Notes from the Ofsted Re-Inspection Monitoring Visit Feedback Session

TLA Observation Feedback

Tuesday 14th November 2017 | 4:30 pm

Attendees

EFC: Gagan Mohindra, Saboohi Famili, Phil Hall

HMIs: Matt Vaughan (Lead inspector), Stephen Hunsley (TLA focus), Janet Rodgers (TLA focus)

Matt thanked the attendees and explained that the two HMIs focused on TLA will offer first hand
feedback, this will then be followed by a 20-30 min break whilst Matt compile an overall feedback and
present this back to the college team. He explained that there will no opportunity for debate however
the college team can ask clarifying questions with regards to the factual accuracy of what they will hear.

All agreed that this was understood. Matt then proceeded to ask Stephen to offer his feedback from
what he had observed

Stephen Hunsley HMI - with a focus on TLA

Stephen thanked the college for their hospitality and the time colleagues spent with him carrying out
joint observations. He had seen around 13 classes, 75% of them were joint observations. Headline
feedback:

Attendance is a concern, however it was acknowledged there are some maths and English
classes where external events were organised which has impacted.
There was also a view about the no set break time in the timetable where breaks are not
scheduled and learners do not return promptly from their breaks.
Little evidence of planning for learning was seen. Group teaching and teaching to the lowest
ability learners in the class were seen. Little differentiation of stretch of learning seen.
In some areas, targets set for learners were too generic, such as completing the course. Some
learners did not know their aspirational target grades.
Checking of learning in many lessons has been superficial and teachers were too quick on
moving on to another subject before ensuring students understood the previous topic. This was
seen particularly in Maths GCSE.
On the positive side there were some good lessons seen in A-levels and AAT, learners were
articulate and at the appropriate level.
Generally the behaviour of learners were very good in and outside classroom.
Accuracy of judgement during joint observations were good.

Janet Rodgers HMI with a focus on TLA

Janet apologised for not being able to join the team for the first part of the morning. She arrived at
10:30 am and started her observations at 11:00 am. She also thanked the college for their hospitality
and time spent carrying out joint observations. She had seen around 10 lessons, 50% of which were joint
observations
 Three areas have some good stuff going on: Travel & Tourism, Sport & Public Services with
innovative ways of planning lessons
T&T particularly with aspirational grades
Echoed Stephen about activities set, couple of sessions in Sport
Most sessions saw students who were capable, werent pushed enough
FS students repeating tasks already done
Concerned about the planning of lessons and missing opportunities to apply new learning e.g.
Apostrophes taught about it then the next session, it wasnt applied. Learnt it out of context.
Three English lessons observed, jointly, teachers had two incidents of poor grammar, handout
had spelling mistakes on which is worrying. Not setting good examples.
English learning activities in GCSE/FS lacked vocational relevance. Sport and Construction no
relevance.
Few lessons observed, learning support assistants were deployed some giving out the answers
without giving students the opportunity. One lesson the LSA was quite disruptive talking about
non-related items.
Mixed bag with aspirational targets T&T, Public Services good knowledge of these and how
to achieve them. Largely based on feedback from teaches.
75-80% attendance in the better attended lessons.

Saboohi thanked colleagues for their feedback and said it is disappointing to know there is not enough
good teaching and learning practice across the college yet.

Gagan thanked colleagues too.

Janet said she has to leave and Matt asked for EFC colleagues to reconvene in 20 minutes for the full
RMV provisional feedback.

Saboohi said that she would like the College Leadership Team to join for feedback, Matt agreed that this
was fine.

Initial TLA feedback finished at 16:55

Full Provisional Feedback

Tuesday 14th November 2017 | 17:25 pm

Attendees

EFC: Gagan Mohindra, Saboohi Famili, Phil Hall, Kerry Green, Shaun Clifford, Alistair Dunkwu, Rowan
Hartfree-Pearce, May Dare, Sara McCann, Lisa Hassan and Victoria Howarth

HMIs: Matt Vaughan (Lead inspector), Stephen Hunsley (TLA focus)

Matt apologised for the delay and thanked the team and the College for their time today. He explained
that the session is to offer provisional judgement on the 6 themes that have been the focus of the visit.
He expressed that this is not an opportunity to debate as the inspection is concluded. However,
colleagues are able to ask questions about factual accuracy.

Theme 1 What actions have been taken to ensure that all safeguarding arrangements for all groups
of learners are effective?

Judgement: Significant progress

Matt explained that safeguarding is particularly strong, all issues identified in the previous RMV have
been swiftly rectified and plans are in place to maintain these developments. In Matts view, this
element is now fully addressed and he said he is assured that this will continue to be the case having
seen the plans.

Theme 2 What actions have been taken to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment
swiftly?

Judgement: Insufficient progress

Matt explained that the Chair, Principal and Deputy Principal had heard first-hand the feedback from the
two HMIs who focused on the TLA. The view is that the feedback is mixed and that at this point in time
there is still too many weaknesses to show significant or indeed reasonable progress.

Too many weaknesses identified in the last RMV still continue. In some areas there are better
judgements of TLA and there are subject areas that were stronger. However, there are still issues
around enabling the most able to make good progress. There are issues with differentiation and use of
questioning or stretching learning to the best of their abilities. Teaching learning and assessment is not
strong in some areas including English and maths and conversely in some sessions TLA is strong.
However, the balance is still not right. Matt acknowledged that there is a plethora of activities and
initiatives to improve TLA across the board and that there has been a shift in the culture of the college
and the work of learning coaches, learning leaders and management.

Theme 3 OTL

Judgement: Reasonable progress

Matt said that he believed that the judgement in this area is that the college has made reasonable
progress. One can make the correlation that if teaching, learning and assessment isnt yet reasonable
how can the observation of teachers practice and drive to strengthen TLA be reasonable? Matt said he
will argue that this is reasonable because there is significant movement and the range of initiatives and
opportunities to inspire and to motivate to improve TLA. Key judgment comes from visiting the TLA caf
and discussions with Learning Coaches and Learning Leaders speaking about encouraging and inspiring
teachers to talk about TLA and their own performance and number of initiatives are supporting teachers
to improve and substantiate the reason for judging that this area has made reasonable progress. Matt
said that a lot of people in the room have worked hard to improve and strengthen TLA. He continued to
say that he was as disappointed as we were to hear this mixed feedback on the impact of all the hard
work that has been put in. He acknowledged that a huge amount has happened from substantial, or
short sharp CPD. In his view there are a range of good, positive initiatives and opportunities discussing
and inspiring individuals.

Matt said that with the big event looming - full inspection - in the spring or early summer term, if these
initiatives are pursued and the approach is continued, we should be able to iron out the weaknesses on
TLA and see impact. He added there is more work to be done. Matt said that the report will reflect the
good work and the movement made in this area to justify the reasonable progress judgement.

Theme 4 Attendance/punctuality

Judgement: Reasonable Progress

Matt explained that in the previous sessions more details were shared and on behaviour, the judgement
is that the behaviour is good. He said behaviour is much better and now a strength. Matt said
considering the previous position the college has been in and previously reported, there is a marked
difference. The security team is adding value, they are personable, offer support and are engaging with
learners. Whilst not being afraid to flex their muscles where needed. Good soft skills and firmness in
approach. This coupled and supported by curriculum teams and what is expected in the classroom
means that behaviour is now a strength. Conversely, attendance is low and at this time of the year at
82% is not good enough and if this is not tackled it wouldnt be good enough at the end of the year. He
acknowledged that the leaders know this and have initiatives in place to address this. There needs to be
further work done. Matt recognised the transport issues specifically with almost half of learners
travelling from London. Behaviour alone would be significant progress but issues with attendance means
that overall judgement is reasonable progress. The attendance specifically is an issue in English and
maths and the college is compared with similar colleges.
Theme 5 Progress of Learners

Matt said that he acknowledges that there is a tremendous amount of work done on tracking,
compliance on tracking and use of data. He said reviewing samples of data on eTrackr, minutes of
college meetings and management meetings show the focus is on the progress of learners including
review of the ITG and ATG. He explained that there are some minor glitches and the Deputy Principal is
aware of these. There are some inaccuracies on the system which need to be addressed. Overall in his
judgement this is a strength. However, on the issue of governors better understanding TLA and being
able to monitor the improvement and progress of learners, further work needs to be done. Matt
explained there is a range of understanding from the chair and his team. He said that in his meeting with
governors today there is evidence to show the grasp of governors on the key issues affecting the college.
However, there is a gap of evidence in the minutes demonstrating governors challenging this and that
leaders provide governors with evidence and data about TLA. There is no evidence of discussion about
TLA.

Gagan asked if colleagues from ESFA can be contacted to confirm that the college offers evidence on
TLA and that governors will challenge this. Matt said that he can contact ESFA however from the
evidence from the minutes there is clear improvement of the KPI but there is little evidence of
discussion about TLA.

Gagan said that these conversations are taking place and he will ensure minutes will reflect this.

Saboohi asked if she can add some points. She explained that the new clerk takes copious notes so does
Malcolm and if evidence has not been in the minutes these will be added. Saboohi said that it will be
discussed at the meeting next week and will ensure these will be added where discussion has been had
but not reflected. Saboohi said there is an omission in administration of the minutes and should not
cloud the judgement on progress. Gagan said that there was also in the governors strategy meeting TLA
was fully discussed. These were not included in the minutes. Matts view is showing governors have
challenged or are aware of learners progress and quality of TLA will suffice.

Theme 6 LEP

Judgement: Reasonable progress

There has been reasonable progress because of the new appointment since July. There is a huge amount
of activity. Involvement of the Principal in the local employer skills board is a great strength and will
support the drive. There was a question about the closure of MV and growth of construction whilst
there is economic benefit to the community both on MV and IT these will be explored further at full
inspection.

Work with community and JCP and in relation with unemployed people needs to be worked on further.

Matt said that this concluded the feedback.

Matt explained the complaint process and asked if colleagues have any factual accuracy questions. None
were raised.

Matt explained that this was the last RMV as per Ofsted handbook suggesting there will be no more
than 3 visits. Saboohi thanked Matt and the team said that the College always find Matt and his teams
support valuable and look forward to implementing this feedback in improvement plans and asked if the
college was able to request a Support and Challenge visit. Matt said guidance is one per academic year.
Matt advised Saboohi to put a request in writing to see if one can be triggered.

Saboohi asked how long until the report is published. Matt promised to provide this as soon as possible.
He explained that the QA of his report will be with the regional director and due to their limited
availability this will be reliant on their availability.

Saboohi asked if we were okay to share the provisional judgment with the staff and the board next
week. Matt said yes and explained the purpose is to drive up quality and the feedback can be shared
subject to it being known to be provisional.

Meeting concluded at 18:00