Minutes of the East Durham College Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee Meeting held on 8th June 2023

V. McFarquhar (Chair), D. Butler, S. Duncan, P. Earl and M Young

C. Tomlinson – Vice Principal

H McCoy – (Assistant Principal Performance)

J Lanagan (Assistant Principal)

S Pritchard (Clerk to the Corporation)

Apologies received from E Jose and R Harrison

None 

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2023 were approved as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

The Assistant Principal (Performance) presented the report to the committee and summarised the key points for the committee to note.

The reviews that had highlighted areas for improvement were discussed in particular around intent.  The Chair of the Committee explained the feedback that she had received from students during a student focus group around learner progress and the Assistant Principal noted that this was an area for further development.  The Vice Principal highlighted that there was a need to manage learners’ expectations more effectively where feedback from assessments differed or was delayed because of external review.  A member asked if there were any patterns to the data by department or campus and it was confirmed that there were none.

The Vice Principal confirmed there has always been positive feedback on teaching and learning and that student feedback related to campus facilities or the quality of food available.

The impact of the Director of Quality appointment was discussed.

The Committee noted the update on internal and external reviews across the college 

The Vice Principal presented the report to the committee and summarised the key points for the committee to note.  The Committee noted that there had been satisfactory or better progress against all five improvement aims and supporting actions in the main body of the 2022/23 improvement plan.

The concept of ‘sense of belonging’ was discussed in detail.  A member sought clarification as to what a ‘sense of belonging’ means for students in practice and this was clarified and its importance explained.  A member acknowledged that this was a difficult concept to track and asked what indicators would tell the college that sense of belonging was increasing.  It was confirmed that the college considered retention and attendance figures demonstrated this and that these had improved slightly this year against a backdrop of pressure to leave for employment opportunities.  The college’s challenge was trying to create a sense with students that their education was more attractive them the short term economic gain from employment but external pressures impacted on this.

The Chair of the Committee confirmed that the student forums were very beneficial in understanding the student perspective and the views of the student governor were sought who confirmed his impression at the Technical Academy.  A member asked if other metrics like Canvas use or coursework submission were monitored.  The Vice Principal explained that Canvas is not used consistently across the college, and a lot of learning is through classroom work.  The College is also looking at improvements in standards and behaviour. 

A member of the Committee invited the Vice Principal to consider if ‘sense of belonging’ and the barriers to it could be a theme used in the next staff conference.  

The improved presence of the College and strong messaging on social media was discussed as well as the Business Bites podcast that was due to launch.

Following a query it was confirmed that timetabling had been improved by seeking to integrate Maths and English lessons into time periods when students were in the college for other courses.  The transition to default GCSE courses rather than Functional skills was discussed and the approach taken in other colleges was noted.

The Committee noted the progress made by the College against the Quality Improvement Plan’s aims.

The report is confidential. 

The Committee noted the updated information in relation to key curriculum and quality KPIs and the actions taken to improve academic performance.

The governors confirmed that they were satisfied with the schedule of reports and reviews which were comprehensive.

Any Other Business