1C: How is success in learner achievement recognised?

[One learner] commented that the mathematics class had helped him with his work as a scaffolder as he is now able to calculate angles and has gained a much better understanding of numbers.

Learners make good progress in their development of language skills. Most learners have the opportunity to enter for external examinations and about half of them do so. In 2001-02, 86 per cent who entered a nationally recognised externally accredited examination achieved the qualification. All learners entered for Open College Network accredited qualifications were successful. Tutors’ assessments of other learners show that most have made substantial progress against the course objectives and against their individual learning plans.

[Learners] are able to give many examples of how learning has benefited them in their everyday lives and enabled them to achieve a greater degree of autonomy. For example, they explain how they can cope better with visiting the doctor, talking to neighbours and attending school meetings…some learners said that before they came to a class they needed an interpreter, but now they could go out on their own.

Learners make good progress in achieving their personal objectives. They report having increased self-confidence and regularly use the skills they are learning in their daily lives. For example, they are able to write cheques, read letters sent home from their children’s schools and help their children with their homework. There are good rates of achievement in accredited ESOL qualifications. In 2001-02, 60 learners passed an examination for spoken English. Almost 70 per cent achieved results in the top grade.

[Learners] feel they benefit considerably and learn skills that they find very useful at home and work. One learner was very pleased to have one of her stories published. Another learner frequently lost jobs because of poor reading and writing, but since attending basic skills classes, has been doing well at work.

On foundation programmes, there are very good pass rates for national tests. In 2002-03, 62 learners passed the test. In the current year, 384 learners have already passed the test.