Explain_How_Information_from_Initial_Assessment_May_Be_Used

When students wish to attend a course at Mainport Training they are required to complete an enrolment form. Details that are required on the enrolment from are name, address, post code, status, gender, date of birth and national insurance number. Also required are any Qualifications at entry and any relevant experience. Once an enrolment form is complete the student is given an initial interview, at the interview the student can raise any issues and discuss all aspects of the course that they wish to attend. An initial assessment then takes place to give me information and insight regarding the student such as course suitability and qualifications held, what should they achieve by the end of the course and what additional support needs do they need and how can I meet them. I also look to see if they have prior experience that can be used to set higher or additional qualifications or units. If applicable I look at what are their employers expectations and what are there specific legal requirements (medical requirements). It is also important to look at equality and diversity issues and the students learning styles and personal characteristic. During the initial assessment students are required to complete a basic skills test for literacy and numeracy, the results of this are fed back to the student and where necessary they are offered help and support to improve these skills. The basic skills test are administered by dedicated basic skills tutors at our Port Talbot Centre and should the student require help and advice regarding basic skills they would be referred to them. The basic skills tutor would feed any information regarding the student back to me. Initial assessment is essential in the development of learning plans but students are individuals and some individuals may develop and learn at a different rate to other individuals this means that a learning and development plan needs to be a document that can incorporate change if and when the need arises. The Initial assessment identifies the students current level of knowledge, it also gives an accurate representation of the level of support that they may need. The student should have pre-arranged learning reviews, however our courses are of such a short duration that these reviews are not necessary. When the Initial assessment takes place it is important to record it, my record of the Initial assessment is a written report. For the majority of our students it is appropriate to assess as informally as possible and to limit the amount of form filling and paperwork. Once the students have started on the course formal and informal discussions take place and a range of activities and practical tests take place in order to assess their ability and provide further information that may be used to improve the learning process. Students are encouraged to give feedback during the duration of the course this could be given direct to me or if the student preferred another staff member. The students are also asked to complete a feedback form when the course has completed, any issues identified from the student feedback is taken seriously and may be used to further develop or improve the course. As the tutor I have a plan for each teaching session. I reflect on each session and document any issues or comments on the session plan, in the case of negative comments or issues arising I can then modify the session plan in order to address the issues.