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Curriculum and Leadership

Supporting continuous improvement

Any organisation that has recently received an inspection or review can obtain support services from LSDA NI to help them improve their provision in light of the inspection findings. Typically LSDA NI staff or associates will spend a number of days with a provider offering bespoke professional support and training, meeting the development needs of the organisation. The support will often directly impact on the action identified by any improvement or action plan and help the organisation achieve improvement in a reduced time scale.

Listening Toolkit

The Listening Toolkit is a series of benchmark tools that are designed purely for the professional and technical skills sectors. They provide information about performance in staff satisfaction, learner satisfaction, employer satisfaction and community satisfaction. This information can inform strategic improvement and give detailed analysis against local and national performance.

Action Research Projects

Action Research projects provides an opportunity for organisations to research practice and innovation in education and training. The projects are designed to support the improvement of the education and training sector, but also act as a development opportunity for participants. Action Research Project information is available through the Quality Network Meetings for each sector.

Introduction to Management (Level 3 iLM)

LSDA NI provides a range of materials to support organisations delivering iLM Level 3 Introductory Certificate to staff. The materials are practical exercises that are written by practitioners for the education and training sector. LSDA NI also offers a certified Train the Trainers course for those organisations considering delivering the iLM Level 3 internally. This 3 day course will upskill any iLM tutor, so that they can use the full range of resources offered by LSDA NI and deliver an effective programme to education and training managers.

Action Learning Programme for Middle Managers

Delivered in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL), this is an intensive programme for those involved in the leadership or management or education and training. It is designed to expose participants to some of the best leaders in the public sector in order to better develop their understanding of leadership and management. The course is project based, allowing participants to have a direct improvement impact on their own organisation's performance. The course requires 2 days commitment per month for 7 months.

Senior Leadership Development Programme

Delivered by CEL, this programme is designed to develop senior leadership in the further education sector. This is an intensive 9 month programme that requires participants to attend training and development in England. It brings together leaders from across the UK, providing an unparalleled development opportunity for those seeking the most senior positions within the sector. A number of FREE places are provided each year; however participants are entitled to enter the programme if they can secure funding from other sources.

Supporting continuing professional development

LSDA NI offers a range of bespoke training and development solutions for organisations on current topics in pedagogy, management and leadership. These courses cover topics such as; learning styles, differentiation, retention, lesson planning, improving achievement, writing self-evaluation, peer-observation training and curriculum development support. LSDA NI provides access to its register of associates and trainers at no extra cost, helping source professional help and advice.

Master Classes, Coaching and Mentoring and Expert Seminars

LSDA NI acts on feedback from its stakeholders to provide appropriate Master Classes and Expert Seminars to address a range of pertinent issues. These Master Classes and Expert Seminars can be at vocational department level, organisation level or sector wide. LSDA NI is also building up the use of leaders as coaches which is an effective way of addressing team building. LSDA NI provides support to encourage the use of mentoring which focuses on learning from practice on the job and from peer reflection.

Teaching and Learning Communities (TLC) Web Portal

All of the above programmes are supported by our web portal, which provides access to resources and practical advice for practitioners. TLC offers the opportunity for anyone to create a new group for discussion and sharing of practice. Access TLC for FREE at www.thetlc.org.uk.

14-19

LSDA NI currently provides support through research, network meetings, stakeholder workshops, and the management of the Vocational Enhancement Programme pilot which will provide an evidence base for the entitlement framework; policy seminars and benchmarking activities. With the emerging 14-19 agenda, the framework for achievement, foundation degrees and the role of e-learning is DEL 's priority for the sector to support economic development. It is clear that the FE sector requires support at different levels to ensure quality improvement in critical areas of decision-making relating to the curriculum offer and also the interface of the FE sector with the schools sector.