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Two providers keep EFA contracts despite grade 4s

Two out of eight providers hit with an Ofsted grade four rating since February last year have been allowed to keep their Education Funding Agency (EFA) contracts, the Department for Education (DfE) has revealed.

It said the two that kept their contracts were given a chance to work with civil servants to improve performance.

The six other grade four organisations — five independent learning providers (ILPs) and one local authority — had their EFA contracts terminated, said the DfE.

But Gloucestershire-based independent specialist college Ruskin Mill kept its contract, as did adult and community learning provider Nacro.

Nacro has 2,655 learners and a current EFA allocation of £8.578m. The London-based national charity was given a grade four rating February last year and had previously been grade three.

Principal Josh Coleman said: “Working with government agencies and local authorities over this last year has given Nacro the opportunity to improve its education provision by getting back to basics and focusing on the individual learners’ experiences.”

It is believed Nacro has been visited by Ofsted again recently and is expecting a more favourable grading soon.

Ruskin Mill has 110 learners and a current EFA allocation of £1.188m. It was rated as inadequate by Ofsted after a visit in March, having previously been deemed outstanding following an inspection in 2011.

The college, which recently demoted its principal Elisabeth Johnson to deputy and drafted in new executive principal Oliver Cheney, declined to comment.

The news has led to a call from the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) for a review system that might allow ILPS graded as inadequate to also hold onto EFA contracts while working towards improvement.

Paul Warner (pictured), director of employment and skills for the AELP, said: “No such review system exists for ILPs, who normally suffer an automatic loss of contract without the chance of review or remediation.
“This variance in approach remains iniquitous and the AELP will continue to be lobbying for a more equitable system to be devised and implemented.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “We consider each case on its merits and have been working with Nacro and Ruskin Mill after they were given inadequate ratings by Ofsted in an effort to drive up standards.
“Where appropriate we will terminate contracts with commercial and

charitable education providers. Six organisations had their agreements terminated in 2013-14.

“When deciding whether to terminate contracts we take into account criteria such as the best interests of learners, strategic importance of provision, availability of replacement provision, and capacity to improve in making judgments about whether to terminate.”

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Mandy juggles ceramics with TV debut

Having been picked from thousands of applicants to appear on Channel Four show Monty Don’s Real Craft, it’s clear there’s something special about 53-year-old Mandy Dodd. And despite her constant battle with multiple sclerosis, the Bracknell and Wokingham College A-level ceramics student is also aiming for top grades this summer, writes Christy Cooney.

Coursework commitments failed to stop impressive adult learner Mandy Dodd making her television debut this month.

But putting in time and effort is nothing new for the 53-year-old who — despite her own multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis a decade ago — cared for her son Matthew, who had Asperger’s syndrome, until his death in 2010 at the age of 18. She also looked after her severely disabled mother, Dawn Keating, now aged 92.

Mandy, who has a further son and daughter, made it through from a pool of 7,000 applicants to appear on Channel Four show Monty Don’s Real Craft.

It aired on Channel Four on May 12 having been filmed late last year — while Mandy could have been busy with her Bracknell and Wokingham College coursework.

The show involved making two large and ornate planters under the instruction of Jim Keeling, one of the best potters in the country.

“Jim was able to give me techniques to help me with my disability when I’m working with heavy blocks of clay,” Mandy, from Woodley, near Reading, told

FE Week.

“That project was really a lot of pressure, but I learned the most from that one. I’ve got my pots in the garden and I’m chuffed to bits.

“The whole team there was so nice and Monty was a real gentleman.”

Mandy’s creativity first flourished while at school when she was enlisted to design scenery for a school production of Oliver!

She then designed sets for musical theatre having left school before moving into puppet-making.

“Our local amateur dramatics society couldn’t put on a pantomime one year because they didn’t have enough actors, so I made the actors for them,” she said.

Mandy went on to work with charities for people with special educational needs.

But after Mandy was diagnosed with MS, making puppets became increasingly difficult, and when son Matthew died unexpectedly of a chest virus, she gave up the craft overnight.

“My love of art was cast aside,” she said.

“I also undertook caring for my severely disabled mother after she had three major strokes, until this became too much for me due to my own health issues.”

But then a friend recommended a series of ceramics taster sessions at Bracknell and Wokingham College.

“When I attended the first session I was immediately struck by the enthusiasm of Mark Whitaker, the course tutor, for all things clay,” she said.

She enrolled on a ceramics A-level at the college, and is now in her second year.

“Working with clay has acted as a therapy for my multiple sclerosis and my grief. At times it has been a lifeline,” said Mandy.

Mr Whitaker said: “It has been gratifying to see the progress that Mandy has made over the years. “This is what teaching and adult education is all about, helping people to discover their passions and make positive changes in their own lives.”

Picture caption: Mandy Dodd with one of her bowls

Campus 17

Ofsted calls time on privatised inspection regime for FE and schools

Ofsted inspections of FE and skills providers and schools will no longer be carried out by private contractors from September 2015.

The education watchdog said it would not be renewing contracts with inspection service providers (ISPs), which are set to expire in August next year.

The current contracts, with CfBT, Serco and Tribal, have run since September 2009.

Ofsted said additional inspectors (AIs), who are currently contracted through ISPs for inspections on behalf of Ofsted, would continue to form a “significant part of the inspection work force”.

From September next year, AIs will be contracted directly by Ofsted, giving it more direct control over their selection, training and quality assurance, it claimed.

The move follows, FE Week understands, concerns that inspectors have not been following Ofsted guidance, such as being told not to grade individual lesson observations.

Joy Mercer, director of policy at the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: “We welcome the decision to end the outsourcing of inspection… and take the responsibility in-house. We hope that this will lead to consistency across inspections.”

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) supported Ofsted having “more direct control over the selection, training and quality assurance of inspectors and inspection teams”.

Learning improvement consultant Phil Hatton (pictured), who was an Ofsted inspector from 1998 until January last year, told FE Week: “Hopefully the changes will lead to more consistency with inspections and improved training of inspectors.”

But a spokesperson for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers said while it had received regular complaints until 2013 about inconsistencies with inspections of independent learning providers, it had received “far fewer” in the last 12 months.

He raised concern about losing “the experience and knowledge of the inspectors that work through the external organisations”.

Ofsted declined to comment on the consistency of its current inspection regime.

But its director of corporate services Nick Jackson said: “For the last five years our ISPs have delivered a successful and professional inspection programme for Ofsted.

“With the conclusion of these contracts the time was right to look again at how Ofsted can best deliver a service that is efficient and flexible.”

Ofsted’s existing contractual arrangements for the delivery of early years’ inspections will continue.

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Wizard performance with make-up and nail art

Students from Stoke-on-Trent College enjoyed success at the Midlands regional finals of WorldSkills UK.

The level three make-up and nail treatment learners competed in a range of categories covering make-up, nail art, and aromatherapy, securing eight top three finishes.

Student Kimberley Birch, who came third in the advanced nail art category with a design inspired by the Wizard of Oz, said: “My inspiration came from my own childhood memories. My mum would always read to me and I loved the Wizard of Oz. I now read it to my daughter and it is her favourite tale by far.”

Theatrical and media make-up tutor Rachel Ogilvy-Lea, who took the team to Newcastle for the competition, said: “All the students have put in a great deal of hard work, above and beyond what they are already doing on their courses.

“They’ve undertaken additional training on top of their coursework and exams, so it’s great to see all that work and dedication being rewarded.”

Picture caption: Team members Kimberley Birch, aged 32, Shanine Dale, 18, Adeeba Khan, 17, Rebecca Prince and Devon Cawley, both 18, and Emma Smith, 34.

Budding brickie is regional winner

Warwickshire College student has won the West Midlands regional Guild of Bricklayers junior competition.

Level two brickwork student Max Thompson, aged 18, who is an apprentice at NH Construction in Rugby, and won the event after five hours of brickwork tests, judged by industry professionals.

He said: “There were around 20 competitors, so I was really shocked when I found out I had won, but obviously it felt great. Everyone’s really proud of me, and my employer has even hinted I might get a pay rise. I would really like to return and compete in the senior competition next year.”

Construction technical academy manager Mick Clarke said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Max. Working under pressure in the competition environment can be really tough, but Max obviously coped extremely well.”

Picture caption: Max Thompson with his trophies standing on his brickwork creation

Students given £3,000 for computer repair centre

Enterprising North Nottinghamshire College students have launched an on-campus computer repair centre.

The level three ICT students secured £3,000 worth of funding from the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs to set up and run the centre.

Student Damian Korcz said: “Working in the IT repair centre has given me the confidence to potentially set up my own business in the future.”

Most customers so far have been staff and fellow students, but there are plans to roll out the service to the general public.

ICT lecturer Nyla Ahmed said: “The repair centre provides students with fantastic work experience opportunities so that they can put the theory of what they are learning in the classroom to practical use.

“This will increase their employability skills after college and is providing a much needed service to the local community.”

Picture caption from left: Students Matthew Wyld, James Grande and Damian Korcz, all aged 17, work on a computer in their repair centre