Setting

Alexandra House 33 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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20 November 2008 Mr A Robinson Principal Doncaster College for the Deaf Leger Way Doncaster DN2 6AY

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Ofsted survey: good practice in capturing the user voice

Thank you for your hospitality and co-operation, and that of your staff, during our visit on 19 November 2008 to look at work on capturing the user voice.

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Ofsted survey: good practice in capturing the user voice

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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Ofsted survey: good practice in capturing the user voice

The evidence used to inform the judgements made included; discussion with learners, discussion with staff, observations of student survey process, observations of tutorials, transition meeting with learners, appropriate documentation.

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Features of good practice observed

 Very high commitment from staff and governors, including working within a total communication strategy, to ensure the learners are listened to and have a voice throughout the college to bring about improvements and sustain the very good outcomes for learners.  Extensive range of formal and informal mechanisms to capture information and provide feedback to learners to bring about improvements in the college community and living environment including; food focus groups, health and safety committee, equality and diversity committee, residential lodge meetings, student council, surveys, and termly course evaluations.  Particularly good focus on the individual needs of the learner to provide many specific opportunities for learner feedback including; regular meetings with staff, opportunities to personalise the learning programme through the tutorial system and transition meetings that focus on the learner’s experience at college.

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Features of good practice observed

 Good analysis of student surveys and course evaluations that are effectively shared with learners and staff to bring about improvements.

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Areas for development

 Develop a learner involvement strategy to better co-ordinate and monitor the various ways the learner voice is being captured and the impact it is having on your quality improvement arrangements.  Ensure that the impact of all aspects of the learner voice, both informal and formal are fully captured throughout your self assessment.  Bring together all the range and forms of student feedback into a comprehensive report to inform senior staff and governors.

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Areas for development

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop the user voice in your college.

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Areas for development

As explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on Ofsted's website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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