Pilot

The Framework for Excellence (the Framework) is a comprehensive assessment tool for the Further Education (FE) sector. The main aims of the Framework are to provide a single, unified framework for assessing and reporting achievement in all key areas of performance. The Framework is being developed by the LSC, in partnership with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), Ofsted and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

From June 2007 to April 2008, the LSC engaged with 100 learning providers, mainly colleges and work-based learning providers, to test and trial the Framework as a pilot programme to prepare for the implementation of the Framework (Version 1) from the summer of 2008.  In April 2008, these providers received their scores and Overall Performance Ratings (OPRs) for the pilot exercise. In May 2008, the LSC produced a Pilot Evaluation Report, and a full list of the providers that took part in the pilot can be found in Annex 8.  

In 2008/09, there will be a second phase of development and piloting of the Framework. This will also involve approximately 100 providers, including adult and community learning providers, independent specialist colleges and other providers not in scope of Version 1 of the Framework, together with some providers that are in scope of Version 1. This second phase of piloting will assess how existing performance measures apply to the new types of providers and provision, but will also include the testing of some new performance measures. It will inform the implementation of Version 2 of the Framework in 2009/10.

A full list of providers taking part in the pilot programme 2008/09 will be available shortly.