| CENTRA Networks |
Professional Development Coordinators Network
Post 16 Initial Teacher Training Network
Internal Verifiers and Assessors Network
Tuesday 24 June 2008
CENTRA, DUXBURY PARK, CHORLEY
The meeting will begin at 10.00am, with tea/coffee and registration from 9.30am, a light lunch will be available from 12.30pm, and the session will end at approx 3.30pm.
RARPA: Making the Grade
RARPA (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement in Non-Accredited Learning )
With the government and OfSTED's current drive towards excellence there is a need to establish a quality assurance framework, progression and achievement recording procedures and systems for all courses and programmes whether they lead to accreditation or not. This is in order to ensure the quality of all provision is of the highest standards possible. To this end, this session will explain to those unfamiliar with, relatively new to and those with some experience of RARPA, exactly what RARPA is, what developments and updates have occurred since it’s inception and how they can use RARPA as it is intended and therefore ensure they meet the RARPA standards and the requirements of the OfSTED inspectors and the LSC.
There will also be an input on the use of RARPA as a means of quality assuring courses and programmes as well as explaining how RARPA fits in with the overall quality assurance framework of the provider and contributes towards the self-assessment process, the writing of the SAR and in preparation for inspection. This input will further explain how the RARPA process itself can be quality assured through validation and verification in order to ensure that the RARPA process is a quality process and adds value to the provision it is applied to. RARPA systems for quality assurance purposes are also used as a kitemark for external audit and for funding purposes.
The session will be interactive and focused on the training and developmental requirements of the individual members of the group and will provide opportunities to undertake interactive practical activities as well as the usual networking between attendees.
Kevin Walker
RARPA specialist Kevin Walker has over 28 years experience in Work Based Learning provision. This includes working for various work based training companies, National Training Organisations, City and Guilds as a Regional Lead Verifier and as an Inspector for the Learning Standards Council, the Adult Learning Inspectorate and OfSTED. Kevin works, or has worked, as a consultant for the Learning and Skills Development Agency, the Learning and Skills Network, the Standards Unit and the Association of College Managers. He has also been a Co-Director of Training at a London based company specialising in business administration where he was responsible for quality assurance and improvement. He currently offers consultancy and support services to LSCs, private training companies, work based learning providers and FE colleges offering WBL.
Programme
The session will include a variety of discussion and practical activities:
- 09.30 Arrival, Registration & Tea/Coffee
- 10.00 Welcome & Introductions
What is RARPA? - Background and Policy Context - 11.15 Tea/Coffee
- 11.30 Recognising Achievement
Initial Formative and Summative Assessment
Signalling Success Presentation
Applying RARPA - Workshops - 12.30 Light Lunch
- 1.15 Applying RARPA – Workshops continue
RARPA and Quality Assurance
Enablers, Barriers and your organisation
RARPA in your context
Top Tips for Staff Development - 2.30 Next Steps
Plenary
Action Planning
Evaluation
Sharing knowledge, understanding and practice - 3.30 Summary, Evaluation, Close and plans for the next network meeting
As usual, the meeting is free for up to 2 delegates from each member organisation or costs £69 per delegate for non-members. You can book on line at bookonline or call Ellen Luetchford on 01257 244910 or email Ellen on ellenl@centra.org.uk.
