Further Education
This page provides a summary of the key messages from our work in the sector during the academic year 2021-22. Click on the arrows for details of what’s going well and what needs to improve, along with links to resources for providers.
What’s going well
- Most colleges have a systematic approach to initial and diagnostic assessment of literacy and numeracy skills needs for all learners.
- Nearly all colleges have strengthened their staffing and capacity for well-being support.
- Learners feel that their well-being support is improving their progress in learning.
- Transition arrangements for most learners already identified with ALN whilst at school are generally effective.
- Many colleges provide useful opportunities for learners to visit the college as part of familiarisation and preparation activities prior to formal induction programmes.
What needs to improve
- Learners’ well-being and mental health have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
- Information sharing arrangements between providers are not always formalised. This means that learners and parents/carers are often asked to provide the same information on multiple occasions.
What’s going well
- Most learners are making at least appropriate progress in their learning despite their initial skills and knowledge gaps being greater than those of previous years’ cohorts.
- Learners particularly value additional examination and assessment preparation activities to help ease their anxiety.
- Most colleges have re-established useful face-to-face enrichment activities.
- Most teachers provide useful additional support to help the many learners whose literacy and numeracy skills are below the levels normally expected.
- Most colleges provide learners with good progression opportunities.
What needs to improve
- Many teachers miss opportunities to build literacy and numeracy skill development into classes other than specifically scheduled skills lessons.
- Many learners do not make sufficient progress in developing their numeracy skills. View resource.
- The progress of a few learners is hindered by difficulties in securing work placements.
- The rationale for online learning is not always made clear to learners.
What’s going well
- College leaders have prioritised the well-being of learners and staff.
- Most colleges have strengthened their digital capacity and have upskilled staff in the effective use of technology.
- Many colleges are making greater use of peer assessment and mentoring support for staff.
What needs to improve
- Many colleges are experiencing difficulties recruiting staff across a range of roles.