Data Dashboard hailed a vital boost as preview reveals ‘education and employment’ link

Features of Ofsted’s new data dashboard have been leaked to FE Week, revealing a focus on English and maths up to level two, and data on local enterprise partnerships (Leps).

The dashboard, which is due to launch on May 12, has been developed to allow leaders, governors, and members of the public, to access key performance

information.

The design will replicate the one used by Ofsted’s existing dashboard for schools, but will contain a more extensive breakdown of information — separating out measures for learners aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 and over.

In addition to showing how well learners are doing, it is expected to show how the provider’s performance compares to other providers nationally.

It will also have information that allows the provider to be viewed in its local economic context — such as to what extent it is meeting Lep priorities.

Ofsted’s deputy director for FE and skills, Marina Gaze (pictured), said: “The dashboards will be a valuable tool in assessing the impact of education and training provision.

“It is important that we are always mindful of the link between education and employment and this tool will be a vital asset in helping learners to achieve their career goals.”

For each category, the dashboard will show what percentage of planned qualifications were achieved in the previous academic year.

It will also show separate data for levels one, two and three, splitting maths and English GCSE and functional skills from other subjects and dividing A-levels, vocational training and apprenticeships.

The dashboard will also show learner destination data, although the data for learners over 19 is not expected to be available until November, when it will show how many unemployed learners have gone on to find jobs and how many have moved into further learning.

When FE Week first reported on Ofsted’s plans for a dashboard in June last year, then-director of FE and skills Matthew Coffey was confident it would be a useful tool “supporting governors in their role”.

“Governance is such a fundamental aspect of leadership and management, something that was highlighted in last year’s [2011/12] annual report,” he said.

“Weak accountability, leadership and governance are common failings in poor provision.

“One of the most significant underpinning reasons why providers failed to improve was a lack of effective accountability.”