Idea Store Learning VOL 1 ISSUE 6 Staff Newsletterthelearning.towerhamletslls.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/161/mod...Idea Store Learning Staff Newsletter DECEMBER 2012 VOL 1 ISSUE 6 Kevin

Idea Store Learning Staff Newsletter

DECEMBER 2012

VOL 1 ISSUE 6

Kevin Gillard Deputy Head Idea Store Learning I’d like to wish everyone season’s greetings and say thank you for your hard work this term and to add that we continue to be successful. We have had the best A term recruitment for a number of years with well over 5500 enrolments, so a very special thanks to those involved in initial assessment and pre-course guidance. We have had independent review of our self-assessment report which went very well. We have self-assessed ourselves grade 2 (Good) and the panel agreed with this judgment based on the evidence presented for overall effectiveness, quality and management. The self-assessment report is attached to this newsletter. If you have any comments please forward them to me. What is clear as we progress is that we are giving our learners a better experience. Over 90% of those who study qualifications with us pass their qualification. It is a small point but we count all students not just the ones there at the end of the programme, so this is a measure of the quality of the whole process not just the pass rate. Well done to all those staff who taught on these programmes there have been some brilliant results. We have trained and prepared a large number of volunteers who are now gaining valuable experience in Idea Stores, English for Speakers of Other Languages and Champions in the Community. The Community Champions who are the Mayor’s Champions programme won a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award in recognition of their work during the Olympics. More recently we have nominated once again a number of learners for Adult Learner Awards. We have been successful in the last two years in winning awards, so fingers crossed again for this year. Lastly I would just like to wish you all again a relaxing break. The time of year is one of celebration, and we have a lot to celebrate, but also of reflection. I’m sure next year won’t be any easier than this one has been but we can go into it confident that we are doing a great job for our learners. Kindest regards for the season

Simon Leveaux Performance and Improvement Manager

We recently completed some additional training for the observation team to keep them up to date with the requirements of the new inspection framework. This event focused on making sure that observers evaluate and judge what they see based on the evidence in front of them and that they record that clearly and effectively.

The event went very well and the result will be that our observers are prepared to provide the feedback and guidance that teachers need that reflects the most recent changes in the common inspection framework.

During the event some discussion took place about the process of observation and it was agreed that it would be a good thing to have a diagram that illustrates the whole observation process so that it is more clearly understood. The diagram is attached at the end of this newsletter.

Quality improvement plans are now in place for all curriculum areas. These plans drive our improvement activity and focus us on the key things that we need to do to be outstanding.

If you have not seen the quality improvement plan for your area please ask your line manager to see it. It is important that these plans are shared and that we understanding what we are aiming to improve.

Preparation for Life and Work

Meetings and Training

• Friday 14th December – CPD: Embedding Literacy for ESOL Learners (Reading) 2 – 4pm

• Friday 21st December– End of Term Meeting 2- 4pm

• Monday 7th January 2013 – Teaching starts

• Friday 18th January 2013 – CPD: Using Technology in the Classroom 2-4pm

• Thursday 24th January – PFLW Quality Group meeting 3.30 -5pm

• Friday 25th January – CPD: Making Assessment Work 2-4pm

All the above is being held at The Shadwell Centre, 455 The Highway.

Have a restful and jolly festive season, a

great holiday and see you back in January 2013.

Leanne Chandler ESOL Team Leader

As we approach the holidays, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your hard work this term. It has been an exciting few months with the expansion of our teaching team and I am glad that all our new members of staff have settled in so well.

Observation of Teaching and Learning

It has been a very busy term so far and our observation of teaching and learning cycle is currently under way and will be completed by the end of January. All our observers have recently received further training to ensure that our observation process is sound and robust. Year on year, our OTL grades in PFLW have continually improved. 2011-12 saw 83% of tutors graded good or better with no tutors graded unsatisfactory and this year we hope to build upon this further.

Quality Improvement Plan

We have started to make good progress with our Quality Improvement Plan for the year and we have some exciting projects underway. This year we are trying to improve the impact of the learner voice and Rachel Bate has been working hard to bring our learner representatives together and gain their views. Zillani Miah is also working on an ESOL newsletter which will be solely contributed to by our learners and I hope that you will support him in this. Further to this, we are also working to improve the use of ICT. All tutors will soon be receiving training on how to use the VLE effectively with their learners and we will soon take delivery of some exciting new equipment including tablets and laptops for use in classes.

Quality Improvement Group

Thank you to all the tutors who have contributed to our Quality Improvement Group this term, your role is crucial in helping us to feedback on and develop the plan on a monthly basis. Our next meeting will take place on Monday 17th December 3.30-5.00pm.

Art Design and Technical

Education

Brian Birch Programme Manager

Dear Colleagues I feel the term has passed by very quickly and we should all be very proud of the work we have contributed to the success of all our learners. I thank you all for your continued hard work in making sure that learners on Idea Store Learning programmes are supported in acquiring new skills and knowledge. Enrolments are up across a number of programmes. New programmes introduced in September: Creative Writing, Window & Fashion Display, Alter and Mend your Clothes with your Sewing Machine, Open Studies Printmaking, Prepare for Professional Dance Training, Dance Fitness for Women Only, have all demonstrated good success rates and are on track for successful recruitment in B Term. Quality Improvements At the Internal Moderation of the Service level Self-Assessment Report we were able to demonstrate that our qualifications programmes success rates can be described as ‘Excellent’. This is a significant step, in aligning and moving the area towards being ‘Outstanding’. I am pleased to report that the area conducted 27 observations in A Term 15 of which were supportive and 12 graded as ‘good’. OTL will continue again in B Term and we are on track with the OTL planned schedule. We will also be asking for evidence to show that you have carried out the agreed actions in your action plans. Partnerships We have successfully delivered several programmes with new partners: Pritchard Road Day Centre, Ceramics course with mental health learners, Jewellery programmes with Fern Street Settlement (See photo), elderly learners continued with the 20-hour project linked with Idea Store Chrisp Street and Cookery programmes with Youth Offenders Tower Hamlets.

End of Term Performance - Celebrating Learners

Achievements

On Sunday 9th December 2012, learners from the Performing Arts department gathered with friends, family and members of the public in the dance studio at Whitechapel Idea Store for their end of term performance. Now running for the third year in a row, this event has successfully celebrated learners’ achievements and the cultural diversity of our learners living in the borough. The participants at this year’s event were students from Tango, Belly Dance, Flamenco, Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Bollywood, Jazz Dance and African Dance courses. Tutors who attended the event involved members of the audience in short taster sessions. Lead Tutor, Annarita Mazzilli who has organised the event over the past years, stressed how important the day was for our learners’ journey. She said “This is a good platform for learners to develop skills in preparation for the end of year show in June 2013, which will take place in the Brady Arts Centre theatre. Students build confidence and acquire transferable skills to everyday life such as, the abilities to work within a group and to articulate and exchange ideas. They also increase their understanding of diversity and equal opportunity amongst varied individuals and develop their enthusiasm for education and a healthy life-style.” With music and dance styles coming from different cultures, this event is always, truly a fun and multicultural day well worth attending.

Dates for Your Diaries

• Performing Arts End of Term Celebration Whitechapel Idea Store Sunday 24th March 2013 from 1pm

• Printmaking Exhibition - Brady Arts Centre 7th January 2013 - 7th February 2013

• Operational Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding meeting - Thursday 17th January 2013

Shadwell Centre

Business Finance ICT

Health & Fitness Faruk Miah Programme Manager

As we come to the end of what felt for me as one of the most challenging terms that I can remember in a long time, can I thank all the staff for all your hard work and dedication. Can I thank Jane and Georgie for their continued hard work whilst always putting the learners first yet always supporting our tutors to improve our teaching/learning experience.

I think one of the reasons why it has been such a challenge this year is the delayed start to the academic year because of the Olympics, and what a summer we had. Putting the learners first and having lots of assessment sessions for all courses above beginners level challenged us. And by changing the structure of our accredited courses (prepare for courses) we were also stretched. It is the testament to the team that under these challenging circumstances they have continued to grow and improve. The enrolment numbers and OTL grades speak for themselves.

Year Enrolments Numbers

2010/11 3147

2011/12 4029

2012/13 A Term Only 2277

It is especially pleasing to see the continued improvement in teaching and learning.

OTL Profile 2009-10

%

2010-11

%

2011-12

%

Good or Better 31 52 67

Satisfactory 48 36 33

Unsatisfactory 21 12 0

So thank you once again for all your efforts and I’d like you wish you a deserved rest over the festive period and a Happy New Year.

Quality Improvement

In order to ensure that learners and tutors suggestions for improvement are fed into our quality improvement plan it is important that you return your Tutor Course Reviews for all courses that you delivered in A term. Please can you send these to either Georgie or Jane by email.

ASL Returns

Let’s ensure our success rates reflect the excellent work we are doing. Please make sure you have returned all your ASL forms for A term.

Meetings and Events

Health and Fitness Team Meeting Tuesday 22 January 11 – 12pm - Shadwell Centre

IT and Business Team Meeting Friday 1 February 10 – 12pm - Whitechapel Friday 1 February 1 – 3pm - Whitechapel

Languages Team Meeting Wednesday 6 February 10 – 12pm Friday 8 February 6 – 8pm – Whitechapel

Peer Assessment Training 1 February with SfL team Shadwell Centre

Assessment Workshops

Health and Fitness Tuesday 22 January 12 – 1pm - Shadwell Centre

ICT, Business, MFL - Wednesday 13 February 10 – 12pm - Whitechapel

VLE for Assessment

Thursday 17 January 3 – 5pm - Whitechapel

Pay Claims

Please submit pay claims on time each month!!!

Management Information &

Achievements

Pat Hammond-Sackey MIS & Audit Services Manager The MIS team continues to support curriculum by monitoring and auditing the quality of the data system across the service. Enrolment Notifications – the team provides recruitment updates to all staff across the Service. This keeps all teams informed and engaged in the enrolment process and supports them in understanding their key role in the process and how they have contributed to the on-going Service success. Course Outlines – The team have achieved 100% processing and completion of all A, B and Y term outlines. This has contributed to the confidence in front-line enrolling staff providing course information and guidance to all prospective and returning students. ILPs – production and access to this form is now fully electronic and available via the Athena System. The pre-populated documentation has contributed to streamlining the completion of paperwork by teaching staff. ASL Achievements - the team has worked tirelessly with curriculum managers to increase tutor completion and returns of ASL achievement paperwork. Monitoring and chasing has produced an 85% return compared to 74% the previous year. This continues the year on year improvement that began at a 12% return in 09/10. This is a major contribution towards quantifying the achievement and success of students across an extensive range of non-exam community provision and supports the justification and success of the curriculum programme. Learner Surveys – The form has been streamlined to one completion and submission per course for the year or the term. This has contributed to streamlining the completion of paperwork by students. The team ensures the outcomes and comments from completed surveys are easily available on the Athena system. The availability of this data contributes towards easy access for Learner Voice evidence and enhances teaching staff OTL performance records. Data Meetings – the introduction of these regular fortnightly meetings has contributed to all the above improvements and communication between front-line operational staff and strategic curriculum management. Participants keep focussed on agreed key drivers that support teaching and performance. These are the Service recruitment, course information, ALR course performances, ILR returns; register attendance, classes performing below set targets, success and achievement and learner surveys. Opportunities are taken to review progress and performance in all these areas and discuss any emergency actions required, when and how to apply them.

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Community Development Team

Jasmine Hossain Community Development Coordinator Community Development Courses, Website & Publicity: Reaching Out to Hard to Reach Groups We have been busy this term, re-vamping and re-branding our publicity to re-ignite the local communities’ passion for learning. We now have a portfolio of CDT Courses (see below), which we are promoting and delivering in partnership with a range of community organisations, schools, children's centres, registered providers and other public and private organisations.

Our aim is to not only widen access to learning for local communities, but to also target hard to reach groups. CDT Courses include:

1. Family Learning Courses (joint parents/carers and

children)

2. First Steps Courses (for new learners)

3. Personal Development Courses (for vulnerable groups)

4. Customised Courses (for local parents/residents)

5. Customised Courses (for staff)

To find out more: Visit the Community Development page

at www.ideastore.co.uk or contact us on 020 7364 7444 or

email: [email protected]

Let us know: If you are aware of any 'under-represented' or

'hard to reach' groups or organisations, or any groups of

new learners

Do you want to deliver CDT Courses? Our CDT Courses can be delivered in a wide range of subjects, chosen by our partners from the range available in ISL course guides. These courses are then tailored, adapted and scheduled in consultation with our partners to meet their needs. These courses can be delivered either at Idea Stores or in outreach community venues (subject to successful health and safety and risk assessments).

Let us know: If you teach a subject that could be delivered

at outreach venues, which you feel would appeal to local

communities and vulnerable groups.

Learner Volunteers: Expanding to ALL Programme Areas We know that one of the key experiences that our learners are asking for is the opportunity to volunteer with us, particularly ESOL learners, who have identified that they often struggle to access mainstream volunteering opportunities. So, we set up a pilot Volunteering Project in 2011/12, especially for our Preparation for Life and Work learners, many of whom had ESOL needs. The outcome of this is that we managed to recruit 16 learner volunteers who worked as classroom assistants in 2011/12.

Then this year, in PFLW we recruited a further 21 Learner Volunteers for 2012/13, some of whom will also be doing an Aspirations Course to motivate and build their confidence. We have become more ambitious about the range of volunteering experiences we are able to offer, so we now have Learner Volunteers offering ICT support and administrative support.

Now, we are ready to expand even further in 2012/13, and we are looking to establish the new "Learner Volunteer Project" in ALL the programme areas, including Art, Design & Technical Education and Business, Finance, ICT, Health & Fitness.

Could you do with Learner Volunteer Support? If you

are currently a tutor and could benefit from Learner

Volunteer support from March 2013 then please contact

your manager (particularly if you work in Brian Birch or

Faruk Miah's programme areas).

Volunteering: Learner Progression Opportunity! This is a fantastic way for our learners to:

1. gain job-related experiences,

2. learn new skills,

3. meet new people,

4. use spare time to help others

5. get involved in the community

Let your learners know: If you are aware of learners

that might be interested in volunteering, make sure you

encourage them to complete an application form when it

comes out.

December 2012 Event:Knowledge Career Foundation

Day - Something for Everyone

Tuesday 11.12.12 at ISW (1pm to 4pm)

Networking & information sharing event.Organised in

partnership with Agilisys.

For more information about Agilisys visit

www.agilisys.co.uk

January 2013 Event:Small Talk THINK BIG

23.01.13 at ISW (12pm to 4pm)

Conference providing expert help on how to start or

grow small businesses in Tower Hamlets. Included is a

master class, workshops, business support information

& case studies. Organised in partnership with ISW,

Business & Financeprogramme , Marketing, Information

and Employment and Enterprise LBTH.

For more information visit

http://www.ideastore.co.uk/en/articles/small_business_

event_23_january_2013

Come along: If you run your own small business or are

looking to start one, this event is for you!

Tracking and Monitoring of Learner Progress – “The Learning Conversation” This has become one of the key focuses in the new inspection framework and it is important that you are able to show how you track and monitor. We are funded to provide learning programmes and so have to show learning, progress and standards of work. There are many ways to show these things and we won’t be prescriptive if you are doing it well. Innovation and creativity are welcomed. One way of thinking about the tracking and monitoring process is that it should be, “the learning conversation”, that you are having with your students. It will take many forms and in different classes will be made up of different things. So it may be photos and video in practical classes or written notes, dairies or witness statements in more theory based sessions. You may record conversations or photograph work and keep it to show the progress that learners have made. Completion of the learning plan is then easy based on the evidence you have. This is for learners not managers and Ofsted! The most important part of this is that they have the information that they need to build their skills and to improve. The key is to be able to show the detail and accuracy of the tracking and how it has made a difference to learner progress. This will again be different in different types of class, a ten week ballroom dancing class will have very different systems than a 34 week A level programme but the key is the recording of “the learning conversation”, you are having with your learner that helps them improve.

Teaching Learning and Assessment

Tracking and Monitoring of Learner

Progress While at times this might seem like and extra burden on us and the teaching process it is not meant to be. If the quality of the learning conversation you are having with you learners is high and there is evidence of it, then any external observer/manager/verifier will see that as will your learners. They will make good progress based on your expert feedback will achieve what they want to achieve. The learning goals identified by you for your course coupled with the ones recorded by the learners are important features against which progress should be judged. This is a dialogue or a conversation you will be having with your learners throughout their time with you and it will take many forms. Sometimes it will be formal and often it will be informal but the key is to find a simple effective way of recording it. Take the time to show it and how it is having impact for learners in their experience with you.

Simon Leveaux Performance and Improvement Manager