THE HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN to

Transcription

1 THE HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN to

2 CONTENTS THE HIGHER EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WESTON COLLEGE TO Foreword Page 2 02 Summary of strategic aims for higher education Page 3 03 Achieving the strategic aims to Page Key Performance Indicators to Page 7 05 Weston College: The context for higher education provision Page 8 06 Higher education as part of the overall strategy of Weston College Page 9 07 The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Page 9 08 Partners Page Progress against the and HE strategic plans Page The Weston College commitment Page Planned development of new programmes Page 19 Appendix 1 Higher Education Provision Weston College Page 20 Appendix 2: Higher Education Key Performance Indicators Page Appendix 3: Projected HE student numbers to Page Foreword 2014 has seen Weston College recognised as one of the top Colleges in the country. Ofsted rated the College as outstanding in all aspects of provision, which, in addition to the Quality Assurance Agency s 2012 excellent Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review, puts the College at the forefront of the sector delivering university-level education in a further education setting. Building on this excellent reputation, the College is now officially named Weston College of Further and Higher Education. With the student experience remaining at the heart of what the College is about, we are ambitious about future plans and the growth of higher education in Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset. This new Higher Education Strategic Plan sets out clear aims for the student experience, growth of the curriculum offer, working with partners, reflecting economic need, and developing the employability of graduates. Our higher education mission statement encapsulates what we are about. The College is ambitious for its students and North Somerset. Our strategy will secure an attractive, valid and sustainable higher education provision, as well as contribute to the long-term financial future of the College. To deliver an outstanding higher education experience, enabling success and inspiring ambition. Dr Paul Phillips OBE Principal and Chief Executive 01 02

3 SUMMARY OF STRATEGIC AIMS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ACHIEVING THE STRATEGIC AIMS TO The Higher Education Strategic Plan has been developed within the parameters of the whole College Strategic Plan. Care has been taken to ensure that the content of the plan is convergent with the overall plan. The strategy has been devised in dialogue with partner universities, staff, students, and senior and corporate management. These strategic aims are the key elements making up the overall strategy for HE development: To develop and deliver sustainable, high quality higher education which reflects the needs of students, employers, partner universities, and both the local and national economy. To recruit high calibre students in sufficient numbers to ensure the ongoing financial viability of HE programmes. To have a total of 893 HE students studying at Weston College by To engage with, and reflect the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education in all aspects. To achieve commended through Higher Education Review (HER). To focus on the student experience and to ensure that it continues to be positive and varied. To enhance the student experience through acting on student feedback and increased student engagement. This section of the strategic plan details how each of the College s strategic aims for HE will be achieved. It is an indication of operational activities that will be undertaken. 01 To develop and deliver sustainable, high quality higher education which reflects the needs of students, employers, partner universities, and both the local and national economy. The Higher Education Directorate along with Faculties and convergent with the Weston College overall Strategic Plan will use labour market intelligence and engage with reports from the West of England LEP and North Somerset Council to influence the development of disciplines at higher education level. In addition, advice will be sought from university partners: Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England, and key employers in order to assure the level, quality, and sustainability of the programmes. All programme areas will be encouraged to strengthen links with employers and sector skills councils to maintain awareness of industry expectations. Partnership Managers in the Directorate will assure close links and good working relationships with partner universities in order to assure the highest quality programmes To develop staff skills, scholarship, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning including the use of technology enhanced learning. To focus on graduate employability and the development of those skills needed to ensure that individuals are ready and able to enter the world of work or self-employment. 02 To recruit high calibre students in sufficient numbers to ensure the ongoing financial viability of HE programmes. To have a total of 893 HE students studying at Weston College by To deliver quality enhancement that enables continuous improvement, standards to be safeguarded, and higher education to flourish. To continue to support the widening participation agenda by providing increased opportunities for a wider range of students to participate in HE programmes. Measures (such as scholarships) will remain in place to encourage high achievers to join our programmes. In addition, programmes will incorporate activities that are attractive to potential students, such as overseas trips and placements. Discussions are ongoing in branding higher education University Centre Weston which will build on the College s excellent reputation and reflect the quality of provision on offer. This will be supported by the ambitions of North Somerset Council, the West of England LEP and the College in creating a learning village for Weston-super-Mare, providing education at all levels. All Faculties will be active in reviewing the effectiveness of the promotion, and the marketing of their programmes. The Directorate will lead on recruitment, supported by Faculties and the Marketing Department. Recruitment will be tracked each year and measures put in place through HEMT to ensure the target is met. The College will continue to be innovative with curriculum development, devising programmes which meet employer needs and build on substantive Level 3 provision at the College

4 ACHIEVING THE STRATEGIC AIMS TO CONTINUED 03 To engage with, and reflect the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education in all aspects. To achieve commended through Higher Education Review (HER). The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) UK Quality Code (UKQC) provides the framework against which all higher education provision is measured. The Higher Education Directorate will deliver awareness of the UKQC to all HE staff, providing access to all parts via the College extranet, and ensure that all aspects of the UKQC are embedded in HE delivery. As current chapters of the UKQC are updated, the Higher Education Directorate will respond and communicate as necessary, and will take action to support a commended outcome to HER. 04 To focus on the student experience and to ensure that it continues to be positive and varied. To enhance the student experience through acting on student feedback and increased student engagement. All programmes will strive to maintain an interesting and varied student experience. Teams will be responsible for reviewing the student experience, showing innovation and variety in delivery and approach to programmes, and reflecting the HE Learning and Teaching Strategy. Current students will be directly involved in the development of new programmes, providing feedback to all programmes, the Directorate and in the creation of policies, procedures and all key activities. The effectiveness of student engagement will be discussed as a standing agenda item at Higher Education Curriculum and Quality Committee (HECQC) and Higher Education Board of Study (HEBS). 05 To develop staff skills, scholarship, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning including the use of technology enhanced learning 06 To focus on graduate employability and the development of those skills needed to ensure that individuals are ready and able to enter the world of work or self-employment. All programmes will use live scenarios for assignments where possible. Tutorial entitlement will guarantee input regarding employability and where appropriate, self-employment. The College will also offer a comprehensive careers service to all HE students. 07 To deliver quality enhancement that enables continuous improvement, standards to be safeguarded, and higher education to flourish. The Higher Education Directorate will be represented at Corporate Management level, and Corporation will have a Governor representing higher education who will also chair a sub-group of Governors: HE Curriculum and Quality Committee. All activity, policies, procedures, processes and enhancement relating to higher education will be discussed at corporate level, and promoted as a key part of overall College activity. Scholarly Activity will ensure currency and qualifications of staff. This will reviewed annually at HEBS. All new teaching staff will be required to undertake a teaching qualification, and membership of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) will be encouraged. All programmes will continue to explore and experiment with technology enhanced learning in a bid to make programmes more varied and interesting. 08 To continue to support the widening participation agenda by providing increased opportunities for a wider range of students to participate in HE programmes. The College will reflect a continued commitment to widening participation, working closely with OFFA, reviewing our own approach, and measuring our effectiveness. Safeguarding, equality and diversity, and widening participation will remain a feature of higher education at the College. In addition it will be well-resourced and will enable students to achieve their potential

5 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO WESTON COLLEGE: THE CONTEXT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISION Weston College has devised higher education key performance indicators (KPIs) which are monitored to assess the performance of the higher education provision, and share intelligence with Corporation and Governors, please refer to Appendix 2. They have been devised with staff and student dialogue, and agreed by the Assistant Principal Higher Education. They have been crossreferenced with the strategic aims. The order of the KPIs broadly follows the student journey. 1. Recruitment 1.1. Overall student numbers to increase by a minimum of 5% annually. 1.2 For student gender reported under OFFA table 7, no.6, an annual increase on baseline male participation data of 36%. 1.3 For all students, the proportion recruited from the state school system remains above 90%. 2. Academic standards and quality 2.1 QAA reviews remain above the line in all judgements. 2.2 NSS overall satisfaction to be in the top quartile for FECs by The NSS satisfaction for The teaching on my course to be in the top quartile of HECs by Continuation rate from year 1 to year 2 to be higher than national average for mature entrants to HE. 2.5 Proportion of higher education staff who are fellows of the HE Academy to increase from 10% in , to 20% in , 25% in and 30% in Quality of outcomes. 3.1 On Honours programmes, overall student success of First and Upper Second Degrees to be at national data or is above 69%. 3.2 For all graduating students those in employment and/or further study after 6 months, is greater than the latest DLHE published data. 4. Financial data 4.1 Overall higher education income to increase by 5% annually. The College Weston College is a Further and Higher Education College serving the needs of the people of North Somerset which is an area covering 145 square miles. In higher education terms it also seeks to recruit regionally, nationally and internationally. In terms of student numbers, the last three years show the following: in the academic year there were 5000 full time equivalent () further education (FE) students and 666 higher education (HE) students; in there were 5040 FE students, and 761 HE students. In the current year there are 5200 FE students and 804 HE students. Refer to Appendix 1 for HE provision offered in The College has effectively sustained its student profile against a background of major cuts across the further education sector, and has been successful in recruiting to target with HEFCE directly-funded places. Provision at Level 4 and above is currently a combination of indirectly-funded and directlyfunded provision, working in partnership with Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England. There are also a small number of FE funded professional qualifications. The academic year saw Weston College receiving its first directly-funded higher education students which has enabled the introduction of new programmes. Weston College s main accommodation is centred in Weston-super-Mare. Its largest teaching facility and administration centre is at the Knightstone Campus just off the seafront in the town centre. In September 2007 the College opened its new second site facility, University Campus, within the town, which replaced the 1960s former Sixth Form College and a Victorian campus which accommodated elements of Creative Arts and Music Technology. In addition to this, there is the South West Skills Campus, based on Locking Road, accommodating the Centre of Excellence for Construction and Engineering (CECE). University Centre, Knightstone Campus, accommodates a range of curriculum areas including: Business, Computing, Education, Humanities, Performing Arts, and Science based provision. In 2013 the Centre was re-modelled and refurbished at a cost of 800,000 and now includes an open access computer area and state-of-the-art facilities for higher education students. University Centre, University Campus is home to Art, Media & Design and Music provision. University Campus has been extended in August 2014 with six additional teaching spaces to support the growth in higher education

6 HIGHER EDUCATION AS PART OF THE OVERALL STRATEGY OF WESTON COLLEGE PARTNERS The majority of business at Weston College is within the further education sector. This is reflected in the whole College Strategic Plan which has a higher education section. This strategic plan is convergent with and complements the overall Strategic Plan. THE WEST OF ENGLAND LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP (LEP) The West of England LEP has drawn up the West of England Skills Plan and identifies a vision for the future (2030) which targets sustainable growth and a high quality of life. In it the future needs for graduates are considered and the plan sets out actions to: tackle skills mismatches and/or gaps in the workforce; and, to focus specifically on graduate unemployment, and graduate utilisation with the aim of making best use of graduate skills in our local economy. We will do this by: Securing tomorrow s workforce growing the Apprentice market Improving the match between provision and need in key sectors Employability: increasing the explicit emphasis on employability across FE and HEI provision; increase the number and effectiveness of structured work experience placements; support business engagement in schools Improve Higher Level Skills and graduate retention/utilisation The West of England LEP identify a number of priority areas: Advanced Engineering and Aerospace Low Carbon Industries Microelectronics Professional, Finance and Insurance; Tourism The Creative/Digital Arts The strategic plan for higher education at Weston College draws upon the West of England LEP s skills plan, vision and priority areas in order to identify new courses and provision. Weston College currently works with two validating bodies for both directly-funded and indirectlyfunded programmes. These are Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England Bristol. For the duration of this strategic plan, the College will continue to work with, and seek to strengthen relationships with these partners. As part of higher education development at Weston College, if programme development is not possible with these partners, other partners may be considered. PROGRESS AGAINST THE AND HE STRATEGIC PLANS The higher education sector was subject to significant change during the above planning period following the launch of the Government White Paper Students at the Heart of the System. One outcome of the Paper was the opportunity to bid for directly-funded student places (through the core and margin process). As a consequence the College successfully bid for its own HE numbers. Along with other factors the , and strategic plans focused on the following areas: 01 The bid to HEFCE for the College s own student numbers saw a successful bid by the College to HEFCE for HE student numbers. The implication of this was the need to develop a functional and effective infrastructure to deliver, organise, report and administrate directly-funded HE. Following the announcement of a further 5,000 core and margin places in an appeal was submitted to HEFCE for further growth. The appeal was successful with the College being awarded a further 37 student number control (SNC) places, taking the total allocation to 105. This aspect was convergent with the College s ambition to create sustainable, high quality higher education that would meet the needs of students, employers and the economy. 02 To attract ABB equivalent students who fall outside of SNC The College was successful in appealing to these high calibre students with over 20% of the 2013 and 2014 intake falling into this category. 03 To continue to develop the curriculum offering to ensure that programmes meet the needs of students, employers, regulatory bodies and partner universities with a particular focus on employability skills Significant new programme development has occurred within the last five years with the introduction of 8 Foundation Degrees, 8 Honours top-ups, and the PG Cert in Education. There has been a particular focus on the development of Honours top-ups to meet the needs of students who need local progression often for personal reasons

7 PROGRESS AGAINST THE AND HE STRATEGIC PLANS CONTINUED During , all undergraduate programmes at Bath Spa University, including all franchised programmes, were subject to re-approval. The rationale was to review the curriculum in terms of content and employability. Weston College went through the process with all programmes re-approved successfully, and was commended for its thorough and professional approach saw the introduction of five new programmes: FdA Uniformed Services, FdA Professional Writing, BA (Hons) Early Years Education (top-up: work-based), BA (Hons) Creative Industries: Graphic Design (top-up: work-based), and BA (Hons) Applied Art and Design (top-up: work-based). In there was the introduction of the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre (top-up), the FdSc Health and Social Care Practice, and two degree-level unit schemes: Archaeological Sciences and Mobile Technologies. Furthermore, a significant development in post-graduate activity has been the introduction of the PG Cert stage of the MA in Education (60 units) with the University of the West of England; this development underlines the College s commitment to the continued professional development of its own staff. In eleven new units were added to FdSc Archaeological Sciences saw the introduction of a further 4 programmes: FdSc Care Management in the Community, BSc (Hons) Counselling (top-up), FdA Early Childhood Studies & FdA Photography in Practice. The pace of expansion continued in the academic year with the introduction of the FdA in Film and Media Arts Production, BA (Hons) Performing Arts, BSc (Hons) Public and Environmental Health and BA (Hons) Uniformed and Public Services. During the planning period the University of Bath announced that it was withdrawing from franchise work in Following negotiations, FdSc Applied Computing, BSc (Hons) Applied Computing (Top-up) and FdSc Sports Studies were transferred to UWE with a complete re-design of the curriculum. The College also took the decision to withdraw from FdA Professional Writing due to insufficient numbers applying to the course. 04 To enrich the student experience through continual quality enhancement Weston College received an outstanding IQER when scrutinised by QAA in This has been consolidated with excellent Periodic Reviews carried out by Bath Spa University in 2013 and 2014, and confidence shown through UWE s Due Diligence process in IQER has since been superseded by Higher Education Review (HER) and to maintain the College s outstanding position the strategy has been to review all processes, procedures and policies in terms of fitness for purpose against the UK Quality Code (UKQC). This will be ongoing throughout and beyond. One outcome of the HER is an increased focus on student engagement and the need to increase this aspect in terms of student contribution to the management and development of higher education. 05 To provide opportunities for a wide range of students to participate in higher education The commitment to widening participation, recognising the needs of local students and engaging with local business continued during the planning period. Alongside this the College successfully submitted an application to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) which includes a number of initiatives to widen participation. 06 To develop staff skills and scholarship The College s Scholarly Activity Policy and Procedure has been under constant review with a requirement that teaching staff remain subject-aware and academically current. In 2013 the HE Learning and Teaching Strategy was reviewed and updated to reflect the expectation of Chapter B3 of the UK Quality Code. The Strategy endeavours to reflect current thinking on best HE pedagogic practice. Engagement with the UK Professional Standards Framework has also taken place, resulting in a revised Peer Observation of Teaching Process. For newly appointed staff without a recognised teaching qualification there is now a requirement that they undertake a PGCert in Education, including a module accredited by the HE Academy. 07 To continue to develop the HE structure of the College to reflect the projected growth in student numbers The HE structure of the College remains under review as student numbers increase, with a particular emphasis on ensuring a high quality student experience. As a result of this continuing review a number of new posts have been created including: an Undergraduate Admissions Officer, HE Student Finance Officer, HE Student Records Officer and a Student Engagement Officer. This will undoubtedly help prepare for the QAA s Higher Education Review. The entire 6th floor of the Knightstone Campus has also been developed as a University Centre. 08 To be strategically focused and forward-thinking in marketing the College s HE provision With our own students there is now a particular focus on curriculum areas where student progression rates are low. Also to further strengthen our links with those organisations that provide us with students. The College s strategic approach to marketing has paid dividends with the SNC target being met for direct and indirectly-funded provision

8 THE WESTON COLLEGE COMMITMENT In addition to the Strategic Aims, the College makes a commitment to five key areas that will underpin the Aims, and ensure that they are deliverable. These are as follows: Higher education quality and enhancing the quality of learning opportunities Student engagement Widening participation Graduate employability Marketing and recruitment. Higher education quality and enhancing the quality of learning opportunities Quality and enhancement is central to this higher education strategy. The commitment to assuring that quality in higher education provision and the commitment to enhancing and improving the student experience and the quality of learning opportunities is reflected in these strategic aims: To develop and deliver sustainable, high quality higher education which reflects the needs of students, employers, partner universities, and both the local and national economy. To engage with, and reflect the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education in all aspects. To develop staff skills, scholarship, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning including the use of technology enhanced learning To deliver quality enhancement to supports continuous improvement, safeguard standards, and enable higher education to flourish. The commitment: The following aspects of higher education will underpin the HE strategy in terms of enhancing the quality of learning opportunities: To secure and allocate an Enhancement Fund, over and above regular resourcing, dedicated to enhancing the quality of learning opportunities, and to monitor the impact and effectiveness on the higher education curriculum To undertake programme developments that have taken account of student expectation, availability of similar provision locally and regionally, and to work alongside key stakeholders to establish skills requirements and shortages, and incorporate this into a planned and structured approach to programme development To plan and support staff development, scholarship and continual professional development for the benefit and improvement of the programme, and the quality of the curriculum. To monitor the effectiveness and impact of the measures taken. The Higher Education Directorate will lead on assuring that the UK Quality Code is embedded in all aspects of higher education organisation and delivery. Ongoing review will assure that the expectations articulated in the UK Quality Code are understood by staff and implemented in policy, process, and activity. The Key Performance Indicators relating to this are as follows: 2.1 QAA reviews remain above the line in all judgements. 2.2 NSS overall satisfaction to be in the top quartile for FECs by The NSS satisfaction for The teaching on my course to be in the top quartile of HECs by Continuation rate from year 1 to year 2 to be higher than national average for mature entrants to HE. 2.5 Proportion of higher education staff to become fellows of the HE Academy to increase by 10% in , 15% year and 20% in Student engagement In order to provide an outstanding higher education experience, enabling success and inspiring ambition the College undertakes to engage with and listen to all higher education students. Students and staff are partners in learning, based on mutual respect and drawing on the knowledge and experience of everyone, to continually enhance the student experience. Students will be involved in the development, delivery, and review of higher education provision at Weston College. Student engagement is reflected following strategic aims; To engage with, and reflect the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education in all aspects. To focus on the student experience and to ensure that it continues to be positive and varied. To enrich the student experience through acting on student feedback and increased student engagement. The commitment: In order to achieve the above strategic aims, the College will: Use a variety of means to engage with students and offer a range of opportunities for those who wish to represent the student body on key decision-making committees. Listen to the student voice. Respond to student opinions, and provide feedback on any actions taken via social media and trough the student newsletter. To have a separate Student Engagement Strategy; this will encapsulate the College s commitment to effective student engagement, using the expectation and indicators of sound practice identified in chapter B5 of the UK Quality Code

9 THE WESTON COLLEGE COMMITMENT The effectiveness of student engagement will be assessed through the following KPIs: 2.2 NSS overall satisfaction to be in the top quartile for FECs by The NSS satisfaction for the teaching on my course to be in the top quartile of HECs by Widening participation Weston College is committed to supporting the government s widening participation (WP) agenda, and has been successful over a number of years in key WP areas. Over the strategic planning period, the College has committed to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) to the following: Ensuring that information advice and guidance for students is comprehensive, and that guidance and support is for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) applicants is clear and effective. The College will monitor the data related to OFFA as identified in the table (above). The following Key performance Indicators are relevant to this commitment: 1.2 For student gender reported under OFFA table 7, no.6, an annual increase on baseline male participation data of 36%. 1.3 For all students, the proportion recruited from the state school system remains above 90%. WP Target Ethnicity 6.9% 7% 7% Students previously in care 2.9% 2.9% 3% Disabled students 14% 14% 14.2% From a state school 93.2% 93.3% 93.4% First in family higher education 64.5% 64.5% 64.6% Male participation 36.4% 36.8% 37% Part-time students 2.3% 2.7% 3% This strategy reflects a commitment to widening participation through the following strategic aim: To continue to support the widening participation agenda by providing increased opportunities for a wider range of students to participate in HE programmes. The commitment: In order to achieve the strategic aim and the participation rates agreed with OFFA for the above data the College commits to the following: Continue to work closely with OFFA to assure that access, supporting student achievement and progression for WP students remains successful. Weston College will remain committed to equality and diversity. Treating everyone without discrimination is at the heart of the whole College s mission and strategy. The College will celebrate diversity. Weston College will continue to recruit students from a broad and diverse community. 04 Graduate employability Higher education programmes at Weston College have always been developed with student employability and the embedded development of employability skills as a key part of their content. This strategy relates to graduate employability through the following strategic aims: To focus on graduate employability and the development of those skills needed to ensure that individuals are ready and able to enter the world of work or self-employment. Working with employers, North Somerset Council and the LEP, to establish new HE provision based on regional and national skills requirements. The College is therefore committed to graduate employability by supporting students to source, access and secure work or self-employment opportunities, and to enable students to develop the skills to be effective in their work on day one of their employment or self-employment The commitment: The following aspects of higher education at Weston College will underpin the HE strategy in terms of graduate employability: All course development will have employability embedded in the content, activity and support provided for new programmes. All course development and existing course delivery will where possible include accreditation by professional bodies, the involvement of employers and related sector skills councils

10 THE WESTON COLLEGE COMMITMENT Assignments and assessments for higher education programmes will be encouraged to be reallife or live wherever possible. Industry and commercial guest speakers will be a feature of all higher education programmes at Weston College, detailing and raising awareness of the expectation and skills requirements of the discipline being studied. Weston College will encourage and support work experience and placements for HE students. Entrepreneurship and enterprise will be promoted. Career planning and employment will remain a key feature of tutorial entitlement and support. The Key Performance Indicators to assess effectiveness of student employability: 3.1 On Honours programmes, overall student success of First and Upper Second Degrees to be at national data or is above 69%. 3.2 For all graduating students those in employment and/or further study after 6 months, is greater than the latest DLHE published data. 05 Faculties and programme teams will be encouraged to give more focus to recruitment activities. Faculties will be active in reviewing the effectiveness of their promotion. To be proactive in marketing the College s HE provision with our own students with a particular focus on curriculum areas where student progression rates are low. With the current first year intake ( ) 52% of students have progressed from the College s own level 3 provision, up 6.7% compared to The marketing department and the Directorate will devise and support activities to increase recruitment in terms of both number and calibre of students. Measures (such as scholarships) will remain in place to encourage high achievers to apply to higher education programmes at the College. Programme teams will be encouraged to incorporate activities that are attractive to potential students, such as overseas trips/placements etc. Recruitment will be monitored regularly and measures put in place through Higher Education Management Team (HEMT) to ensure meeting the target. The following Key Performance Indicators are relevant to this commitment: 1.1: Overall student numbers to increase by a minimum of 5% annually. 1.2: For student gender reported under OFFA table 7, no.6, an annual increase on baseline male participation data of 36%. 1.3: For all students, the proportion recruited from the state school system remains above 90%. 4.1: Overall higher education income to increase by 5% annually. 05 Marketing and recruitment As the higher education sector changes, notably with the removal of the Student Number Control and the increasingly competitive market for recruiting students, the College will show a commitment to marketing and recruitment in for higher education programmes, in order to achieve the growth it has targeted. This strategy relates to marketing and recruitment through the following strategic aim: To recruit high calibre students in sufficient numbers to ensure the ongoing financial viability of HE programmes. To have a total of 893 HE students studying at Weston College by The strategic aim refers to growth of both student numbers and the range of programmes on offer. The commitment: The following actions will underpin the commitment to effective marketing and recruitment. Planned development of programmes including projected growth The planned development of new programmes will support the following strategic aim: To recruit high calibre students in sufficient numbers to ensure the ongoing financial viability of HE programmes. To have a total of 893 HE students studying at Weston College by The HE sector is anticipating an increase in competition to recruit higher education students in following the removal of the cap on student number control places. The College is continuing to implement a proactive and innovative approach to student recruitment and is projecting continued growth through to We are projecting a 5% growth in full time equivalent () numbers (from 760 to 810) for ; with a further 5% (810 to 850) for and a further 5% (850 to 893) for Please refer to Appendix 3 for a detailed breakdown

11 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PROGRAMMES HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISION AT WESTON COLLEGE 2014/15 The planned new programmes are convergent with The West of England LEP Strategic Economic Plan which identifies a number of priority areas: Course Franchised or Directly-funded Number of Students Advanced Engineering and Aerospace Low Carbon Industries Microelectronics Professional, Finance and Insurance, Tourism The Creative/Digital Arts 2014/15 BA (Hons) Business Management with Sustainability (top-up) Designed in consultation with local employers, it will equip students with essential business knowledge and skills in change management and leadership with a focus on sustainability. 2015/16 FdSc Games and Animation Production The programme will provide students with the tools and processes necessary to work in the animation industry. Students will develop the core skills to produce animation and games production from initial concept and pitching, to design, script writing, story boarding, modelling, lighting, and sound design. 2016/17 FdA Events Management The programme will have a number of distinctive features, to meet the needs of the sector. Work-based learning will be central to the programme and live events will provide students with the opportunity to develop the diverse range of skills required to plan, host and evaluate events. Levels 4, 5 and 6 provision in Engineering This will be developed in collaboration with local advanced engineering and manufacturing employers to provide them with the skills they require to evolve and grow their business. An expression of interest has been submitted to the HEFCE Catalyst Fund to support the development. HNC/D Construction, Design and Management The programme will enhance career progression for employees in the field of surveying, contracting, design and production and in Local Authorities. The programme will help to provide the skills required to construct Hinkley Point C (HPC). LLB (Hons) Law (Year 1) Although at the early stages of discussion this development will support North Somerset s ambition to create a Law and Professional Studies Academy, this is also convergent with The West of England LEP plan. FD Animal/Equine Management Franchised UWE 20 FD Applied Computing Directly-funded 36 FD Business with Management Franchised UWE 35 FD Care Management in the Community Directly Funded 23 FD Contemporary Art and Professional Studies Franchised BSU 23 FD Counselling Directly-funded 30 FD Early Years Franchised BSU 30 FD Early Childhood Studies Franchised BSU 23 FD Film and Media Arts Production Directly-funded 18 FD Graphic Design Franchised BSU 31 FD Health and Social Care Practice Directly-funded 80 FD Inclusive Practice Franchised UWE 22 FD Music Production Franchised BSU 28 FD Musical Theatre Franchised BSU 34 FD Performing Arts Franchised BSU 55 FD Photography in Practice Directly-funded 19 FD Popular Music Franchised BSU 17 FD Public and Environmental Health Franchised UWE 25 FD Sports Studies Directly-funded 26 FD Tourism Management Directly-funded 25 FD Uniformed and Public Services Franchised UWE 43 Hons Top-up Applied Computing Franchised UoBa 4 Hons Top-up Applied Computing Directly-funded 6 Hons Top-up Business Management with Sustainability Directly-funded 20 Hons Top-up Contemporary Art and Professional Studies Franchised BSU 26 Hons Top-up Counselling Directly-funded 13 Hons Top-up Early Years Education Franchised BSU 13 Hons Top-up Graphic Design Franchised BSU 10 Hons Top-up Musical Theatre Franchised BSU 11 Hons Top-up Performing Arts Franchised BSU 10 Hons Top-up Public and Environmental Health Franchised UWE 22 Hons Top-up Uniformed and Public Services Franchised UWE 16 MA Education: PGCert stage Franchised UWE

12 WESTON COLLEGE HIGHER EDUCATION : KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS KPI 1: Recruitment Performance Indicator Target Actual Target Target Commentary if required 1.1 Overall student numbers to increase by a minimum of 5% annually For student gender reported under OFFA table 7, no.6, an annual increase on baseline male participation data of 36% 36% 36.4% 40.8% 36.8% 37% Targets are based on OFFA return 1.3 For all students, the proportion recruited from the state school system remains above 90% 91% 93.2% 89.1% 93.3% 93.4% Targets are based on OFFA return KPI 2: Academic Standards and Quality Performance Indicator Target Target Target Commentary if required 2.1 QAA reviews remain above the line in all judgements 2.2 NSS overall satisfaction to be in the top quartile for FECs by College above the line for the 2011 QAA Summative Review All chapters of the UK QC embedded in policies procedures and activities HER reflects above the line judgments in line with the expectations of the UK QC Confirmed outcome will not be known until % 87% 89% 91% FEC top quartile % 2.3 The NSS satisfaction for The teaching on my course to be in the top quartile of FECs by % 88% 89% 90% FEC top quartile % 2.4 Continuation rate from year 1 to year 2 to be higher than national average for mature entrants to HE. 2.5 Proportion of higher education staff who are fellows of the HE Academy to increase to 20% in , 25% in and 30% in % 90% % 90% National data for FECs is not available, the closest equivalent data is for mature entrants (21+) to universities with a continuation rate of 89.5% for Overall (all students) the continuation rate is 93.4% for Staff (10%) 12 staff including 1 Senior Fellow and 1 Principle Fellow (20%) 15 Staff Including 2 Senior Fellows (25%) 18 Staff Including 3 Senior Fellows (30%) There are currently 60 establishment staff with HE level teaching. KPI 3: Quality of Outcomes Performance Indicator Target Target Target Commentary if required 3.1 On Honours programmes, overall student achievement of First and Upper Second Degrees to be at national data or is above 69%. 3.2 For all graduating students those in employment and/or further study after 6 months, is greater than the latest DLHE published data. 73% 73% 73% 73% National data : First Class 18.6% and Upper Second 50.7% producing an overall figure of 69.3%. Success to be maintained 98.75% 96% 97% 98% DLHE data for % KPI 4: Financial data Performance Indicator Target Target Target Commentary if required 4.1 Overall higher education income to increase by 5% annually. 4.33m 4.76m 5m 5.25m 21 22

13 PROJECTED HE STUDENT NUMBERS TO HE STUDENT NUMBERS BSU UOB UWE DIRECTLY FUNDED 2014/ /16 Projected Full Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total FD Animal/Equine Management FD Applied Computing FD Business with Management FD Care Management in the Community FD Contemporary Art and Professional Studies FD Counselling FD Early Years FD Early Childhood Studies FD Events Management FD Film and Media Arts Production FD Games and Animation Production FD Graphic Design FD Health and Social Care Practice FD Health and Social Care Practice: Jan Start FD Health and Social Care Practice: April 13 Start FD Inclusive Practice FD Music Production FD Musical Theatre FD Performing Arts FD Photography in Practice FD Popular Music FD Public and Environmental Health FD Sports Studies FD Tourism Management FD Uniformed and Public Services TOTAL Honours Top-ups: Full Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Hons Top-up Applied Computing: Direct Hons Top-up Applied Computing: UoBa Hons Top-up Business with Management Hons Top-up Contemporary Art and PS Hons Top-up Counselling Hons Top-up Early Years Education Hons Top-up Graphic Design Hons Top-up Musical Theatre Hons Top-up Performing Arts Hons Top-up Public and Environmental Health Hons Uniformed and Public Services TOTAL Part Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total FD Animal/Equine Manage FD Contemporary Art and Professional Studies Hons Top-up Contemporary Art & PS FD Business with Management FD Applied Computing Hons Top-up Applied Computing (UoBa) FD Counselling FD Photography in Practice FD Public and Environmental Health (Hons) Top-up Environmental Health FD Tourism Management TOTAL MA Education TOTAL Target / Change 6% Change + 6% 23 24

14 PROJECTED HE STUDENT NUMBERS HE STUDENT NUMBERS BSU UOB UWE DIRECTLY FUNDED Programme Tilte 2015/ /17 Full Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total FD Animal/Equine Management FD Applied Computing FD Business with Management FD Care Management in the Community HNC/D Construction Design and Management FD Contemporary Art and Professional Studies FD Counselling FD Early Years FD Early Childhood Studies FD Events Management FD Film and Media Arts Production FD Games and Animation Production FD Graphic Design FD Health and Social Care Practice FD Health and Social Care Practice: Jan 14 Start FD Inclusive Practice FD Music Production FD Musical Theatre FD Performing Arts FD Photography in Practice FD Popular Music FD Public and Environmental Health FD Sports Studies FD Tourism Management FD Uniformed and Public Services TOTAL A Honours Top-ups: Full Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Hons Top-up Applied Computing Hons Top-up Business with Management Hons Top-up Contemporary Art and PS Hons Top-up Counselling Hons Top-up Early Years Education Hons Top-up Graphic Design LLB Hons Law Year Hons Top-up Musical Theatre Hons Top-up Performing Arts Hons Top-up Public and Environmental Health Hons Uniformed and Public Services TOTAL B Part Time Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Total Total FD Animal/Equine Manage FD Contemporary Art Hons Top-up Contemporary Art FD Business FD Computing Hons Top-up Applied Computing (UoBa) FD Counselling FD Photography in Practice FD Public and Environmental Health (Hons) Top-up Environmental Health FD Tourism Management TOTAL C MA Education TOTAL Target / / Change 6% Change

15 Tel: Weston College, Knightstone Campus, Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 2AL