Higher Education Review City College Coventry Action …9989935661febc461440-0155a172978e9fd39aef368f8f339514.r52.cf3.ra… · Higher Education Review City College Coventry ... Progress

City College Coventry Action Plan

Higher Education Review

City College Coventry Action Plan

1 City College Coventry Higher Education Review Action Plan

Risk Rating Key G (Green) complete and/or now meets UK expectations A (Amber) action underway R (Red) action not yet started

Slippage deadline missed

Recommendations Judgement Action Meets / exceeds UK expectations

Person Responsible

Monitored by

Milestones Evidence Deadline Progress and impact against actions and milestones

Risk rating (RAG)

1. Ensure the Higher Education College Committee fulfils its terms of reference, to provide effective strategic leadership and oversight of higher education. A2.1, B1, B6.

There is not a dedicated voice representing higher education on the colleges senior management team. Expectations A2.1, B1, B6.

Principal Steve Logan to become Chair of the HE College Committee.

A dedicated voice to represent HE on the colleges senior management team and at QPC.

Principal (SL)

HE Com Principal to become SMT dedicated voice 9

th Jan 2015.

Mins of HE Com 1st

March 2015

Progress: HE now has stronger strategic oversight and leadership and at least meets UK expectations.

G

Establish a sub-group to review the action plan on a monthly basis beginning 17

th Dec

2014.

The terms of reference indicate that in the future a more strategic emphasis will be placed on HE matters; the review team judged that this emphasis is not yet fully in place. Ensure the standards of awards and the quality of the students learning opportunities are

Review the HE Committees terms of reference, membership, schedule of meetings and the relationship with regard to associated meetings, SMT, QPC and course approval boards.

The terms of reference for the Higher Education Committee to have a strategic emphasis to include oversight of external examiners reports and the self-assessment reports.

Principal (SL)

HE Com Terms of reference and membership to be reviewed at HE Committee 9

th Jan

2015

ToRs 1st

March 2015

Progress: Terms of reference and membership approved at HE Committee.

G

Chair of HE Committee approved (Principal) at HE Committee 9

th

Jan 2015.

Mins of HE Com Progress: Principal approved as Chair giving high level priority to HE provision.

G

Agenda to have: enhancement; quality and standards as

Develop set agenda with strategic emphasis by 16

th

Mar 2015.

Agendas Progress: Agenda developed with strategic and quality emphasis.

G

Glossary HE Com Higher Education College Committee APSLS Assistant Principal Student & Learning Services HILT Head of Information and Learning Technologies HTL Head of Teaching and Learning HoS Heads of School HQI Head of Quality Improvement QPC Quality and Performance Committee SMT Senior Management Team


routinely addressed. A2.1, B1, B6.

regular items.

Develop an annual schedule of meetings by 16

th

Mar 2015.

Annual schedule

Progress: Annual schedule for 2015 produced. Impact: purpose of committee clarified and now meets UK expectations.

G


Person Responsible

Monitored by

Milestones and interim impact measures

Evidence Deadline Progress and impact against actions and milestones

Risk rating (RAG)

2. Encourage and enable effective student representation on the HE Committee as set out in the terms of reference. B5.

The terms of reference for the HE committee suggest that students should have representatives at the HE College Committee and at HE course meetings. However, the review team found that students had not fulfilled this role. B5.

HoS to liaise with HE students to identify four student representatives for the HE Committee.

Two students will be in attendance; two in reserve. (B5 Student engagement)

HoS Business & Access (RT)

HE Com Identify student representative by 9

th Jan 2015.

Mins HE Com 16

th Mar

1st

March 2015

Progress Jan: student representatives invited to HE Committee, (with 2 further students in reserve). Progress Mar: Full representation of students at HE Committee 16

th

March and good contribution to discussions

G

Additional names to be submitted by 16

th Jan 2015.


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

3. Formalise, document, and train staff in course approval processes. B1, C

The team concludes that the approval process is not systematic or consistent in its operation. Roles and responsibilities for the individuals and committees involved are unclear and the method by

Develop a new HE course approval policy and HE course approval process

HE course approval policy which identifies roles and responsibilities for the individuals and committees involved and the method by which staff will be informed of the course approval process.

Head of Teaching and Learning (AR)

HE Com Draft course approval policy and process to be presented to HE Committee 16

th Mar

2015.

Policy, process documents; Mins HE Com 16th Mar.

22nd

May 2015

Progress Mar: Revised policy and process presented to HE Committee 16

th

March. HE Course Approval Committee has been established. A first meeting has taken place. Heads have been briefed on the approval process for new courses.

G

Final policy and process presented for approval to HE Com 12

th May.

Policy, process documents. Mins HE Com 12

th May.


which staff were informed of the new process was opaque. B1, C.

Systematic / consistent HE course approval process.

Train all HE teaching staff on revised Course Approval process 2015-16.

Course Approval process briefing. At HE Conference 30

th

June

Conference agenda, record of attendance & evaluation

30th June 2015

Progress August: All relevant staff have attended HE Conference Impact 100% agreed with the survey statement I understand what to do if I want to submit an idea for a new course at HE

G

Recommendations Judgement Action Meets/exceeds UK expectations

Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

4. Use appropriate external expertise in the design and development of programmes. B1

The role of this external member is limited to the approval stage, and does not include the design and development of programmes. B1

Identify an external expert who will provide input in the design and development of programmes.

All courses submitted for course approval will have benefitted from the input of external expertise in their design and development.

Heads of School

HE Com External expertise is to be added as an additional requirement of the course approval and annual course review processes from 16

th Mar 2015.

Programme reviews. Course approval forms Email comm.

22nd

May 2015

Progress Mar: Draft course approval process presented to HE Committee 16

th

Mar 2015 & now finalised

G

Invite/use external feedback (beyond external examiners) course approval and annual course review processes

Communicate the need for external expertise in course design by 1 May 2015.


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

5. Formally agree, and communicate to students, an academic appeals process that aligns with the awarding

Detailed appeals procedures do not feature consistently in student handbooks and some do not note the availability of a

Review current appeals process by 12th March 2015 to ensure consistency with awarding organisations

New student handbooks and public information provide consistent information.

Head of Teaching and Learning (AR) and HoS Business &

HE Com Audit existing handbooks by 30th Jan 2015.

Training with teachers (to include students) to be

Academic Appeals process 2014-15 Meeting notes. BTEC Centre

22nd

May 2015

Progress Jan: HTL has audited handbooks. Appeals process has been reviewed and discussed with Pearson centre reviewer in Jan 2015.

G


organisation's appeals policy. B9

formal process. B9 policy.

Access (RT). completed by 18th March 2015

Teaching staff to inform students of revised appeals process by 25th March 2015.

review reports. Email comm. Student handbooks.

Progress Feb: Meeting held 2

nd Feb

2015 with HoS (RT), HTL (AR), HQI (ARB) to identify the sources of all public information for review. Progress Mar: Training completed 18

th March. Staff

members and HE committee now have access to the HE portal containing all key HE-related documents.

Review and revise all existing student handbooks to ensure appeals procedure is consistent and contextualised for the relevant awarding body or awarding organisation.

Review and revise all public information to ensure appeals procedure is consistent.

HE handbooks to signpost awarding organisation appeals policy.

Academic appeals process aligned to the awarding body appeals policy. Student forums confirm that students have a clear understanding of the process.


HE Com Student forum May 2015 identifies students have a clear understanding of process.

HE handbook 2014-15

22nd

May 2015

Appeals process has been reviewed and discussed with Pearson centre reviewer in Jan 2015. Student Forums taken place in March and planned for May 2015

G

Disseminate information to Student & Learning Support team by 22 May 2015

Email comm

Communicate to HE students.

All students aware of any changes to the HE handbook. Assessment training for


HE Com Student reps invited to assessment training event to discuss changes 16th Mar 2015.

Email comm

22nd

May 2015

Progress Mar: Students unable to attend training, so rescheduled meeting with AR w/c 20 April 2015.

G


students to improve their assessment literacy so that they become more effective student reps.

Teaching staff to inform students of appeals process by 25

th March and

included as a note on all new assignment briefs in Term 3.

Assignment briefs

Teaching staff amending assignment briefs with reference to assessment and appeals process.

Student forum May 2015 confirms students have a clear understanding of process.

Mins of forum

Create a single HE information page on the college intranet for students (including policy and procedures).

All students have access to all HE information.

Head of Business & Access

HE Com Draft page with links accessible to staff.

Screenshot and intranet link

22nd

May 2015

Progress: Information page ready to go live once policies are finalised. Intranet page now live.

G



Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

6. Ensure assessment regulations are compliant with awarding organisation guidelines and are accessible to staff and students. B6, A2.2, C

The review team found that this localised practice and lack of College oversight could result in variable, inequitable, and therefore unreliable treatment of student work during the assessment process. B6, A2.2, C

Undertake a series of audits to ensure full compliance with awarding bodies Include HE assessment evidence, policies and procedures in Pearson Centre Review Revise and produce HE assessment handbook and procedures.

Standardised approach to assessment practice (for Pearson provision).


HE Com HTL to check procedures and test existing policy with Pearson Centre Reviewer and audit assessment processes (for Pearson provision) by 30th Jan 2015.

Centre review reports

7th

Sept 2015

Progress: HTL has sampled assessment documents and checked with centre reviewer re Pearson procedures.

G

Staff training on existing HE Assessment Regulations to be completed by March 18

th.

TDS plan HR Select records

Training completed 16

th March and

Wednesday 18th

March.

Revise HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice following centre review to be submitted for final approval to HE Committee by 25

th

June 2015.

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16

Approved at HE Committee 25th June 2015.

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 to be shared with

staff by 30th

June

2015

Agenda and

Minutes of

meeting.

Shared with staff during HE conference on 30 June 2015. Impact 100% of staff agreed in survey I understand the revised HE Assessment Regulations and Academic Appeals Process


HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 to be uploaded to

Intranet and shared

with students at

Induction 3 Sept.

2015.

HE Assessment

Regulations &

Code of

Practice 2015-

16 on Intranet

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 uploaded 23 July 2015.

Follow up training on Assessment Practices to be held with teachers on 30th June.

Conference agenda, record of attendance & evaluation

HE Conference on 30

th June 2015 and

Evaluation completed. Impact 100% of staff agreed in survey I understand the revised HE Assessment Regulations and Academic Appeals Process

Assessment documents to be audited for compliance to procedures by 3

rd

Sept.

Audit reports Assessment Handbook

IQA reports confirm

that all assessments

and briefs are

compliant with BTEC

HE regulations. No EE

blocks for 2014/15.

Audit carried out by

AR Sept 2013.


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

7. Provide staff training on assessment policies and

Remedial action focused on changes to internal verification specific to the programme,

Deliver remedial staff training on assessment policies and procedures.

All staff trained and aware of existing the HE Assessment Regulations procedure and


HE Com Assessment Regulations and procedure training to be arranged with HR, added to

TDS plan

7th

Sept 2015

Training completed 16

th March and

Wednesday 18th

March.

G


processes. B6, A3.2

and not on broader staff training to enhance understanding of the assessment of learning outcomes. B6, A3.2

Develop induction arrangements for new HE staff to include training on assessment policies and processes.

process. 100% of staff agree that they are aware of assessment policies and procedures following training. 100% of staff following audit demonstrate that they are effectively applying assessment policies and processes. No negative EE reports 2014/15.

Training and Development plan 13

th Mar 2015.

Reports and actions reviewed by Quality and considered by HE Committee May & June 2015. HE Conference on 30

th June 2015 and

Evaluation completed.

Conduct an audit to review the impact of the Assessment Regulations and procedures by the end of May 2015.

Audit report and SV reports

Develop an on-going programme of support/CPD for assessment.

Plan and deliver an annual HE staff conference by 30th June.

TDS plan



Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

8. Ensure that course external examiner and verifier reports are considered at a senior cross-college level. B7

Minutes of the HE College Committee do not provide evidence that external examining has been discussed. B7

Present course external examiner and verifier reports to each HE Committee. Include as a set agenda item.

All external examiner reports reviewed and considered by HE Committee as standing item.

Head of Teaching and Learning (AR) HQI (PA)

HE Com Present an annual summary report for 2013-14 to HE Com on 16

th March.

Agendas. External examiner reports. Annual Summary Report 2013-14

7th

Sept 2015

Progress: Annual summary presented to HE Committee 16

th

March.

G

Present all new external quality assurance reports to HE Committee from the 12

th May

2015 onwards.

HNC Performing Arts and DET Reports presented on 12

th

May. HNC Business presented on 25

th

June

Examiner reports now a standing item on agenda.


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

9. Make information about complaints and academic appeal procedures consistently available to students in handbooks and other accessible media. B9, C

The review team examined the student VLE, including the site that hosts course information and the student intranet, and found that the complaints and appeals procedures were not readily available through either the search function or through the tabs. B9, C

HE handbooks and HE assessment procedures to signpost information.

All staff and students aware of complaint and appeals process.


HE Com Produce contents for information page by 25

th April

2015.

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 Complaints Policy Intranet site screenshot and link

30th

June 2015

Progress March: Added in HE assessment handbook and included in assessment training on 16

th / 18

th March.

G

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 completed by 22nd May 2015.

All documents to be presented to the HE Com by 25th June.

Progress June: Presented and approved by HE Committee Progress June: Intranet Page set up. HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16,

A single information page is created on the college intranet for students . All documents to be


uploaded to the intranet site by 30

th

June.

Guidance for Class Reps, NUS Guide and HE Student Handbook uploaded 23 July 2015. HE Conference on 30

th June 2015

Course Handbooks and HE Student Handbooks now updated for 2015-16. Student Handbooks checked by AR and distributed and on Moodle & student intranet

Disseminate information to Student & Learning Services support teams by 30

th June

2015.

HE Conference agenda, record of attendance & evaluation

All course handbooks to be referenced/indexed to the new complaints and academic appeals policies and procedures by 30

th

June.

Course Handbooks for 2015-16


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

10. Produce information about learning opportunities that is fit for purpose and accessible. C, B3

There is a lack of definitive information available to, and used by, staff on key college processes, course approval and assessment regulations regarding late submissions, resubmissions and referrals. Information on complaints and appeals is not made

Annual review and revision of all student handbooks.

New student handbooks, intranet and public information provide consistent information. Information on assessment regulations, complaints and appeals is accessible via signposting in handbooks and through college

Head of Teaching and Learning (AR) and HoS Business & Access (RT).

HE Com Revised handbooks for 2015-16 by 15

th

July 2015.

HE Assessment Regulations & Code of Practice 2015-16 Website screenshot and link to Student Intranet

24th

Sept 2015

Progress: HoS (RT) checked and reviewed public information on website and updated for consistency. Student Intranet now updated with revised handbooks, regulations, complaints and appeals procedures. Link to Warwick Uni. Student information

G

Annual review and revision of all public information.

All documents to be uploaded to the intranet site 15

th

July 2015. Annual review of Course Portfolio Manager and Moodle sites for HE programmes.

Moodle sites updated by 15

th July

2015.

Disseminate information to Student & Learning Support team by 30

th June 2015


sufficiently accessible through either handbooks or other media to students. Handbooks lack full information of the full assessment regulations relevant to students' courses.

intranet page Survey feedback confirms staff understand the course approval process. Survey feedback confirms staff understand assessment regulations regarding late submissions, resubmissions and referrals.

Disseminate information to all academic staff by 30

th June.

Staff HE portal, information and documentation Staff survey feedback

provided on college intranet.. Staff members and the HE committee now have access to the HE portal containing all updated key HE-related documents, including new course approval process and paperwork.

Create a single HE information page on the college intranet for students (including policy and procedures).

All students have access to comprehensive HE information.

HoS Business & Access

HE Com All documents to be uploaded to the intranet site by 22

nd

May Site is live by 5

th

June.

Intranet -screenshot and link

22nd

May 2015

Progress: Information page ready to go live once policies are finalised. Progress Jun: Intranet page now live.

G


Recommendations / Affirmation

Judgement Action Meets / exceeds UK expectations

Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

11. Deliver student representative training. B5

Student representatives have not received formal training from the college although the students with whom the team met expressed an interest in this. The College plans to implement such training and the review team affirms this.

The college to meet learners to identify their needs in relation to their role. The college to plan, organise and deliver training for HE reps.

Representatives report that they know how to be effective in their role.

APSLS HQI

HE Com HoS to organise meeting with reps by 27 April 2015. APSLS to identify reps needs in fulfilling their role by 8

th May 2015

APSLS to provide formal training for students reps (including the issue of gathering information from their peers and on participating in committees) by 15

th

May 2015. Rep training added to quality cycle by 27 April 2015.

HE Student Representative Support & Training 2015/2016 Report. New Reps elected for 2015-16 and identified for training for HE Committee role.

22nd

May 2015

Progress: reps informed of initial meeting, scheduled for summer term. Progress June: Students met with Head of SLS and report produced. New training to be provided to Reps in October. Guidance for HE Reps added to Student Intranet site.

G


Recommendations / Affirmation


Person Responsible

Monitored by


Deadline Progress and impact against actions and milestones

Risk rating (RAG)

12. Extend the use of the virtual learning environment (enhancement)

The College has taken steps to train staff on the use of the virtual learning environment (VLE), and has introduced initiatives to enhance use of the VLE.

Promote system of e submission via TurnItIn and Moodle

100% HE modules have an associated Virtual Learning Environment space. 60% of coursework submitted electronically Mark book used for progress tracking on Pearson provision. 40% of Moodle pages to be judged as bronze or better in the college awards systems. Develop the use of eBooks and associated technology within the College to support independent learning.

HILT AP MIS Menu of ILT training available and promoted to all staff. ILT to be included in staff appraisal targets from 7th Sept 2015. Audit of submission methods completed by 10th Dec 2015 Markbook used to track student progress in 100% of Pearson programmes by 17th Dec 2015.

Audit report on Moodle identifies gold, silver and bronze awards by 14th Jan 2016. Trial e-book provision across a number of curriculum areas and establish a model for effective curriculum use by 26 Nov 2015

Moodle and Mark book - screenshot and link; audit reports

Jan 2016

Progress: ILT already included in staff appraisal targets and assessed in formal T&L observations. Personalised, one-to-one and small group training available from the ILT team. Online training available for staff on using Moodle Markbook and other tools. E-book trial started Feb 2015. Audit of updated Mark Book to be conducted by AR, RT & RM for all HN courses Nov 15. Audit of updated Moodle sites to be conducted by AR, RT & RM for all HN courses Nov 15.

G


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)


13. The maintenance of the academic standards of awards offered on behalf of degree-awarding bodies and other awarding organisations. Understanding and application of credit frameworks and subject benchmarks through staff development and appraisal process. A1 (Expectation MET action to further improve.)

The review team found no evidence of formally arranged staff development in 2013/14 training and development plan, the guide to observers in the lesson observation policy or the guide for appraisers. A1

Identify CPD requirements for HE staff and implement.

All HE staff have a HE-related training and development plan. A HE TDS plan has been implemented.

Assistant Principal HR (MW)

HE Com Additional HE tab added to the current training & development plan. 31st Jan 15. 90% of staff agree that the HE-specific training that they have undertaken throughout the year has helped them improve their practice. (Staff survey 10

th July

2015)

TDS plan Staff survey results

2nd

Sept 2015

Progress: Tab added to TDS plan. Audit of HE staff appraisals has highlighted not all HE staff have specific training targets in 2014.15 related to HE. Meeting held to agree 3 mandatory HE CPD priorities. 12

th Feb 2015 - Staff

on HE programmes paired together to ensure supported experiments have HE focus.

G

Agree current and future HE CPD requirements for TDS plan 31st Jan15.

TDS plan

HE-related supported experiments 2

nd

April 2015.

Supported experiment feedback sheets

HE staff conference 30th June 2015 Personal subject / academic updating 10

th July 2015.

TDS plan


Recommendations / Good Practice


Person Responsible

Monitored by



Risk rating (RAG)

14. Capitalise on the good practice in evidence on the 2+2 degree course. B4

The QAA review team identified as good practice the integration of provision for the 2+2 programmes which enables a smooth transition from the college to the awarding body for the final years (Expectation B4).

Strengthen links with the University of Warwick by seeking permission to grow current provision.

Further strengthen links with partner university through growth in provision. Further 2+2 pathways opened.

Principal

HE Com

Initial meeting with the University of Warwick to review future provision and support by 19

th Mar

2015.

Email correspondence

2nd

Sept 2015

Meeting held and approval given for increase in cohort numbers on 2+2. Invitation for college staff to attend range of staff development events and subject seminars. Teaching HE in an FE Environment 2 staff to undertake online course with Warwick University.

g

Build delivery team by converting sessional post into permanent fractional post.

HoS Business & Access

Assistant Principal HR

Review staffing and secure subject expertise for 2015-16 by 1

st Apr 2015.

Job descriptions Org structure

Post approved by SMT April 2015 and appointment made Jun 2015.

Explore options for further 2+2 pathways

Principal

HE Com

Initial meeting with local potential partner institution by 27 Mar 2015.

Email correspondence

Initial meeting held.

Agreed HND + course

with BCU in principle.

Course approved

panel Sept 2015.

Documents

Higher Education Review City College Coventry Action …9989935661febc461440-0155a172978e9fd39aef368f8f339514.r52.cf3.ra… · Higher Education Review City College Coventry ... Progress