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Lessons from the Foundation Learning provision for the new 16 to 19 Study Programmes

Discussion materials

Issue 3:

Developing effective work experience opportunitiesMay 2013

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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This resource is based on a thematic survey on Lessons from the Foundation Learning provision for the new 16 to 19 Study Programmes carried out from September 2012 to March 2013. It contains summary findings of each of the three critical issues identified in the survey.

Each of the three packs suggests specific questions for discussion. These are of course not exhaustive, but it is hoped that providers will use the questions as prompts to evaluate and improve their provision. This may lead to identifying and sharing good practice, as well as priorities for improvement.

You can take the issues in any order and spend as long as you like on each one. However, we suggest that at some stage you find time to look at all three.

About this resource

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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These materials look at the three critical issues emerging from the survey.

Issue 1: Attendance, retention, achievement and progression

Issue 2: The development of English and mathematics skills

Issue 3: Developing effective work experience opportunities

Overview of the discussion materials

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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Scope and methodology of the survey

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

The survey covered Foundation Learning provision for learners aged 16 to 19 at independent learning providers and community learning and skills providers. Almost all the providers sampled had previously delivered Entry to Employment (E2E).

The survey sample consisted of:

detailed evidence and data from 26 planned inspections

detailed evidence and data from 18 visits to providers who were not being inspected

detailed data from 15 planned inspection visits

a review of 31 published inspection reports.

Key findings from the survey

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Two thirds of the providers in the sample offered a wide range of employability and personal and social qualifications. Achievement rates were good for around half of the providers

Progression rates into full-time education or training, an apprenticeship or employment were too low

Achievement of qualifications in English and mathematics functional skills was low, especially for level 1.

Survey findings: Outcomes for learners

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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Overall, the quality of teaching and learning was not good enough

Learners received good care and support, and providers placed a high emphasis on learners’ welfare

The availability, use and quality of work experience placements were poor

Access to, and quality of, impartial advice and guidance on progression opportunities for learners varied too much.

Survey findings: The quality of teaching, learning and assessment

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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Providers worked very effectively with partners and other local organisations

Too few providers used data effectively to analyse performance and inform business planning

The planned number of hours for learners to attend the provision varied considerably from around 12 hours a week up to 30 hours.

Survey findings: The effectiveness of leadership and management

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

Raising the challenge: issues for consideration by providers

Developing effective work experience opportunities

Issue 3

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Survey findings (1)

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

The availability, use and quality of work experience placements were poor.

A small number of providers did not appear to recognise the importance of work experience placements in the development of employability skills and in supporting better progression rates.

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Three of 41 providers offered work experience placements to all their learners

Seven providers offered work experience placements to around a third

Five providers did not offer them and had no plans to introduce them

There was too much competition for work experience placements

There were real challenges for finding construction placements.

Developing effective work experience opportunities: Survey findings (2)

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Survey findings (3)

Better provision included:Close partnership working with local employers, the local authority and other local organisationsA range of work experience opportunities including:

visits tasters work shadowing work trials well-planned work experience placements.

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Survey findings (3)

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

The benefits included:Increased confidence for the learnersThe opportunity to assess skills in the workplace for both employability and vocational qualificationsA reference for the learnerThe opportunity for progression into an apprenticeship or employment.

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Discussion points (1)

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

How well are we prepared for the greater emphasis on work experience in the Study Programmes ?Do we have a strategy for the delivery and increase of work experience opportunities ?Do we have enough work experience opportunities that enable our learners to develop their confidence and employability skills and get direct experience of the world of work ? Do we use our partnerships effectively to develop work experience opportunities that meet the very different needs of all our learners ?

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Discussion points (2)

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

What challenges do we face ? How well do we prepare our learners for work ? How well do we assess our learners’ progress at work and

give them constructive feedback on what they do well and what we need to improve further ?

How well do we prepare our employers? How do we ensure that our learners’ experience at work is purposeful and builds on all the other aspects of their individualised learning programme ?

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Developing effective work experience opportunities: Good practice

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

Use the four good practice case studies mentioned in the report to give you ideas:

The Bassetlaw Training Agency LimitedCommunity Training Services LimitedEconomic Solutions Limited (Skills Solutions)Roots and Shoots Limited

Conclusion

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Conclusion

We hope you have found this resource useful in developing ideas for integrating effective work experience opportunities into your provision and for developing employability skills in your learners.

The good practice case studies can be found on the Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/goodpractice

We welcome comments on this training resource. Please write to enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk and ensure that you put ‘Ofsted discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey’ in the subject box of your email.

Ofsted’s discussion materials: Foundation Learning survey

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