AND PENWITH COLLEGE CORPORATION

Curriculum and Standards Committee

Minutes of a meeting of the Curriculum and Standards Committee held at Truro College, College Road, Truro on Wednesday 8 October 2014.

Present: Dr E Sheridan (Chair), Mr R Crossland, Ms M Johns, Mr S Jose, Mr J Smith and Mrs E Winser.

Also Present: Mr M Arnold (Director of Quality), Ms J Cashmore (Director of Operations), Mrs S Dickinson (Head of Finance), Mrs C Mewton (Director of Studies), Mr M Rabey (), Mr M Tucker (Director of Penwith College), Mr M Wardle (Director of Curriculum), Mr N Wilkinson McKie (Roseland Community College), Mrs A Winter (Clerk to the Corporation) and Mrs J Woodhouse ().

Apologies: Mr G Brack, Mrs N Edmondson and Mr D Walrond Also, Mrs C Jackman (Hayle Community School), Mr W Marshall () and Mrs J Nash (Cape )

C14/29 Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record.

C14/30 Matters Arising

30.01 Substance Misuse Policy (Minute C14/26)

The Director of Operations reported that a new Respect Co-ordinator had been appointed and would be starting after half term.

C14/31 Student Achievements

The Director of Quality presented a summary of the student achievements for full time students for 2014. Members noted that more detail would be provided in the College Self- Assessment Report (SAR) later this term. The Director reported on the results and highlighted, in particular:

 Value added achievement – the value added ALPs assessment for the College as a whole was outstanding, placing it as the best performing college nationally  A2 pass rates – A level performance had been very strong with pass rates well above national benchmarks with 62% of completers achieving high grades (A* - B), up by 3% compared to a decline in national averages

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 1/6 Approved 28 October 2014

 AS pass rates – although pass rates this year were showing a slight fall by 3%, this reflected the removal of the January module entries and was consistent with a decline nationally  L3 Extended Diplomas – achievement levels on vocational programmes remained very high with 60% of more than 700 completers gaining at least three Distinction grades (equivalent to 3 grade As at A level) against a national average of 35% and an ALPs score for extended diplomas of 3 (Excellent)  Other vocational courses – more than 560 16-18 year olds (up over 200) and around 300 19+ students achieved NVQs, VRQs or professional vocational qualifications  IB average points score was 35, (one below last year’s record high) – the IB success rate was well above the national average and resulted in the college being rated the best state provide of the IB and highest non-selective provider in The Sunday Times rankings  Level 2 English and maths – there had been a massive increase of 60% in GCSE entries and 400% Functional Skills entries this year in response to national policy changes which presented considerable new challenges and complexities. Although the percentage of high grades in English was high, well above national averages, the percentage of high grades in maths fell slightly (although still above all Edexcel maths entries for tertiary colleges).  Apprenticeships - success rates for the growing number of apprentices (an increase of 20% this year) was 74%, 2% above national averages  Over 400 HE awards were made on full time courses this year with successes in a wide range of honours degrees (130), foundation degrees (230), higher national diplomas (21), PGCE/Certificate in Education (27) and Plymouth University short course Certificates (67).

In response to questions about level 2 English and maths outcomes the Director indicated that performance in English GCSE and Functional Skills had been very good. Performance in maths GCSE and functional skills had been slightly disappointing and action plans were in place to raise performance which included changes to delivery location and to teaching teams. English and maths continued to be an area of provision which was receiving very close attention and there was no complacency about the performance in these subjects.

C14/32 Student Enrolments – Autumn 2014

The Committee noted that overall the student enrolment position across the College was looking very positive and a breakdown of the latest enrolment numbers was provided:  full time 16-18 FE numbers would be confirmed at the six week census date in mid-October and were expected to show an additional 150 first year students and overall increase of around 200 compared to 2013/14 – the College was extremely busy this year and the main area of growth was occupational courses  since the start of term an additional 71 students had joined the College, most had come from school sixth forms where they had been disappointed with provision or the unavailability of subject combinations  HE enrolments appeared to be slightly down overall although this was still a changing picture and recruitment to level 6 (honours degree) programmes was looking very positive.

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 2/6 Approved 28 October 2014

During discussion the Committee explored the current pressure on the timetable and facilities at both Truro and Penwith. Members noted that at certain times of the week the campuses were full to capacity. The travel system had been adjusted to accommodate the additional numbers and more than 30 buses were currently providing home to College transport on a daily basis. The scale of the College’s operation enabled it to absorb additional students and recruit beyond its allocation, even though the lagged funding system meant that no additional funding would be received for extra learners until 2015/16. It was hoped that the extension to the Kenwyn refectory (due to be fully completed by mid- December) would help to alleviate pressure on catering facilities.

The Committee was very pleased to note that overall it had been a very good year for recruitment and against a falling demographic the growth in FE numbers was remarkable. Members agreed that the impact on space and implications for facilities should be closely monitored in the context of increasing numbers.

C14/33 Schools Updates

Representatives from the partner schools mentioned:

 GCSE reforms and revisions to the KS3 curriculum with the removal of national curriculum assessment levels could also have significant implications and were a key focus of attention for schools  ongoing changes to the curriculum and implications for the College – in future it was likely that student entry qualifications would be different with more students tending towards EBacc subjects  the range of EBacc subjects was being broadened with the inclusion of Computer Science in the list of Science subjects for the first time from 2014  the support provided to partner schools (a specific example involving the elite sports programme at St Ives was cited) was welcomed.

The Committee noted that staff training for College staff was being provided in relation to the significant KS3 and KS4 curriculum changes.

C14/34 Safeguarding Update

The Director of Studies presented the Section 175/157 Declaration of Compliance which had been submitted to the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) by the deadline of 30 June 2014. A letter had been received to acknowledge the return and to confirm that arrangements were in order.

The Director of Studies explained that tier one training was provided to all staff at the beginning of term and that tier two training was provided every three years. Members of the designated safeguarding team were currently up to date with training or were about to complete the required training. Members were reminded that the Governor with responsibility for safeguarding was Graham Brack.

The Director also reported that the handover of safeguarding files and information from schools had been quite successful this year and that the new Safeguarding Assistant had made a very positive contribution to these arrangements and to other processes.

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 3/6 Approved 28 October 2014

The Director distributed a leaflet summarising the relevant legislation and the key responsibilities of the governing body in relation to safeguarding.

In response to questions the Director reported that the safeguarding team included three male staff. She also indicated that the College had not been consulted about proposed cuts to Council services which would be likely to have significant implications for the provision of mental health and other support services in Cornwall. She had made a request to the Local Safeguarding Board to allow the College representative to re-join the Board so that there could be greater involvement in discussions about local services and changes to provision.

The Committee noted that this continued to be an increasingly busy area of activity and that current arrangements were working well.

C14/35 Student Disciplinary Procedure

The Committee received a revised Student Disciplinary Procedure which had been amended and rewritten to more closely reflect current circumstances and practices.

Members noted that student conduct was not a significant concern and that the aim was always to take steps to correct behaviour and to put things right before misconduct escalated to a higher level. Where students were co-operative and were prepared to address their behaviour it was generally possible for them to remain in College. Appropriate support was provided to overcome problems such as cigarette addiction, use of legal highs and vaping.

The Committee noted that the disciplinary procedure ended with a final written warning after which any further misconduct would result in an exclusion. There was a right of appeal to the Principal providing an opportunity for the process and evidence to be reviewed.

During discussion members noted that students were very well aware of the future implications of a conviction for drug use and understood the facts. Only around 5 or 6 students were excluded from College each year. Although all schools were non-smoking it was much more difficult to enforce a smoking ban due to the mix of 16–18 and adult learners and although this had been tried for a time it forced smokers to the periphery of the campuses and into neighbouring residential areas. Managing smoking areas on site was found to be a more effective approach.

The Committee APPROVED the revised Student Disciplinary Procedure.

C14/36 Skills for Life Strategy

The Director of Curriculum presented the Skills for Life Strategy for 2014–2016 which set out the College’s commitment to supporting students to acquire the appropriate level in English and maths.

The Committee noted the arrangements for new 16–18 students to assess literacy and numeracy on entry and immediately enrol them onto an appropriate qualification. Their progress and attendance would be very regularly monitored and study centre support provided to enable them to achieve the relevant qualifications.

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 4/6 Approved 28 October 2014

Similar processes were also in place for 19+ students with twilight/evening classes provided to increase the accessibility to adult learners.

In response to questions the Director summarised the challenges of delivering English and maths to such large numbers and the implications of the changes in national policy and funding that would be introduced in 2015. As far as possible provision and support was tailored to individual student needs and information about English and maths arrangements was explained to prospective students and parents during Year 11 information talks. A sense of shared ownership of English and maths delivery as an integral and important part of a students’ learning had been instilled in staff.

The Committee APPROVED the Skills for Life Strategy for 2014–2016.

14/37 New Course Developments

The Committee noted a range of new course developments for 2014 including:  AS Anthropology (which had recruited extremely well with around 100 students taking this new subject)  Design Technology (developed as a result of progression feedback from the previous art & design and 3D design courses)  Apprenticeships in Biomass Engineering (to meet local skills shortage) and for 2015:  a focus on implementing national curriculum changes and new A level specifications which would be phased in over three years with significant implications for delivery  reviewing the IB offer (there had been a significant increase in recruitment in 2014)  BSc Computing and BA Social Science  part time courses eg. Butchery Skills, CAD and Introduction to Programming (in response to employer needs).

14/38 Cycle of Annual Business

The Committee considered and APPROVED the draft cycle of annual business for 2015.

14/39 Any Other Business

39.1 National HE Student Survey Results

The data for partner colleges was tabled at the meeting together with a letter from the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Partnerships at Plymouth University congratulating Truro and Penwith College on the excellent outcome of the Student Survey. Responses were above the partnership averages and indicated extremely positive feedback and a very high level of satisfaction with the teaching, support and assessment.

The Committee congratulated all staff for providing such a positive experience for HE students.

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 5/6 Approved 28 October 2014

39.2 AoC and Baker Tilly Award for Outstanding Leadership of Improvement

Members noted that the College’s submission for the AoC/Baker Tilly award relating to the merger and transformation of Penwith College had been shortlisted following an assessment visit and discussions with key staff and governors. The winner of the award would be announced at the AoC’s annual conference on 19 November 2014.

Governors agreed that the submission conveyed a very powerful story of remarkable achievement.

C14/40 Date of Next Meeting

The Committee would next meet at 5.00pm on Wednesday 11 March 2015 at Penwith College.

PART II – RESERVED BUSINESS

C14/41 Annual Report of College Complaints and Compliments for 2013/14

Non-members left the meeting for consideration of this confidential item.

The Committee reviewed the log of complaints and compliments received during 2013/14 and discussed a number of individual cases in further detail. It was recognised that whilst many of the complaints were summarised in a few lines in the report, they often represented a huge amount of work.

Although the issues raised covered a very broad range of matters with no obvious trends or patterns emerging, it was noted that several of the complaints related to transport and that a great deal of staff time had been devoted to resolving travel issues. A number of these cases showed confusion between College provision and public bus services such as the Camborne and Redruth route.

It was noted that the numbers of complaints still remained relatively low in relation to the numbers of students and others who interacted with the College. The Committee was very pleased to note a large number of compliments which included some very positive feedback from members of the Penzance community about facilities and activities at Penwith College.

______AW/LJ/CurrStand141008mins Page 6/6 Approved 28 October 2014