Ofsted and the equality and diversity limiting grade COFHE South West, 11February 2011

1. Ofsted and the equality and diversity limiting gradeCOFHE South West, 11February 2011 This section comes with a possible �best before� date. Select Committee for Education currently examining Ofsted its purpose and operation. One of the questions is: Should Ofsted be able to set limiting grades for E&D and Safeguarding? It is possible that the limiting grade element will change. However � it is there right now. 1.What is a limiting grade 2.What do Ofsted say they are looking for when inspecting for equality and diversity 3.Making a judgement � looking at the differences between inadequate and outstanding � try it yourselves This section comes with a possible �best before� date. Select Committee for Education currently examining Ofsted its purpose and operation. One of the questions is: Should Ofsted be able to set limiting grades for E&D and Safeguarding? It is possible that the limiting grade element will change. However � it is there right now. 1.What is a limiting grade 2.What do Ofsted say they are looking for when inspecting for equality and diversity 3.Making a judgement � looking at the differences between inadequate and outstanding � try it yourselves

2. Common Inspection Framework for Further Education Colleges (2009) Handbook for the Inspection of FE Colleges (updated 2010) Two key sources are: Check you have the right versions. Another very useful source is the Rainbow Strand Guide to Ofsted inspection of Equality and Diversity.Two key sources are: Check you have the right versions. Another very useful source is the Rainbow Strand Guide to Ofsted inspection of Equality and Diversity.

3. �To inspect with an increased emphasis...� Teaching and learning The learner journey Users� views Value for money Every Child Matters themes: vulnerability, safeguarding Equality and diversity. New inspection framework which began in Sept 2009 set out its intention to �inspect with increased emphasis on....�New inspection framework which began in Sept 2009 set out its intention to �inspect with increased emphasis on....�

4. Reporting structure Common Inspection framework p 11 E&D used to be a contributory grade to leadership and management Usually lead inspector or assistant who does the E&D work now because of its breadth Common Inspection framework p 11 E&D used to be a contributory grade to leadership and management Usually lead inspector or assistant who does the E&D work now because of its breadth

5. Common Inspection Framework �the grades for these two aspects....limit other grades, including the grade for overall effectiveness�. When you read inspection reports you will find e&d issues cropping up everywhere � it�s not considered in isolation, nor just as a leadership and management responsibility like maybe value for money might be - Teaching and learning observations, user views, safety�the grades for these two aspects....limit other grades, including the grade for overall effectiveness�. When you read inspection reports you will find e&d issues cropping up everywhere � it�s not considered in isolation, nor just as a leadership and management responsibility like maybe value for money might be - Teaching and learning observations, user views, safety

6. Impact of limiting grades Where a judgement of inadequate is awarded for equality and diversity, it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than satisfactory. Where a judgement of satisfactory is awarded for equality and diversity, it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than good. If your teaching and learning and assessment is outstanding but your E&D is only satisfactory the highest overall effectiveness grade you could get would be good. However if The Select Committee for Education is investigating the role and operating efficiency of ofsted � including the limitiing grade. Under mechanics of Inspection � predict revision in 2011. Association of colleges in a memorandum to the Select Committee for education in November have asked for limiting grades to be removed: whilst they think the E&D limiting grade has enabled a focus on the success of a student on an individual basis, innovative teaching and a focus on tutorial and assessment for learning they think it should be incorporated into overall college practice (they think the safeguarding is using a tank to flatten a molehill.) Where a judgement of inadequate is awarded for equality and diversity, it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than satisfactory. Where a judgement of satisfactory is awarded for equality and diversity, it is most unlikely that the overall effectiveness of the provider will be better than good. If your teaching and learning and assessment is outstanding but your E&D is only satisfactory the highest overall effectiveness grade you could get would be good. However if The Select Committee for Education is investigating the role and operating efficiency of ofsted � including the limitiing grade. Under mechanics of Inspection � predict revision in 2011. Association of colleges in a memorandum to the Select Committee for education in November have asked for limiting grades to be removed: whilst they think the E&D limiting grade has enabled a focus on the success of a student on an individual basis, innovative teaching and a focus on tutorial and assessment for learning they think it should be incorporated into overall college practice (they think the safeguarding is using a tank to flatten a molehill.)

7. Northumberland College Example grade profile - better safeguarding performanceExample grade profile - better safeguarding performance

8. Operating principles Two principles have to be demonstrated: How is the college narrowing the achievement gap between groups of learners How effectively is a provider actively promoting equality and diversity and tackling discrimination If a provider cannot demonstrate that it is working within the two operating principles, this should prompt a judgement of inadequate for equality and diversity. If a provider cannot demonstrate that it is working within the two operating principles, this should prompt a judgement of inadequate for equality and diversity.

9. Evaluative statements Manages equality and diversity Assesses impact of its policies ...and responds Effective training All learners and staff protected Manages incidents and complaints Sets targets and uses data Takes action to reduce variations Has equality schemes and plans This is what they are looking for in the college as a whole. Emphasis on identifying issues, action, impact � not on having the policies � but acting on them and making a differenceThis is what they are looking for in the college as a whole. Emphasis on identifying issues, action, impact � not on having the policies � but acting on them and making a difference

10. Inadequate The college is not actively promoting equality and diversity and/or is not taking sufficient action to identify and narrow the achievement gap. One or more of the following weaknesses are likely to be present. The provider: has not prevented or tackled unfair discrimination, harassment or bullying has not taken steps to understand and implement legal requirements has not analysed outcomes for learners to monitor the impact of equality and diversity policies has not attempted to match the profile of staff and governors to that of the learner population shows insufficient impact in relation to equality and diversity The operating principles have not been met and the provider is not responding to complaints or incidents Has probably not undertaken staff development, has not looked at its stats to see if groups of learners are under-achieving, has not examined its staffing profile and has made no attempt to reflect the make-up of the local community. Any actions it has taken have not worked e.g. Gender balanceThe operating principles have not been met and the provider is not responding to complaints or incidents Has probably not undertaken staff development, has not looked at its stats to see if groups of learners are under-achieving, has not examined its staffing profile and has made no attempt to reflect the make-up of the local community. Any actions it has taken have not worked e.g. Gender balance

11. Satisfactory The college is actively promoting equality and diversity and tackling unfair discrimination. The profile of the provider�s staff and governing/supervisory body reflects that of its learner population with regard to race, gender and disability, or strong efforts to achieve this have been made. The provider monitors the impact of equalities policies and action plans and sets relevant targets for improvement. The promotion of equality and diversity is embedded in most aspects of the provider�s work, especially recruitment of learners, teaching, learning and assessment, content of lessons and range of programmes. The provider is improving outcomes for learners by identifying and taking suitable steps to close achievement gaps between different groups. The provider actively encourages employers and external contractors to promote equality and diversity in their operations for learners. Mixture of strengths and weaknesses Lacking evidence that gaps are closingMixture of strengths and weaknesses Lacking evidence that gaps are closing

12. Good In addition to the characteristics outlined as satisfactory, the provider effectively promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. The provider is improving outcomes for individuals, successfully closing identified achievement gaps. The promotion of equality and diversity is embedded well in all aspects of the provider�s work. The work with employers and external contractors to promote equality and diversity for learners in their operations has a demonstrable impact on outcomes and opportunities for learners. There is positive celebration of diversity. Success in closing gaps Embedded Demonstrable impact � evidence that policies are making a differenceSuccess in closing gaps Embedded Demonstrable impact � evidence that policies are making a difference

13. Outstanding In addition to the characteristics outlined as satisfactory and good, the provider strongly promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination very effectively in all aspects of its work. The development or progress of all or nearly all its users (including those from vulnerable groups) in relation to their starting points is improving significantly and the achievement gaps have narrowed significantly. Work with employers and external contractors to promote equality and diversity for learners in their operations has had a strong impact. So you have to do all the things indicated for a satisfactory or a good plus a bit more. Not saying there are no gaps but that the college has identified them and has made significant progress in addressing them.So you have to do all the things indicated for a satisfactory or a good plus a bit more. Not saying there are no gaps but that the college has identified them and has made significant progress in addressing them.

14. Activity: Make a judgement Based on these extracts and using the guidance extracted from the handbook make a judgement on the performance of these colleges with regard to Equality and Diversity. Extract a selection of paras from reports.Extract a selection of paras from reports.

15. Grading answers College M = Grade 1 College H = Grade 2 College P = Grade 3 College G = Grade 4 South Birmingham College Redbridge College City College, Birmingham Great Yarmouth CollegeSouth Birmingham College Redbridge College City College, Birmingham Great Yarmouth College

16. South Birmingham College Grade 1 for Equality and Diversity and safeguardingGrade 1 for Equality and Diversity and safeguarding

17. http://joomla.sbc.ac.uk/index.php/equality-a-diversity BSL video for library http://joomla.sbc.ac.uk/index.php/equality-a-diversity BSL video for library

18. More information Equality and Human Rights Commission http://www.equalityhumanrights.com Ofsted http://www.Ofsted.gov.uk AoC The role and performance of Ofsted http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmeduc/writev/ofsted/80.htm Ofsted inspection of equality and diversity (Rainbow Strand Guide) Rainbow Strand, 2011 Rainbow strand guide costs �35.00 � good resource � current info, inside knowledge and useful checklists.Rainbow strand guide costs �35.00 � good resource � current info, inside knowledge and useful checklists.

19. Go to Equality Act The Equality Act applies to anyone who is to be inspected after 6th April. Even if you are being inspected before you need to be preparing for it now � Single Equality Scheme needs to be in place for April with consultations and monitoring arrangements for additional protected groups well on the way. The Equality Act applies to anyone who is to be inspected after 6th April. Even if you are being inspected before you need to be preparing for it now � Single Equality Scheme needs to be in place for April with consultations and monitoring arrangements for additional protected groups well on the way.