Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Teaching and Learning Programme will include two major elements – the Subject Learning Coaches Programme, and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Programme, which will provide coaching, peer and community activity and resources across the current 12 subject areas and additional cross-curricular areas which will cover common themes across many of the 12 subject areas (e.g. induction).

The programme is looking for more ways of directing funding to providers for improvement activities, through projects and action research activities for example, with a focus on meeting their 30 hour CPD requirements and helping them improve the quality of teaching and learning through the Subject Learning Coach model.

The Inspectorate report for the programme proves that the subject learning coach methodology works – it is now time to increase impact by releasing the professional training programme, CPD resources and other supporting materials to providers to run in-house training. Providers will also be more involved in the way in which the Professional Training Programme is delivered, since they are best placed to identify the teachers, tutors and trainers and the subject areas they want to target.

Securing the commitment of senior managers is crucial. Managers will be a key target audience for the Teaching and Learning Programme as it moves forward.

The programme will explore ways of taking forward whole organisation approaches to improving teaching and learning, as well as providing support for individuals in continuing professional development.

Networks, training, and resources will all continue to be offered as the programme moves forward. In some areas new activities will be introduced after consultation with Subject Learning Coaches.

Autumn networks will take place to launch further resources and explore the new online tools available to Subject Learning Coaches together with a new online service which will allow suitably trained advances coaches/facilitators to deliver in house training.

Resources are available online from the teaching and learning section of the Excellence Gateway: http://excellence.qia.org.uk/

There are exciting developments to make the programme more flexible by facilitating the delivery of Subject Learning Coach training within providers’ own organisations, which will build on the existing Subject Learning Coach facilitator training.

The programme is developing a support service to enable providers to deliver in-house training, supported by paper based materials and a full online course (which operates as a “pick and mix” for blended delivery, with as much or as little online content as they see fit). The online web presence will be delivered through the Excellence Gateway.

The programme will have an increased emphasis on whole organisational approaches, and helping organisations to deliver the 30 hour CPD requirement with appropriate documentation and individual certificates and logs to record progress.

There will be opportunities for organisations to receive funds to undertake professional development activities and to share their outputs with the sector.

We want to encourage sharing of provider produced resources, so will be releasing much more of this type of material through the internet, and on CD/ DVD too.

The programme and materials will still support accreditation as an option, and this will be further opened up now the Subject Learning Coach PTP core is on the LLUK qualifications framework.

If SLCs are currently on the PTP programme and have fully registered their accreditation option, they will be supported to complete the appropriate route within an agreed time period.

If SLCs have not yet registered for accreditation, they will be kept informed by the programme team about how to best proceed.

The Teaching and Learning Programme is a unique and powerful approach for organisations across the learning and skills sector to transform teaching, training and learning.

There are three enablers for the programme:

• high-quality teaching and learning resources
• Professional Training Programme for trainers of Subject Learning Coaches
• subject coaching networks.

Please see teaching and learning resources.

The training programme is currently being redeveloped. In this phase of the programme training will be centred on equipping exisiting Subject Learning Coaches to train new SLCs in their locality.

The training programme will start in Autumn 2008.

The professional training is free. However, if you wish to gain accreditation this must be sponsored/paid for by your organisation unless you are currently working towards Level 7 accreditation or you registered for the programme before 31 March 2006.

The Professional Training for trainers of Subject Learning Coaches has specific criteria that must be met by applicants and the organisation. Click here for details.

The tutors are highly skilled facilitators who have substantial experience of teaching and training in the post-16 sector. They have undergone specialist development in the use of the new teaching and learning resources or in coaching or both.

Subject coaching networks are for teachers and trainers who are interested in securing better experiences and outcomes for their learners. Any teacher or trainer from an LSC-funded post-16 learning and skills provider can attend the subject coaching network with their manager's support.

There are three main areas covered in Creative and Media. These are:

a)Media - Film, Television, Radio, Interactive Media, Computer Games, Animation, Photo Imaging, Print and Publishing, and Advertising

b)The Arts - Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Music and Craft

c)Design - Design, Graphic Design, CADD, Fashion Design and Textile Design

Participants are nominated by their organisations.

Subject coaching networks provide opportunities for Subject Learning Coaches to practise coaching skills with their peers. If Subject Learning Coaches are seeking accreditation, they must attend two subject coaching networks during the year.

If you are interested in working with others to raise standards in teaching, training and learning, you will be suited to being a Subject Learning Coach trainer.

This is something you will need to discuss with your manager.

The professional training is designed to give you the skills and experience to work with colleagues confidently and effectively.

Subject coaching networks will continue to give you support and ideas, and act as a forum for coaches to share challenges and successes. You will also have a comprehensive set of resource materials to help you.

The professional training for Subject Learning Coaches represents outstanding value. It will not only benefit the individuals involved, but also their teaching or training areas and potentially the wider organisation.

Please contact us about the best way of making the role work for your organisation.

The professional training helps teachers and trainers implement new approaches in fostering independent learning; this in turn can help create the time for dissemination of good practice or other types of Continuing Professional Development.