Supporting staff and students in HE in FECs University of the West of England Federation

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Supporting staff and students in HE in
FECsUniversity of the West of England Federation

• Penny Blackie
• 11 June 2009

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Why HE in FECs?

• Meets demand for local communities
• Widening participation
• Responsive curricula
• Support for students
• Partnerships with higher education institutions
• Not the main business of HEFCE or the LSC
• Not the colleges main business

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Why increased confidence?

• Flexibility
• Range of provision
• Approachability
• Willingness
• Opportunities
• Scholarly activity and research

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Policy developments

• Emphasis on employer engagement
• Foundation degree target of 10,000 students by
  2010
• University Challenge and HE Centres
• Foundation Degree Awarding Powers

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Policy developments

• HEFCE review of HE in FECs
• HEFCE request for HE strategies
• Lifelong Learning Networks and strategic
  partnerships
• Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review (IQER)
• The National Student Survey and the student voice

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HEFCE Good Practice Guide
Supporting higher education in further education
colleges (2009/05)

• First version in 2003
• Key differences between 2003 and 2009
• Started rewriting in April 2008
• Link with Higher Education Academy
• 50 colleges involved
• Use of networks
• Supplement on HE strategies

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What is meant by good practice?

• HEFCE Guide what works well
• QAA in IQER positive contribution to the
  colleges management of the student learning
  experience of HE
• Worthy of wider dissemination within and/or
  beyond the college

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Key elements of the QAA Academic Infrastructure

• The framework for higher education qualifications
  (FHEQ)
• The Code of Practice
• Changes to Section 6 Assessment of students
• Section 9 Work based and placement learning
• Foundation Degree Qualification Benchmark

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Leadership, governance and management project

• Stage 1
• Three seminars for college principals and senior
  managers
• Strategy seminar for college governors
• Notes of discussions on project website
• http//www.sheffield.ac.uk/heinfestratprog/index.h
  tml

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Leadership, governance and management project

• Stage 2
• Development of staff development materials and
  activities
• How to use the HEFCE Guide
• Guide for Governors