Feedback from RMV First meeting 25 April 2017.

Matt Vaughan (MV) and Judith Mobbs (JM) joined the College Leadership Team to
provide a verbal feedback on their day of inspecting the College on 25 April
2017. Matt explained that this is not an opportunity to question their feedback.
They will offer feedback jointly and there will be specific interventions from Judith
with regards to what was observed by Judith Mobbs.
MV explained that he will need to refer to further documentation he has
requested and will give the College a call tomorrow for a conversation before
confirming the judgments on each themes. He said that he will give the college a
provisional judgement now and this is subject to him reviewing of the further
evidence he had requested. He explained that this feedback will be along the
lines of didactic feedback and will include as much detail as he can.

Theme 1- All safeguarding for all groups effective

MV explained that there was certainly evidence of significant progress made
against the actions and this will be captured in the report. Suggestions were
made to have 14-16 year olds a different colour lanyard to enable them to be
identified. SF asked how this will fare with the rules imposed by Hawkswood and
she was reminded that this can be discussed informally at a later stage.
Judgement: Significant progress

Theme 2- Quality o TLA

MV explained that there were around 20 lessons observed today, some brief and
some further in-depth. From these observations it was evident that there are still
issues with regards to English and maths at this stage. Specifically, how students
progressed against the course programme and learners having a realistic chance
of securing levels for GCSE and a sufficient showcase of skills and demonstrating
fluency and proficiency in writing skills. MV explained that some outstanding
teaching was seen that was inspirational and motivating. However, the majority
of T&L in E&M requires further improvement and teaching wasnt sufficiently
planned for the needs of learners. There were still issues related to
differentiation, questioning and stretching learners to their maximum potential
on E&M. MV explained that this is similar to the national level.
JM continued to share her experience of the observations she had carried out
throughout the day. She outlined that she had seen lessons across a whole range
of levels and variety of subjects. She commented on improvement in attendance,
however this has been variable. Overall attendance is too low in too many
courses and there is a wide range between attendance at 50% to 100%. The
single session in H&SC was not included in this judgement.
JM explained that she has observed occasions where punctuality expectations
was not sufficiently enforced by teachers. She gave examples where half of the
class were 15 minutes late after a break which disrupted the session. She also
mentioned that very extended toilet breaks were given without a lack of clarity
of the actions that needed to be taken around addressing this attitude towards
punctuality. JM explained that there was little evidence from lecturers showcasing
and relating what was going in the classroom to industry standards. She went on
to explain that she had seen too many occasions where E&M was insufficiently

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applied and not shown. There was a sense that overall, teachers do not stretch
and challenge students to meet the potential
Notable exception was art and media where stretch and challenge was there to
maximise the progress. MV said that he had seen the best English session for
many months and also some maths lessons that were outstanding.
In some subjects, teachers did not routinely set targets but good behaviour was
observed in the lessons, one lesson was full of disruption but the majority were
ready to learn.
From the joint observations there was a feedback delivered based on the fact
that the observers do not focus on progress against standards. It was also
witnessed that the feedback that observers give the teachers lack clarity of what
they need to do to improve quickly
At this point in time it will be insufficient progress for TLA.
Judgement: Insufficient progress

OTL improvement
MV acknowledged that a number of actions that were priority for improvement
have been dedicated to and it has been a range of actions where there were
gaps. More work to be done but a busy time with learning walks and
observations and a relaunch of the TLA policy pairing with CPD .
61% good or better that was reported in College statistic was not seen and it is
agreed that there is a level of inconsistency that requires the college to ensure
practices are embedded and consolidated.
Judgement: Reasonable or significant progress
This judgement was then changed to insignificant progress. With the
following comments:
I have scrutinised thoroughly a total of 21 observations of TLA and subsequent action
plans across seven different subjects.

My findings show that leaders now ensure that both formal observations and learning
walks of teachers and assessors practice focus appropriately on the impact of teaching,
learning and assessment on learners and apprentices outcomes. Leaders and managers
hold fortnightly meetings to moderate the findings of formal observations and ensure
that arising areas for improvement inform teachers and assessors subsequent action
plans.

However, my findings also show that the large majority of planned actions to rectify
weaknesses in practice are not monitored or evaluated to timescale; as a result, these
weaknesses may continue to arise and predominate in teaching, learning and
assessment. Too many actions to rectify weaknesses do not have any timescales planned
for resolution. The action planning process does not include a focus on how teachers and
assessors can improve their practice.

This is a critical set of concerns and despite the endeavour by leaders on this particular
theme, I am provisionally judging there to be have been insufficient progress.

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Attendance and punctuality
There has been significant improvement and a robust and incisive process that
promises well for the future. However, there has been some low attendance in
E&M, pretty poor and low level attendance in some areas.
A range of incentives and actions are in place and these shows signs of
effectiveness. There is a need for improved curriculum planning and timetabling.
For example, with no gap between lessons in construction, one session finished
at 3 oclock and their next session was to start immediately at 3. This resulted in
disturbance at the end of one session and beginning of the other.
Conversely, parents evenings regularly held every half term shows engagement
with parents and has made an impact. There are a range of processes embedded
to see progress. These are robust and are bearing green shoots.
Judgement: reasonable progress

Progress of learners are monitored

Positive picture and a drive for improvement in this area has been ongoing for
some time. Tracking and monitoring of progress seem to be the best it has been
for a long while. Learners know their ITG, ATG and this shows planning and target
setting of tracking of learners progress at different levels which is far more
rigorous that MV has seen before. Further evidence of minutes of the meetings
and a focus on TLA needs to be shared with MV before he can confirm his
judgement. Overview has improved since what was seen in the past. MV needs
to look at example of impact of use of data,input and tracking on TLA to drive up
standards.
Judgement: Significant and reasonable progress
This judgement was subsequently confirmed as reasonable progress.

Local enterprise partnership

Very much in infancy and very embryonic. Some movement and development
meaning reasonable progress. There has been interim key post holders who have
done positive work. Recruitment for permanent positions is in progress and there
is a plethora of initiatives showing saplings growing, there is some positive
movement.
Judgement: Reasonable progress

Whats next?
The above initial impressions are draft. There may be some movements of the
judgements after MV has had a chance to review further evidence. A conference
call will be arranged for 26 April 2017 to finalise this information after evidence is
reviewed to confirm.
Draft version for factual accuracy will be sent through in 19 days from the date of
visit.
The next RMV will take place in the autumn term and before half term. Focus of
the next RMV will be on initial and diagnostic assessment, what is in place to
ensure accurate placement of learners and support available to ensure they

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remain on track. The monitoring of apprenticeship through smart assessor will be
a key theme and effectiveness of the use of new systems and processes will be a
key focus. The progress monitoring of apprentices will be another key focus.
A support and challenge visit will be arranged during the first week after half
term in early June.