Minutes of the Curriculum & Quality Committee
Date: 29 November 2016
Present: / Joanne Beaumont (Chair)Nav Chohan
Lynne Ware
John Egan
James Parker
Sayyeda Khan
Shoeb Desai
Observer(s): / -
In attendance: / Julie Bales (Vice Principal Curriculum)
Jeremy Stott (Clerk)
Susanna Butler (Minutes Secretary)
Apologies: / Paul Webley
John Briggs
Meeting commenced: / 18:00
Meeting closed: / 19:40
It was announced that the Chair was on her way but would be slightly late to the meeting so it was agreed to start without her.
25/16 To appoint:
a) Chair of the Committee
In her absence, Joanne Beaumont was nominated and seconded to remain as Chair of the Committee.
b) Vice Chair of the Committee
Lynne Ware was nominated, seconded and agreed to remain as Vice Chair of the Committee.
J Beaumont arrived at 18.07
26/16 Disclosure of financial and/or personal interest
There was no disclosure of financial or personal interest.
27/16 To agree agenda and order of business as circulated
The agenda and order of business were agreed.
28/16 To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2016
The minutes were approved as a true record.
29/16 Matters arising
a) Minute 16/16d) - Additional Governor Involvement
The Clerk provided his update following on from the last meeting where it had been noted from a survey of staff that employees felt a little removed from governors. Actions had therefore been put in place to address this. One was for governors to review their profiles and submit a few bullet points to highlight what they feel they can offer in terms of skills and experience. Five responses have been received to date.
Meetings with the Head of Sectors revealed that they are keen for governors to be involved in classes in an appropriate way. To help promote the work of the Corporation, the Clerk will include a regular article in the College newsletter ‘The Star’. Other opportunities for governors to get involved include attendance at staff buffets and at various student productions and Christmas shows. The Clerk asked if anyone would be willing to volunteer to submit an article on themselves for the Star against a set of questions.
ACTION: The Clerk to circulate the proforma of questions and also provide a copy of the profiles to the next Corporation meeting to encourage them to fill them in on the day.
One governor indicated their willingness to come in and observe lessons but is unavailable during the day and asked if evening sessions were available. It was confirmed that this could be possible.
ACTION: S Butler to re-circulate the observation of learning walks timetable for January 2017 with all the available time slots.
30/16 To consider final progress on 15/16 plans
a) Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
The Vice Principal Curriculum (VPC) highlighted that these plans were being put together when Ofsted arrived so there had not been time to also provide summary documents as had been requested at a previous meeting. Members were asked if they still felt the need to see a summary document. The plans in their current format provide extra detail, but this allows governors to drill down more and have a better picture of how the plans are progressing. After a short discussion it was agreed it would be more beneficial to receive the full plans rather than a summary version.
The main point to highlight in the QIP was the range of activities taking place to develop English and Maths. We have not reaped the full rewards that we want yet, but practice is changing as a result of actions set out in the plans.
b) College Development Plan
This document sets out a broader approach and is about the College taking the right direction in a wider sense and includes service areas. Overall, a lot has been achieved. We did not get the volume of apprenticeships we had planned for, but did see an increase of 14%. Where only partial achievement of action is indicated, there is a clear understanding why and what next steps are appropriate. For example, a new tracking system was purchased and trialled last year but was not well received, so the College reverted to using the one that we had.
c) Staff Development Plan
This plan rolls out of the above two and contains generic objectives which cover what training and development needs to be put in place to address each of the actions. It also takes account of appraisals and mandatory training. Page 5 was highlighted showing how mandatory training completion rates had improved over the last 2 years with safeguarding at 96%. Note that the missing 4% is a result of new staff arriving and in the Induction period. A lot of work is taking place with the new combined central payroll and HR system and with transferring over all records. During the process, we identified areas that needed further checks to ensure records are all accurate and the appropriate evidence is held on file. This is now complete.
S Khan arrived at 18:26
31/16
a) To consider the draft College Self Assessment Report (SAR)
The VPC completed the draft SAR ready for the recent Ofsted visit and it was very well received. Inspectors agreed exactly with what was in the SAR and suggested one addition relating to Maths and English outcomes.
A member queried what the College is doing about physical health and wellbeing of learners and the VPC highlighted a hyperlink on page 10 within the SAR which links to the Enrichment Calendar showing detail of all sporting activities and health related events taking place throughout the year. There are a whole range of activities in place ranging from Induction, to pastoral support, to enrichment. The NHS ran a recent mental health and wellbeing event for all student groups and there was an anti-bullying awareness week. Themes are covered throughout the year and events put on such as healthy eating and sexual health. Members were asked to look at the calendar and come back to us if they feel there is anything missing.
The Chair stated that it feels as though there has been an enhancement of the enrichment programme over the years. The Principal highlighted the part funded Sports Maker post we have had in place over the last 3 years which has helped. However, this funding ends at the end of this year which may lead to reduced levels of sports enrichment. It was queried if there is a mechanism whereby a collection of experiences could be recognised in an Award; eg recognition of extra curriculum activity. The VPC pointed out that these things go on students CVs and that we introduced a tool this year at £2 per learner which measures personal attributes and skills at different points to show the distance travelled. This gives students evidence that they can take with them including re-writing their CVs. This tool should help them recognise the development of their soft/ personal skills which help make them more employable.
At the end of discussions, members agreed they were comfortable with the report, the judgements and its content.
b) To present a brief summary of:
i) FE Choices Learner and Employer Survey Results
The Principal explained that the Skills Funding Agency run these two surveys which are then published and it is something we have always taken to be compulsory, though not all institutions do. It is a way of comparing organisations. In 13/14, our employer survey return was quite poor but has now improved and feedback has remained at a high level for three years. One member held up FE Week to highlight the results which show Shipley College well ahead of many of our peer groups. It was questioned what their value is in attracting employers and students. It is not about one particular indicator but a number of different factors, and believed that most learners choose a college based on location as opposed to survey outcomes. Trends learned from surveys would appear to be more informative as a way to identify improvements required.
ii) Analysis of variance in male versus female achievement
The Principal reported that female achievement rates are lower than males. The overriding point is that our females achieve at the national average and our males are doing exceptionally well. The main issue is that the lower mark is because of the number of females doing care courses. Overall we are outperforming national averages. During the recent Ofsted visit, they accepted our reasons for the variance in male v female achievement. It was queried if we could recruit more males into Care to address this problem, but attempts have already been made though this sector still tends to be female dominated.
It was agreed to revisit this area throughout the year.
ACTION: Male and female retention figures to be listed alongside regular retention updates at future meetings.
32/16 To consider the 2016/17 Plans
a) Quality Improvement Plan
The VPC highlighted the similar focus to last year which is Maths and English and underperforming courses. Added to that is timely completion – we were significantly higher than the national average and Ofsted did recognise that. There have been 3 changes of staff in the position of Head of Business Development so some of the tracking weakened along the way. There were discussions on reasons why and we now have a robust tracking document in place which Ofsted are very pleased with. The new Head of Business Development has been very active and members asked if they could meet her.
ACTION: Linda O'Donnell, Head of Business Development, to be invited to the next meeting in March to introduce herself and meet the Governors.
A lot of time has been spent educating staff to take more responsibility for monitoring so that systems are embedded across relevant teams of people.
At 2.9, on flipped learning, governors said it would be interesting to know in 6 months’ time how these lessons are going. The VPC thought it would be useful to get the Maths Manager to come in and talk us through the developments.
ACTION: The Maths Manager to be invited to the next meeting to report on flipped learning and other developments.
It was noted at 1.2, where those on adult classes were asked what would make things better, that provision of tea, coffee and biscuits were raised. Members felt that if this extra touch helped to motivate adults and increase attendance, then it was certainly worth doing to see if it works, as maintaining regular attendance is key.
b) College Development Plan
The VPC highlighted that the big changes are about the new Apprenticeship Standards alongside the levy, plus curriculum changes within vocational programmes. The changes will also affect aspects of our funding. The new levy is due in May 2017 and our staff need to be trained to deliver the new standards. There will be reduced funding for old courses.
Some of the standards are still under development and we are looking at potential new areas to move into. More will be known by next March where a summary will be prepared for the Committee. We are looking to aggressively increase the number of apprenticeships and are liaising with universities and the NHS among others.
A governor highlighted that some of them may have historical contacts which could be of use and help open a few doors if they could be informed more about what the College is looking for.
ACTION: To arrange for James Parker and any other interested governor to meet with the Head of Business Development and her team before the next meeting.
c) Staff Development Plan
The VPC confirmed that this plan addresses everything we have planned for training.
33/16 To discuss a review of Maths and English related to the Ofsted visit
The VPC highlighted that Maths and English is our theme for the year again.
The VPC then read out some key lines from the Ofsted draft letter which states that the provider continues to be Good. It confirmed Learners’ English skills are well developed in vocational classes but with maths skills less so. Over the last few years the College has had a focus on embedding English and then the focus went on to include Maths and we now have a Maths Policy in place. The letter gives a lot of praise and reads really well with some positive words about governors so there is much to celebrate. It also gives key points for next steps setting out a bullet point list of things that leaders and those responsible for governance should ensure.
One inspector had asked why we were not ‘Outstanding’ and what will it take. We know English and maths is the key and we are trying everything we can to make it better. Many other areas are close to outstanding. We had sufficient data to say we are as good as the national average with our English and maths, though felt they were a little harsh on a few judgements on this. Ofsted have recognised all the strong work we do. The letter is due to be published very soon.
The Chair commented that it has been a huge achievement. The VPC added that the biggest thing is how they have seen managers grow since the last inspection: they were very fluent and the College is proud of how they conducted themselves. This also stems from the work done in leadership and management sessions on processes and systems and focussing on the aspirations of staff as well as students.