Integrating and promoting equality, diversity and British values – how do they feature in the 2015 inspection framework?

The new 2015 FE and Skills inspection handbook has been published – are you and your staff clear on the extent to which equality, diversity and British values features in the new framework? Here are four things to be aware of

First, Equality and Diversity continues to feature highly in the framework, permeating through, and explicitly impacting on all four key judgements (effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching learning and assessment, outcomes for learners and personal development, behavior and welfare).

Second, preparing learners for life in modern Britain - The 2015 inspection framework has a greater focus on learners’ preparation for their next steps in education or employment as responsible citizens in society.

Third, safeguarding - There is strengthened inspection of safeguarding which threads throughout all judgements including the testing of leaders’ work to meet the new Prevent Duty. Safeguarding includes protecting learners from prejudice-based bullying and other forms of discrimination.

And fourth, promoting fundamental British values - Ofsted will evaluate the extent to which providers actively promote fundamental British values. Outstanding providers are expected to place the promotion of British values at the heart of their work, in other words to take a whole-college approach to promoting British values.

Interested in finding out more?

Make sure you and your staff do not miss out. I am delivering the following national events on behalf of the AoC:

‘Equality, Diversity, British values and the 2015 new inspection framework’ takes place on 22 October in Birmingham You can find publicity, registration details and further information for this event here

‘Understanding Ofsted - Promoting British Values, preparing learners for life in modern Britain’ takes place on 20 October in London. This event is now full, but is being repeated in February 2016. You can find publicity, registration details and further information for the February events here