Fully-funded peer reviews from Oldham College

As an Education and Training Foundation Centre for Excellence in SEND (CfE SEND), we can offer any school, college or training provider with post-16 provision the opportunity to engage with a peer review.

What is a peer review?

Peer reviews help us to support the development of providers’ inclusion and SEND offer, through a process of self-assessment and external review. They are fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

The peer review compliments a range of activities available, with our team of specialists visiting the provider to explore agreed themes and identify recommendations for improvement.

What are the benefits of a peer review?

For post-16 education providers, there are many benefits of a peer review – including:

  • Gaining a fresh perspective on SEND inclusion within their organisation
  • Reviewing and improving the quality of experience for learners with SEND
  • Enabling organisations to be able to benchmark themselves and be confident in their inclusive practice
  • Building on professional standards such as the SEND Code of Practice and evolving initiatives like the Change Programme
  • Having recorded recommendations that may support decision-making processes   
  • Improving the outcomes and destinations for learners with SEND  
  • Being part of a professional network of colleagues who showcase good practice and support your ongoing improvement 
  • Having access to a number of platforms which showcase good practice, including communities of practice.

Who can access a peer review? 

Any general further education providers or schools with post-16 provision who are ambitious about improving their SEND inclusion, or want an impartial review of their SEND offer, can access a peer review.

What is the peer review process?

A peer review is a five step process: 

  1. An initial virtual meeting with Oldham College to identify a focus and create a plan  
  2. The completion of a self-assessment document
  3. A two-day visit with our team of experts who will look at identified key themes
  4. A comprehensive report containing improvement actions  
  5. A follow-up meeting to discuss findings and recommendations  

Email CentreforExcellence.SEND@oldham.ac.uk for more information on peer reviews, live events and our community of practice.