PAPER C
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CHILDREN'S SERVICE'S SELECT COMMITTEE- 15 JUNE 2004 POST 14 - 19 INSPECTION DRAFT ACTION PLAN PORTFOLIO
HOLDER FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES |
REASON FOR SELECT
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
To consider the proposed draft action plan arising from the 14 – 19
Area Inspection undertaken by Ofsted.
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ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE To ensure that the action plan sets realistic targets to meet the
findings of the Inspection. |
BACKGROUND
1.
This is a
report outlining the action planning process following the section 65
inspection of 14 to 19 educational and training provision on the Isle of
Wight. The inspection was carried out
by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) and the Adult
Learning Inspectorate (ALI) during the weeks of 29 September – 3 October 2003
and 10 - 14 November 2003.
2.
During the two
inspection weeks a range of information, including the self-assessment report
was scrutinised. Statistical and
documentary evidence was analysed.
Inspectors considered the views of providers and learners; they
interviewed elected members, officers from the LSC, LEA, Connexions, Local
Learning Partnerships, senior staff in schools, colleges and training
providers, governors, parents and young people. They also visited schools, colleges and training providers.
3.
The report of
the inspectors’ findings was published in March 2004 and broadly endorsed the
judgements made in the self-assessment report.
(A full copy of the 14 - 19 area inspection report is available in the
members room). Provision was graded as
satisfactory overall. At the time of
the publication of our report, 9 areas had undergone 14 to 19 area
inspections. Three had been graded
unsatisfactory and the highest grade that had been awarded was satisfactory.
Context
4.
The key
financial partners who fund education and training on the Isle of Wight are the
Local Education Authority (LEA) and the Local Learning and Skills Council for
the Hampshire and Isle of Wight (LLSC) the latter of whom are responsible for
all post 16 funding.
5.
The Local
Strategic Partnership (LSP) has a clear view, set out in the Island Futures
Community Strategy document, of the need to raise aspirations, improve
achievement and widen participation in education and training.
6.
School
organisation is currently under review with formative consultation now underway
and formal consultation scheduled for the autumn term.
Post Inspection Action Plan
(PIAP)
7.
As in all
reports, the 14 - 19 area inspection report identified a number of strengths
and weaknesses. Some of the strengths
included the commitment of stakeholders to improve the participation and
achievement of young people, the good and very good standards of teaching post
16 in schools and at the college and the successful introduction of a 20%
common timetable for advanced level subjects.
Additionally inspectors noted the significant improved achievements at
the college and the successful strategies employed by the Connexions service to
track student destinations. The main weaknesses included the absence of an
explicit 14 to 19 strategy for education and training, unsatisfactory GCSE
performance, the small numbers in some sixth form classes and the insufficiency
of action by the LEA, elected members and school managers to raise standards.
8.
The three
priorities arising from the inspection are:
(a)
To raise
standards and improve the quality of teaching and learning at key stage 4.
(b)
To develop and
implement for 14 - 19 year olds an entitlement to an appropriate choice of
curriculum options, information, advice and guidance.
(c)
To safeguard the
long-term viability and quality of the full range of post 16 provision.
9.
Following the
publication of the 14 to 19 area inspection report, the Director of Children’s
Services and the Executive Director of the Learning and Skills Council for
Hampshire shared the findings and key recommendations with stakeholders,
providers and elected members at a meeting at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on 1
April 2004.
10.
Since that
meeting, a representative group of providers, led by LEA and LLSC staff, have
consulted widely with schools, the college, training providers and Connexions
and have constructed a plan to address the recommendations within the
inspection report. (A copy of the draft 14 - 19 post inspection action plan is
available in the members’ room). The recommendations have been grouped into
three themes
(a)
Strategy and
Leadership
(b)
Curriculum
Provision, Access and Guidance
(c)
Quality,
Standards and Support.
Through these themes activities have been
identified to address the three main priorities arising from the inspection.
(See action tables in the draft 14 - 19 action plan).
11.
As some of the
issues identified during the 14 - 19 inspection were also highlighted in other
reports, this action plan has been informed by a number of plans including the
LEA OFSTED Action Plan.
12.
The action plan
needs to be approved and sent to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
by 26 June 2004, via the National Office of the LSC. If accepted, the plan will
attract some funding via the LSC in this financial year to help promote the activities
identified. Once the plan has been
approved by ministers, it will be monitored by DfES officials who will require
brief termly reports and a detailed annual report of progress against the
targets in the plan.
APPENDICES
ATTACHED
The following appendices gave only been sent to members of the Select
Committee but are available on the Council’s website.
Appendix 1 - 14 - 19
Self-Assessment Report
Appendix 2 - 14 - 19 Inspection
Report
Appendix 3 - 14 - 19 Draft Post
inspection Action Plan
Appendix 4 -
Minutes of the dissemination meeting at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on 1 April 2004
As
listed as Appendices above.
Contact Point :Jackie Boxx, 14 - 19 Inspector, F 823420, e-mail jackie.boxx@iow.gov.uk.