UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
School of Education & Training
Minutes of School Board held on 9 December 2009
Present:
Chris Philpott (Chair)Hilary Orpin
Alison Hales
Malcolm Ryan
Jim Golden (also deputy for Liz Morrison)
Drew Wicken (Student Representative)
Penny Smith
Gillian Leader (North West Kent College)
Donna Briant (deputy for Anna Kilderry)
Priti Chopra
Dionne Glennon (Office of Student Affairs) / Rachel Ashton (deputy for Yana Tainsh)
Simon Leggatt
Jan Panting
Felicity Hilditch
Chris Murphy
John Smith (also deputy for Jill Jameson, Keith Cranwell)
Jackie Farr
Gavin Farmer
Linda Haworth
Apologies: Anna Kilderry, Yana Tainsh, Keith Cranwell, John Durrell, Liz Morrison, Jill Jameson, Pam Egan-Wyer (Bromley College)
1 Introduction
Chris Philpott welcomed the group. He explained that the School Board would be a forum for presenting ideas and to oversee developments within the School. The
School Board will be separate from Whole School Meetings. The Board will be an
opportunity for cross school/cross University working on major issues and a chance
for outside representatives to comment on what we are doing.
2 Comments on remit and membership of the School Board
· Gavin Farmer reported that it was a model that other schools are using. It is an important body and he was pleased to see students’ represented.
· Dionne Glennon explained that the School Board is important part of the academic structure of the University. It feeds into Academic Council which is the body that oversees and ratifies recommendations from the School Board. The Vice Chancellor has the opportunity to attend
· Malcolm Ryan suggested that all representatives on major University committees should be co-opted. Gavin Farmer had concerns that the group should not be too big.
· Dionne Glennon asked that given student representation would we want a standing item from students on the agenda? Chris Philpott thought this would be appropriate to enhance the quality of the education we provide.
3. Report from Learning and Quality.
· Remit of the Office of Learning Quality (papers distributed)
· The Learning and Quality office had concentrated more on quality over the last two years
· A Programme Leaders group has been set up from January 2010.
· L&Q committee has been revamped to focus more frequently on quality enhancement on not just technical issues.
· The Quality Assurance sub-committee has been resurrected and will work to meet University wide deadlines.
· Enhanced induction process introduced for undergraduates last year. Rita Headington had taken on this role for the School.
· The outcome of the QAA institutional review was not what the University were hoping for. QAA had limited confidence in our ability to run undergraduate programmes especially in relation to ‘exit’ awards. This will lead to changes in the academic regulations and a tight University action plan.
· Malcolm Ryan expressed concerns about what is going on in different parts of the University regarding short courses and minor awards. Employers criticise the University for not being flexible.
· In March 2011 the University are due a collaborative audit and probably will be looked at. We need to ensure we archive papers in preparation for this to demonstrate a thorough audit trail to justify what we do and why.
· Thanks to those who responded to emails regarding non-attendance of students. It is important for students to hand something in. If students don’t participate in the last assessment, without agreed extenuating circumstances, there will be no funding.
· Chris Philpott congratulated staff for 100% response to external examiners’ reports for 2007-2008; the 2008-2009 version should now be completed.
· Chris Philpott reported that from September 2010 the following will apply:
Level 1 will be level 4
Level 2 will be level 5
Level 3 will be level 6
Level 4 will be level 7
Level 5 will be level 8
ACTION: Chris Philpott to email staff
4 Report on Research (papers distributed)
· Chris Philpott reported that we punched well below our weight on research. There is a lot of work to be done on research strategy which will take some time.
· John Smith reported some apprehension about going into the RAE in the last round but it went ahead anyway. Some small sums of money have come in as a result. Research should be on everyone’s mind and the school should encourage staff to participate and bid for funds.
· RAE has been replaced by REF
· John Smith reported that a proposal has been put forward for a mentor/research champion scheme. It’s early days yet but the idea has been agreed.
· Chris Philpott reported that there are not enough professors and readers in the school. We need to work towards replacing staff that leave with people who have a research profile.
· Chris Philpott reported that the Business Development Manager had resigned on health grounds. There will be a new BDM in the Spring.
· Malcolm Ryan reported that the School has been represented at the last 2 meetings in the School of CMS concerning the development of a University E Centre.
· The University will be hosting the Discourse, Power and Resistance Conference at the Maritime Campus from 30 March to 1 April 2010.
5 Report from Resources
Rachel Ashton reported the following:
Paperless admissions
· The School is in the process of integrating paperless admissions
· Central admissions are offering drop in sessions.
ACTION: Rachel Ashton to circulate dates
· Rachel Ashton is the first call for any school issues regarding paperless admissions
Marketing plan
· Expanding and developing the web pages
· Bid for external funding
· Promotional material/adverts. ACTION: Rachel Ashton to submit marketing plan to SMT in January 2010
EProcurement
· Yana Tainsh and Jan Panting have been working on a new system of paperless ordering. There will be no purchase order book with all orders on line. A working group is to be set up.
· CMS/FM piloted the system and it will be rolled out to all Schools from September 2010.
Timetabling
· School timetabling policy circulated to SMT.
· It is vital that course information is put on Banner. If not it will be impossible to timetable.
ISA
· Changes in 2010. Students need to be registered. ACTION: Rachel Ashton to create a web page and circulate to relevant staff
· Will staff have to be registered too?
1. Yes for all new staff
2. Also all staff who have never had a CRB check
3. We need to renew out of date CRBs
4. This will be discussed with personnel
It was suggested that clear guidelines be posted on the web page and that a leaflet is
produced for students that can be circulated at Open Days.
Rooms
· Room inventory to be circulated
· Refurbishment of some classrooms that are not currently being fully utilised
· Capacity of H016 to be increased. ACTION: Rachel Ashton to talk with Lee Devlin
School name
· Rebranding and name of School of Education and Training – please respond if you have not already done so.
Health and Safety
· Heating and new windows in Sparrows Farm
· New windows in 240
· Resurfacing tables in Art Block
6. Report from Admin
Jan Panting reported on the following:
· Following the restructuring of the admin teams, Jan Panting would look at areas that need slight adjustment in the next few months.
· Coursework: the admin teams have spent a lot of time in planning and executing handing in of coursework within the school. The system has been adjusted/readjusted and is still work in progress. It has been better since the school has operated the system. Staff have to make sure they create header sheets as these help for planning coursework hand in days. Staff asked to allow time for students to collect their work from the school office. The team needs time to sort the work into order before it is ready for students to collect.
· Electronic submission of coursework
Malcolm Ryan is to keep the group posted on University wide paperless submission of coursework. He would like the school to pilot coursework submission on line. Penny Smith had concerns about marking large amounts of coursework on screen and there was some concern regarding the quality of on screen feedback. Malcolm Ryan reported that evaluations had been positive from students. Drew Wicken (student rep) thought the development of online submission of coursework would be a good thing.
7. Report from Talent
Malcolm Ryan reported the following:
· WebCT would no longer exist in 18 months time. ICT strategy proposed that the whole School will migrate to the new VLE system and E-portfolio will be linked to this. In the interim University to go with Pebblepad till 2011.
· A review of laptops versus desktops in School through a ‘poll’ will be submitted shortly. Malcolm Ryan to distribute data to Heads of Department.
· If you are using wireless the University is encouraging a move from ‘eduroam’ to ‘grenet’. Information will be available on the ICT portal group, ILS website and in computer labs.
· University not looking to change to Windows 7 for 18 months.
8. Report from Primary
Felicity Hilditch reported the following:
· Recruited to target 2009/2010.
· Improvements made in recruiting under-represented groups into Primary.
· We will lose 2 members of staff this year: Martin Crisp and Liz Freedman to be replaced by Mark Betteney and Krystina Finnie.
· Work continues on developing the curriculum in response to Rose Review.
· There has been a successful bid to run training for maths teachers in primary schools in response to the Williams report. This will be accredited at Masters Level.
· Keith Good is it to be congratulated on being recommended for his EdD.
· The Department has had a successful meeting with Ian McNay to develop research possibilities.
9. Report from Education and Community Studies
John Smith reported the following:
· 3 new staff members
· New external appointment for Childhood / Education Studies in the spirng
· Recruitment has been strong
10. Report from Professional Learning and Development
Simon Leggatt reported on the following:
LLS:
· Simon Leggatt new in the role of Head of Department.
· Recruited two new members of staff - a literacy specialist and a numeracy specialist.
· There has been a realignment of roles from Programme Leadership to Mode Leadership.
· Return to the Syndicate mode for placements.
· Complete review of PGCE/PCE programmes in the next 18 months; there is a need for a complete rewrite to bring them up-to-date.
· Simon Leggatt is keen to trial on-line submission of assignments.
· Recruitment and selection procedures: we need to market and interview students earlier as late recruitment has implications for placements.
Non-LLS
· Masters in Teaching and Learning – a new proposal now being written.
Research
· Need to explore ways to encourage more research e.g. developing a programme ‘reader’ written by the team.
11. Report from Secondary
Jim Golden reported on the following:
· Recruitment for this year has been very good. This is particularly pleasing as many subjects are in shortage areas and the quality of students is good. The early recruitment has really helped in terms of preparing and planning for the new intake. This has led to better communication with students before programmes begin. Much work has been done by the School marketing and recruitment team to achieve this and we need to continue this good work.
· TDA funded work on the new diploma is going well. Having piloted the Strand 1 work last year in ICT we are now developing the Strand 2 programme in ICT, Creative Arts and Media, Manufacturing. This is aimed at giving a number of 1 yr PGCE students the opportunity of an 'enhanced experience' of these new qualifications.
We are currently in negotiation with a number of schools/colleges regarding partnership in this project. The response so far has been very encouraging.
· We are sadly losing a member of staff from Design and Technology John Durrell. He has been at Greenwich for nearly 25 years. He has been a very valuable colleague and he will be missed. The plan is to appoint his replacement for the summer term.
12. Report from SMT
Chris Philpott reported on the following:
· We have a deficit budget and are working to achieve more internal and external clarity and transparency in relation to this.
· We are working with ‘Centre’ and ourselves to get a accurate picture of the budget.
· Management and Administration group to meet for the first time on Friday, reporting directly to SMT, as another cross School initiative.
· We are working on a ‘place and space’ for School.
· Malcolm Ryan working on communications policy. His remit is to effective communication.
· HoDs are writing SEDs at the moment.
· Recruitment and registration at Networks has gone well! For the first time, following a lot of hard work, all registrations have been completed within a reasonable time.
· The next School Board will deal with more specific proposals – this meeting gave a picture of the current ‘state of play’ in the School.
Comments on a name change for the School:
· Jan Panting thought the name should change.
· John Smith suggested there should be more breadth in the name.
· Priti Chopra thought it should have a more international dimension.
· Drew Wicken suggested it would be interesting to get a student’s perspective and that re-naming is an opportunity for a fresh start.
· Malcolm Ryan supports new name
· Gillian Leader (external partners rep) thought it there should be some kind of ‘strap line’ for the School to capture its identity.
13. Any other business
· Dionne Glennon reported on the new University degree certificate paper from 1 January 2010. Better security is embedded in the paper with a hologram replacing the seal.
14. Date and time of next meeting: to be confirmed
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