Conference Address John Graystone Chief Executive CollegesWales

1. Conference AddressJohn Graystone Chief Executive CollegesWales

2. What links the following? • Western black rhinoceros • Italian lira • Drysalter • Jawoyn • Nimrod aircraft

3. Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) • survey every 3 years of 15 year olds by OECD • latest in 2012 based on results of 500,000 students from 65 countries • 2 hour paper comprising multiple choice and other questions • Wales - 41st in science (UK 21st); 36th in reading (UK 36th); 43rd in maths (UK 25th ) • China, Singapore, Switzerland and Netherlands came out best

4. Schools in Wales: an OECD perspective – what needs to be done • ensure that schools meet learning needs of all their students • build professional capital and collective responsibility throughout system • develop coherent assessment and evaluation framework to promote improvement • define long term education strategy building on select number of core priorities, is adequately designed and resourced and has appropriate governance and support structures

5. Key factors underpinning FE success in Wales • Clear and absolute focus on the learner • Concentration on raising standards • Development of teaching methods • Investment in staff • Efficiency gains • Increased accountability • Share good practice • Quality of management and of governance • No complacency

6. Ofsted: ‘How Colleges Improve’: 10 top tips to promote improvement 1 How do you know you are genuinely learner-centred? • What measures are in place to ensure that teaching, learning, assessment and the curriculum are well-planned and skilfully delivered to enable all learners to enjoy their work, progress and achieve at the pace that is right for them? How does the college challenge them to go further? • How do you make sure that the right staff have the right know-how, knowledge and competences for the roles they have and those they might aspire to? How does the college build their confidence, capability and capacity?

7. Top tips contd 4 What can you do to create a culture and ethos of urgency and ambition for learners that raises their confidence, aspirations and achievements? 5 How might you build a climate in the college where self-review and feedback are welcome and not seen as criticism? What training for staff can you provide to make feedback informative, supportive and pertinent, while avoiding being negative? How can you educate them to receive and act positively on feedback?

8. Top tips contd • Can you evaluate how effectively and how quickly management information and data inform decisions and become meaningful actions? • Do your planning, monitoring and evaluation take account of all the college activities, including arms-length, off-site and subcontracting work? • How do you assess the effectiveness of communications with learners and stakeholders – whether and how they lead to improvements in the key areas of the college’s work?

9. Top tips contd • Do you know or check whether the college’s values and vision are known and shared by staff, learners and the community? Are they inclusive of all and how do they foster respect, trust, honesty, fairness, dignity, independence and accountability? 10 What checks, balances and assessment of impact are in place when the college embarks on a new venture or initiative?

10. Characteristics of excellent programmes of AVTL • clear ‘sight to work’ on all vocational programmes • dual professional teachers and trainers who combine occupational and pedagogical expertise • access to industry standards facilities and resources, reflecting way technology transforms work • clear escalator to higher level vocational learning, developing and combining deep knowledge and skills • ‘two way street’ – genuine collaboration between colleges and training providers and employers • vocational qualifications include national core and locally tailored element, giving employers direct involvement in developing vocational programmes Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning: chaired by Frank McLoughlin

11. DfES funding:2007/08 – 2015/16 in cash and real terms

12. 0 - 14 Population of Wales 2010 - 2030

13. 15 – 19 Population of Wales 2010 - 2030

14. 20 + Population of Wales 2010 - 2030

15. Total Population of Wales

16. Number of learners in FE colleges 1993/94 – 1996/97 and 2006/07- 2011/12

17. Completion rates 2002/3 – 2012/13

18. Attainment rates 2002/03 – 2012/18

19. Successful completion 2002/03 • under 19: 80% * 56% = 44.8% • 19+ : 80% * 63% = 50.4% 2012/13 • under 19: 92% * 93% = 85.6% • 19+ : 91% * 93% = 84.6%

20. Conference AddressJohn Graystone Chief Executive CollegesWales

21. Measures of success in the future? • difficult to improve above 90% - bar getting higher - all learners are volunteers • but still variations between subject specific areas • new methods of measuring success – greater focus on progression - where learners go in short-term and long term • perhaps more emphasis on views of employers/higher education and greater clarity as to what they want and expect • continued focus on literacy, numeracy and communication but also physical literacy and financial literacy

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