Teaching and Learning Policy

Transcription

1 Teaching and Learning Policy Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATT FE) Policy adopted by FE Board 4 th November 2015 This policy links to: Located e.g. Intranet REVIEW DATE: 0

2 Contents 1. Policy Statement.2 2. Aim and purpose of the policy Ethos 2 4. Identification of learner need 3 5. Initial assessment 3 6. Resolution of Prior Learning 3 7. Differentiation Access to Safe Learning.4 9. Learning Resources and ILT Work-based Learning Individual Learning Plans Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) Staff Expertise and Subject Knowledge Quality Assurance Learner Progress Induction..6 Appendix A Recognising Prior Learning (RPL).. 7 Appendix B Monitoring Learner Progress through E-Trak.. 9 Appendix 3 Induction Record..10 1

3 1. Policy Statement 1.1 Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (ATT FE) is committed to the transformation of learning and support for the regeneration of the communities in which our learners live. We are committed to working through collaboration, consultation and partnership with the wider community and all our academies are an integral part of the fabric of their local area. We will celebrate outstanding community involvement already in place and find ways to continue and enhance this involvement as part of our joint commitment to the learners within our care. 1.2 ATT FE strives to raise the aspirations and achievements of the communities that we serve, providing high quality, innovative education and training for adults. We take a learner-centred approach towards education and lifelong learning opportunities that supports the learning needs of the local population. 1.3 At ATT FE, learners pursue their educational goals in an inclusive environment that values and celebrates diversity, individuality, mutual respect, civic responsibility and social integration. 1.4 Equality and Diversity is central to all practices and policies at ATT FE. It is an organisation where everyone respects each other and recognises their own responsibility in actively promoting equality. 2. Aim and purpose of the policy 2.1 Our aims are to ensure that we meet the needs of all, taking account of: Gender, ethnicity and culture Religion, creed and language Sexual orientation, age and health Ability and disability Social and economic circumstances. 3. Ethos 3.1 ATT FE works with community, charities, local industry and employers, voluntary sector bodies and other organisations to develop new models of community engagement and learning. By offering a wide ranging extended provision from our academies, we aim to meet the greater needs of the community, enabling local adults to gain new skills and talents to support their own career pathways. To achieve this, we will address their social, emotional and economic barriers to learning. 2

4 4. Identification of learner need 4.1 Individual learners needs will be identified and matched to the courses offered. 4.2 Advice and guidance about the match of provision to learners needs will be provided in accordance with ATT FE IAG procedures. 4.3 Through registration days, interviews and tutor contact there will be an assessment of learners learning goals, the appropriateness of proposed provision and an assessment of how provision will meet individual needs. 5. Initial Assessment 5.1 Initial assessment will be carried out during the induction period or at interview to determine current skill/knowledge levels and the level and type of support needed and the appropriate functional skills to be studied where appropriate. 5.2 Outcomes will inform teachers of support needs and the appropriate functional skills levels to be undertaken by individual learners. 5.3 All learners will have the opportunity to develop functional skills in line with the ATT FE Skills for Life Policy. 5.4 Learner s additional needs will be supported in accessing their learning environments. 6. Recognition of Prior Learning 6.1 Previous learning experiences and outcomes will be considered and preferred learning styles will be recognised. 6.2 Information about prior learning will be requested from learners and qualifications on entry will be recorded (see Appendix A below). 7. Differentiation 7.1 All teachers will ensure a differentiated approach to the curriculum offer and delivery of learning programmes. 7.2 Tutors will employ a variety of learning activities to reflect different learning styles. 7.3 Teachers will monitor the effectiveness of employing strategies of differentiated learning in achieving outcomes. 3

5 7.4 Learner questionnaires and focus groups will provide learners with an opportunity to feed back on their experiences and the success of learning strategies being employed. 7.5 Classroom observation reports will provide teachers with an impartial assessment of the effectiveness of teaching and learning strategies. 8. Access to Safe Learning 8.1 A range of learning environments conforming to Health and Safety requirements will be provided to encourage independent and flexible learning. 8.2 All tutors will complete an activity risk assessment of the learning environment they are to use. 8.3 Access to learning for the wider community will be provided through access to riskassessed outreach learning centres. 8.4 ATT FE monitors safeguarding issues and ensures that our safeguarding policies and practices are applied to all learners, learning, and learning environments. 9. Learning Resources and ILT 9.1 A range of learning resources appropriate to individual learning styles will be employed and the use of Information Learning Technology (ICT) will be maximised. 9.2 The use of ILT within ATT FE will be maximised with curricular areas ensuring that learners have appropriate access to PC s or laptops to enable both formal in-class sessions and independent study to be supported through the use of ICT. 10. Work-based Learning 10.1 Work based learning and work experience will be incorporated wherever possible to help learners relate theory to practice Vocational skills will be developed through appropriate realistic working environments Work based learning will utilise the learners experience in the work place as well as developing their skills and knowledge within the ATT FE environment. 4

6 11 Individual Learning Plans 11.1 All learners will receive support throughout their learning programmes from personal/course tutors, and will be encouraged to maintain an individual learning plan Individual Learning Plans will form part of the monitoring of learning success. 12 Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) All learners will receive IAG enabling them to achieve their full potential and to make informed choices about progression Advice and guidance as to the learner s next steps will be available/given to all learners throughout their learning journey 13 Staff Expertise and Subject Knowledge 13.1 Learning will be well planned and delivered by appropriately trained and qualified staff All teaching staff will have or be working towards a suitable teaching qualification All staff have a responsibility to update their knowledge and skills by: a) Undertaking appropriate vocational updating b) Participating in other training to support teaching as required All teaching staff will evaluate and reflect on vocational and training activities as a tool to enhance their own performance and to share good practice All teaching staff will maintain continuous professional development (CPD) providing evidence of activities undertaken and personal reflection to improve practice All staff in all categories are expected to work towards and achieve Level 2 in English and maths, and this forms part of their programme management where 14 Quality Assurance 14.1 All teaching staff will be observed and given support to achieve continuous improvement. 5

7 14.2 All teaching staff will have at least one observation per academic year which will be graded according to the current OFSTED criteria The observation report will include verbal and written feedback which will be given to the observee in accordance with the current ATT FE observation policy Observation information will be used as part of the annual performance management process to agree actions and targets All teaching staff will receive support from their line managers, and/or other appropriate staff to continually improve teaching and learning practice Observed good practice will be disseminated across ATT FE and where practicable staff may be asked to observe colleagues or visit other institutions where good practice is exhibited ATT FE will offer a mentor system to support new tutors Underperforming staff will be supported through an action plan which may result in further observations to monitor continuous improvement There will be a system of moderation in place to ensure consistency of observations across ATT FE Training will be provided for observes, observers and internal moderators to ensure a standardised approach. 15 Learner Progress 15.1 All learners will have their progress monitored and reported through the E-trak system (see Appendix 2) Tutors will provide regular and full feedback to learners on their progress, and maintain comprehensive and clear initial, formative, and summative assessment records. 16. Induction 16.1 All learners will receive a full induction at the start of their learning programme 16.2 All learners will confirm in writing that they have received a full induction (see appendix 3) 16.3 Tutors will maintain the documentary evidence of induction in their course files. 6

8 Appendix A RECOGNISING PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) involves considering a learner s previous certified and uncertified learning in order to facilitate access to a programme of study, or to grant exemptions from elements of a programme. Various terms are used to describe this process as outlined below. What terms are used to describe recognition of prior learning? There is no consensus about an acceptable term. There are a number of terms that have been used to describe the process of recognising the skills and knowledge gained from work experience, life experience and formal training. These include: Recognition of prior learning (RPL) Accreditation of prior learning (APL) Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) Prior learning assessment, recognition of skills (PLAR) Recognition of current competencies. The terminology, and the assessment or evaluation criteria used vary greatly between institutions, organisations and countries. There is growing recognition that it is necessary to recognise informal, as well as formal, learning if we are to make learning accessible to all. What are the benefits of recognising prior learning? It facilitates access for non-traditional learners people who may not have had the opportunity to do further study can obtain higher qualifications; It acknowledges value of learning outside a formal setting, eg values and recognises learning in the workplace; It validates the worth of learning that learners have achieved by themselves; It enables progression to other programmes of study; It eliminates unnecessary repetition and duplication of material already familiar to the learner. Public (and private) funding is better used because people who already have skills and knowledge are not re-trained; It shortens the time necessary to earn a qualification this motivates learners who might otherwise be discouraged by the length of time required to complete a college level course or a particular programme of study; 7

9 It enhances learner s pride and self-esteem for what they have accomplished as learners; It enhances learner s perception and understanding of learning as a lifelong process. ATT FE will endeavour to initially assess all learners prior experience that will accredit them with pre-requisites to join a course of study or exemption from elements of a course of study. ATT FE will recognise learners personal, employment and educational experiences in relation to the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of a specific course of study. Decisions will be taken on an individual basis, but will be consistent and fair in outcome. Where appropriate to the course type, all learners will be advised as part of their induction that RPL is available, should they have the evidence for it to present or to be assessed. RPL should be formally recorded and passed to the relevant line manager to support decisions made. A learner file should be set up to store this information for future use. All RPL processes and decisions will be made under the advice and guidance of the relevant awarding body. Decisions sometimes have to be purely based on what criteria is set by awarding bodies as to what can be accredited as RPL. Learners on all courses will undergo initial assessment as part of their induction process. Where appropriate to the course type, the outcomes of this will be considered under RPL. 8

10 Appendix B Monitoring learner progress through E-Trak Purpose It is essential that ATT FE knows how learners are progressing in year rather than discovery when the course comes to an end that some learners have not met all their assessment criteria or that they have been struggling with certain topics and are not likely to achieve in their exam or assessment. The E-Trak document is a tool for keeping the curriculum manager / leader up to date with how learners are progressing. It highlights which learners are at risk and helps to alert curriculum managers that additional support may be required. It will be an essential part of ensuring that the data used for funding purposes is accurate and up-to-date. It will also help ATT FE to be as efficient as possible. The E-Trak is flexibile. It is not intended that one document fits all. There are only a few details which are mandatory on E-Trak, the rest of the document is for tutors to create and use in a way which suits them and the courses they are teaching. The essential elements are: Tutor name Course Day, Time, etc Learners names The date of the review Is the learner on target? Process E-Trak needs to be submitted to the Data Manager (Sam Pridham: sam.pridham@suttonacademy.attrust.org.uk) and to the curriculum leader on a half-termly basis and at the end of your course. Tutors use the E-Trak on a weekly basis for recording formative assessment or it may be used to indicate if learners are on target or not. Some tutors will easily be able to create E-Traks, others may need more assistance. Please contact the Data Manager for any help and assistance if needed. The E-Trak is part of the quality process for ATT FE and tutors should start to develop and use E-Trak immediately. 9

11 Appendix 3 Induction Record 1. I have had the fire drill explained to me and am aware that the perimeter fence and access gates work in conjunction with the fire alarm. 2. I am aware of the availability of Car Parking and toilet facilities 3. I know how to locate copies of all ATT FE policies 4. I know how to make a complaint about any aspect of my learning with ATT FE 5. I am aware of the requirements for attendance and how to contact ATT FE to advise on non-attendance in any week 6. I agree to inform ATT FE of any changes in personal circumstances that may affect my fee paying status 7. I am aware of the course fees and any other course costs 8. I agree to inform ATT FE of any changes in personal circumstances that may affect my fee paying status 9. I am aware of any previous experience, qualifications or requirements needed to follow this course. 10. I am aware of the course structure (day, time, number of weeks, end date) 11. I am aware of what the course entails and involves, including any home/individual/ private study requirements 12. I am aware of Health and Safety procedures which apply to the course I am on 13. I am aware of ATT FE s Safe Learner Statement and Learner Charter 14. I am aware of the additional learning support available to me at ATT FE 15. I am aware of the assessment requirements & when assessment will take place, if applicable 16. I am aware of any equipment, materials or books needed to follow this course 10

12 17. I give my consent to photographs being taken of my work or of me and my work 18. I have had the bad weather procedure explained to me 19. I am aware of the website address for ATT FE 20. I have received induction information on the above and confirm that I am on the right course (please tick & sign): 21. I am aware of the ATT FE s Acceptable Use of ILT Policy Name. Signed Date Course Title, day and time. 11