TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE CORPORATION

Curriculum and Standards Committee

Minutes of a meeting of the Curriculum and Standards Committee held at College, College Road, Truro on Wednesday 11 March 2015.

Present: Dr E Sheridan (Chair), Mr R Crossland, Mr W Elliott, Mr S Jose, Mr J Smith, Mr D Walrond (Principal), 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 Tucker (Director of Penwith College), Mr M Wardle (Director of Curriculum) and Mrs A Winter (Clerk to the Corporation)

Apologies: Mr G Brack and Mrs N Edmondson Also, Mrs C Jackman (Hayle Community School), Mr W Marshall (), Mr M Rabey (Richard Lander School) and Mr N Wilkinson McKie (Roseland Community College)

C15/01 Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record subject to a correction to Minute C14/34 to indicate that the Safeguarding team included two male staff.

C15/02 Matters Arising

02.1 Safeguarding Update (Minute C14/34)

The Director of Studies confirmed that she had been invited to re-join the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

02.2 New Course Developments (Minute C14/37)

Members noted that one of the new AS Anthropology was being discontinued by the examination board after 2017 and a number of other subjects (including Human Biology) were likely to be withdrawn.

02.3 AoC/Baker Tilly Award for Outstanding Leadership of Improvement (Minute C14/39.2)

The Committee noted that the College’s entry relating to the merger and transformation of Penwith College had been the runner-up for this award.

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C15/03 DfE School and College Performance Tables for 2013/14

The Committee received the DfE post-16 performance measures for schools and colleges in together with a detailed commentary. Members noted the tables were based on level 3 qualifications which included A levels, International Baccalaureate and National Diplomas. A total of 1671 students (compared to 1659 in 2012/13) had completed level 3 qualifications at the College in 2013/14.

The Director of Quality highlighted a number of very significant achievements this year: • the College performance exceeded national and local authority averages on every measure • Truro and Penwith College was one of the very best performing colleges nationally, especially in terms of value added with students on academic programmes (A levels and IB) making greater progress than that achieved at any other college • the average points score per student for A levels of 840.3 was more than 60 points above the national average and 130 points above the Cornish sixth form average • the average points score per student for vocational qualifications of 631.6 was more than 70 points above the national average and 30 points above the Local Authority average • a high percentage of students left the College with a very sound qualification base for progression – for academic qualifications 89% achieved three A levels (compared to 78% nationally and 63% for Cornish sixth forms) and for vocational qualifications 80% achieved three substantial qualifications (compared to 47% nationally and 60% within Cornwall).

In reply to questions the Director explained why the average points per student score for College students had fallen this year - changes to programmes of study implemented in 2013/14 allowed greater flexibility and alternative options (such as work experience) instead of a fourth A level. Most universities made a conditional offer based on three A levels and the College was not funded to deliver a fourth subject. However, for some students a fourth subject was beneficial and would still be offered. Individual students received appropriate advice and guidance at an early stage about their subject choices in relation to their future progression plans.

The Committee noted the analysis of the DfE Performance Tables with interest and was very pleased to note the outstanding performance in 2013/14.

C15/04 Review of SAR Action Plans

The Director of Quality presented the mid-year review of the 2013/14 SAR Action Plans and summarised the progress that had been made.

The Committee was pleased to note that of the 29 cross-college actions identified, all but one had been fully implemented and this related to the building of an accessible external lift at the Calenick walkway where underground cabling issues had delayed the project. Of the further 155 actions relating to specific programme areas, 148 had been fully implemented or were in progress. Only 7 actions had not yet been advanced due to a variety of reasons including MIS priorities and staffing which the Director explained.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the actions would be made in the final review at the end of the year although some actions (such as the review and restructuring of Business) were already beginning to show a positive impact.

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The Committee explored the following areas in further detail: • Level 1 & 2 English and Mathematics GCSE/Functional Skills – a range of actions had been implemented including increased staff training/CPD, improved individual target setting for students, delivering lessons closer to vocational curriculum areas. Despite re-advertising the post, it had not been possible to recruit a Maths Super Tutor and staff recruitment remained difficult. The challenges were continuing to be tackled from every angle.

• AS Sociology – this had been an area with disappointing value added although the whole cohort appeal to the examination board and re-mark of unit 2 had resulted in an improvement from ALPS 7 to 6. Changes to schemes of work, staffing changes, closer monitoring of student progress, structured revision sessions and other actions appeared to be having an impact. End of year learner feedback and examination outcomes would indicate whether improvements had been achieved.

• AS Human Biology – there had been a huge effort over the past two years by the course team and every possible action had been implemented. The introduction of Learning Journals to develop study skills and promote student ownership of studies had been welcomed. There appeared to be a misconception amongst some students that Human Biology would be an easier option than Biology and this seemed to affect the intake to the course. The Committee noted that Human Biology was being withdrawn next year and planning for the new 2015 science specifications and examination boards was well underway.

• 19+ Success Rates – the Committee noted that the SAR Working Party had discussed 19+ success rates in relation to the SFA’s minimum standards (MS) in some detail in January. The flawed methodology, re-assignment of Access courses to the correct grouping and recalculation meant that the College had not dipped below the MS thresholds and was not in scope for possible intervention. The performance gap for 19+ learners was being addressed in a number of ways - lecturing staff were being notified of individual students and ensuring additional support was available; better pre-arrival information and guidance was provided; encouragement for students to sit examinations had been increased; underperforming provision (eg. counselling diploma) and the implications of allowing 19+ students to infill into existing provision were being reviewed.

Members noted that funding cuts of 24% in adult SFA 19+ non-apprenticeship funding for 2015/16 would have significant implications and maintaining the breadth of adult provision would be increasingly difficult.

The Committee concluded that appropriate actions to achieve improvements had been implemented and that good progress with the SAR action plans had been achieved so far.

C15/05 Update on FE Choices

The Director of Quality presented a paper explaining the FE Choices (previously Framework for Excellence) performance arrangements for colleges and training providers. Performance data was published via a website enabling learners, parents and employers to compare the performance of post-16 institutions (not including school sixth forms).

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The performance indicators covered: • success rates (academic year 2012/13) • learner views (based on an online survey) • employer views (based on an online survey) • learner destinations (based on College returns and telephone surveys with students who completed courses in 2011/12)

The Committee noted that success rates had improved for all cohorts, except apprentices, although these remained well above national averages.

Although learner views were down slightly on 2012/13, feedback showed a high level of satisfaction generally with over 90% indicating that they would be likely to recommend the College to friends or family. Data on employer views had not yet been updated for the 2013/14 survey and the learning destination data was of limited value as it related to those who left College in 2010/11.

C15/06 Early Leavers Data

The Director of Curriculum described the monitoring and follow-up processes for FE and HE students who left their course early. Members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) were closely involved and each case was carefully tracked to ensure that an exit interview took place to drill down into the reasons behind the students’ decision and whether the College could do anything to prevent this. Any feedback relating to the quality of the experience at the College was addressed and processes refined as appropriate. Very often the reasons for leaving related to personal circumstances and it was rare to receive negative feedback about the College. For many leavers multiple issues contributed to their decision. A detailed analysis had revealed no underlying trends or patterns.

The Committee considered the key reasons and numbers of students leaving early during 2014/15. It was noted that the numbers leaving early remained a small proportion (only 3%) of the total student population, with a slight improvement so far in 2014/15.

Members noted that a significant proportion of the early leavers had moved into an apprenticeship, Open Options or Traineeship with the College but as they had not completed their original programme of study this was recorded as ‘no success’. The Director explained that the activities of the Apprenticeship Recruitment Coordinator with students who were early leavers would be enhanced by the opening of the new Job Shop. The Committee noted that 55 students had accessed the Open Options programme with a further 15 due to start in March and 18 students had undertaken Traineeships.

During discussion clarification was provided on the role of learning mentors and the quality of the feedback received from early leavers.

C15/07 HE Progression and Other Destinations in 2014

The Director of Studies presented a summary of the destinations for the 2607 students entering higher education, further education, apprenticeships and employment in 2014.

The summary indicated that 1235 students entered HE with 85% progressing to their first choice institution. 280 of applicants had gained places at Russell Group universities and 17 students had accepted places at Oxford and Cambridge. 24 students had secured places to study medicine and one had gained a place for veterinary science.

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Members noted the range of courses and institutions chosen - the top 10 most popular institutions were primarily located in the south west. A large proportion of students had opted to remain in Cornwall and of these 219 had taken up HE places at the College.

During autumn 2014 the College had commissioned a report to determine the destinations of former students and detailed information was gathered including the nature of employment and level of earnings.

The survey demonstrated that 75% of leavers were still in education, 17% were in work and 7.7% were classed as ‘other destinations’ (NEET, voluntary work or taking a gap year). Of those in work around half were in full time employment and the most popular employment sectors were found to be hospitality/catering, retail, health/social care.

As a result of being contacted for the survey, 81 former students took up the offer of further information, advice and guidance from the College.

Members noted that the survey had provided comprehensive data which could be very useful and the use of LinkedIn to track College alumni was being explored. A follow up survey in eighteen months was being considered.

The Committee was very pleased to note the destination data which showed a very positive outcome for large numbers of learners.

C15/08 Equality and Diversity Monitoring Report for 2014

The Committee received the annual monitoring report reviewing the impact of the College’s policies and practices with regard to equality and diversity and the effectiveness of the College in narrowing any gaps in achievement.

The Committee noted that the College had received Investors in Diversity accreditation from the National Centre for Diversity and the re-accreditation process had been a very useful exercise in reviewing arrangements and providing feedback.

The report described the basic principles underpinning the enrolment processes; the broad, diverse and inclusive curriculum; the active promotion of equality and diversity through teaching, learning and enrichment activities; and the accessibility of the College’s physical environment and facilities. The introduction of Free School Meals for College students this year and use of the cashless catering to preload cards automatically had been a very effective way to address student concerns about this issue.

During discussion members sought clarification of the ways in which the College identified achievement gaps and the action planning and range of strategies to improve performance and ensure negative trends were not emerging. The Committee noted that Learning Mentors would be specifically focusing on support for Children from Care this year.

The Committee asked about support for students with mental health difficulties and the efffectiveness of the additional mental health and counselling support that had been put in place. Although small numbers of students had declared a mental health difficulty at registration, more than 1000 students had come forward for support from the mental health worker during the year.

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The Committee also discussed the gender pay gap and suggested that this was an issue which the Employment and Business Policy Committee should monitor.

The Committee welcomed the monitoring report and was reassured that proactive policies and procedures were in place to promote equality and diversity throughout the College.

C15/09 Safeguarding Update

The Director of Studies provided an update. The Committee noted that: • the safeguarding team remained busy – around 300 cases had been dealt with by the team in various ways, in response to a range of different issues • the new ‘Prevent’ duties, linked to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, (which requires colleges to have policies and procedures in place to minimise the risk of individuals being drawn into terrorism) were being incorporated into the College’s arrangements • a number of referrals had been made to external agencies: 9 to the Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU), 7 to Wise Up (Young Persons Drug and Alcohol Service) and 10 to Cornwall Council’s Locality Team Service (Family, Youth and Children Centre support) • regular meetings were taking place with various agencies including the Child Sexual Exploitation Team, Children in Care team and the Probation Service • strong links had been established with Kernow Young Carers providing support to young people with caring responsibilities • additional drop in sessions for staff and students and input to tutorial groups was being offered by the College’s new safeguarding assistant • members of the safeguarding team had joined Cornwall Council’s network of safeguarding advocates for young people as part of the ISAAC scheme • the new Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, John Clements, had visited the College and provided positive feedback • the Safeguarding Link Governor, Graham Brack, had also spent a morning with the Safeguarding Team and reported that he was confident that the College was doing all that could be expected of it (and more) • the local authority had recently announced new reporting arrangements and would be issuing new guidance to schools and colleges.

C15/10 Schools Updates

No school representatives were present at the meeting.

C15/11 Committee Terms of Reference

The Committee reviewed the membership and terms of reference for the Curriculum and Standards Committee and was invited to adopt terms of reference (ToR) for the Self- Assessment Report (SAR) Working Party.

The Committee discussed the mechanisms for deciding on the College’s portfolio of courses (ToR 5.2) and recognised that this was largely driven by national policy and funding decisions. Members noted that course development had generally been demand- led and responsive to external factors and suggested that it might be possible to take a more pro-active, strategic approach to course development.

Following discussion the Committee agreed to RECOMMEND to the Corporation:

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(i) approval of revised terms of reference for the Curriculum and Standards Committee (Appendix A) (ii) approval of terms of reference for the SAR Working Party (Appendix B) (iii) to give further consideration to the mechanisms for developing the College’s portfolio of courses.

C15/12 Dates of Meetings in 2015/16

The dates and venues of meetings in 2015/16 were confirmed as follows: • Wed 7 October 2015 (Penwith College) • Wed 9 March 2016 (Truro College) • Wed 8 June 2016 (Penwith College)

C15/13 Date of Next Meeting

The Committee would next meet at 5.00pm on Wednesday 10 June 2015 at Truro College.

C15/14 Confidential Notes of SAR Working Party Meetings

The Committee received and noted the confidential notes of the SAR Working Party meetings held on 26 November 2014 and 9 January 2015.

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