Are you not sure what to expect if you’re selected for centre monitoring? Perhaps you don’t know what the process entails? Or maybe it fills you with excitement at the prospect. Either way, this post should help ease your thoughts and reassure you that there is nothing to worry about!
Centre monitoring is not an inspection nor an attempt to ‘catch a centre out’, it is a supportive and developmental process. We’re keen to hear all about what you do, and the processes involved and to offer you any support you might need. As you know your centre best - you are therefore the best person to tell us about it!
Your approach to delivery
The purpose of centre monitoring is to find out how a centre approaches delivery of Arts Award and the processes and procedures a centre has in place to deliver the awards effectively, positively and inclusively. It’s important to note that it is not a moderation; that is a separate process where young people’s portfolios are moderated, you can find out more about moderation here.
If you’re selected for centre monitoring, an experienced Arts Award centre monitor will be in touch with you to make arrangements to meet online via Zoom at a date and time convenient to all. The meeting should be attended by the centre representative and at least one trained Arts Award adviser.
What the meeting covers
There are three key areas a centre monitoring meeting covers; these include strategic management, programme delivery and internal assessment & quality assurance.
A positive meeting
The centre monitoring meeting is a conversation across these areas and carried out in a supportive manner, so simply share what you do and how you do it! We may be asking about your staff team and support within your organisation, training and development opportunities and contingency plans built in to support capacity of delivering the award. We may also be interested to find out what resources you have available, how the award is funded and therefore sustained. It is a positive meeting and a chance for us to find out the impact of the award, approaches to working with young people plus help us understand your planning, evaluating and admin time allocated for effective delivery. This all helps us understand how to support you in the future.
Opportunity to ask us questions
The centre monitor can also answer any queries you might have so do take the opportunity to ask questions; we’re here to help and provide guidance to help you improve your practice. We’re also keen to hear from centres and advisers about how we can improve, so there is an opportunity for you to suggest any advice or guidance that would be helpful to you in your delivery, or any feedback you might have for improvements. Do let us know!
Following the meeting, the centre monitor will write a summary report on what was discussed and share this with the centre, and it is kept on record by us. If you have any concerns or queries then please get in touch with us, or you can find out more about centre monitoring here where there is a handy guidance booklet for further information.
Image by Kirsten Holst