CORPORATION OF BROOKSBY MELTON COLLEGE BOARD OF GOVERNORS QUALITY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 CORPORATION OF BROOKSBY MELTON COLLEGE BOARD OF GOVERNORS QUALITY AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE Minutes of the meeting held in the Conference Room at the Melton Campus on Monday, 5 October 2015 at 9.30a.m. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Ball Suzanne Hall Bruce Jamieson Bridget Hollis, Staff Governor Diana Tiernan Kerstin Walker, Chair ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Mark Bendle, Assistant Principal Lisa Craddock, Director OD&BS Amy Fox, Marketing Manager (for marketing presentation only) Stuart Wright, Director of Curriculum Melton Lesley Coates, Clerk to the Governors Peter Jordan, Governor (as observer) David Alcraft, Governor (for marketing presentation only) Eric Smethurst, Governor (for marketing presentation only) Min. No. ACTION by whom DATE by when 1. CHAIR S COMMUNICATIONS The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE There were no apologies for absence. The meeting was confirmed to be quorate with 6 members of the Committee present at the start. 3. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ANY OF THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA The Chair reminded those present to declare at the start of the meeting interests held in any matter to be discussed. No interests were declared. PRESENTATION 4. MARKETING PRESENTATION The Marketing Manager gave a presentation on marketing of the College which included the curriculum, commercial areas, and recent events and promotions that had taken place. The staffing Page 1 of 5 Clerk 5 Oct

2 structure of the department was explained together with the short, medium and long term plans for marketing. The meeting was informed of the increasing use of online options and social media being used for marketing, and the potential use of targeted television marketing via Sky. Members were aware that the College and commercial areas were marketed via various brandings, and confirmation was given that marketing of the separate areas of the College were linked together wherever possible to maximise benefit. The Committee was made aware of the marketing involvement in proposals to increase keeping warm activities, further develop vocational courses and introduce summer schools AGREED that the presentation be noted. Eric Smethurst, David Alcraft and Amy Fox left the meeting. The meeting remained quorate with 6 members present. ITEM OF BUSINESS 5. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 1 JULY 2015 AGREED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. Chair 5 Oct 6. PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE LAST MEETING The progress report on matters carried forward from the last meeting was RECEIVED and NOTED. 7. STAFF GOVERNOR REPORT The Staff Governor gave a verbal update on progress of the online staff views survey. The survey was open from July until mid- September to enable all members of staff to participate if they wished. Paper copies of the survey were provided at receptions for those members of staff who did not have access to a computer. The Committee was pleased to note that over 100 responses had been received and initial analysis would indicate that responses had been received from a wide cross-section of staff members. The results of the surveys would be collated, management responses incorporated, and presented to the Committee at a later date. AGREED that the update be noted Page 2 of 5

3 8. ANNUAL REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS The Director of Organisational Development and Business Services presented the summary Annual Review of Complaints. Members were pleased to note that all complaints had been dealt with swiftly and at a local level and that no complaints had escalated to the full formal process. The Director of Organisational Development and Business Services left the meeting. 9. QUALITY REPORT The Assistant Principal presented the Quality Report. Recruitment of year olds looked positive with a significant number of later applications received. The funded target of 912 had now been exceeded with 950 enrolments to date (including additional year 3 top-ups and LDA/EHCP funded as allocation). Governors noted the positive impact of changes to the curriculum and the new curriculum offers. The area shifts from 2014/15 recruitment were noted and discussed including the increase in the areas of performing Arts and reduction in Beauty. Success rates for 2014/15 were currently being finalised and predicted to be just under 85%, but would be affected going forward by the inclusion of the compulsory GCSE English and Maths outcomes, which many students would find difficult to achieve. Adult recruitment was currently being reviewed taking into consideration anticipated further cuts to funding, and the option to provide modules was being investigated. The Committee noted the Employer Responsive performance success rates and was made aware of the changes that were anticipated as the College continued to deliver its own offer and reduce partnership arrangements. The lesson observation process for was noted and confirmed to operate within the new Common Inspection Framework. 10. APPRENTICESHIPS UPDATE The Assistant Principal presented an update on Employer Responsive Quality Improvements. Most actions had now been completed and the updated areas highlighted were noted. AGREED that the report be noted Page 3 of 5

4 11. CURRICULUM TARGETS FOR 2015/16 The Assistant Principal presented the Curriculum Targets report which detailed the changes to the way in which outcomes for learners are measured, together with the curriculum targets for 2015/16. The meeting noted the inclusion of positive progression and value added statistics. Members were unsure that the changes would give clarification of success, but understood that these were in line with government requirements. 12. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENTS The Director of Curriculum Melton presented the Curriculum Report detailing progress in both Further and Higher Education and the key changes where highlighted. The Committee noted the changes to ALS support, with a reduction to group support following a review of this area of provision, however, the increase in the number of students requiring 1:1 and 1:2 support had significantly increased, and all staff members in this area had been re-deployed. Confirmation was given that the College was now the second largest provider of high needs education and support in the area. Members noted the changes to the Lead Practitioner team. The Committee was pleased to note that the newly introduced courses within the Rural Catering Centre and Heath & Social care were progressing well. Governors supported the proposal to hold a campus wide Arts Festival in 2015/16 and noted the proposed outline programme which was designed to strengthen links with local schools. An update on the proposed relationship with the University of East Anglia was presented to members. The Committee noted and discussed the proposal to increase higher education fees from 6,000 to 7,500 excluding HND programmes, and were made aware of the requirement to apply to the Office of Fair Access (OFFA) and comply with their requirements. The Finance & General Purposes Committee had already given consideration to this proposal and would be making positive recommendation to the Board. The advantages and disadvantages of increasing fees incrementally in preference to Page 4 of 5

5 the full 9,000 option were discussed. The impact of delivery and monitoring of the OFFA requirements was explained to be significant, and would increase with the fees charged. The Committee supported the proposal to increase the Higher Education fees. 13. REVIEW OF COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES FOR 2014/15 AND SETTING OF OBJECTIVES FOR 2015/16 The Committee gave consideration to its objectives for 2014/15 and agreed that all objectives had been achieved. Members discussed objectives for 2015/16 and the Clerk agreed to circulate the suggestions by for approval prior to presentation to the Board. 14. TERMS OF REFERENCE ANNUAL REVIEW The Committee gave consideration to the Terms of Reference for the Quality and Standards Committee and three minor amendments were suggested. Clerk 5 Oct AGREED that the revised Terms of Reference for the Quality and Standards Committee be recommended to the Board of Governors for approval. Chair 7 Oct 15. ANY OTHER ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS There were no other items of urgent business. 16. EVALUATION OF MEETING AND IMPACT UPON LEARNERS A meeting with healthy discussion ensuring the learning environment is the best we can offer. CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS 17. CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS There were no other items of confidential business There being no further business, the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and participation and closed the meeting The meeting ended at 12 noon. L. K. COATES Clerk to the Governors Signed as a correct record on 16 November 2015 Page 5 of 5...Chair