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North West Kent College of Technology, October 2014

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North West Kent College of Technology, October 2014 Higher Education Review of North West Kent College of Technology October 2014 Contents About this review ..................................................................................................... 1 Key findings .............................................................................................................. 2 QAA's judgements about North West Kent College of Technology ........................................ 2 Good practice ....................................................................................................................... 2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 2 Affirmation of action being taken ........................................................................................... 3 Theme: Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement ................................. 3 About North West Kent College of Technology .................................................... 3 Explanation of the findings about North West Kent College of Technology ...... 5 1 Judgement: The maintenance of the academic standards of awards offered on behalf of degree-awarding bodies and other awarding organisations ............................. 6 2 Judgement: The quality of student learning opportunities ............................................. 17 3 Judgement: The quality of the information about learning opportunities ....................... 34 4 Judgement: The enhancement of student learning opportunities ................................. 37 5 Commentary on the Theme: Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement ............................................................................................................... 40 Glossary .................................................................................................................. 41 Higher Education Review of North West Kent College of Technology About this review This is a report of a Higher Education Review conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) at North West Kent College of Technology. The review took place from 7 to 9 October 2014 and was conducted by a team of three reviewers, as follows: Mr Sam Butler (student reviewer) Dr Alan Howard Mr Kevin Kendall. The main purpose of the review was to investigate the higher education provided by North West Kent College of Technology and to make judgements as to whether or not its academic standards and quality meet UK expectations. These expectations are the statements in the UK Quality Code for Higher Education (the Quality Code)1 setting out what all UK higher education providers expect of themselves and of each other, and what the general public can therefore expect of them. In Higher Education Review the QAA review team: makes judgements on - the setting and maintenance of academic standards - the quality of student learning opportunities - the information provided about higher education provision - the enhancement of student learning opportunities provides a commentary on the selected theme makes recommendations identifies features of good practice affirms action that the provider is taking or plans to take. A summary of the findings can be found in the section starting on page 2. Explanations of the findings are given in numbered paragraphs in the section starting on page 6. In reviewing North West Kent College of Technology the review team has also considered a theme selected for particular focus across higher education in England and Northern Ireland. The themes for the academic year 2014-15 are Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement and Student Employability,2 and the provider is required to select, in consultation with student representatives, one of these themes to be explored through the review process. The QAA website gives more information about QAA and its mission.3 A dedicated section explains the method for Higher Education Review4 and has links to the review handbook and other informative documents. For an explanation of terms see the glossary at the end of this report. 1 The UK Quality Code for Higher Education is published at: www.qaa.ac.uk/qualitycode. 2 Higher Education Review themes: www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/information-and- guidance/publication?PubID=106. 3 QAA website: www.qaa.ac.uk/aboutus. 4 Higher Education Review web pages: www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports/how-we-review-higher- education/higher-education-review. 1 Higher Education Review of North West Kent College of Technology Key findings QAA's judgements about North West Kent College of Technology The QAA review team formed the following judgements about the higher education provision at North West Kent College of Technology. The maintenance of the academic standards of awards meets UK expectations. The quality of student learning opportunities meets UK expectations. The quality of the information about learning opportunities meets UK expectations. The enhancement of student learning opportunities meets UK expectations. Good practice The QAA review team identified the following features of good practice at North West Kent College of Technology. The annual planning of assessment and the timely and developmental feedback provided for students (Expectation B6). The effective process for the development and provision of significant specialist resources which enhance the quality of students' learning opportunities (Expectation B4 and Enhancement). The development and embedding of a distinctive higher education experience (Enhancement). Recommendations The QAA review team makes the following recommendations to North West Kent College of Technology. By February 2015: ensure that programme specifications are consistent in scope and content and that definitive versions are easily accessible to staff and students (Expectations A2.2 and C) ensure that the policies for extenuating circumstances and appeals are comprehensive and embedded as part of an effective regulatory assessment framework (Expectation B6). By March 2015: ensure that the teaching observation process supports the development of independent learning and critical thinking (Expectation B3). By September 2015: further develop and implement quality assurance structures and policies, clarify responsibilities and identify clear reporting lines and actions (Expectations A2.1 and B8) increase the involvement of students in the formal quality assurance and enhancement processes (Expectation B5 and Enhancement) develop a process for providing oversight of external examiners' comments to identify and share good practice and address issues arising (Expectation B7) 2 Higher Education Review of North West Kent College of Technology establish and implement a College-wide policy and procedures for the provision of work-based and placement learning (Expectation B10). Affirmation of action being taken The QAA review team affirms the following actions that North West Kent College of Technology is already taking to make academic standards secure and improve the educational provision offered to its students. The further development and embedding of specific College policies and regulations for the award of academic credit and qualifications (Expectation A2.1). The development of a more planned approach to staff development and scholarly activity (Expectation B3). The development and embedding of specific policies and procedures for Pearson programmes (Expectation B6). The embedding of the revised template for annual review to provide a more consistent cross-College approach (Expectation B8). Theme: Student Involvement in Quality Assurance and Enhancement The College's Student Involvement Strategy outlines a commitment to create a supportive and successful environment which will motivate individual students to be engaged and challenged, developing them both personally and intellectually. The College's aspiration is to move towards a genuine partnership between students and staff. The student voice has developed effectively over the last few years with a systematic approach to engaging with students through student representative meetings, teaching and learning focus groups and surveys. Further explanation of the key findings can be found in the handbook available on the QAA webpage explaining Higher Education Review. About North West Kent College of Technology North West Kent College of Technology (the College) is a general further education college with two main campuses in Dartford and Gravesend, Kent. The College's mission 'to excel and to inspire' is supported by a series of strategic aims which are reviewed annually. Widening participation is central to the College's ethos, along with the provision of progression routes for students studying at Level 3. The College's Higher Education Strategy refers to the Quality Code and links to the overarching institutional aims, including its commitment to further develop higher education in North West Kent. The College has been in partnership with the University of Greenwich (the University) since 1991. With the University, the College mainly delivers foundation degrees and Higher National programmes, either franchised or validated for delivery solely at the College. The College delivers one honours programme. The College also works in partnership with one awarding organisation, Pearson Ltd, offering Higher National Certificates and Diplomas. In 2014-15 the College had 207 higher education students (186 full-time and 21 part-time) on
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