Access keys Skip navigation
Seeking excellence: key questions of the CIF
How well do learners achieve?
The evaluation requirements of the CIF state that inspectors should evaluate:
How Subject Learning Coaches can help your organisation to achieve these outcomes
Learners’ success in achieving challenging targets
Improvements in the quality and variety of their learning experiences can encourage learners to attempt more challenging targets. Using a variety of resources and approaches will also provide differentiated routes to achievement which means that lessons or training sessions can challenge and motivate all learners.
Subject Learning Coaches will revitalise approaches to teaching and training in your organisation by coaching others in the most up-to-date techniques and resources.
What the inspectors might say…
Most teachers plan good lessons, often providing activities that challenge the more able learners whilst supporting those who find the work more difficult. In the best lessons resources are provided in different formats so that learners can select the style that suits them best.
FE college inspection report
The standards of learners’ work in relation to their learning goals
Achieving learning goals is critical to every individual’s success, but a high success rate for learners will also reflect positively on your organisation. High-achieving organisations are more likely to attract good staff, retain learners through to the completion of their course and achieve good or outstanding grades in an inspection.
Subject Learning Coaches can support staff to clarify individual learning goals and to use approaches and resources that motivate learners.
What the inspectors might say…
In most lessons, learning and attainment are good. For example, tasks were progressively challenging, enabling students to work independently and evaluate their progress. Teachers regularly reviewed learners’ progress against their learning goals.
Training provider inspection report
Learners’ progress relative to their prior attainment and potential
Best practice involves establishing individual learning needs and prior attainment at the outset of a course. Addressing those needs will require teachers and trainers to deploy a variety of techniques and resources — which, without help, is a challenging task.
Using a range of activities, Subject Learning Coaches will promote the continuing professional development of teachers and trainers, enabling their colleagues to try out new methods of teaching, training and learning in a supportive environment.
What the inspectors might say…
The best lessons are planned well, and teachers use a variety of activities that engage and motivate students and cater for individual needs.
Training provider inspection report
The extent to which learners enjoy their work
Learning can be dynamic and fun, which is good news for learners! But well-resourced and effective courses benefit organisations, too. It is worth considering whether all curriculum areas in your own organisation can offer tasks that are well matched to learners’ needs, encourage good attendance, and use resources that promote interest and enthusiasm, thus attracting and retaining learners.
The role of Subject Learning Coaches here has been to inject new life into curriculum areas with a nationally low-achieving profile, to make them more engaging for learners and to support learners’ chances to achieve.
What the inspectors might say…
The best lessons are planned well, and teachers use a variety of activities that engage and motivate students and cater for individual needs.
Training provider inspection report
Back to key questions of the CIF
Back to top