ESTYN
Estyn Inspections
The key performance outcome on the quality of the provision provided by the College is Estyn Inspection. The College has targeted a minimum grade 2 in all its inspection outcomes since the 2000 cycle began. The following scale is used:
- Grade 1 - good with outstanding features
- Grade 2 - good features and no important shortcomings
- Grade 3 - good features outweigh shortcomings
- Grade 4 - some good features but shortcomings in important areas
- Grade 5 - many important shortcomings
The College has improved or sustained its Estyn profile since that time and 94% of the grades it has achieved since 2000 have been grade 1 or grade 2. Just 6% of grades have been grade 3.
Any Grade 3's have been addressed systematically, eg, the building of the new campus at Gelli Aur, addressed concerns regarding resources for Land based students recorded in 2003.
In benchmarking performance the College is one of around 25% of colleges in Wales in Estyn’s Lowest Risk.
This makes Coleg Sir Gâr one of the best performing Colleges in Wales. The grades are related to the seven key questions: ie
- How well do learners achieve
- How effective are teaching, training and assessment
- How well do learners’ experiences meet the needs and interests of learners and the wider community
- How well are learners cared for guided and supported
- How effective are leadership and strategic management
- How well do leaders and managers evaluate and improve quality and standards
- How efficient are leaders and managers in using resources
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Table 9.1: Overall College performance with Estyn between 1997-2006
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FE Programme Area
Overall grades |
1997 - 2001
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2002 - 2004
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2005
(Work Based Learning) |
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1 Access Studies
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2
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2 Art/Design
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2
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2b Performing Arts
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3
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3 Applied Science
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2
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2
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4 Business
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2
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5 Catering
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2
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6 Caring and Health
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2
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7 Computing
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1
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1
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8 Construction
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2
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9 Engineering
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1
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1
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10 General Ed
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2
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11 Hair and Beauty
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2
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1
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1
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12 Land Based
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2
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2
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1
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13 Office Tech
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2
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14 Tourism and Leisure
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2
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2
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16 Living Skills
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1
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1
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17 ABE and ESOL
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3
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18a Welsh for Adults
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2
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18b Other Gen Ed
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2
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38
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38
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36
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The College is now targeting additional improvements in its Further Education performance with a minimum of grade 2 in all seven key questions with grade 1 in 4 of the 7 key questions.
Qualitative comments made by Etsyn also inform the institution and the wider public of its performance. Some key comments from the two most recent inspection reports published on their website www.estyn.gov.uk are provided below:
In relation to outcomes in 2003 Estyn said:
Of the 19 programme areas in the college, four now have outstanding features (grade 1) and 13 have good features and no important shortcomings (grade 2). The good features outweigh shortcomings (grade 3) in two programme areas. Both these are relatively small in terms of the number of learner enrolments. Overall, about 97% of student enrolments are in programme areas where the work is good or outstanding.
In relation to leadership in 2003 Estyn said:
The principal, senior management team and faculty managers provide good leadership and management. The principal has established a clear strategic direction for the college in collaboration with the corporate board. There is a good level of teamwork between the directors and faculty managers and effective communication between the academic and functional areas of the college. There are effective lines of communication at all levels within the college.
In relation to standards in 2005 Estyn said:
Overall, standards of achievement are outstanding in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Hair and Beauty and Agriculture. They are good in Jobcentre Plus Programmes and adequate in Preparation for Life and Work. Most learners develop good occupational skills and demonstrate a good understanding of health and safety matters. Learners maintain high levels of attendance and punctuality.
In relation to teaching, training and assessment in 2005 Estyn said:
Teaching, training and assessment are very good. The planning of induction, training and assessment is very good. Relationships between advisers, trainers, employers and learners are very good in all inspection areas. Assessment procedures and internal verification procedures are very good.