Directory of HE The Higher Education Academy in FE in England Our mission is to help institutions, discipline groups and all staff to Published by: provide the best possible learning experience for their students. The Higher Education Academy We provide an authoritative and independent voice on policies Innovation Way that infl uence student learning experiences, support institutions, York Science Park lead and support the professional development and recognition Heslington of staff in higher education, and lead the development of research Directory ofHEinFEEngland York YO10 5BR and evaluation to improve the quality of the student learning United Kingdom experience. Directory of HE Tel: +44 (0)1904 717500 The Higher Education Academy is an independent organisation Fax: +44 (0)1904 717505 funded by grants from the four UK higher education funding bodies, [email protected] subscriptions from higher education institutions, and grant and in FE in England www.heacademy.ac.uk contract income for specifi c initiatives. ISBN 978-1-905788-33-0 © The Higher Education Academy February 2007 2007 2007 All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, criticism or review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any other form or by any other means, graphic, electronic, mechanical, photocopy- ing, recording, taping or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publishers. To request copies in large print or in a different format, please contact the Academy. Contents About this directory . 2 How to use this directory . 3 NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, NETWORKS AND CONSORTIA National quality and funding bodies . 6 Information, support and membership bodies . .12 Awarding and validating bodies . 37 REGIONAL BODIES East Midlands. 52 East of England . 59 London . 67 North East . 74 North West . .80 South East . 87 South West . 95 West Midlands . 102 Yorkshire and the Humber . 109 HE MANAGERS AND CO-ORDINATORS . 117 HE managers and coordinators . .81 The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England 2 About this directory This directory has been produced as part of the Higher Education Academy’s commitment to enhancing the learner experience, in part through supporting the continuous improvement of the management of higher education delivered in further education colleges. It sets out to provide a comprehensive directory of those organisations, networks and consortia which have an interest in the role that higher education delivered in FE colleges has in meeting Government expectations and targets, especially those of meeting and raising higher level skills and widening participation. The Higher Education Academy commissioned the Learning Development Unit of York College to gather raw material in order to provide this comprehensive overview. The data were then edited by the Higher Education Academy to produce this directory. The entries for each organisation have for the most part been extracted from the organisation’s self description – usually on a website – and presented in a standard format. In addition, the HE managers and co-ordinator database which had previously been compiled by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) was updated and is now included as part of this directory. The information contained in this directory was correct as September 2006. The Higher Education Academy is not responsible for the content of other organisations’ websites. The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England 3 How to use this directory This directory is designed as a reference to organisations and information sources to support the management and delivery of HE in FE in a diverse and ever- changing environment. The material has been divided into three parts: ● national organisations, networks and consortia ● regional organisations, networks and consortia ● the HE managers and co-ordinators database. Part One, national organisations, networks and consortia, is presented in three sections: national funding and quality bodies; information sources, support and membership bodies; awarding and validating bodies. Where appropriate, readers are referred to regional entries. Each of the three sections is preceded by a brief introduction giving an overview of the roles and operation of the organisations. Part Two, regional bodies, covers the nine regions of England. The majority of the entries relate to the regional operations of national bodies; however, some are region-specifi c organisations and partnerships. Not included in the regional entries are collaborative partnerships (with the exception of the newly formed Lifelong Learning Networks) for the purposes of validation and indirect funding (franchise or recognised funding consortia) for delivery of higher education under the auspices of HEFCE and the QAA. There are nine recognised funding consortia led by an HEI or an FEC and a very extensive range of franchise relationships – from single HEI/FEC relationships to extensive and formalised partnerships. Many colleges have multiple partnerships. Colleges wishing to explore partnership arrangements should contact their HEFCE Regional Consultant. The LLNs approved at July 2006 are, however, listed in the regional entries and full details of these and later approvals can be obtained via the HEFCE website. Part Three is the updated HE managers and co-ordinators database which identifi es a contact in each institution. The document is produced as a publication for ease of initial distribution and reference. However, it will be lodged on the Higher Education Academy website as an electronic version which will be updated on a regular basis. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, it is appreciated that, inevitably, it quickly becomes out of date. Readers are encouraged to contact the Academy by email ([email protected]) with corrections and updates. Each entry highlights the website address and this should be accessed directly for comprehensive and defi nitive information. In many cases direct links to specifi c sections of a website addressing a national or regional initiative are given. The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England 4 The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England x 5 Part 1 National organisations, networks and consortia The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England 6 National quality and funding bodies National quality and funding bodies Information on statutory regulations, policy documentation (including White Papers on HE and FE) and guidance can be accessed on the DfES website, and user portals and gateway links are provided. The QCA provides information on the national qualifi cations framework (NQF) and its reform. It identifi es the level of all qualifi cations on the 9 levels (entry to 8) of the NQF, aligning levels 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 with the higher education levels of the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifi cations (FHEQ) corresponding to years 1, 2, 3 of a degree, masters and doctoral levels. The LSC can fund ‘non-prescribed higher education’ (NPHE) while the HEFCE funds ‘prescribed’ higher education provided in further education colleges either directly or indirectly via a franchise relationship with an HEI or through a recognised funding consortium. The HEFCE website provides access to current and historic documentation and guidance on the funding mechanism and codes of practice on sub-contractual funding partnerships. While NPHE is within the quality remit of Ofsted, prescribed higher education delivered in further education colleges (including higher nationals) is within the remit of the QAA, with new arrangements for Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review (IQER) being piloted in 2006-07. All quality documentation can be downloaded from the website, including overview reports on Foundation degrees and higher education in further education colleges. The QAA licenses authorised validating agencies (AVAs) to recognise Access to HE programmes and details of the recognised AVAs and the register of courses can be accessed via the website. The Offi ce for Fair Access (OFFA) approves and maintains on its website the access agreements for all universities and colleges which have decided to charge tuition fees above the standard level (from 2006-07). DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION AND SKILLS (DfES) www.dfes.gov.uk Tel: 0870 000 2288 Email: [email protected] Please look under the regional heading for Government Offi ces for your region. Remit/mission statement The Department for Education and Skills was established with the purpose of creating opportunity, releasing potential and achieving excellence for all. The Higher Education Academy Directory of HE in FE in England National quality and funding bodies 7 Nature and level of activities Our aim is to help build a competitive economy and inclusive society by: ● Creating opportunities for everyone to develop their learning. ● Releasing potential in people to make the most of themselves. ● Achieving excellence in standards of education and levels of skills. Our objectives are to: ● Give children an excellent start in education so that they have a better foundation for future learning. ● Enable all young people to develop and to equip themselves with the skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed for life and work. ● Encourage and enable adults to learn, improve their skills and enrich their lives. Relationship to other organisations Many