Education Scotland ReviewSummary for Learners May 2012

how did we do?

In March 2012, Education Scotland undertook a full review of the quality of education and training at Forth Valley College on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council.

All colleges and education providers in Scotland are subject to these independent reviews to measure how well they are performing.

The full report for Forth Valley College was published in May 2012 and can be accessed at www.educationscotland.gov.uk

This brochure will tell you more about the review and highlight the key findings.

So how does it work?HM Inspectors carry out the review and make their evaluations based on three principles:

High quality learningLearner engagement Quality culture.

HM Inspectors are also supported during the reviews by Associate Assessors and importantly a Student Team Member.

In order to make their evaluations, the review team visits classes to observe learning and teaching and hold discussions with learners and staff. They also look at information on learner attainment, progress and outcomes to assess how well the college is helping learners to succeed in their studies. They also speak with other key people and organisations involved with the college such as members of the Board of Management, employers, external agencies and partners, schools and community groups.

The outcomes of the review are measured in confidence statements which relate to the key three principles. There are four confidence statements in total which colleges should achieve if they are performing well.

Introduction

How did we do?

We achieved all four confidence statements!

Forth Valley College was delighted to achieve all four confidence statements! This means:

Our learners are progressing well and achieving relevant, high quality outcomes

The college has in place high quality learning and teaching processes

Our learners are actively engaged in enhancing their own learning and the work and life of the college

The college is led well and is enhancing the quality of its services for learners and other stakeholders

Reasons fvc is so great:We offer a wide variety of courses to suit a diverse range of learners

Our pass rates are high!

Most of our learners progress to further study or employment upon completing their course

We look at employment opportunities, at both a local and national level, to ensure our courses are offering the skills learners need to secure a job in the future

We have developed excellent articulation arrangements with a number of universities

Our learners express a high level of satisfaction with their courses

We have low drop-out rates

Our programmes are accessible and flexible and are designed to help learners progress when it’s right for them

Our Learner Development Workers (LDWs) support learners well in their studies and help them to achieve their aims and objectives

Learners are well motivated and participate actively in classes

Our learners are able to study independently and progress well

Learner’s additional needs are recognised quickly and they get the support they need in classes and assessments

Lecturers use their industry experience and knowledge to provide insight into the world of work

Our lecturers and learners show each other respect

Equality and diversity is embedded within everything we do

Lecturers recognise learner achievements and tell them when they’re doing well

Our programmes develop essential skills such as communication, IT, problem solving, numeracy, employability, citizenship and teamwork

Our learners take responsibility for their own studies through supported personal development planning

Everyone – including learners, staff and external stakeholders – gets involved in evaluating courses for future quality improvement

The Listening to Learners focus groups offer students the opportunity to have their

opinions heard and acted upon

We have a strong, active and well-supported Student Union which gets learners involved in all aspects of college life

We work well with external partners to bring benefits to both our learners and the local area

Quality is high on our agenda and we continually work towards making the college even better

Our support services are excellent and help learners make the most of their time at college

Our learners are capable of using a wide variety of resources to enhance their learning including SmartPhones and Moodle, the College’s Virtual Learning Environment

Our facilities are excellent with industry standard equipment

Our staff have a good awareness of health and safety standards and regulations

We work well with local schools to offer pupils a wide range of vocational opportunities

Most programmes offer opportunities for external recognition through participation in competitions and award schemes

Our Board of Management and Senior Management Team provide strong and clear leadership for the vision and direction of the College

We work well with the business community and most learners have the opportunity to undertake work experience

Forth Valley College is well represented across the sector with senior managers participating in a wide range of influential groups

Local employers view the college as a major source for recruitment

Sustainability is important to us and we have already achieved a 25% reduction in carbon emissions two years ahead of target

Excellent Practice

The Education Scotland review also highlighted three examples of sector leading practice at Forth Valley College.

Learning Activity Planning and Evaluation ToolAt the start of last session, the college developed a Learning Activity Planning and Evaluation Tool to help staff and learners reflect on how well the learning strategy is being embedded within lessons. The learning strategy has key elements including:

•Involving learners in planning•Formative assessment for learning•Independent and reflective learning•Health and wellbeing•Citizenship•Employability and enterprise skills•Developing core skills•Sustainability awareness•Promoting diversity and inclusion

For planning purposes, the tool asks ‘How will you address this…?’ for each of the individual elements and then for evaluation asks ‘How well did you address it?’

The tool is widely used by teaching staff and increasingly with learners. As a result, some lessons have been completely revised and professional dialogue has improved between lecturers. Learners also have a better awareness of their role in the learning process and the importance of essential skills for their future.

Regional Gateway to WorkThe Regional Gateway to Work initiative is a partnership between the College, Job Centre Plus (JCP), local employers and other agencies that has significantly improved the prospects of those affected by unemployment and redundancy in the Forth Valley area.

Co-creation of learning resourcesForth Valley College learners have been involved in creating a number of videos to be used as Learning Resources for their peers and future college learners. Examples of videos created so far include an interactive health and safety video for the gym, laboratory procedures and hairdressing activities such as blow drying. The learners develop many core and essential skills in creating these videos. Once complete they are uploaded to the college’s VLE and e-portfolio system for use by other learners. This has been further developed by including QR codes in course materials which take learners directly to relevant videos.

What Next? Education Scotland will continue to monitor progress during annual engagement visits to the college.

Get involved! The Education Scotland review highlighted the many ways in which FVC offers students the opportunity to have their say. If you want your views to be heard, there’s lots of ways you can make sure it happens!

Join the Student Union Team, put yourself forward as class representative, take part in the Listening to Learners focus groups or write an article for the student magazine Fusion.

It’s your college – so get involved!

Falkirk CampusGrangemouth RoadFalkirkFK2 9ADT: +44 (0) 1324 40 30 00

Alloa CampusDevon RoadAlloaFK10 1PXT: +44 (0) 1259 21 51 21

Stirling CampusDrip RoadStirlingFK8 1SET: +44 (0) 1786 40 60 80

Raploch Community CampusDrip RoadStirlingFK8 1RDT: +44 (0) 1786 27 23 00 www.forthvalley.ac.uk