Plans to capitalise on good practice Overview of the strengths Quality Code Area of good practice to be developed further Plans to capitalise on the identified good practice Expected outcome Date for completion (QAA) Date for completion (College) Lead The engagement with employers and sector bodies to develop and deliver a national innovative industry-led programme in Space Engineering. A5 Lessons learnt from project to be disseminated to other teams. Share through HE communities Programme areas aware of good practice and to implement in their own strategies. Various identified in department development plans On-going Head of HE The commitment to developing programmes which are responsive to the needs of learners and employers. Enhancement New strategies and products developed to meet changing market. Business Planning, processes to identify new programmes. Programmes planned which meet employer and student need. Various identified in department development plans On-going Vice Principal and Delivery The introduction of the Academic Tutor role which is effective in improving students’ success B4 All curriculum areas to consider the introduction of the Academic Tutor role. Development of the tutor role to ensure focus on supporting students to achieve Training for ATs. All curriculum areas have effective Academic Tutors in post. N/A December 2014 Heads of HE/Asst. Principal Quality & Vice Principal & Delivery The varied range of opportunities that are available to students to enable them to develop employability skills Enhancement Good practice in employability shared across all curriculum areas. Further develop the guidance for Share their T&L communication and CPD Employability skills being addressed in all curriculum areas. N/A Throughout 2014-15 Sport tutors, Tina Smith / Standards
College and employees in developing transferable skills Plans to meet the recommendations identified by the QAA HER: Recommendation Aspect Quality Code Area requiring improvement or development Action to be undertaken Expected outcome Date for (QAA) Date for completion (College) Lead Updates: Review the operation of the College’s ‘Impaired performance procedure’ to assure equity for students B6 To clarify the procedure for both staff and students. Clear procedures drawn up to take account of the varying requirements of validating and awarding bodies. Clarity and equity in all impaired performance claims submitted March 2015 August 2014 Head of Higher Education Ensure the completeness and consistency of course information for applicants on the website C Information on website to be clear and accurate for applicants to College. Clear procedure for submitting and signing off course information for the website. Clear and accurate information on the website. March 2015 September 2014 Head of Marketing Communication Clarify those areas of assessment for which the College is responsible and ensure they are systematically A6 Clear documentation on the respective roles in assessment of Document to be produced outlining the roles and responsibilities Clarity for students and document placed on Learnzone. March 2015 September 2014 Head of Higher Education
available to students the College and validating or awarding partners. and the relation to College and validating or awarding body policies and procedures. Ensure there is more consistent provision of course-related information in LearnZone C All Departments to meet a college minimum standard and format for the provision of information for students on LearnZone The agreement of protocols and the necessary training to bring all up to the minimum standard. Training and audtits Clear, consistent and helpful information for students on all course LearnZone pages. July 2015 December 2014 E-learning Manager, Departmental Curriculum Managers Develop and formally document a detailed process which codifies the College stages, principles and requirements for planning, academic scrutiny and approval of new courses B1 The production and publication of a clear process for the approval of new course proposals. Process devised, published and training undertaken. Clear audit trail of the approval process for all courses July 2015 October 2014 Vice Principal Curriculum and Delivery Establish formal College mechanisms, which make appropriate use of external expertise, to approve and periodically review Pearson programmes B8 The devising of a process to review HN programmes on a periodic basis. Process to be drawn up and implemented. Review integrated into quality review and evaluation HN programmes periodically reviewed in the same manner as other July 2015 November 2014 Assistant principal Quality and
framework courses. Ensure the College manages placements, and foundation degrees which include work based learning delivered or supported by employers or other organisations through effective processes to maintain the quality of learning opportunities B10 The production of a placement and work-based learning handbook which sets out the expectations and roles of tutors, students and placement providers. Handbook produced and in use. Clarity on the roles and expectation of all involved in placement or learning. July 2015 October 2014 Departmental Curriculum Managers Ensure appeal hearings are fully minuted to provide a clear record of process, decisions and their rationale at each stage B9 All appeal hearings to be documented to ensure that a full record is kept. Staff to be trained in the procedure before the start of the 2014-15 academic year. Fully documented appeal hearings in line with the college policy and procedure. July 2015 August 2014 Assistant Principal Quality and Standards Further develop the SAR process to provide more effective evaluation of the HE provision, and to promote enhancement Review and update of HE SAR process for its second year of operation in 2013-14. Changes to procedure and documentation and staff briefing. Improved SARs with more effective evaluation and action planning which enhances the student experience and achievement. July 2015 September 2014 Assistant Principal Quality and Standards, Heads of Department, Head of Higher Education
Plans to meet affirmations identified by the QAA HER: Affirmation Aspect / Quality Code Area requiring improvement or development Action to be undertaken Expected outcome Date for completion (QAA) Date for completion (College) Lead Updates: The introduction of the HE academic board committee structure enables further development of HE strategies and stronger oversight of HE provision Enhancement More effective meetings of the HE committees. Clear agendas and processes for the meetings aligned to the College’s overall and HE strategies. A comprehensive strategic and operational overview of all aspects of HE provision discussed at the committees. N/A Throughout 2014-15 Vice Principal Curriculum and Delivery, Assistant Principal Quality and Standards The College’s plans, as articulated in the Student involvement strategy, to further engage students as partners in the assurance and enhancement of their educational experience B5 Student involvement in all aspects of quality assurance and enhancement. Clear representative and consultation structures put in place to engage students. Recent student sabbatical post. Better and more effective articulation of the student viewpoint with action plans and monitoring processes in place. N/A Throughout 2014-15 Assistant Principal Quality and Standards, Head of Student Support, Departmental Managers