The WEA: Adult Learning Within Reach Introducing the WEA OFSTED Short Inspection 2017 2018 Academic Year
Section 1: Ruth Spellman General Secretary and CEO The WEA Our Vision and Mission The Strategic Priorities The challenges and our response 2
Welcome to the WEA Founded in 1903, a national charity, an Institute of Adult Learning, operating across nine English regions and Scotland The WEA seeks to help create a different world equal, fair and just Transforming students views of themselves, their families, their communities and society through our education programmes Keeping learning within reach physically and emotionally Our students come from all walks of life, often finding the WEA at moments of challenge and change in their own lives. Making significant differences to our students lives Combatting isolation, lack of confidence, under employment, poor health, personal, family and community alienation Promoting pride, cultural awareness, autonomy, equality, respect and cohesion Creating new understandings, knowledge, skills and competencies in personal and social life WEA provides a friendly welcome that at its best is full of challenge and companionship. 3 3
Our vision, mission and values Vision A better world - equal, democratic and just; through adult education the WEA challenges and inspires individuals, communities and society. Values Democratic Equal Inclusive Accessible Open Mission Raising educational aspirations Bringing great teaching and learning to local communities Ensuring there is always an opportunity for adults to return to learning Developing educational opportunities for the most disadvantaged Involving students and supporters as members to build an education movement for social purpose Inspiring students, teachers and members to become active citizens We deliver our mission by developing partnerships to meet individual and collective needs, using active learning and a student centred approach in which teachers and students work as equals. We constantly strive to adapt our services to meet people s needs, making full use of technology WEA Presentation title, chapter title 4 4
WEA Strategic Priorities for 2016/2019 Educational Excellence at the Core Investing in our people Sustainable Future We excel in Teaching, Learning & Assessment delivering outstanding outcomes, impact and progression for students We deliver a flexible and high quality curriculum across our four themes that meets the needs of our students We increase the level of engagement with and investment in the development of staff, tutors, volunteers, the membership and governance to ensure all have opportunities for further development and progression We grow and diversify our income sources and partnerships, increasing the longevity and certainty of income streams in the future We use our resources efficiently and effectively prioritising areas of greatest need
WEA Strategic Priorities for 2016/2019 Influential We raise our profile as a successful provider of adult learning and are widely recognised as such We are a key contributor to government policy making in the field of adult learning Enhancing our Accessibility We ensure that we are accessible to a wide range of people across diverse communities We work towards providing a more 24/7 orientated service providing opportunities for digital participation, attracting a more diverse range of students in the process
Progress and challenge OFSTED previously judged the WEA to be a good provider Highlighted the progress we needed to make - In teaching and learning - In addressing inconsistency and variation WEA has taken the steps to address those challenges Root and branch organisational change in terms of structures, staff, governance, systems, processes and policies the Swift programme The fundamental shifts have taken place and the big changes are bedding down. - Improvements have been delivered throughout the change process. - But it is a work in progress and challenges remain. We welcome your views, discussion, analysis and comment on our ambition, our progress, our continuing challenges and our plans. 7
Section 2: Joanna Cain Director of Education and Deputy CEO The WEA Education Programme Our Students The WEA and Community Learning The impact of the changes on WEA Education The new team structure 8
Progress and challenge A broad offer with 55 subjects. Our 10 top subjects account over 60% of our provision ESOL is our largest subject, with over 500 courses in 2016/17 86% of our student hours are non-accredited learning Distinctive approach to education and learning runs through all of our provision Four themes - Health and Wellbeing, Culture, Community Engagement and Employability 50,215 Students on approximately 7,370 courses in 2016-17 Over 80% of our SFA provision is former adult and community learning We operate locally within reach of our students: - 70% of students travel less than 3 miles - 2,100 venues across England A membership organisation with 11,000 members and 600 branches 2,800 volunteers 9
Our students It would not be exaggerating to say that the WEA has helped me to avoid a slide back into depression at a time when other pressures in my life were significant 73% women 37% over 65 31% black, minority ethnic or refugees 44% qualifications below level 2 53% in receipt of benefits 8.5% learning difficulty or disability In every LEP area 10
WEA a community learning provider We are committed to tackling inequality and to promoting diversity and democracy through adult education. Our community learning strategy sets out the WEA s objectives: Community partnerships at the centre of our provision Develop our targeted provision with new partners, in order to grow student numbers from areas of particular need Offer flexible pathways into accredited provision Prepare the WEA for devolution and local outcome agreements Enable sponsorship of provision for hardest to reach students through our partnership strategy We work with over 400 community partners, responding directly to student need 5 Pathways now available leading to level 3 options, including Into Work, Community Interpreting, Schools and Parenting, Health and wellbeing Our outcomes mapped to LEP priorities in every devo and LEP area Lloyds vulnerable adults programme allows us to reach smaller groups of target students and supports employability
English, maths and ESOL improvement programme 2015/16 SAR identified significant area for improvement in relation to EME. Key milestones in our improvement plan, still underway: January 2016 EME lead appointed and review of all provision undertaken May 2016 EME Principles published and guidance developed for September 2016 implementation 2017: Guidelines and templates developed throughout the year Jan April comprehensive schedule of paired OTLAs supported by external consultant April September Mandatory training for all EME tutors, supported by mentoring and communities of practice July New EME leads with consistent job role appointed as part of restructure August October Training for all education staff to support initial assessments and EME principles Overseen by senior management oversight group meeting biweekly to review progress Improvements in ESOL, maths and English achievement in 2016/17 however still a key area for improvement so this remains a significant management priority.
The change process to date New management and staff structures developed and implemented New Senior Management team in place July 2015 Refreshed extended leadership team implemented through 2016 and 2017 New regional structures with consistent job roles and effective line management An effective process for managing change and business planning Resources identified and programme management approach established SWIFT programme launched in September 2015 Major review of organisational need including Scotland to drive improvement to outstanding, engaging WEA staff and governance across Association Business planning completely overhauled area plans and targets now reflect Association KPIs Significant investment in systems and infrastructure Tutor portal live since 2015 and now required for all tutors Improvements to MIS and reporting - data warehouse developed through 2016 New website, course search, on line enrolment, electronic registers launched 2017 New VLE and CRM planned for 2018 13
New teams as part of one WEA Driving improvement, supporting growth, preparing for devolution: Curriculum and Quality & Student Support teams Co-ordinating regional clusters, focusing on outcomes for students, quality, digital, EME, teaching and learning, accredited provision and progression New education roles and national support centres Area Education Managers mapped to every LEP and devolution area focused on delivering WEA business plan and supported by Education Co-ordinators Support centre provides longer opening hours, a single phone number and centralised admin, enabling new Education Support Assistants to provide local support and information and advice to students HR and learning and development Induction and ongoing training for all staff and tutors, consistent management approach and working to achieve IIP Business Development, Marketing, Communications and Membership New teams to diversity income in line with mission Supporting student recruitment, growth and communications Governance New Chair and Trustee board strengthened, supported by a Head of Corporate Governance
Section 3: Greg Coyne Director for Curriculum and Quality Progress since the last inspection Developments in Curriculum and Quality Student Services and Support The impact of the WEA Open for Ofsted 15
The WEA s provision remains good. - Teaching and learning is not yet outstanding - Some Inconsistencies and variation remains The effectiveness of leadership and management has improved as a result of refreshed governance, new structures, skills and approaches Progress since last inspection There is good progress on developing more consistent practice across regions - Small variations in achievement between different demographics continue to occur Management information and data manipulation has improved significantly supporting improvement identification and action Low achievement rates in accredited EME provision 2 years ago are showing strong improvements following a major development project - Progressing towards the WEA s ambitious achievement rate targets WEA Presentation title, chaptertitle 16 16
T&L practice is good in the majority of provision Planning, assessment and feedback is effective RARPA is effective Target setting and challenge is effective Progress since last inspection A minority of provision has some teaching and learning practice that requires improvement WEA Go Digital strategy is developing the use of tools, training and support for tutors that is increasing digital use in teaching and learning Community based provision and third party owned venues creates practical obstacles to digital deployment Destination data is challenging in the WEA s large student body but robust longitudinal research demonstrates impact WEA Community Learning consistently changes the lives of students particularly the disadvantaged in important ways Lesson observation processes have been reviewed and improved including a new walkthrough programme 17 17
Curriculum and Quality Creation of new Subject categories to more effectively describe and support our provision and measure impact Approach to education and learning underpins curriculum development The four WEA themes provide opportunities for stretch and challenge across important areas of student lives Major focus on tutor development in key areas for improvement WEA offers good professional development with increasing participation Geographic spread and employment patterns of our 1,600 tutors creates practical obstacles to training take up Innovative Zoom Video Conference Training Programme addressing geographical spread and remoteness of tutors to good effect. Progress with communities of practice New Intranet supporting resources and information availability New VLE planned WEA Presentation title, chapter title 18 18
Safeguarding and Prevent Prevent programme introduced since last WEA Inspection Appointed National lead for Safeguarding, Prevent, Complaints Developed a WEA approach Clear statement Programme of training Resources for induction and classroom activity Community of practice with tutors Working with community partners Safeguarding enhanced Re-formed network of regional safeguarding designates following Extensive training Recent policy initiative to conduct basic checks on tutors and appropriate education staff Considerable programme of work getting underway New resources and support for raising student awareness WEA Presentation title, chapter title 19 19
Student services and support Re-organised Directorate during change process Director, Student Services Manager and Accreditation and Recognition Manager Programme leads for accredited provision Information and advice (IAG) leaders in every region share good practice Service meets matrix standard Range of training for IAG available face to face, on-line and via zoom More clearly defined career education and IAG framework (CEIAG) Accreditation framework procedures to ensure quality of provision, support for education staff and tutors Development of Pathways for progression from informal through to accredited options for students Work in progress with development and expansion underway Mapping and improving outcomes for key groups of students Quality framework for work with students with LDD Refreshed Learner Support strategy with improved processes Utilising feedback from students in a transparent way
A strong impact across our themes and on skills and personal development Health and wellbeing Employability 72% students increased their confidence; 43% felt the course helped keep them physically active. 82% of students with mental health conditions reported improvements in their condition. 57% of unemployed students who were looking for work got a job after their course, and 62% of employed students gained new skills or knowledge that could be used in a job. Community engagement Culture Skills, personal development and progression 77% students met people they would not normally mix with, 33% became interested in improving their community and 27% felt a greater sense of belonging to Britain 70% of students became involved in at least one more cultural activity including reading and research 93% students developed at least one new skill, including Communications 63% Research and critical thinking 62% Organisation, problem solving and analysis 43% 32% enrolled on a further WEA class in year 72% students now know where to go to improve their skills
Open for Ofsted - We are looking forward to your work with us over the next few days - We are keen to discuss developments and challenges in an open and honest dialogue - We are proud of the WEA and its impact on students - But we also want to improve and therefore keen to hear your observations and recommendations - You are very welcome and we look forward to working with you.
Thank you