Runshaw College Corporation
MINUTES OF THE STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING
FRIDAY 7 MARCH 2014
Present / Lynne Livesey (Chair), Yvonne Bradshaw, Philip Cowburn, Simon Partington, David Sherliker, Jo Venn, Tim Varghese.
In attendance / Peter Snape (Clerk to the Corporation), Claire Foreman (Deputy Principal), Jill Gray (Deputy Principal), Clare Russell (Deputy Principal), Giles Inman (for agenda item 2 only), Marie Fairhurst (for agenda item 2 only), Helen Curtis (for agenda item 7 only).
Apologies / There were no apologies.
Meeting began / 1.30 pm /
Status of Minutes / Approved / P / % Attendance / 100%
Meeting closed / 3.50 pm / Unapproved
1. / DECLARATION OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
2. / COURSE AND STUDENT TRACKING SYSTEM (CAST and eILPPS)
2.1 / Marie Fairhurst and Giles Inman described the A Level course tracking system to the Committee and demonstrated how this effectively helped staff to monitor achievement, added value, attendance and retention and implement timely intervention and support when needed. This included Study Support, Careers and Welfare Guidance, Pastoral Mentor Support, Teacher Support, Head of Studies Support, Parents and Peer mentor support.
The system facilitated detailed tracking and monitoring of student progress at course level, class level and student level. The presentation included examples of how the various ‘drilled down’ reports were used as a management tool and provided information feeds for weekly PMT (Programme Management Team) meetings, weekly Pastoral meetings, fortnightly updates for CITs (Course Improvement Teams), updates for SMT and PCT (Programme Co-ordination Team) meetings, held every half term. The introduction of attendance league tables had also added a new dimension for student ownership and motivation.
The presentation demonstrated that the course tracking system was working effectively with very positive AS and A2 attendance statistics currently being realised and consequently, improved retention, student satisfaction and expected achievement.
2.2 / Discussion and questioning by Committee members focussed on targets set for attendance, how these were shared with students, use of the electronic mark book and the availability of the system to other programmes. On this latter point it was confirmed that the vocational area had over time developed a good tracking and mark book facility, which had been driven by the needs of the vocational curriculum so there was limited sharing to be undertaken with that programme area. In HE however, there was the potential to utilise something similar and this would be investigated further.
2.3 / The Student Governors circulated a tracking report used with them to give an effective illustration of how the process at an individual level worked.
2.4 / The Chair of the Committee thanked Marie Fairhurst and Giles Inman for their informative presentation.
3. / MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 22 NOVEMBER 2013
3.1 / The minutes of this meeting were agreed and signed as a true record.
3.2 / Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. / EMPLOYER RESPONSIVE SUCCESS RATE REPORT 2012/13
4.1 / The Committee received the report which showed the final outcome of framework success for learners on employer responsive provision - Apprentices and Non-Apprentices work-based provision delivered by RBC in 2012/13.
The report confirmed that the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards in England (SASE) legislation had been embedded into Apprentice programmes.
The report also confirmed that the move from Train to Gain for employed adult learners to apprenticeships had required them to undertake a broader learning programme than previously required. Learners were now required to undertake a series of qualifications to complete their apprenticeship framework which included a knowledge certificate (Technical Certificate), NVQ assessment, Functional Skills in English, maths and ICT in addition to an Employee Rights and Responsibilities module.
4.2 / Overall Success Rates and Timely Success Rates were significantly higher than the National Average and had remained so for the last three years. Overall Success Rates were 82.1% (slightly down compared to 2010/11 and 2011/12) with Overall Timely Success Rates at 78.7% (again slightly down compared to 2010/11 and 2011/12).
4.3 / Ofsted had considered the College’s 2011/12 results to be outstanding but the slight reduction evidenced in 2012/2013 might be a concern although the whole sector results had also declined.
The report contained an action plan for the continued development and improvement of the provision.
RESOLVED:
4.4 / The Committee noted the report.
5. / LEVEL 3 16 – 18 HE DESTINATIONS
5.1 / The Committee received and discussed the report which summarised HE destinations for 16-19 level 3 completers 2009 to 2013. In particular, the Committee noted:
· trends in the percentages of level 3 students progressing to HEI’s
· the most popular HE destinations for Runshaw students – overall
· the current (2013) most popular HE destinations for Runshaw students – by programme
· the numbers (and distribution) of students taking up places at prestigious universities
· the numbers (and distribution) of students taking up places on prestigious courses
· trends in internal progression to Runshaw HE courses
5.2 / The Committee noted the proposed actions to promote prestigious courses to students.
5.3 / The Committee congratulated Tim Varghese on his offer from University College London to study medicine.
RESOLVED:
5.4 / The Committee noted the report.
6. / MONITORING OF KEY ISSUES REPORT MARCH 2014
6.1 / The committee received a verbal report on the progress being made with the following courses:
A2 Spanish / AS and A2 German – final ‘mock’ assessments had been undertaken recently which had been externally assessed. These had indicated a positive expectation for the summer exams. Student feedback had been good, attendance was high and the course achievement working party continued to monitor and action plan improvement. The action plan had included best practice visits.
AS History – there had been staff changes and a robust action plan was in place. This included a move to the AQA Awarding Body. Attendance was good with students also engaging in a revised timetable of enrichment activity.
Level 4 Accounts (AAT) - achievement rates had improved but remained an area of concern and continued to be closely monitored. Some further significant changes in the curriculum would ensure that the provision remained challenging although the provision was significantly above national average and was very successful for apprenticeship learners.
A level Art and Design – a successful best practice visit had recently been conducted. New equipment for 3D Design had been purchased, attendance was improved and an improved outcome now expected.
A Level Government and Politics – actions implemented had been successful, attendance was high and lesson observation grades during a recent COR had been outstanding.
GCSE English – a detailed action plan was in place to bring about improvement which included a target of 75% of students to improve by one grade. Attendance was good.
RESOLVED:
6.2 / The Committee noted the report.
6.3 / The Committee requested that an invite be extended to a course team that had embedded improvement which had removed the course from the register, to make a short presentation to the Committee at a future meeting.
7. / EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT 2012/2013
7.1 / A final copy of the report and a briefing sheet outlining the Equality and Diversity annual reporting cycle was circulated to the Committee, after which the presentation began with a review of the Strategic Goals and Equality Objectives set and achieved in 2012/2013.
The Committee reflected on the 26 notable achievements attained. This included fundraising, enrichment and awareness activity and the achievement of Dyslexia Friendly Status.
Chapter 5 (Students) and in particular the various success rate profiles for those relating to ethnicity (Page 25), disability (Page 28), sex (Page 31) and socio-economic grouping (Page 33) were considered and discussed.
The Committee noted that the areas for improvement were being addressed fully in the Equality Objectives and Strategic Project Plan. The College was congratulated on ensuring that equality and diversity was embedded in the College and on the production of an excellent and readable report. The final report would be placed on the governance moodle site.
7.2 / The Chair thanked Helen Curtis for her informative presentation.
RESOLVED:
7.3 / The Committee noted the Equality and Diversity Annual Report 2012/2013.
8. / DfE ACHIEVEMENT AND ATTAINMENT TABLES 2013
8.1 / The Deputy Principal (A Level) presented a summary of the DfE Key Stage 5 League Tables 2013.
The DfE league tables were published in January each year, based on the results from the previous August and covered all Level 3 qualifications, such as A Level, BTEC Extended Diplomas and National Diplomas.
There were over 20 different performance measures now used in the tables. For the College however, the three measures that were believed to be the most important were:
· The Average grade achieved
· The Average QCA points score per exam entry
· Added value, which measures the progress students are making, based on their GCSE results
Runshaw appeared in the top 1% of colleges nationally for all these measures, and was the only college to do so.
8.2 / The presentation concluded with an informative analysis of how some local providers were using the data from the published tables in their marketing strategies
8.3 / The Chair thanked the Deputy Principal for her presentation and concurred that it was extremely pleasing that student achievement was recognised nationally as the very best in the country.
RESOLVED:
8.4 / The Committee noted the content of the presentation.
9. / RETENTION AND ATTENDANCE REPORTS
9.1 / A level Programme
There were good levels of attendance, above target on both Year 1 and Year 2 courses. This was a pleasing picture because AS and A2 attendance reached record high levels in 2012-13.
Attendance rates on the A Level programme continued to be above those in most local secondary schools and in some cases, well above.
AS and A2 retention rates remained good although despite improvements compared to the previous year, a thorough analysis of the data had revealed that a number of students had left college for health reasons or to take up apprenticeships elsewhere.
The programme would continue to utilise tried and tested strategies to improve attendance as well as seeking new methodologies.
9.2 / Vocational Programmes
The Committee reviewed the report and noted the positive performance of courses against the retention and attendance targets set. A number of strategies had been implemented in 2013-14 to improve retention and attendance across vocational programmes. This included introducing an Attendance Action Group (AAG) across both programmes, extending the Retention Action Group (RAG) to the Pre Advanced programme, moving to a pastoral mentor model on the Pre Advanced Programme and implementing an engagement programme for the most disengaged students. These strategies had made an impact but there was some way to go and retention and attendance remained a key priority.
9.3 / HE Programme
Year 1 retention levels remained high compared to previous years and the programme was on track to achieve the in-year retention target of 92%.
Continued success in enhancing in-year retention was now impacting on year 2 and the programme remained on track to achieve a retention target of 89%.
Attendance was slightly lower than at the same time as last year down 0.47% and HE Programme Managers, Learning Mentors, Heads of School and CITs had taken specific actions to address attendance.
The report contained detail on individual courses causing concern and outlined a series of actions devised to improve attendance to target or above.
9.4 / Adult College FE Provision
Retention, achievement and subsequently success rates were high across almost all of the 19+ learner responsive provision. Retention was under target on a relatively small number of courses. Programme average attendance was currently 90% and below target.
Learner Satisfaction was outstanding, although a slight decline in comparison to 2011/12.
Overall it was a very positive picture and a robust action plan was in place for each area to close gaps and continually improve.
9.5 / Employer Responsiveness
The interim Best Case Scenario framework success rate data showed that the programme was, overall, performing at a high level.
The move to apprenticeships for adult learners continued to pose challenges, particularly with the achievement and valuing of functional skills. Work to improve the engagement and commitment of employers to the whole of the apprenticeship framework including functional skills was on-going, as was the improvement of functional skills achievement.
RESOLVED:
9.6 / The Committee noted the reports.
10. / SUB-CONTRACTING PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE REVIEW
10.1 / The Committee received a performance review report on the sub-contract provision with Discover Consulting and Training Company.
Since the contract commenced in September 2013, College had worked closely with the Company to implement robust tracking and reporting mechanisms. RBC Sales and Adult Admissions had supported the enrolment and induction of students, to ensure that Matrix standards had been upheld and that all students were aware that they were a Runshaw College learner. The teaching team at Runshaw had also developed good and developing relationships with the sub-contractor teaching and management staff.
The report confirmed that early key performance indicator and quality standards checks indicated good performance to date with no significant concerns.
10.2 / Discovery had indicated a desire to further expand and continue the relationship with the College and it was recommended that, subject to the first cohort results being good, that the college continued to work with Discover Consulting and Training and expand the work, assuming that SFA funding was available to facilitate the contract, up to a maximum of £200,000 (10% of current funding).
RESOLVED:
10.3 / The Committee noted the report and the performance to date. The Committee endorsed the recommendation to continue with the sub-contracting arrangement as described in 10.2 for the approval of the Corporation Board on 24 March 2014.
11. / STRATEGIC PLAN 2013/2014 MONITORING REPORTS
Standards, Support for Students, Skills for Life, Information Learning Technology (ILT), Quality and Equality and Diversity
11.1 / The Committee considered the monitoring reports which set out key actions required to meet targets contained in the Strategic Plan and indicated progress to date with them. Of particular note for question and discussion were the following points:
· Standards - HE Advice and sharing classroom best practice observed in COR weeks. The Committee also sought and received assurance that all actions were on track to be achieved
· Support for Students - Study Smart sessions
· Skills for Life - The Committee sought and received assurance that all actions were on track to be achieved
· ILT - Use of, and examples of, social media in teaching and learning
· Quality - The Committee sought and received assurance that all actions were on track to be achieved
· Equality and diversity – actions were noted in the context of the presentation delivered earlier in the meeting
11.2 / The Committee agreed with the proposal that the strategy for Skills for Life and Information Learning Technology would be integrated with the Teaching and Learning Strategy in 2014/2015
RESOLVED:
11.3 / The Committee noted the reports and the proposed development for 2014/2015.
12. / NEXT MEETING
Friday 27 June 2014 at 1.30pm
13. / TEAM SELF REVIEW
The results are attached to these minutes.
Signed
Chairman
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