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‘ofsted’

A year of Ofsted highs and lows

It has been a year in which Ofsted stories have hit the front pages time and time again — starting back in September last year with Sir Michael Wilshaw’s “Deptford not Delhi” criticism. He warned that colleges could be at risk of focusing on international opportunities to the detriment of home-grown learners. The former head […]

News

Spot the inspection difference on work-based learning

Different delivery environments for vocational learning are a hallmark of many independent training providers — and that’s something that needs proper recognition from inspectors, says Stewart Segal. When the latest common inspection framework (CIF) was introduced, it was clear that inspections in the sector would be very challenging. It was not just the reclassification of […]

Opinion

A ‘paradigm pertinent’ foundation

Dame Ruth Silver has broken her silence over the demise of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to usher in its “paradigm pertinent” replacement — the Education and Training Foundation. The LSIS chair since it was established in 2008, spoke exclusively to FE Week saying “change was absolutely needed”. Former Lewisham College principal Dame […]

News

Cracking the careers guidance conundrum

With Ofsted’s careers guidance review due out soon, Karen O’Donoghue explains what she thinks needs to be done so that youngsters are getting pointed in the right direction. The Ofsted Thematic Review on careers guidance in schools is due out soon. The debate on careers provision for young people, simmering since the introduction and […]

Opinion

Ofsted and improvement: living up to expectations?

As the time for the next Chief Inspector’s Annual Report approaches, three members of the Policy Consortium — which provides professional policy analysis for learning and skills — look for messages that may emerge about the past year, as well as some of the possible implications they might have. Colin Forrest, Carolyn Medlin and Mike […]

Opinion

Looking at the bigger college picture

A new focus on teaching and learning may well have become the valued hallmark of Ofsted’s current common inspection framework, but, asks Lynne Sedgmore, is there scope for a wider examination of the college offer? Over this past year, mention of Ofsted has generated mixed emotions in many colleges. Some ill-informed remarks have been made, […]

Opinion

Matthew Coffey, director of FE and skills, Ofsted

There’s a choice of comfy little red sofa with two small armchairs either side, or a cold but smart table and chairs next to the window. My bag is plonked, hopefully, by the welcoming sofa and I hover nearby before Matthew Coffey, Ofsted’s director of further education and skills, walks in. He stands next to […]

Profiles

FE and Skills Inspections : 2012/13 review

Download your free copy of the FE Week 16-page special report on Ofsted inspections in 2012/13 Click here to download (20mb) Introduction It seems like just yesterday the FE sector was gearing up for bloodshed under a new Ofsted common inspection framework (CIF). Ominously, a toughened-up regime was promised with the hallmark of, among others, […]

Supplements

Older and wiser on inspection

Ofsted’s criticism of the college sector last year was a bitter pill to swallow and the toughened up common inspection framework offered little hope for sector praise. However, it hasn’t quite worked out like that says Joy Mercer. It this time last year, colleges felt they had not weathered an Ofsted storm but were beached, […]

Opinion