governance good practice guide

self assessment and the CIF

The national inspectorates Ofsted and Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) - soon to be merged into a single agency - use a Common Inspection Framework (CIF) to judge the quality and effectiveness of learning and skills provision.

Click here for information on the CIF and Inspector's Handbook.

The CIF is also used by colleges (and other provider organisations) as the basis for their self-assessment activities.

These internal assessments are then used by Ofsted to inform the scope of their Annual Assessment Visit (AAV) and by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to assess risks, inform their annual Provider Review and annual planning and allocation of funding.

Using the Common Inspection Framework for their self-assessment, colleges and other providers ask themselves how effective and efficient their provision and related services are in meeting the full range of their learners' needs, and what steps need to be taken to improve.

They look at all their activities and ask themselves the following key questions contained in the CIF. There are five questions, which are divided into three areas:

achievement and standards

Question 1: How well do learners achieve?

the quality of provision

Question 2: How effective are teaching, training and learning?
Question 3: How well do programmes and activities meet the needs and interests of learners?
Question 4: How well are learners guided and supported?

leadership and management

Question 5: How effective are leadership and management in raising achievement and supporting all learners?

Note: the quality and effectiveness of governance is contained within this important question.

When reflecting upon these questions, in order to self-improve, it is important that everyone involved in the process is honest and objective.

Judgements (based on evidence) are made, and the following grades are allocated to each key question and for separate curriculum/subject sector areas:

• Grade 1 - Outstanding
• Grade 2 - Good
• Grade 3 - Satisfactory
• Grade 4 - Inadequate.

The results of this comprehensive self-analysis are presented annually in the college's self-assessment report.

Click here for information on college SAR and QIP.

Providers' self-assessments are also used to inform the Joint Area Reviews of all provision carried out in every local authority area in England over a three-year period as determined by the Every Child Matters framework. This framework will be incorporated into the merged inspectorate's framework and evaluates the extent to which the following five outcomes for children and young people are being met:

• being healthy
• staying safe
• enjoying and achieving
• making a positive contribution
• achieving economic well being.

For copies of the Common Inspection Framework, contact:
Tel: 0115 901 3339
Fax: 0115 901 3334
Email:info@alipublications.org.uk

Click here for information on the Ofsted Inspectors Handbook.