The document discusses resources for students and teachers in light of recent reviews. It notes that exam boards should not endorse specific textbooks but universities and learned bodies could. New approaches supported by both universities and exam boards are proposed to find a balance. Potential challenges are outlined such as stretching new curriculums while opportunities also exist like strategic collaboration on open resources. An equitable balance is sought between fair results and desired skills for all stakeholders.

1. The road ahead for student and teacher resources
Westminster Education forum, June 5th 2014
Geoff Hurst
Managing Director

2. Education committee review
“We agree with Ofqual that the market has not been regulated tightly
enough with regard to training and textbooks and we believe that this
has allowed conflicts of interest to arise”

3. Ofqual review outcome
“Concluded that it would not be in the interests of students to
stop awarding organisations endorsing resources”

4. Education committee vision
“Textbooks endorsed by universities and learned bodies rather
than exam boards”

5. Potential for best of both worlds?
“New approaches supported by universities and learned bodies as
well as textbooks endorsed by exam boards”

6. 1. Possible challenges
• Stretching new specifications and curriculum
• Ramping up intensity on marketing and support activity
• Raising of the stakes for the student ‘consumer’
• Perceived shortfall in learner skills
• Opportunity and ‘switching’ costs for new specifications
• Potential for squeeze on ‘feeder’ subjects
• Bandwidth restricting flow of new innovations, notably digital

7. 2. Potential opportunities
• EEF style ‘Teaching and learning toolkit’
• Universities, employer content
• Which ‘style’ guides and codes of practice
– Education content Trustmark (ECT) and Code of Marketing (COMP)
• Single ‘all board’ resource - ‘verified by …’
• Structured free/low cost digital resources
• Strategic resources collaboration/co- creation
• Subject resources list as ‘Hero’

8. Sum up
• Fair ‘results’ and desired ‘skills’, not mutually exclusive
– Equitable balance between needs of all stakeholders
• ‘End of the beginning’
• Take action now to explore potential for ‘best of both worlds’ scenarios

9. Let’s talk
+ 44(0) 1628 421666
geoffhurst @altain.co.uk
www.altain.co.uk