In April 2007 "new" Ofsted ("old" Ofsted merged with the Adult Learning Inspectorate) became responsible for inspection of a very wide range of provision, including all post-compulsory education and training for adults. Significant changes in inspection processes had already been introduced for local authority adult and…

How well are adult and community learning providers doing when it comes to ensuring equality of opportunity (EO) and valuing diversity? Many are in transition from a defensive position of emphasising legal compliance towards making respect for diversity intrinsic to their strategic aims, plans and actions, according to the February edition of…

A qualitative study investigated learners' perspectives on a range of current systems for identifying, recording, and validating achievement in non-accredited learning. A sample of 169 learners were interviewed, individually and in small groups, using a semi-structured schedule. Ten education providers were involved. All were using a learning…

This document is a guide for managers and curriculum leaders of adult and community learning (ACE) programs in the United Kingdom who need to take a strategic approach to their program's curriculum and build internal organization and partnerships. The introduction discusses the aims and components of the overlapping strands of ACE provision (broad…