It would be impossible to name everyone who has contributed to the writing and production of this Guide. However, the following deserve a special mention.

We are grateful to the learners whose photographs speak of their involvement in, and contribution to, the Skills for Life agenda.

We also thank the provider staff, teachers and trainers of Homefield College and National Star College who appear in the Guide.

This Guide has benefited from the expert advice and help of the following organisations and individuals: Rosie Gilmartin, Matthew Griffiths, Margaret Reader, Mencap National College and the staff of North Nottinghamshire College.

Merillie Vaughan-Huxley OBE assisted the Skills for Life Strategy Unit in the production of these guides.

Ken Towner took the photographs.

WRITER BIOGRAPHY

Carol Tennyson has worked as an independent consultant since September 2000. Prior to this she was an inspector with the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) for seven years. Before joining the FEFC she worked in schools and colleges of further education in a variety of posts, including senior management, and as an advisor in a local education authority. She has considerable experience of curriculum and staff development. Since becoming a consultant, Carol has been involved in a number of national projects for the Department for Education and Skills, the Learning and Skills Council, the Association of Colleges and Mencap, and has supported many colleges with different aspects of their work. She is an additional inspector for Ofsted.

Alison O’Brien updated this Guide in line with the revised Common Inspection Framework (2005). Alison is a freelance educational consultant and also works as an additional inspector for Ofsted. Before that, she was Principal of Homefield College in Leicestershire. Alison has specialist knowledge in the field of learning difficulties and disabilities, and is a qualified teacher of people with hearing impairements. She has been involved in a number of national projects including training in relation to the development of a whole-college approach to the delivery of literacy, numeracy and communication for NATSPEC, contributing to the Skills for Life Quality Initiative staff and organisational development materials and collecting data to support the development of a RARPA toolkit. Alison is currently working as the course coordinator for a joint NATSPEC and University of Cambridge Certificate of Professional Study and Advanced Diploma.

THE RAISING STANDARDS SERIES

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Adult and Community Learning

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: E-learning

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Embedded Learning

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Family Learning

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Further Education Colleges

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision Jobcentre Plus Programmes

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: The Juvenile Secure Estate for Young People Aged 15-17

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Offenders Supervised in the Community by the National Probation Service

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Prisons

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Voluntary and Community Sector

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Work-based Learning

A Contextual Guide to Support Success in Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL Provision: Young Offender Institutions for Young People Aged 18-21