Minutes of the Curriculum and Performance Committee held on 3 December 2014 in room MC5.

Transcription

1 Minutes of the Curriculum and Performance Committee held on 3 December 2014 in room MC5. Present: In Attendance: Katie Normington, Chair Steve Brice Maureen Kilminster Terry Lazenby Jackie Pearson Richard Rawes Teresa Roberts Nicki Adams Head of Student Experience and Quality Mary Hughes Assistant Principal Ian Pocock Clerk to the Governing Body Gail Walker Deputy Principal Item 1 CPR/12/14/1 Item 2 CPR/12/14/2 CPR/12/14/3 Item 3 CPR/12/14/4 Item 4 Action in the event of fire Action in the event of fire was noted Welcome and apologies The chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Jerry Tapp. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest Minutes CPR/12/14/5 Item 5 CPR/12/14/6 The minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2014 were approved as a correct record. Matters Arising The committee noted the report on matters arising and the completed actions. There were two points to carry forward: CPR/6/14/11 Higher Education Strategy The chair confirmed that she had spoken to contacts within HEFCE for STEM who were keen to pursue discussions, and she would put them in touch. CPR/6/14/48 Lesson observation update 1

2 the ratio of 2:1 female to male teachers achieving good or better would be subject to on-going monitoring during the course of the year and reported to a future meeting. Item 6 CPR/12/14/7 CPR/12/14/8 CPR/12/14/9 Post Inspection Action Plan (PIAP) The deputy principal introduced this item. She noted that the PIAP recorded what the College had achieved during On page 2 of the document she noted the overall success rate achieved was 88.7% as opposed to a target of 90%. This did represent an improvement on the previous year. CPR/12/14/10 In respect of the timely apprenticeship target, the target had not been met. Volume of delivery had increased by 20%.The deputy principal concluded that the College was still in a good position in respect of apprenticeships, but would not be fifth best in the country in terms of achievement as in the previous year. The main problem was the achievement of functional skills and this was set out in more detail in the self-assessment (SAR) report. CPR/12/14/11 Discussion noted that Ofsted s interest would be in performance against national targets. The committee agreed that it would be helpful to have information on national averages to provide context for the figures. These would be included in future versions of the quality improvement action plan. Action: Deputy Principal CPR/12/14/12 The committee reviewed the amber ratings in the remainder of the report. CPR/12/14/13 In respect of overall attendance, achievement was 86.17% against a target of 90%. The deputy principal noted that there was a rigorous approach to attendance across the College including apprenticeships. The College did not have a concept of authorised absences. If learners were away without explanation contact would be made with them. Teresa Roberts confirmed this procedure and noted the importance of good attendance in view of tight timetabling. CPR/12/14/14 The use of second year students to support the induction of new learners in catering and sport had been implemented. Retention had improved although not to the targets set. CPR/12/14/15 English and mathematics would be the subject of a paper later on the agenda. Achievement was just short of target and further work was need in this area. CPR/12/14/16 In respect of developing clear guidance on the minimum standards for the assessment of spelling, punctuation and grammar by level, CPD had been given to managers. CPR/12/14/17 In conclusion it was confirmed that the PIAP would now become the Quality Improvement plan (QIP) for

3 Item 7 Quality Improvement Plan CPR/12/14/18 The deputy principal introduced this item. CPR/12/14/19 She noted that targets had not been yet been included and a paper was circulated on the new measures for success and minimum standards currently being implemented by the government. CPR/12/14/20 The deputy principal briefed the committee on current understanding of the impact. Discussion noted that overall success would include functional skills which had not been the case in the past. In terms of implementation it was felt that the new approach represented a data management issue rather than changes in teaching approach. CPR/12/14/21 In respect of the remainder of the QIP, items had been brought forward from the PIAP where necessary. There was a significant emphasis on meeting English and mathematics targets. CPR/12/14/22 Terry Lazenby asked about links to the outcomes of the governors strategy day. The principal noted that there was a large degree of overlap and that the senior leadership team were linking those outcomes to the QIPs and would add if they were not already included. Action SLT CPR/12/14/23 Richard Rawes asked about the use of walk-ins to identify best practice in lessons. Teresa Roberts and curriculum staff confirmed that this worked well and staff were comfortable with the process. CPR/12/14/24 Steve Brice noted that no information on progress was included at present and the deputy principal confirmed that the QIP would be populated as the year progressed. Item 8 Self-Assessment Report CPR/12/14/25 The chair noted that a number of governors had attended the selfassessment internal and external validation discussion. The report was therefore being brought back to the committee for discussion to recommend approval to FGB. CPR/12/14/26 The deputy principal explained that following the external validation there was now an emphasis on positive elements. CPR/12/14/27 Jackie Pearson commented that the report read well. She suggested that the grade judgement by category, which had been taken out, was useful and would be reinstated, and this was agreed Action: Deputy Principal. CPR/12/14/28 Following discussion the committee confirmed agreement to the current selfassessment as good with the areas identified as in need of improvement on pages 9 and 10 of the report. Item 9 Higher Education Self-Assessment CPR/12/14/29 The committee received a copy of the Quality Assurance Agency s Higher Education Review of Brooklands College, June 2014, and the Higher Education QIP. 3

4 CPR/12/14/30 Jackie Pearson noted that the recommendation requiring completion by October 2014 was the provision of handbooks containing complete information for each course. The head of student quality and experience confirmed that this had been completed. CPR/12/14/31 The committee congratulated staff on the positive outcome of the review and approved the QIP. Item 10 Enrolments CPR/12/14/32 The deputy principal presented an update on recruitment. CPR/12/14/33 The target set by the Employment Funding Agency for learners was The College had recruited 1939 to date which was an increase from the previous year. CPR/12/14/34 In respect of 19+ learners there was confidence that the College would achieve full funding CPR/12/14/35 Funding for apprenticeships was a separate allocation. The College had identified that it would require additional funds this year and would continue to work with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to ensure allocation of additional funds. CPR/12/14/36 Further information would be brought to the resources committee on full cost recruitment. CPR/12/14/37 Recruitment would continue throughout the year. CPR/12/14/38 Discussion by the committee acknowledged that it was difficult to see targets in areas that were defined by monetary value rather than numbers. Discussion also acknowledged the efforts that were being made to ensure that class sizes were viable. CPR/12/14/39 Steve Brice asked about progress on targeting new areas for full cost provision. The deputy principal confirmed that all individual areas had targets for achievement. Item 11 Student Disciplinary Statistics CPR/12/14/40 The chair commented on the helpful presentation of the report. CPR/12/14/41 The head of student quality and experience noted the report was tabulated as in previous years, but now according to the new curriculum areas. Overall there was a declining trend from 339 in to 209 in The gender bias in design and technology and human and professional studies was reflective of the gender make up in these two areas. CPR/12/14/42 The pre disciplinary stage had assisted in the management of this area. CPR/12/14/43 Steve Brice asked if all students were asked to sign up to College values. It was confirmed that this was done at the first tutorial. 4

5 CPR/12/14/44 The committee noted the report. Agenda Item 4 Item 12 New Government Measures for Success CPR/12/14/45 This had been discussed under item 7. The committee noted that assessment of these new measures was work in progress. Item 13 Learner Involvement Overview CPR/12/14/46 The committee noted a report on learner involvement activities during the last part of the summer and autumn terms, Item 14 Student Satisfaction Survey CPR/12/14/47 The committee noted a report on the outcome of the student survey report : induction survey. CPR/12/14/48 The committee noted the high level of satisfaction with the library service. CPR/12/14/49 An area identified for improvement was the catering service. CPR/12/14/50 Richard Rawes suggested that in future versions of the report in would be helpful to see a summary of the data as well as the interpretation. Action Deputy Principal/Head of Student Experience and Quality. Item 15 English and Mathematics CPR/12/14/51 The assistant principal introduced a briefing paper outlining the impact of changes in government policy in respect of English and mathematics. CPR/12/14/52 From September 2014, to secure funding, the College would be including English and mathematics in the study programmes of all students who did not have a grade C or above in these subjects. The students would either follow GCSE or functional skills learning aims. CPR/12/14/53 Progressing students towards these aims within the 30 weeks available to achieve them was quite challenging. There was also an increase in the number of students undertaking GCSE English, from 215 in to 442 in The changes did put a strain on timetabling and there was a potential impact on success rates. Students were funded as long as they were on a course. CPR/12/14/54 In view of the importance of this issue the deputy principal noted that regular updates would be brought to the committee. Action Deputy Principal Item 16 Complaints Report CPR/12/14/55 The committee the complaints report for , and complaints received so far in CPR/12/14/56 The deputy principal noted that complaints had gone up, but that could be indicative of better processes and greater awareness of the complaints procedures. 5

6 CPR/12/14/57 In response to questions from governors it was clarified that that significant complaints in two areas were due to particular circumstances which had now been resolved. Item 17 Safeguarding Report CPR/12/14/58 The head of student experience and quality presented the safeguarding report for and emerging issues for CPR/12/14/59 The report provided an analysis of referrals. CPR/12/14/60 The committee noticed the increasing trend of referrals for mental health and homelessness issues. CPR/12/14/61 The deputy principal noted that a category would be added to reporting to encompass radicalisation. Item 18 Item 18.1 Chair s business Review of business for emerging risks CPR/12/14/62 There were no new or emerging risks Item 19 Any other business Student Progression CPR/12/14/63 Steve Brice suggested that it would be helpful to see a report on student progression after they had completed course. The deputy principal noted that this was included in the SAR, but detail could be reviewed for the future. Action; Deputy Principal. Curriculum day CPR/12/14/64 It was confirmed that this would be held on Tuesday 3 March Item 20 Date of next meeting CPR/12/14/65 Wednesday 4 March 2014 Chairman.. Date.. 6