City of Bristol College Periodic Review 2014-15
Arts Subject Cluster
Panel discussions led to the following conclusions in respect of the range of programmes reviewed.
Conclusions on Innovation and Good Practice:
The Panel commended the following:
- Student appreciation of the quality of assessment feedback
- Facilities at Deep Blue Sound (dBs)
Conclusions on Quality and Standards:
The Panel was assured that quality and standards are being met.
Conclusions on whether the programmes remain current and valid in light of developing knowledge in the discipline practice in its application and developments in teaching and learning:
The Panel agreed that in general the programmes remain current and valid, however, it was noted that several programmes have not been updated in recent years and the Panel seek further confirmation that programmes are responding to subject and foundation degree benchmarks particularly in terms of WBL.
Forward looking recommendations for actions to remedy any identified shortcomings, and for further enhancement of quality and standards:
The College was asked to consider and respond to the following:
- Continue to develop the Higher Education (HE) student experience
- Create opportunities for HE students to congregate at the College Green site with the establishment of a Social Learning Space or HE Zone by September 2015
- Ensure by September 2015 that mechanisms for the Employer Forum are formalised
- The Panel note the use of trips and visits with industry links and encourage further enhancement in this area
- The Panel note the Staff Development Strategy and would recommend the introduction of a specific HE Research Agenda
- Encourage more communication and integration with Plymouth University regarding progression, engagement with the Student’s Union and research opportunities.
- Ensure opportunities for Work Based Learning (WBL) are made more evident to students to raise awareness and expand opportunities for WBL in the workplace across the provision
Health, Education & Business Subject Cluster
Panel discussions led to the following conclusions in respect of the range of programmes reviewed.
Conclusions on Innovation and Good Practice:
- Students feel well supported and have good relationships with academic staff
- Bursaries available for staff research adheres to the College research agenda
- The Student Engagement Fund is used to enhance the student experience through visits, e.g. to Plymouth and the purchasing of new equipment
- The staff are dedicated and keen to see students achieve successfully in their programmes
- The tutorial support provided, particularly in Year 1
- Curriculum relevant to the needs of the students
- Good strategic integration of the College with other local HEIs
- Effective policies in place to manage staff performance
- The quality of the relationship with the University compared to other HE partners of the College
Conclusions on Quality and Standards:
The Panel was assured that quality and standards are met.
Conclusions on whether the programmes remain current and valid in light of developing knowledge in the discipline, practice in its application and developments in teaching and learning:
While the programmes had made use of the permitted changes process the Panel noted that FdA Administration & Business Technology (FdA ABT), FdA Business and FdA Early Childhood Studies (FdA ECS) had old approval dates and would require a redesign and approval in time for September 2017 entry at the latest to reflect the recent version of the subject benchmarks.
Forward looking recommendations for actions to remedy any identified shortcomings, and for further enhancement of quality and standards:
- The Panel was pleased to see the new role of HE Employability and Placement Co-ordinator at the College and encouraged the positive engagement with employers
- To clarify the changes needed to improve the operation of placements
- To exploit more work based learning opportunities within the programmes
- For Plymouth University to identify the ALP for the business programmes and to encourage more active engagement
Science and Technology Subject Cluster
Panel discussions led to the following conclusions in respect of the programmes reviewed.
Conclusions on innovation and good practice
The Panel thanked the College for engaging with the process and highlighted the following areas of good practice:-
The establishment of the University Centre as having a positive impact on the:
- Student experience
- Student voice
- Curriculum oversight
- Oversight of quality assurance processes with the university
- Introduction of the Research Council
Mechanisms for student support including:
- The transition from Further to Higher Education
- Good communication
- Student voice
- Open Door Policy and availability of staff
- Student engagement with processes such as the Higher Education (HE) Board
Employability Strategy
- The use of live briefs on the Computing programme
- Opportunities for Work Based Learning (WBL)
- Student engagement with Professional Bodies such as the British Computer Society (BCS)
- Role of the Employability and Placement Co-ordinator
- The strong employer engagement on the Engineering programmes
- Mapping and audit of skills development at the start of the academic year for the Computing programme
Teaching and Learning
- Use of group projects to develop soft skills
- Strategic use of staff observations
- Student involvement with practical work as opposed to viewing demonstrations
Conclusions on quality and standards
The Panel was reassured that the quality and standards of the programmes are being maintained.
Conclusions on whether the programmes remain current and valid in the light of developing knowledge in the discipline, practice in its application and developments in teaching and learning
The Panel was satisfied that the programmes remain current and valid. The use of ‘flipped classrooms’ where students bring their work experience back into the classroom was highlighted as a particular item of good practice.
Forward looking recommendations for actions to remedy any identified shortcomings, and for further enhancement of quality and standards
The Panel recommend the Team address the following:
- Continue to explore data exchange efficiencies with the university, as identified at the stage one meeting
- Confirm status of the FdSc Communication and Computer Network programme
- Continue to encourage student engagement with Plymouth University resources
- Continue to implement You Said, We Did by feeding forward action taken as a result of module / programme review
- Formalise and record employer involvement with the curriculum
- Continue to develop the recently initiated good practice of HE style mentoring
- Continue to develop and explore how Research Informed Teaching (RIT) informs the curriculum
- Consider sharing the good practice of the FdSc Computing and Information Technology programme for assessing employability skills across the rest of the curriculum area
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