EDUCATIONAL OVERSIGHT INSPECTION OF PRIVATE FURTHER EDUCATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE COLLEGES MONITORING VISIT BERLITZ MANCHESTER

Transcription

1 EDUCATIONAL OVERSIGHT INSPECTION OF PRIVATE FURTHER EDUCATION AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE COLLEGES MONITORING VISIT BERLITZ MANCHESTER

2 Full Name of College Berlitz Manchester Address Telephone Number Address Principal Proprietor Age Range 15+ Total number of students Numbers by age and type of study Europa House,55 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HY Mr Mark Harrington Mr Mark Harrington 189 Under 18: : 162 EFL only: 170 FE only: 19 Inspection date 7 May 2013

3 PREFACE This inspection report follows the Framework for Educational Oversight Monitoring Visits of private further education colleges and English language schools. The focus of the visit is to confirm that the quality standards reported at the last full inspection are being maintained. The ISI is an approved Educational Oversight body authorised by the UK Border Agency to inspect privately funded further education colleges, including English language schools in England and Wales offering courses on the Qualifications and Credit Framework. It is designed to improve the quality of education on offer to international students through Tier 4 of the points based system for student visas. ISI inspections are required to: Report on the extent to which colleges comply with the published Educational Oversight Standards for private colleges; Assess and report on the quality of educational outcomes and provision; Where applicable, make recommendations to colleges outside the scope of the Standards to support continued improvement of quality. Inspection provides objective and reliable reports on the quality of colleges, and by placing reports in the public domain, makes this information available to students, Government and the wider community. Inspection takes account of the context of each individual college, and of how it evaluates its own performance and demonstrates its success. The inspection of the college is from an educational perspective and provides limited inspection of other aspects, though inspectors will comment on any significant hazards or problems they encounter which have an adverse impact on students. The inspection does not include: (i) an exhaustive health and safety audit (ii) an in-depth examination of the structural condition of the college, its services or other physical features (iii) an investigation of the financial viability of the college or its accounting procedures (iv) an in-depth investigation of the college s compliance with employment law. A monitoring visit is for those colleges found at the last inspection to have met or exceeded the quality Standards for Educational Oversight. Inspectors will make judgements on progress against any Action Points and Recommendations made at that time. The inspection will not examine all other Standards in detail but will sample to confirm that previous Standards have been maintained and that there are no contrary indicators to those quality judgements.

4 CONTENTS Page 1 CONTEXT 2 2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 3 3 THE QUALITY OF THE CURRICULUM, TEACHING AND LEARNERS ACHIEVEMENTS 4 4 STUDENTS WELFARE, INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY 5 5 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 6 6 ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 7 INSPECTION EVIDENCE 8

5 Berlitz Manchester 2 1. CONTEXT 1.1 Berlitz Manchester is a further and higher education institution located in the centre of Manchester. It was established as a limited company in 2000 as a language school franchise by the current proprietor. It has sole use of a five-floor building and additional temporary accommodation nearby where business courses were being run at the time of inspection. 1.2 The mission of the college is to inspire excellence in English language teaching, business management and leadership, with a commitment to provide an innovative learning environment that maximises students learning potential and ensures that their experience is one that they will remember for a lifetime. 1.3 The college offers courses in English language at a range of levels, including examination preparation classes and business English and business management courses. The college also offers one-to-one courses in these subjects, modern foreign languages and tailor-made courses. 1.4 At the time of the monitoring visit 189 students were enrolled, most of whom were studying English language courses. The vast majority of students are from Libya and Saudi Arabia, with the remainder coming from throughout the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, South America and Europe. Approximately two-thirds of students are male. 1.5 The last full inspection took place on 1 to 3 May 2012, at which time the college met expectations. The main recommendations from the previous report are: Build on assessment procedures after entry to identify individual learning and language needs. Consider ways to enhance teaching practice to make better use of information and communications technology (ICT) and less reliance on course textbooks. Develop a quality assurance system that is inclusive of all quality review processes and procedures currently carried out separately. Extend the staff appraisal process to include lesson observations for teaching staff and a more consistent setting and review of staff development to raise standards. Develop the tutorial scheme to include individual target setting and opportunities for one-to-one pastoral support.

6 Berlitz Manchester 3 2. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 2.1 The college meets expectations. The previous inspection of 1 to 3 May 2012 was judged to meet expectations and the quality of education as judged at that time has been maintained. 2.2 Teaching and its impact on learning are good. Procedures for enrolment and induction are thorough, and now include a recently introduced focus on individual learning goals and learning styles. Teachers have good subject knowledge and students learn and achieve well. At the time of inspection students were aware of the progress they were making through weekly class tests. 2.3 The standards of student welfare, health and safety are good. The premises are secure and of a high quality, and students feel safe and happy. The college has effective systems that comply with Home Office reporting requirements. 2.4 Governance, leadership and management of the college are good. The college s self-assessment process and development plan now include all aspects of the college s activities, enabling effective future planning and monitoring of success. Staff appraisal arrangements are very comprehensive; however, it is too early to judge their impact on teaching and learning. New teachers feel well supported and are highly aware of college processes and procedures. Thorough checks are made to ensure staff are suitable to work with students under the age of 18.

7 Berlitz Manchester 4 3. THE QUALITY OF CURRICULUM, TEACHING AND LEARNERS ACHIEVEMENTS 3.1 The quality of curriculum, teaching and learners achievements is good. All key Standards continue to be met. 3.2 The recommendations in this area from the last inspection report are: Build on assessment procedures after entry to identify individual learning and language needs. Consider ways to enhance teaching practice to make better use of information and communications technology (ICT) and less reliance on course textbooks. Develop the tutorial scheme to include individual target setting and opportunities for one-to-one pastoral support. 3.3 Progress against the first recommendation is satisfactory. The college s initial and diagnostic assessment prior to and on arrival is effective in identifying individual goals and learning styles. Students agree that they are placed on courses appropriate to their needs and level. 3.4 Limited progress has been made against the second recommendation to enhance teaching practice to make better use of ICT. Suitable investment has been made in interactive whiteboards and laptop and tablet computers, but their deployment in the classroom is not sufficiently linked to learning. Continuing over-reliance on course textbooks can limit opportunities for cultural and social interaction in the classroom. 3.5 Satisfactory progress has been made in developing the tutorial system to include individual target setting and opportunities for one-to-one pastoral support. At the time of inspection the college was in transition between the paper-based tutorial system and the new online system, so it is too early to judge the impact this will have on individual learning and progress. Appropriate weekly tests ensure students are highly aware of progress against their starting point and the course aims. 3.6 The majority of teaching is good and occasionally outstanding, with a minority being satisfactory. Teachers are knowledgeable in their subject area and, in the best lessons, use a range of activities, materials and questioning techniques to motivate and engage learners. Students are motivated, enthusiastic and contribute well in lessons, often building on their own experience. All courses comply with Home Office regulations.

8 Berlitz Manchester 5 4. STUDENTS WELFARE, INCLUDING HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Students welfare, including health and safety, is good. All key Standards continue to be met. 4.2 The college continues to maintain very good levels of safety and security. Security arrangements and maintenance of the premises, fire systems and evacuations procedures are well maintained and fit for purpose. First aid arrangements are effective. Policies and procedures are suitable, staff are well informed of their responsibilities and students feel safe at the college. 4.3 A well-established and effective student management system is maintained, with secure procedures for registering students and for reporting to the Home Office. 4.4 Pastoral support for individual students is good. Students agree that relationships within the college are good and they are satisfied with the range of social activities available. In addition, students appreciate the advice and guidance for further study which are available to them. The majority of students feel that their views are listened to by the college.

9 Berlitz Manchester 6 5. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOVERNANCE, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 5.1 The effectiveness of governance, leadership and management is good. All key Standards continue to be met. 5.2 The recommendations in this area from the last inspection report are: Develop a quality assurance system that is inclusive of all quality review processes and procedure currently carried out separately. Extend the staff appraisal process to include lesson observations for teaching staff and a more consistent setting and review of staff development to raise standards. 5.3 Good progress has been made against the first recommendation. The selfevaluation report now includes all review processes and procedures which were previously undertaken separately. The document provides a comprehensive overview of the aims and direction of the college. The development plan is a thorough working document, used effectively to drive improvement. In addition, the college has initiated a student experience project to gather information about all aspects of the customer experience in order to continue to improve. New teachers are well supported and kept up-to-date with developments in the college. Staff files are very well maintained and all staff, except for very new teachers, have undertaken safeguarding training. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) or Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are either in place or planned for all staff. 5.4 Satisfactory progress has been made against the second recommendation. The appraisal cycle for teaching staff has recently been amended to include feedback from observations. The documentation is thorough and effective in agreeing action points and identifying professional development needs. However, implementation is recent so it is too early to judge the impact on teaching and learning and improving outcomes for students. 5.5 The governance, leadership and management of the college are effective. Staff feel well supported and are highly aware of college processes and procedures. 5.6 The college maintains an attractive and easy to use website which contains accurate, up-to-date information. Information was well prepared and readily available for the monitoring inspection.

10 Berlitz Manchester 7 6. ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The college has maintained the good standards found at the last inspection. Suggestions for further improvement In order to improve the good quality provided, the college is advised to: Further develop ICT in learning in order to further reduce reliance on course textbooks and enhance learner experience. Develop the tutorial scheme to provide more consistent and targeted one-to-one support, making greater use of information collected at initial assessment and on course. Continue to embed the new quality assurance system, ensuring that it is rigorously implemented and effective in improving performance.

11 Berlitz Manchester 8 INSPECTION EVIDENCE The inspectors observed lessons, conducted formal interviews with students and examined samples of students work. They held discussions with senior members of staff and with the proprietor. They attended registration sessions. The responses of staff and students to preinspection questionnaires were analysed, and the inspectors examined regulatory documentation made available by the college. Inspectors Ms Sheila Morris Miss Valerie Craven Ms Penny Horsefield Lead Inspector Team Inspector Team Inspector