Mature students and their teacher in a classroomAim of the project

This LSIS -funded project set out to capture examples of teaching approaches and
classroom strategies from across the FE and Skills sector that demonstrate learners being challenged, stretched and inspired by their learning experiences.

Background

There have been significant developments in recent years focusing on active learning approaches that engage and challenge learners e.g. Standards Unit materials, the LSIS Teaching and Learning programme together with a growing interest in the innovative and inspiring use of digital technologies. Recent changes to the Common Inspection Framework have placed an increased emphasis and importance on Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Providers are tasked with ensuring “all learners are engaged with the right learning for them to enable them to achieve and progress. In future, providers will not be able to achieve an overall ‘outstanding’ Ofsted judgement unless their teaching, learning and assessment are also judged to be outstanding.” (p6 LSIS Focused on Improvement, 2012-15)

In the Ofsted Inspection handbook aspects of ‘stretch and challenge’ are a key focus for inspection. In judging the quality of teaching, learning and assessment inspectors are asked to consider –

  • how well teaching and learning methods – including training, coaching and mentoring – inspire and challenge all learners and enable them to extend their knowledge, skills and understanding
  • the extent to which teaching, training and coaching encourage and develop independent learning
  • whether high but realistic expectations are used to motivate learners          (p47)

adult_student_lectureThe seven case studies presented on this website feature teachers who were nominated by their managers for their innovative approaches and their commitment to ‘ stretch and challenge’ in their teaching.

An LSIS project worker visited and worked with each of the teachers for three days to gain an understanding of their approaches and to gather materials for inclusion in the case studies. Interviews were recorded with the teachers and the case studies contain numerous audio clips which provide valuable insights into the way teachers can include elements of ‘stretch and challenge’ when planning lessons, setting objectives,  developing resources and working with learners. Comments from the interviews with learners are also included.

There are two ways to explore the case studies:

  • via the ‘Key Themes’ tab which contains links to the case studies organised under five headings
  • via the two tabs ‘Colleges of FE’ and ‘Other Types of Provider’

If you want more information about any of case studies, click here.

The case studies are published in a digital format. If you want to make full use of all the navigation features available, click on the ‘Instructions’ option which is on the left hand page when you first open up a case study.