Institute for Learning CETT Connection
Final Report
March 2010
Content:
 Background
 Approach to CETT Connection role
 Working with a variety of sectors
 Other organisations
 Types and number of events
 Number of IfL members reached
 Volunteer Connections
 Issues at workshops
 Challenges
 Conclusion
 Recommendations for sustainability
 Comments from those receiving support
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010
Background
The Institute for Learning (IfL) funded posts for each CETT across the country. The post was for 70
days work including training days. The brief was to raise IfL members’ awareness in two main areas:
requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Professional Formation leading to
Associate/Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
Approach to CETT Connection role
In the first instance, it was decided to adopt a strategic approach. There was some concern that if
we offered support to all contacts in the West Midlands, there would be an unmanageable demand.
It was also felt that a more strategic approach would have an impact on a greater number of IfL
members.
As the role developed, a more ‘hands on’ approach was taken and REfLECT and Professional
Formation workshops were offered.
Working with a variety of sectors
Existing contacts within WMCETT were invaluable. I have attended events organised by all sectors
represented within the CETT:

Initial Teacher Training (ITT),

Work Based Learning (WBL),

Adult and Community Learning (ACL),

Further Education (FE) and

the voluntary sector.
Other organisations supported:


an LSIS event for Subject Learning Coaches

I have worked closely with the Essential Skills Resource Centre at the University of Warwick

an event organised by ESCalate (Education Subject Centre advancing learning and teaching
in education)
individuals have been supported as a result of visiting the IfL web page on WMCETT’s website.
Interestingly, some enquiries came from people outside of the West Midlands.
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010
Types of numbers and events
Type of delivery/event
Number of events
REfLECT/PF workshops
29
Presentations for ITT trainees
7
Conferences
7
Large CPD event
1
1:1 phone and email
In the region of 60 members
Principals’ meetings
3
Surgery
1
HR meetings
2
Number of members reached
By the end of the project, in the region of 1100 IfL members will have been reached.
Volunteer Connections
There was an expectation that I would recruit, support and train Volunteer Connections.
This is an area that has been disappointing in some respects. In the early days of holding the post, I
contacted Volunteer Connections to introduce myself and to ask for suggestions for training and/or
support. I had little response. Two people asked for some advanced training using REfLECT. I
organised a venue but the response remained at two so it was cancelled. This also raised an issue
about venues and funding. There was little or no money available from either IfL or the CETT to fund
training events and most providers do not seem to have to capacity to host such an event, especially
as the training is best delivered in IT suites.
When the training accounts were made available to Volunteer Connections, I informed everyone on
my contact list (30). 8 Volunteer Connections have responded.
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010
Issues at workshops
Most issues at workshops related to passwords. Despite being reminded, many members arrive
without their log on details. The very quick response from IfL ensured they could continue with the
session.
Some members had queries about membership and Professional Formation. I had a mobile phone
for IfL use and members have used that to contact IfL. In most cases, their problems were solved.
A member received excellent support from IfL when she had problems registering with IfL. She is a
tutor with no sight and was very frustrated when she arrived at the session as she had repeatedly
failed to complete the registration form. I arranged for someone from IfL to support her directly. By
the end of the session, she was registered and she was very satisfied with the support that she had
received directly from IfL.
Challenges
There was a delay in receiving my contract and so could not start the post for 2 months. This has
resulted in the work being unevenly spread.
I did not face as many challenges as I had first anticipated. Some members arrived at the workshops
feeling frustrated and negative. As a Skills for Life teacher, I recognise this attitude as feeling
threatened and under confident. Once I had demystified the use of REfLECT, I witnessed some
dramatic changes and members became much more positive and excited that they had used the CPD
tool efficiently.
In recent Professional Formation workshops, I have witnessed objection to the whole process. As
with the REfLECT workshops, I reassured the members that, although time consuming, this was not a
difficult process and that it was part of professionalising the workforce in the post-16 sector.
The main challenge occurred when trying to organise an event for Volunteer Connections. Colleges
and other providers do not necessarily have the capacity to host such an event. There seemed to be
little funding to support this type of event.
Conclusion
I have been well-supported by WMCETT and by IfL.
This has been a rewarding post as I feel that I have made a difference to IfL members in the West
Midlands. I believe my main achievement has been to demystify both issues around REfLECT and
Professional Formation.
My other roles in the CETT have complemented the CETT Connection post and vice versa.
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010
It will be disappointing to finish the post as I feel that many members and organisations are only just
realising the significance of Professional Formation.
Recommendations for future sustainability
I do feel that there should be regional representation. Members have appreciated having access to
someone locally. I would imagine that it will be almost impossible for the IfL team to be running
workshops for individual institutions.
If funding was available, perhaps a reduced amount of days could be offered to a) run events for
providers and b) run events for Volunteer Connections.
I intend to amend my web page on the CETT’s site so there are links to IfL, resources and
presentations. Clearly, I will be unable to offer support.
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010
Comments from those receiving support
“As a result of the presentations on gaining QTLS, it is highly likely that most of those completing
teaching qualifications this year will be applying for Professional Formation in the near future.”
Elaine Goodall (Manager of Essential Skills Resource Centre, The University of Warwick) ITT
“I was able to cascade the knowledge/expertise that you imparted to me on Professional Formation
to a group of 8 Managers, who in turn completed their applications for QTLS and have successfully
received the QTLS status.
I continue to use the help sheets and information that you gave to me to cascade the use of REFLECT
for the Service and have carried out a further 7 sessions (total of 8 sessions). A total of 88
managers/tutors have now logged onto REFLECT, created individual activities and posted the
activities into a CPD record. I will be continuing with the rollout of REFLECT over the coming
months.” Sandra Smith, ICT Academic Manager, Adult Education Service, Coventry City Council
“Your prompt reply, was very welcome and I really appreciated the visit. I felt that you had looked at
my particular work situation and geared the support just right. Your comments before I submitted
made a lot of sense and I really appreciated the way you alerted me to the cut off date, what
evidence I could use and whether I could use my supporter as she wasn’t an Ifl member. I expected
to be just another query, but I felt as though it mattered to you that my application should be the
best I could submit. I didn’t feel as though I had to guess what was required and I feel more
confident. I was apprehensive, but would certainly encourage anyone who feels they are
floundering, to ask for help, probably a little earlier in the process than I did.” Linda Woolverton,
Hereford PCT
“I would like to express the appreciation of all staff who attended (the REfLECT workshop), for your
willingness to be flexible about the arrangements and for your time and trouble. It was a very
productive session with many important issues identified, defined and, in some cases, resolved. We
are very appreciative of the fact that you organised back-up support from technical support staff at
IfL. The outcome is that our ‘home team’ feel much more confident about their ability to support
each other in this area and particularly how to advise colleagues with a visual impairment on making
effective use of the REfLECT system, where that is appropriate.” Mary Bennett, The Royal National
College for the Blind.
CETT Connections final report
Anne Schofield WMCETT
March 2010