Broadcast from London

Ofsted has announced that of the 84 colleges inspected in 2010/11, not one was rated outstanding for ‘teaching and learning’. Furthermore, 16 colleges were given only 'satisfactory' as their overall grade for the third inspection in a row. As a result, Ofsted stated: “We propose to focus more sharply on how well leadership and management improve the quality of teaching and learning and raise learners’ aspirations and achievements.” Issues of changing inspection frameworks; funding constraints and the single college variations in the standards of teaching assert the need to explore best practice in achieving excellence in teaching and learning. This annual conference provides delegates the opportunity to gain the tools needed to focus on the overall student experience, outcomes for learners and effective management.