1. Learner Voice
Aims and objectives
• To develop a strategy and practices which enable effective learner
participation across the organisation
• Use learner voice to drive the organisation‟s quality improvement
agenda
• Develop organisational culture and management behaviour to
improve learner engagement
• Implement practical learner voice mechanisms that empower
learners and contribute to real organisational change

2. The role of learner voice in organisational
improvement
“......Learners‟ perceptions are crucial in coming to a view about the
effectiveness of a Provider.
These views will form part of the jigsaw of information we use to form our
overall assessment of a Provider when we inspect, and when it comes to
making decisions about which Providers to inspect and when....”
(Ofsted Learner View September 2012)

3. Learner Voice: a working definition
By „learner voice‟ we mean:
“....the involvement of learners and potential learners in shaping the
learning opportunities that are available to them.
It means involving learners in reforming the lifelong learning system at
all levels, by supporting them to act as partners with policy makers,
providers, practitioners and other agencies.
Learner voice initiatives enable learners to express their views, needs
and concerns and also ensure that organisations respond
appropriately to the issues that they raise” (NIACE)

4. A whole organisation approach
An up-front managed and coordinated strategy for driving improvement
and/or sustaining excellence
• Promoting a positive agenda for learner voice
• Developing effective models for the organisation
• Ensuring quality of delivery
• Promoting a positive learner experience

5. From Good to Outstanding
Good
• Views actively canvassed
• Well-developed system of learner representatives and focus-groups
• Learners confident their opinions are listened to
• Displays throughout the college illustrate what the college has done
to address issues
• Learners views used well to help monitor college performance and
plan improvements

6. From Good to Outstanding
Outstanding
• A comprehensive learner involvement strategy ensures that learners
views are gathered and acted upon to bring about improvements
• The promotion of partnership working in [now] well developed and
effective (examples include community and employers)
• User engagement is very good. In relation to learners and
community partners in particular, it is outstanding

7. Case study review
What are the key learning points for leaders and managers?
What could you adapt or adopt to work in your sector?

8. Talking learner voice
„ladder of engagement‟ EMPOWER
Develop knowledge skills and abilities to
control and develop own learning. Learners
work together, set agenda for change and
Outstanding teachers, have responsibility for some management
decisions.
trainers and COLLABORATE
organisations…..
All aspects of decision making are done in
partnership with learners. All parties sign
up to a common goal and share a
determination to reach it.
INVOLVE
Staff and learners work closely together to
make sure that all views are understood and
taken into account. ‘Ladder of engagement’*
• stepping stones
• continuum
CONSULT • overlap/complementarity
Seek the views of learners and provide
feedback on any decisions taken. • increasing maturity
(individual and organisational)
INFORM
Keep learners informed about their * Based on FutureLab 2006, 2008
rights and ways to participate in the
organisation.

9. Activity: Talking learner voice
In groups, get an overview of the „ladder of engagement‟ and its
viewpoints, then concentrate on one „step.‟
Group feedback:
Summarise the key features of „your step‟ and how it fits in within the
whole „ladder‟

10. Activity: Talking learner voice
Group Activity:
What Learner voice activities do you currently use?
What evidence do you currently have of where learner voice makes a
difference – what is the impact measure?
What learner voice activities could you introduce in the
short/medium/long term?