Framework for Excellence

Embedding the Concepts

Integration into Self-Assessment and other College Systems

Chris Payne, Castle CollegeChristine Doubtfire, Castle CollegeTony Cooper, Central Area Team

FfE – Embedding the conceptsSource Data

“Balanced Score card”

Self-Assessment

FrameworkforExcellenceBased

CommonInspectionFrameworkBased

Mixed Framework for Excellence / Common Inspection Framework

Business and Strategic Planning

Performance Monitoring

Peer Review and Development

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Introduction Framework for Excellence – the basics

Castle college involvement to date

Integration into SAR and other systems

The future….

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Introducing Framework for

Excellence

The basics….

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Framework for Excellence (FfE) - Aims Increase quality and responsiveness of provision in

the FE system for all learners and employers

Open and transparent performance assessment supported by published data

Provide an independent, quantitative assessment of sector performance

Help all users access clear information to make informed choices

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Framework for Excellence - Background

FfE to be rolled out to all colleges from Summer 2008

Some measures still under active development (Version 2,3)

Results published to providers and used by LSC - March 2009

Whole FE System included from summer 2009

Results published to public - March 2010

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Responsiveness

Responsiveness to Employers

Responsiveness to Learners

Effectiveness

Quality of Outcomes

Quality of Provision

Finance

Financial Health

Financial Control

Use of Resources

Overall Rating

FfE – Embedding the concepts

What do providers have to do?

Responsiveness New annual survey of learners using standard methodology/questions Administer employer views survey using standard

methodology/questions Achieve New standard for Employer Responsiveness?

Effectiveness Nothing required – based on existing data collection

Finance Submit timely Financial Statements for 2007-08 by March 2009 Submit Financial Management and Governance Review for 2007-08

by March 2009

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Introducing Framework for

Excellence

The stealth process….

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Castle College - in the beginning Merger discussions started Nov 2005 Formed in June 2006 Very fast process to introduce structure/systems Early decision to operate a highly devolved model of

accountability Financial management/Staffing/Resources Curriculum development Quality Improvement

Need for rigorous internal review mechanism to drive excellence and financial stability

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The SAR Process – Phase 1 – post merger SAR maintained 2 processes, models and formats

Little ownership due to large changes in structure

Initial SAR pulled together painfully primarily using top level data – inconsistencies with team SARs

Would it stand up to external scrutiny?

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Introducing FfE Chosen as a pilot college on basis of recent merger

experience Set up cross-college project team covering all main

areas Strong support from Senior Management/Executive Chose to take ‘stealth’ rather than ‘Big bang’ approach Opted for very active involvement in FfE development

groups

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The SAR Process – Phase 2 - 2007 Needed to develop single process that would stand

up to rigorous external scrutiny Drive and mission to move to Outstanding Decision to base SAR on FfE dimensions High risk approach – would FfE be another transient

initiative? At this point little was published on FfE indicators

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The SAR Process – Phase 2 – Team Level Common process for Curriculum and support areas Responsiveness

Employers Learners National and Local Priorities

Effectiveness CIF Key Questions 1-5

Including ECM and E&D

Financial Efficiency Have recruitment targets been achieved? Does the division operate from a secure financial base?

Supported by high quality online data reports

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Internal Moderation - the Business Review Cycle Introduced as key internal review mechanism to drive

quality improvement and Financial Health Quarterly assessment of all areas – curriculum and

support1. Responsiveness and Effectiveness Review2. Financial Review3. Feedback to Executive

External Moderation Peer review process External Panel

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Q3 Review In Year Retention - especially NTI

(Curriculum) Employer Responsiveness Teaching Observation Profiles Service Standard evaluation

(Support)

Q1 Review Internal Moderation of SAR Early recruitment (Curriculum

Areas) Service Standards (Support Areas)

Q2 Review SAR Action Plan Learner Responsiveness MLP – Notices to improve (Curriculum) E&D Measures (Curriculum) Detailed Service Standards (Support)

Responsiveness and Effectiveness Review

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The SAR Process – Phase 3 - 2008 Undertook two reviews of process Independent Peer Review (Notts/Leics Partnership) Whole college evaluation led by Learning and

Standards Forum FfE detail becoming clearer No longer a high risk approach

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Peer Review identified areas for development Ownership within teams Rigour of review process Benchmarking against high percentiles

Whole college evaluation Better incorporation of non-FE activity (WBL, HE,

TtG etc.) More detail behind data – ability to drill down Involve learners in process

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The SAR Process – Phase 3 - Changes Extended Financial section in line with FfE KPIs Streamlined, user-friendly templates Responsiveness to Community and External

Partners HE SAR linked to IQER incorporated into process Learner, employers and external partners involved

in process

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Further Embedding of FfE Restructuring of Quality team

Responsiveness Specialist Effectiveness Specialist

Raising Awareness with Governors Reorganisation of Key Performance Indicators Grouped around FfE Measures with additional measures introduced Briefings on FfE

FfE – Embedding the concepts

Further Embedding of FfE Work with Senior Managers/Executive on Overall Performance Ratings (OPRs) Measurements of employer engagement

Looking at Fees and Volumes work as internal measure for Directorates Main Franchise Partner – Confetti adopting FfE into internal systems Considering using OPRs at Division/Faculty Level

FfE – Embedding the concepts

The Final Results

FfE – Embedding the concepts

In the Beginning….. The next merger - Possibly the shortest lived college in history!! Opportunities to use FfE to mould the new systems and processes?

A final Message….. Don’t underestimate the importance of FfE The actions you are taking now will influence your rating in March 2009