Evaluation of the FE Reform Programme

CFE, in partnership with BMG and the Learning and Work Institute (LWI) completed an evaluation of the FE Reform Programme 2015. This work builds on two previous studies for BIS, the first of which explored how the FE sector was preparing for changes arising from the FE reforms and skills policies, and the second of which assessed the Impact of post-19 FE and Skills funding changes in the 2011/12 academic year.

The 2015 evaluation assessed the impact of the reforms on the types of learners engaging in FE, their experiences and outcomes; the quality of teaching and learning; and relationships with employers and other stakeholders. The evaluation involved detailed analysis using Individual Learner Records (ILR) data to test a series of hypotheses relating to the impact of the reforms on learners, employers, providers and the quality of provision; in-depth interviews with key stakeholders; and a telephone survey of a representative sample of providers. Case studies were developed drawing on this raft of data and in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of providers.

Key project contact

John Higton

John joined CFE in October 2014 and became a Research Director two years later. CFE’s research and evaluation studies concerning the economy and further education fall under John’s leadership, alongside CFE’s wider educational offer. John strongly contributes to teaching policies including evaluation financial incentive schemes targeting teacher recruitment and retention, and professional development activity across all educational phases. Higher education policy areas such as open access to research and impact analyses of nationally important data collections are also areas of research interest. John leads many of CFE’s market-sizing studies, research with employers and many of CFE’s behavioural insight projects.

Contact: john.higton@cfe.org.uk