learning technologies.

To affirm and support teachers, trainers and assessors in using technology, the ETF developed the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform which offers free, bite-size, certified online self-learning training modules mapped to the Digital Teaching Professional Framework (DTPF). In September 2019 the ETF launched a Management Dashboard that enables employers to capitalise on the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform's EdTech resources across their organisation and support staff development. To support teachers and trainers to use the platform, the ETF created the Start your digital CPD journey with the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform guide.

The ETF has recorded a series of free, online webinars to support colleagues across the FE sector who work from home to support students. Each webinar has supporting modules on the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform, more information on the webinars and the supporting modules can be found on the Support for remote working webpage.

The Department for Education (DfE) has introduced a new essential digital skills (EDS) framework and associated national standards. Adults aged 19+ with no or low digital skills will be entitled to take EDS qualifications free of charge under the Adult Education Budget from September 2020, in line with existing entitlements for English and maths. DfE has commissioned the ETF to deliver a blended EDS CPD programme to prepare teachers, trainers and leaders to deliver the new qualifications based on the standards.

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EdTech and Digital Skills Support - The Education and Training Foundation

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The ETF's focus has been on how technology can help teachers and trainers in their current professional practice, develop their understanding of how to redefine their pedagogic approaches with learning technologies. To affirm and support teachers, trainers and assessors in using technology, the ETF developed the Enhance Digital Teaching Platform which offers free, bite-size, certified online self-learning training modules mapped to the Digital Teaching Professional Framework (DTPF).

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OTLA Projects - 'Anthology of Practitioner Action Research Projects (2020-21)'

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OTLA Projects - 'Anthology of Practitioner Action Research Projects (2020-21)'

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https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/supporting/professional-development/practitioner-led-development-and-research/otla/

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The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has, since its inception, supported a range of activity to improve teaching, from small scale projects involving single departments or individuals to region-wide activity promoting change and sharing of effective practice.

This work focuses on empowering practitioners to focus on effective practice that is most helpful for their own challenges. The wide range of activity that we deliver is brought together under the banner of Outstanding Teaching Learning and Assessment (OTLA).

Our work in this field draws on wider educational improvement activity and is based on evidence and research, much of it carried out by practitioners as part of our projects. It is focused at all times on improving professional practice, outcomes for learners, and improving the pedagogic or vocational skills of those involved.

The  Professional Standards for Teachers and Trainers  form a cornerstone of this activity.

There have been over 200 OTLA collaborative projects since 2015 which have tackled a wide range of issues relating to teaching, learning and assessment. Each year we offer FE providers the opportunity to apply to take part in an OTLA collaborative project on a specific area of practice. This year (2021-2022) Claire Collins Consultancy on behalf of the ETF will be running an OTLA collaborative project in English, ESOL and Essential Digital Skills.

Download Action Research resources

You can access case studies and resources developed by practitioners through past OTLA projects on the  Improving Teaching exhibition site and further information and resources regarding action research and practitioner research, can be found on the Practitioner and Research Evidence Portal .
Participant feedback

"You could say I entered into the digital revolution that we now find ourselves in by dragging my heels. I was not the most enthusiastic advocate for the use of technology, when let's face it the exam is on paper! Through participating in the OTLA 7 action research project my confidence has grown tremendously. I have completed some truly wonderful CPD with the ETF and I cannot thank the OTLA enough for all the support they have given me and the team.

"Being a part of the project has allowed me to focus and develop digital learning in a way that I would not have done without the project. The action research has enabled me to be a part of the digital journey and I feel that I have; with the learners, participated in this adventure together. The opportunities to reflect and hear feedback from learners has opened up a different approach and is something which has been incredibly valuable not just to myself, but the team as a whole.

"I now feel confident to try new approaches and embed digital learning to enhance maths lessons rather than feel that it is something which I would try and fit in at the end of the lesson.

"I am truly humbled and amazed by not only the learners' openness and adaptability to new approaches, but also the team as a whole. Joe (project team lead) has led the project in such a way that we have all felt part of it and has brought us a team closer together. I am now looking forward to our next steps and continuing the great work that the project has enabled us to achieve."
Sophie George, Course Director - GCSE maths at Basingstoke College of Technology

In the Spring of 2021, Dr Lynne Taylerson undertook a thematic review into the outcomes of the Outstanding Teaching Learning and Assessment (OTLA) 6 projects. She wrote a series of blogpost based on her review exploring:

For general enquiries regarding the OTLA programme, please contact  Jaya Varsani .

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Outstanding Teaching Learning and Assessment (OTLA) - The Education and Training Foundation

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The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has, since its inception, supported a range of activity to improve teaching, from small scale projects involving single departments or individuals to region-wide activity promoting change and sharing of effective practice. This work focuses on empowering practitioners to focus on effective practice that is most helpful for their own challenges.

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Read about all of the ETF services in this brochure, with links to key services and programmes.

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Read about all of the ETF services in this brochure, with links to key services and programmes.

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Presentation - Shrewsbury College, Augmented Reality Supporting Offender Learners

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Presentation - Shrewsbury College, Augmented Reality Supporting Offender Learners

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Angela Sanders, Sero Consultancy

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EDS Guide for teachers in Offender Learning

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EDS Guide for teachers in Offender Learning

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Responses to Consultation - Criminal Justice SIG

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Responses to Consultation - Criminal Justice SIG

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Responses to Consultation Questions in the Prisons Strategy White Paper following a meeting of the Criminal Justice Special Interest Group of the Worshipful Company of Educators, chaired by Professor MJC Crabbe. January 2022.

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PRISONS CONSULTATION RESPONSE CJSIG WCoE