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Press release: Ofsted publishes two good practice reports for college courses

Practical activities, learning in realistic work environments and good use of information technology are just some of the keys to success for learners on college courses, says Ofsted.

These are the main findings from the two latest good practice reports published today by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). The surveys take a look at good practice in colleges in the areas of leisure, travel and tourism, as well as information and communications technology (ICT).

A sample of colleges where provision in these areas was rated good or outstanding at their last Ofsted inspection was chosen for the survey, in order to identify those factors common to successful teaching and positive outcomes for learners.

Over half the colleges surveyed in the leisure, travel and tourism report gave learners the opportunity to practise in realistic working environments enabling them to develop their technical and practical skills.

Many colleges had established good links with local primary schools, as well as on-site commercial fitness centres, to give learners the chance to instruct or coach relevant outdoor education and sports activities. Similarly for students studying tourism and travel, colleges were using mock airline check-in desks and aircraft cabins to simulate real working environments and help students practise their customer service and language skills.

For ICT students, a rich variety of activities in lessons and well-managed drop in workshops staffed by skilled IT specialists is seen as a vital key to enhancing the learning process. Practical activities were highlighted as an important way of underpinning or ‘bringing to life’ the theoretical aspects of these courses.

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert said:

“Giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, to practise and learn from those in business and industry is vitally important. It’s encouraging to see such examples of good work and innovative teaching methods inspiring and motivating learners in colleges.

“These reports are invaluable to those who are interested in learning from examples of other colleges’ good practice.”

Good use of technology to improve the quality of learning is identified in both reports as an area of good practice that should be encouraged and developed across colleges.

Some good examples were identified, with the use of interactive whiteboards, data projectors, digital video cameras, IT tracking systems and management information systems to monitor students’ progress. Virtual Learning Environments were being used particularly well in travel and tourism courses, however on ICT courses their use was not widespread and this is recommended as an area that needs to be developed.

Colleges that have good links to a range of external organisations, particularly commercial employers in the industry, found good work experience opportunities and career guidance for their learners. One college had a very good link to an airline to ensure that all learners who completed their course got an interview with the employer.

Similarly in ICT, keeping close links with major employers is seen as an important way of keeping staff technically up to date with the relevant skills needed in the industry.

Recommendations:

To improve further the quality of provision, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), together with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) should take steps to disseminate further the good practice that exists in leisure, travel and tourism provision, as well as good practice that exists in ICT.

Colleges should develop further the opportunities for learners to access realistic learning environments to enhance their understanding of industry requirements whilst working, under supervision, with as wide a range of participants as possible.

Colleges should also make better use of their links with employers to increase the availability and take-up of ICT related work experience opportunities for students and the opportunities for ICT tutors to maintain and update their technical skills and knowledge.

Related Links

Read the
• Identifying good practice in leisure, travel and tourism

reportRead the

• Identifying good practice in ICT (information and communication technologies)

report

Notes For Editors

1. The reports, Identifying good practice: a survey of leisure, travel and tourism in colleges and Identifying good practice: a survey of college provision in information and communication technology can be found on the Ofsted website, www.ofsted.gov.uk.

2. In the report on leisure, travel and tourism, a team of four Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMIs) visited 17 colleges where provision in sport, leisure and recreation and travel and tourism had been judged outstanding or good at their most recent inspection. The inspections took place between September 2007 and March 2008.

3. In the report on information and communication technology, a team of three Her Majesty’s Inspectors, accompanies by three additional inspectors, visited 21 general further education colleges and four sixth form colleges where provision in ICT had been judged to be good or outstanding at their most recent inspection. The inspections took place between October 2007 and March 2008.

4. The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates and inspects registered childcare and children's social care, including adoption and fostering agencies, residential schools, family centres and homes for children. It also inspects all state maintained schools, non-association independent schools, pupil referral units, further education, initial teacher education, and publicly funded adult skills and employment-based training, the Children and Family Courts Advisory Service (Cafcass), and the overall level of services for children in local authority areas (through annual performance assessments and joint area reviews).

5. The Ofsted Press Office can be contacted on 08456 404040 between 8am – 6pm Monday – Friday. During evenings and weekends we can be reached on 07919 057359.

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