That's all folks

The time has come, it's the end of the blog as we know and I feel fine (quote ... sort of...Michael Stipe of REM). As I am no longer directly a member of the quality team I feel I have no real input into this blog and suggest that should anyone else want to take the reigns then please feel free but I simply don't have enough knowledge to share with you all now that I am on the outskirts of Quality. It's been fun, and I hope you have enjoyed this slant on the updates I've posted but as a detriment to my twitter account (which I also can't be hooped to update) It's time to sign off. I will leave this blog running without update until Jan 5th 2011, if anyone wants the login details for it then give me a shout, otherwise it's goodnight from me and goodnight from him.

Inspection update

The TQI team has now visited and inspected 13 of our 31 academies and intend to push on with the remaining sites with some vigour and enthusiasm over the next 6 weeks before the academies start exam preparation. We have seen some outstanding teaching and learning and every academy has done it's utmost to make us feel welcome. Feedback has generally been well recieved and we have also witnessed the reactive actions to this on subsequent acdemy visits. With so many academies and trainers to inspect it is good to know that what we are doing is making a positive impact to the most important people in this process, the learners. I feel a prize maybe on the cards for the best OTL per intake. Thoughts?

Company Conference 2010

At last an opportunity for us all to get together and have a few social drinks, listen to our illustrious leaders convey their vision for our future along with a nice bit of grub..... a few of us took the opportunity by the literal horns... nuff said Mr T!

Twenty One - not out!

News on Friday was that our External Verifier could find nothing amiss with the twenty one portfolios inspected and complemented us again on the quality of our assessment and verification. We all know we can improve on this still so it's up to us now to drive forward with quality and standardisation. Well done to all involved... no doubt a complimentary email from our resident QM will be conveyed to the company hierachy.

More new additions....

We welcome two new additions to the Quality Team, Chris Lee and Victoria Kiernan, both of Birmingham academy. This now means we are depleted in the Facilitator numbers so a bit of recruitment required again to get us back up to full strength.

A solid start....

...and we're off!!!! The first few weeks of the intake have gone without too much of a hitch. We have a new Quality Manager (although the quality of the aforementioned manager is questionable! Only messing! I'm genuinely pleased with the appointment) we have two additional RQV's soon to start in the Midlands thus bringing the Quality Team to full strength. Assessment and verification has been carried out to a good standard and with the inclusion of moderation this intake the quality is getting better and better. With regards to my own department (Training Quality Inspectorate) we have carried out inspections of the three larger academies so far and are more than happy with the standard presented, obviously there are areas for development but we feel we are harsher than ofsted which can only be a good thing! We are now breaking into regional inspections with Wilson and I doing Derby this coming Wednesday (13th Oct) and Rod and Andre doing Luton on Thursday (14th Oct). As we look to improve the quality of every area of our programme we will be branching into inspections of progress, standards and quality meetings, intake interviews, employment interviews etc. As OfSted will look at more than just training, assessment and verification then so must we. All in all we are on the right track and doing well. Keep up the good work amigoes!

Inspection Ready???

The schedule for the Training Quality Inspectorate team has been confirmed with September and October seeing the inspection of the larger academies, Manchester, Birmingham and London. The role of the inspectorate team is to inspect and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisational training centres, inclusive of all elements, training, assessment, administration, auditing etc. The TQI (Training Quality Inspectors) ensure provision of education and training meets the needs of learners and to accelerate the pace of quality improvement by identifying strengths and areas for improvement, highlighting good practice and judging what steps need to be taken to improve provision further. This practice will, over time ensure that every academy is consistently inspection ready so if OfSted were to walk through our door unannounced we would be 'good to go'!