Setting

11 survey inspection programme: alternative provision

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 10 November 2010 to look at your school’s use of alternative provision.

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11 survey inspection programme: alternative provision

As outlined in my initial letter, the visit had a particular focus on examining the use of alternative provision for pupils who are vulnerable to underachieving, and the impact this has on the outcomes for these pupils .

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11 survey inspection programme: alternative provision

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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11 survey inspection programme: alternative provision

This letter briefly summarises our discussion at the end of the visit.

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Outcomes

 Through alternative provision, students attain appropriate qualifications including BTEC, NVQ and VRQ at levels 1 and 2; Entry level 3, Certificate in skills and the Bronze Youth Achievement award. The alternative provision provides clear pathways to future learning for the students, many of whom come from a background of long-term unemployment. All students go on to college courses, employment or training.  Students develop key skills through lessons in the centre. Key skills courses lead to accreditation in Adult Literacy and Numeracy, and to the ASDAN Award or Certificate of Personal Effectiveness. Students gain these qualifications despite spending limited time each week at the centre due to the restricted accommodation. Students’ timetables are flexible and include alternative provision, some lessons at the centre and distance learning at home.  The centre is effective in re-engaging students in learning. Students say

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Outcomes

they ‘want to learn’ and they regret the fact that the centre is unable to Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Outcomes

Mrs L Alavi Headteacher Quayside Education Centre Mill Lane Gosport Hants PO12 4QA provide full-time education on-site due to its limited accommodation. They appreciate the wide choice of alternative provision on offer. The provision consists mainly of college courses, with a few extended work placements.  Students say that they are motivated by the alternative provision. This is evident in their improved attendance and behaviour. They enjoy being treated as adults and feel that they are developing good personal skills, such as working with others. The sense of achievement they gain increases their self-confidence.

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Selecting and commissioning

 The centre defines a successful alternative provision placement as one which engages the student’s interest and meets his or her needs.  The centre believes that the engagement of the parent or carer is essential in tackling barriers to learning and, for this purpose, carries out home visits.  In selecting placements to meet students’ needs, the centre is supported very effectively by the local authority, the Education Business Partnership and Connexions service.  The local authority has developed high-quality service level agreement for commissioning and quality assuring alternative education provision to ensure it is of a consistently high quality and meets all safeguarding requirements.

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Monitoring, evaluation and support

 Key to the success of the alternative education placements is the monitoring and support provided by the centre’s alternative provision coordinator.  A good range of information and strategies for working with the students is given to the providers before the placement. In addition, the coordinator visits the college placements regularly. Employers are visited by a coordinator from the mainstream school or the centre as appropriate.  Reports from the placements each half-term inform the centre’s progress records for parents and carers. The reports show good improvements in students’ attendance, behaviour and their progress in developing personal and specific work-related skills that will support them in their future education and employment.

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Monitoring, evaluation and support

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop alternative provision in the school. As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on the Ofsted website. It may be used to inform decisions about any future inspection. A copy of this letter is also being sent to your local authority.

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