Agenda Item No

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] : 26th July 2010

Report of the Director of Learning and Development

Adult Literacy and Numeracy

Purpose of the Report

1.             To inform the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) of the work of the Basic Skills and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Service.

2.             That Scrutiny Members note the progress which has been achieved in developing the Service.

Recommendation

1.             That Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) note the initiative.

Reason for the Recommendation

1.             Members are apprised of developments in Basic Skills, Family Learning and ESOL.

Background

3.             The Vale of Glamorgan Basic Skills and ESOL Service, based in Provincial House, exists to help all those adults in the Vale of Glamorgan who wish to improve or refresh their Reading, Writing, Language, Numeracy or IT skills.  It is funded through a franchise with Barry College.  The Service holds the Basic Skills Agency Post 16 Quality Mark renewed in October 2006 and is working towards achieving the new Quality Standard for Basic Skills.  It aims to widen participation and encourage Lifelong Learning through a variety of opportunities.  Its objectives are:-

·               To increase enrolments on to literacy and numeracy courses

·               To meet the demand for ESOL classes

·               To ensure the quality of Basic Skills and ESOL delivery

·               Raise awareness of opportunities to improve Basic Skills in areas of greatest need

·               Increase the diversity of opportunities to improve Basic Skills

·               Work in partnership with other providers.

Relevant Issues and Options

4.             The main strength of the whole service is its emphasis on responding to the needs of the individual in a supportive environment.  This encourages those, who for one reason or another, may not have achieved their potential whilst still at school.

5.             All learners are encouraged to work towards nationally recognised qualifications through awarding bodies City & Guilds, AQA, University of Cambridge, OCR, Agored Cymru (previously Open College Network).

6.             Last year there were some 580 enrolments to Literacy, Numeracy, IT, ESOL and Family Learning classes.  Of those more than 50% achieved nationally recognised qualifications.

7.             ESOL students come from a wide range of countries from India and Pakistan and China to the newer member states of the EU such as Poland and Slovakia.  This year students from over 30 different countries have studied and taken exams.

8.             Another particular success is the Family Learning Programme.  These classes have a dual purpose.  The first and main purpose is to help parents to improve or brush up their own English and Maths skills.  The second is to ensure that parents, by being made aware of the current thinking behind the education of their children and the teaching methods used in schools, are in a better position to help their children with their schoolwork.  The Family Learning Team has developed excellent relationships with all the schools participating in the project.  Funded by the Basic Skills Agency with a contribution from the School Improvement Service, a team, which includes an Early Years Teacher and Adult Basic Skills specialists, delivers literacy and numeracy programmes in schools that are among the most disadvantaged in the Vale.  Assessments indicate that both adult students and children improve their literacy and numeracy skills over the course of the projects.  Children average 11 months improvement in their reading age on the 10 weeks of the course.  Numeracy skills also improve equally dramatically.

9.             For many learners OLC courses serve as a stepping stone to further learning and for others they mean greater employment opportunities.  For some of our ESOL learners OLC courses have enabled them to study to pass examinations to gain British Citizenship.  For others it is a requirement of their entry visa that they gain a Speaking and Listening qualification in order to remain in the country.  OLC courses offer them the opportunity to gain these qualifications so that they can remain with their families.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

10.        The Basic Skills Service is funded externally through a franchise with Barry College.  Allocation of funding and targets are set by the College based on the number of learners enrolling on programmes and the achievement of qualifications.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

11.        None.

Crime and Disorder Implications

12.        None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

13.        The Basic Skills Service responds to issues of inclusiveness and equality of access.

Corporate/Service Objectives

14.        The Basic Skills Service contributes towards the objectives of the Learning and Development Directorate to raise attainment and widen participation in Post 16 learning.

Policy Framework and Budget

15.        This is a matter which falls within the existing policy framework and budget.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

16.        N/A

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

17.        Lifelong Learning.

Background Papers

None.

Contact Officer

Barbara Walters, Principal Adult and Community Learning Officer

Officers Consulted

Dave Prosser, Head of Lifelong Learning

Responsible Officer:

Bryan Jeffreys, Director of Learning and Development