Setting

Ready enterprise initiative (good practice visit)

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 19 June 2008 to look at work in enterprise education. 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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Features of good practice identified

 The encouragement given to students to raise their aspirations, including the use made of visits to business-related contexts locally, nationally and overseas.  The effective use made of enterprise learning to help improve the self- esteem and self-confidence of vulnerable students, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.  The good opportunities provided for students to develop social responsibility, for example, through raising funds for good causes.  The strong focus on developing students’ enterprise capabilities to help meet skills shortages in the local economy.  The good opportunities provided for students to develop their awareness of ethical and social issues related to business.  The use of the Enterprise Capability Award programme to enable students to assess their progress in developing enterprise skills and competences.  The accreditation of enterprise learning through the student tutorial

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Features of good practice identified

programme.  The focus on ensuring enterprise learning is sustainable and benefits students over the medium and longer term.  The effective links with the Rotherham Ready initiative to enhance the professional development of staff involved in enterprise education. Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 www.ofsted.gov.uk enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

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Features of good practice identified

Mr G Trow Principal Rotherham College of Arts and Technology Eastwood Lane Rotherham S65 1EG

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Areas for development, which we discussed included:

 identifying more clearly the intended learning outcomes for enterprise education and improving the systems for tracking and recording students’ progress as they move through the college  exploring with partner schools and other providers how enterprise education can be better developed across pre-16 and post-16 education to improve continuity and progression in students’ learning.

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Areas for development, which we discussed included:

I hope these observations are useful for the future development of work in this area.

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Areas for development, which we discussed included:

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority/Local Learning and Skills Council and will be published on Ofsted’s website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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