FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Faculty Board
Minutes of the third meeting of the Faculty of Education and Health Board in the 2013-14 academic session held on 16 April 2014, at 10.00 am, RoomD011, David Fussey Building, Avery Hill Campus
FB/EH/13/35Present and Apologies for Absence
Present:Dr Linda Burke / Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Education and Health(PVC) (Chair)
Mary Billington / Lead Midwife for Education
Dr Karen Cleaver / Head of Department, Family Care & Mental Health
Denis Crapnell / Director of Partnerships and NHS Contracts
Veronica Habgood / Director of Learning and Teaching
Simon Leggatt / Head of Department, Secondary Education, Lifelong Learning Teacher Education & PE and Sport
Prof Pam Maras / Director of Research & Enterprise;
Head of Department, Psychology, Social Work & Counselling
John O’Neil / Student Representative
Dr Damien Page / Head of Department, Education and Community Studies
Dr Maria Papapolydorou / Senior Lecturer in Education and Childhood Studies, Education & Community Studies
Dr Lucie Pollard / Faculty Operating Officer, Faculty of Education & Health (FOO)
Prof Pat Schofield / Professor of Nursing
Aretha Ve / Student Representative
In attendance:
Peter Buckle / Faculty Health and Safety Manager
Ian Kitchener / Deputy HoD, Primary (on behalf of Felicity Hilditch)
Surinder Walia / Deputy HoD, Adult Nursing & Paramedic Science (for Morag Redfern)
Prof Liz West / Professor (Representing Chair for FREC)
Jane Attenborough / Clerk
Apologies received from:
Richard Dotor / Director of Higher Education, Guildford College
Felicity Hilditch / Head of Department, Primary Education
Sarah Huaraka / Principal Lecturer, Attending Modes Coordinator, Secondary Education, Lifelong Learning Teacher Education & PE and Sport
Prof Keith Jones / Professor of Facilities Management & Director of Resources, School of Architecture, Design & Construction
Teresa McMahon / Programme Leader for Associate Students, Senior Lecturer Acute/Critical Care, Adult Nursing and Paramedic Science
Chris Philpott / Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Education and Health
Tom Pontifex / Student Representative
Morag Redfern / Head of Department, Adult Nursing and Paramedic Science
Marie Sayers / Programme Leader, Greenwich Community College
Keisha Ward / Student Representative
The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and introductions were made. The Chair acknowledged Student representative attendance and thanked them for attending during their vacation period.
FB/EH/13/36Terms of Reference(FB/EH 13-P37)
FB/EH/13/37Membership(FB/EH 13-P38)
It was notedthat the membership list had been updated along with the details within the Terms of Reference however upon review by the Chairprior to the meeting, it was noted that further revisionsto the membership would be required therefore this would be carried out and brought to the next meeting.
Action Lucie Pollard
FB/EH/13/38Minutes of the Previous Meeting(FB/EH 13-M02 tbc)
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 January 2014 were agreed with one amendment:
- Page 5, Item 24.1, PSRB Update: NMC: should read ‘An initial visit by the lead reviewer…’
The minutes will be amended accordingly and recirculated to the committee.
Thanks were extended to the Clerk for providing detailed notes.
FB/EH/13/39Matters Arising(not considered elsewhere on agenda)(FB/EH 13-Action-02)
39.1(Item 18) Minutes of previous meeting: PSRB: BPS
A form of words was provided to the Clerk and the amended minutes have been recirculated to members.
39.2(Item 19.1) Minutes of previous meeting: Partner Colleges
It was noted that the PVC has will work with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Development) to ensure that, in exceptional cases, new business for the Faculty can be considered outside of normal timescales on a case by case basis.
39.3(Item 21.1.3) Partnerships and Collaborations
It was noted that Chris Philpott is the representative for the Faculty for University school and college partnerships therefore will be asked to provide information regarding this to future meetings.
Action: Clerk to contact Chris Philpott
39.4(Item 23.2) International Collaborations
The FOO reported that she is currently liaising with programme leaders and student groups to promote the awareness of Erasmus opportunities.
39.5(Item 24) PSRB
It was confirmed that BACP has been added to the agenda for future meetings.
39.6(Item 25.3) Feedback from University Student Experience Committee
A summary of points discussed at the University Student Experience committee was circulated to members.
It was noted that Karen Cleaver has taken over the role of Chair for the Faculty Student Experience for the remainder of this academic session and that Felicity Hilditch will undertake this role from next academic year.
39.7(Item 31) Health & Safety
An e-mail was circulated to the Faculty to remind staff and students of the need to report accidence/incidents and to wear/display their ID at all times.
39.8(Item 32) Faculty Risk Register
It was noted that no comments regarding the Faculty Risk Register were received by the deadline specified and that this has now been submitted.
39.9(Item 33) Any other business – non attendance at meetings
Members were reminded that if they are unable to attend a meeting that a representative or another member of the committee provide feedback on their items on their behalf.
FB/EH/13/40Items from the Chair
40.1Faculty Update
The PVC provided an update on the Faculty. She confirmed that the review for the Faculty Structure is now in place with Directorsin post. The academic shaping is now complete and the next stage is to review the Administrative structure. This has recently commenced with meetings held between support teams and the Faculty Operating Officer.
The Faculty is also looking at promoting leadership development for staff
The director of research and enterprise is mapping staff research outputs with the aim to increase publications and to support progress in research activities for individuals. It was noted that approximately 97 staff haveat least one publication this year and the Faculty will be providing mentors to support this progression.
The Faculty recognised the number of students who are achieving national/regional recognition who have been nominated or won prizes and awards. It was also noted that positive feedback received from outside organisations (i.e. Schools/NHS Trusts) for recognition of students has increased. The Chair noted that she is happy to receive such information and for students and colleagues to e-mail her directly with details of this.
FB/EH/13/41Portfolio Planning
41.1New Programme Proposals
It was noted that the BA (Hons) Early Years (SEGi Sarawat) was APPROVED.
41.1Programme Discontinuations
A review has taken place of low/non recruiting programmes and that a list is available of those which will be discontinued.
41.3Schedule of Approvals and Reviews(FB/EH 13-P26)
Schedules from Education and Health detailing a number of Approval and Review events for the 2013-14 academic session were presented. It was noted that Schedules for the next academic session are currently being identified. The Quality Office is working with the Programme Teams regarding the deadlines for submission of paperwork.
It was noted that following an external review by the BPS for Psychology, the following programmes were APPROVED:
- BSc Psychology with Counselling
- BSc Psychology
- MSc Psychology with conversion
FB/EH/13/42Partnership and Collaboration
42.1Partner Colleges
42.1.1Health & Social Care
Surinder Walia provided the following feedback on behalf of Mamood Gousy, Partner College Link Lecturer:
Bexley, Bromley and Guildford colleges will be subject to QAA Review of Higher Education in Further Education in the next academic year. In addition all our partner colleges and Teaching centres will be involved in the main QAA HER scheduled for April, 2015.
42.1.2Education
Nothing to report at this time
42.1.3School Partnerships
In his absence Andrew Lambirth provided a paper which was tabled at the meeting providing an update on Schools’ Partnerships.
42.2International Collaborations
It was reported that Damien Page and Jill Harrisonhad met with the Brighton Group andare working with Lucie Pollard to investigate a potential collaboration
Erasmus:
It was noted that eight agreements have been consolidated
SEGi Sarawat: It was noted that for the first occurrence the DVC (AD) has agreed to a shortened timetable of delivery.
FB/EH/13/43Professional, Statutory & Regulatory Body Reviews (PSRB)
43.1NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council)
It was noted that the Faculty had a successful outcome with the recent visit which concentrated on Midwifery and Health Visiting programmes. The Faculty met all criteria therefore will not be required to complete an action plan.
Reviewers commented positively on the students that they met as part of the review both within the University and in Trusts on placement
It was noted that two programmes are due for reapproval:
-Mentor Preparation (Level 7)
-B300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing.
It was also noted that a recent notice from the NMC has advised that compensation within the pre-registration Nursing & Midwifery programmes will no longer be permitted. Clarification is being sought from the NMC to establish the date this will be effective from.
43.2Ofsted
Nothing to report at this time
43.3HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)
It was noted that the Social Work programmes have received the formal confirmation for reapproval of the programme from the HCPC.
It was noted that an application for a major change for the Paramedic Science programmes both at Avery Hill and at Medway has been submitted due to the increase in student numbers requested by our partner Ambulance Trusts for next academic year. The HCPC will be visiting to confirm ongoing compliance which is hopefully going to tie in with the upcoming scheduled review of the Medway Paramedic Programme.
43.4BPS (British Psychological Society)
Nothing to report at this time
43.5BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Nothing to report at this time.
43.6QAA Review
It was requested that QAA review should also be added to this section for future agendas.
Action: Clerk
It was noted that the University is undergoing a QAA review in April 2015. Preparation is currently underway for this and further details will be provided at the next meeting.
It was noted that feedback from students will be provided via the Students’Union who will be approaching students for comments and asking whether they would be willing to meet with reviewers to answer any questions they may have. Student Representatives were asked to provide feedback to the Board on any information or requests made from the Student Union regarding this review.
FB/EH/13/44Student Experience
44.1National Student Survey
The Director of Learning & Teaching provided a brief breakdown on the response rates to date for programmes within the Faculty, highlighting those which needed to improve response rates. Colleagues were asked to remind students to complete this as the deadline is the end of April 2014. It was suggested that a letter from the PVC should be sent to all final year students urging them to complete the survey if they have not already done so.
Action: Linda Burke/Veronica Habgood
44.2Student Feedback
44.2.1Marking/Feedback
Students reported that feedback from marked work is limited if achieving 80% grade. Students requested further feedback for high grades on where improvements to their work can be made to aim for 100% mark.
It was noted that staff have become better at providing feedback for the higher graded work however this will be discussed at a future FAQS meeting.
Action: Veronica Habgood
44.2.2Timetabling
A request to provide timetabling information earlier was made. It was noted that the Faculty is working closely with the Space Management Unit and planning is taking place earlier for the Faculty to assist with reviewing the programme teaching complications experienced on a regular basis. It is hoped that in time, with only one Faculty based on campus that a number of these situations should ease.
Action: FOO to meet students to discuss timetabling issues and where possible, improvements can be made
44.2.3Lecturer Attendance/timekeeping
Students raised the issues of lecturer attendance, timekeeping and short notice cancellations. The PVC asked students to e-mail her directly with their concerns.
44.2.4Communication of information
It was noted that the Faculty is grateful for the involvement of students who have representation on the Faculty Board and Faculty Student Experiences Committee.
It was noted that this is a useful method of communicating between Faculty staff and the student body.
44.3Feedback from University Student Experience Committee
Nothing to report from this meeting.
44.4Faculty Student Experience Committee(FB/EH 13-P27)
The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting held on the 10 January 2014 were noted.
Simon Leggatt, Chair for the FSEC committee gave an overview on how the committee would be focussing on areas with measurable impact. This included tutorial processes and assessment and feedback practice. The Committee would review and report back on University initiatives being implemented within the Faculty and investigate the impact of these; the student voice from elected representatives being crucial in this regard.
In the case of tutorial provision, students undertaking professional programmes had reported to their representatives that they received consistently good support, one to one sessions and regular feedback from their personal tutors. On non-professional programmes however, students’ experiences of tutorial support were more variable.
In the case of assessment and feedback, some students had reported that they were unclear on how long they should expect to wait to receive feedback on work submitted and that in some cases, the quality of feedback could be better / more detailed. From this meeting, it was felt that actions focused on developing best practice in assessment and feedback should be identified and implemented across the Faculty
There was also discussion regarding students’ experience of different kinds of assessments. It was noted that some students had never experienced assessment via written examination prior to undertaking studies within the University and that this would need to be taken into account when designing assessment approaches as part of annual / periodic reviews as well as being considered as part of the programme approval process
FB/EH/13/45Recruitment, Progression and Achievement
45.1Summary Update (Education)
It was reported that most programmes appear to be recruiting well however it is likely that Primary and secondary will have to go into Clearing
45.2Summary Update (Health)
Concerns were raised with recruitment for Public Health and the Health & Wellbeing programmes.
Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery (N&M) and Paramedic Science have recruited well with some Adult applications being offered for March 2015.
It was noted that Learning Disabilities commissioned figures have been increased and that various strategies are being implemented to meet these new targets.
It was noted that cohorts for the Pre-Registration N&M have recently commenced at Avery Hill and Medway.
Paramedic Science has an additional cohort planned for May for the Avery Hill programme with the London Ambulance Service and numbers have been increased for the Medway programme with South East Coast Ambulance Service.
It was also noted that the Health Visitor programme had its highest ever intake for the recent January cohort and an additional 30 students will be commencing on the programme in March.
It was noted that attrition in a number of programmes had improved, due to the steps implemented by the teaching teams.
FB/EH/13/46Research, Enterprise and Consultancy
Feedback from:
46.1University Research & Enterprise Committee
It was noted that this committee has undergone a restructure following the implementation of Faculty Roles resulting in membership becoming smaller. The committee will be taking a more strategic approach in working with what is required by Faculties.
46.2Faculty Research & Enterprise Committee(FB/EH 13-P28)
The unconfirmed minutes from the 19 February 2014 were noted.
It was noted that Pam Maras will take over as Chair of this committee with immediate effect and Andrew Lambirth will be the Deputy Chair.
It was noted that 19 applications were submitted for the Vice Chancellors PhD Scholarship scheme.
46.3University Research Ethics Committee
It was noted that a large number of Faculty applications were processed for the last UREC meeting: these required much time to process, therefore Faculty deadlines are being set earlier to allow for review and any amendments prior to submission to UREC. At the last UREC meeting, the Faculty had the highest number of applications (largest of all Faculties) indicating a healthy level of Faculty research. It was noted that almost all applications had minor amendments for UREC Chair's Action; one of which required resubmission. It was noted that the standard of UREC applications is reasonable however repeated small items for amendment would indicate that staff training regarding the completion of UREC forms would be helpful. The Co-Chairs are to discuss with UREC possibility of university-wide research ethics training and/or an online form filling guide.
46.4Faculty Research Ethics Committee(FB/EH 13-P29)
The unconfirmed minutes from the 26 February 2014 were noted.
The meeting scheduled for the 09 April 2014 was cancelled due to being inquorate and business will be carried over to the next meeting. It was noted that committee will still hold the required number of meetings per year as specified within the Terms of Reference.
It was noted that names had been left in the minutes in error and would be taken out for confidentiality reason for future presentation to Faculty Board.
Action: Clerk
It was reported that FREC Committee meetings held this year have gone smoothly, with membership and processes established, including reporting on EdD pilot studies. The flowchart identifying different roles of FREC and UREC is now being disseminated to Faculty and will be made available to all on the Faculty Shared drive. The two Co-Chairs are visiting all Faculty Departments to discuss the roles of FREC and raise awareness of research ethics: this process has started and will continue. FREC applications and Chairs' Actions have gone smoothly and will continue.