quality-standards-and-curriculum-committee- 2 December 2024

The Committee took the opportunity to welcome P. Adams, newly appointed Governor, to their first meeting of the Committee.  It was noted that he would join the Committee after the next Board meeting.

J. Barratt in the Chair.

47/24.  Appointment of Vice Chair of the Committee

Consideration of appointment of a Vice Chair of the Committee would be considered at the next meeting.

ACTION:  Item to Q, S & C on 27/01/2025

J. Barratt in the Chair.

48/24.  Declarations of Interest

No pecuniary interests declared.

49/24.  Minutes – 30 September 2024 (Appendix – Agenda Item 3)

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2024, were approved as a true record.

50/24.  Matters Arising from the Minutes

Minute Number 32/24. SEND and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Termly Report

The VP, S confirmed that the EDI Annual Compliance Audit would be included in the Board Governance Pack presented to the meeting on 09 December 2024.

Minute Number 41/24.  Outcomes Summary

The VP, Q, I & A reported that retention of students to date was 98.5%, the same as this time in 2023.  However, this represented an improvement as the college had more students across all provision areas. 

Minute Number 43/24.  Safeguarding Report

The VP, S provided a verbal update on progress against encouraging the local authority to provide timely information on students at a higher risk of referral and requiring support.

51/24.  OFSTED

 Further to Minute Number 40/25, the VP, Q, A & I presented to the Committee a further verbal report.

• The college was in scope for a Full Inspection and it was expected that the visit would take place very soon. In response to a question, the VP and Clerk confirmed that a Governor Preparation Pack was being drafted, based on the latest intelligence from recent visits already undertaken this Term.
• The Draft College Self-Assessment Report (SAR) would be reviewed by the Board at its meeting on 09 December 2024. The VP acknowledged the assistance provided by R. Harrison in drafting the document. This year, the document had been supplemented with ‘stories’ from students, demonstrating the impact of the college’s approach on student progress.
• The college had put in place a series of support and developmental sessions for teachers who had not, to date, experienced an Ofsted Inspection, to help them prepare.
• Teachers were working to improve further attendance rates.
• The Inspection would include inspections of the college’s T Level provision, apprenticeships and High Needs provision.
• The college was able to demonstrate positive stakeholder work in supporting several feeder schools to deliver GSE Maths.

Having discussed the report, the Committee AGREED –

• The college had in place well-planned and robust preparations to not only meet the needs of the Inspection but also manage the wellbeing of staff involved.
• The Board ‘inspection team’ would prepare for the Inspection.

52/24.  Progress Grade Period One Report (Confidential Appendix, Agenda Item 6)

The Committee analysed a report (previously circulated) informing of student progress at the first Progress Grade monitoring point of 2024 - 2025.  The Report included overall Meeting Target Grade percentages, areas of strength and areas of further development.

Governors discussed student progress within the context of the upcoming Ofsted inspection. 

 In response to questions –

• the VP, Q, I & A explained that the college’s Quality Enhancement Process was used to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Specific strategies were then put in place to ensure that the identified priorities were being addressed, for example, the Learning Enhancement Team had reviewed each subject self-assessment report to inform the planning of Professional Exchange Meetings; the aim being to ensure that the focus within each team was on developing teaching and learning to align with those priorities and to measure the impact of professional development on teaching and learning outcomes. There was a heightened focus on working with curriculum leaders to challenge and support tutors to raise the grade profile for Year 1 students; the intention being to provide opportunities for students to maximise their overall high grade for Year 2.
• The VP, ALs explained the steps taken to ensure the accuracy and consistency of progress grades across different subjects and departments through moderation. One aspect of the review meetings had been to look at the accuracy of progress grades compared to final outcome grades. The college used data on progress grades and final outcomes to identify trends and patterns so the college could put in place strategies to address areas of concern.
• The Student Governor (16 – 19) confirmed that they had been involved in assessing their own progress and that they had been given opportunities to provide feedback on the accuracy and usefulness of the information they had received as part of their Progress Grade One discussions.

Regarding attendance, the Committee discussed the effectiveness of the current intervention strategies, including regular reports to parents, congratulations letters and targeted support from the tutorial teams. The Committee acknowledged that the college did not record ‘authorised absence’ and in terms of value-added attendance across the sixth form, the college was above the sector average.  Nevertheless, the Committee expected the college to continue its focus on attendance.

In response to questions, the VP, ALs explained –

• the additional strategies being implemented to improve attendance amongst those students with 85 – 90% average attendance. Attendance had recently been affected by the impact of adverse weather.
• there were continuing challenges in long-term planning for addressing attendance issues. However, the college continued to work with parents and students to promote the importance of regular attendance through, for example, a complete re-draft of Attendance Reporting and a clear focus on attendance in the Progress Grade 1 quality review process meetings. This approach had seen an improvement in the quality of interventions undertaken by subject teachers.  The HE Student Governor reported that they had seen the impact of this amongst their PGCE cohort.

• Apprenticeships. In response to a question asking why the college’s completion rate was off-target and what was being done to secure improvement, the VP – Q, I & A explained that the apprenticeship progress grades system also required a comment on progress and a suggestion of what the apprentice needed to work on next. It was the college’s intention to share this information with employers once all progress grades were complete.  This would give employers a better understanding of what their apprentice needed to be supported with in the workplace to be successful on the course.

53/24.  Higher Education Update (Appendix – Agenda Item 7)

The Committee discussed an update regarding the latest recruitment, project, and regulatory work for high education course 2024/25 (previously circulated).

Regarding the Higher Skills Injection Fund (HSIF), the Department for Education (DfE) had recently announced that the spending window for the Skills Injection Fund 2 (SIF2) had been extended to 31 March 2025.  The Committee acknowledged that this extension recognised the need for additional time to effectively prepare for delivery across both years of SIF 2 (from AY 2024 and AY 2025) and supported the college to deliver the best outcomes for students.  It also presented the college with further flexibility in aligning its spend to project timelines and therefore continued to align with the college’s strategic plan. 

The college had also accepted the option to extend the HTQ delivery window to four academic years.  This optional extension would not impact the funding allocation or the funded student enrolment figures.  After four delivery years, any performance below 80% would still be subject to clawback.  The Board would continue to monitor closely the college’s performance against the 80% target to avoid clawback. 

The college had recently hosted an HE Advice event to promote Semester 2.  The college continued to raise the college’s profile to reach wider audiences to promote the college’s HE offer.  In response to questions on how the college intended to position itself in the market to attract students, including exploring partnerships with other universities, the VP, Q, A & I explained that ongoing analysis of student destinations and choices for higher education had revealed that students seemed to be looking at attend universities nearer their home base.  This might provide opportunities for the college to market its HE.

The lifelong learning entitlement had been delayed again.  Students could now not apply for LLE funding until September 2026, for courses starting in January 2027.

54/24.  Draft Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) 2024 – 2025 (Appendices - Agenda Item 8)

The VP, Q, A & I explained that the Draft Plan (previously circulated) was still being developed based on the outcomes of the college’s quality review process.  This process had identified early the key issues now incorporated into the Draft 2024/25 Plan, giving the college more time to implement interventions.

The Committee noted that the following actions were being included/carried over from the QEP 2023 – 2024 –

• Improve Functional Skills Achievement Rates. Although Rates were marginally above national averages, GCSE achievement rates were significantly about national average. Given that these qualifications were delivered by the same teachers, the discrepancy needed to be understood and addressed.
• Parent information and communications. Parental responses to the college’s Parental Perception of College (PPoC) survey had improved significantly in 2023 - 2024, but were still below the college’s expectations for parent engagement. Parent engagement at parents’ evening was high and the Committee suggested that this presented an opportunity to the college to improve engagement.

55/24.  Student Voice Reports (Appendices, Agenda Items 9a – 9c)

Student Perception of College – Induction Survey 2024 Analysis of Results

The report (previously circulated) presented the student responses to the Student Perception of College (SPOC) Induction Survey 2024.  The survey compared this year’s response to previous years and highlighted area of strength and areas to improve.

Highlights included:

• The survey received 1,414 responses: a 65% response rate.
• 98% of students would recommend the college.
• 98% of students felt safe, 99% once adjusted for follow-up checks.
• 99% of students said teachers set high expectations.
• 99% of students said they had downloaded and use the MySCG app.
• 92% of students found the induction well organised.
• 99% of students said that teachers had set high expectations of behaviour and attendance (97%).
• 92% of students said that they had received good course information prior to starting.
• Travelling to college remained a challenge for 26% of students.
• There was also a challenge in communicating the role of learning support and the Agency. Actions to improve were included in the Draft QEP.

The Committee observed that the results provided a degree of validation to the college in its approach to student induction and noted particularly the improvement in the number of students who knew who to go to if they felt unsafe. 

Student Voice Report

The Agency Manager provided a verbal update, as follows -

• Student voice activities had got off to a positive start in the autumn term, with a proactive Student Union Executive (SUE) and Student Representatives from across all campuses. Students were engaged in college-wide, regional and national student voice campaigns and had been working with the Agency Team to further develop student-led enrichment activities.
• Student Union Executive members had particularly been involved with:
  • Support at Induction Fairs
  • Student Memoria
  • International students’ welcome lunch

and were currently deciding their annual charity.  The SUE was also looking at expanding its work to include Futures’ students and organise an event for either Help for Heroes or a military-based charity.

• Six students had attended the inaugural AoC FE Student Summit at Newcastle & Stafford College Group, with some students going on to join the FE Youth Collective. The AoC had provided excellent feedback on the students’ behaviour, attitude and impact.

Student Governor First Term Report

The 16 – 19 Student Governor presented a verbal report as follows -

• They had attended the AOC Student Governor Induction, finding it helpful in broadening their understanding of the role of student governor. They had subsequently attended a student governor networking meeting with the AOC.
• Their first term as a student governor had been enlightening and thought-provoking. They had enjoyed their induction and learning about the different systems within the college.
• They had used the skills they had developed as a student governor to challenge, to scrutinise, and to hold to account. This was confirmed by the senior leadership team.
• They had undertaken a site visit with the Executive Director of Finance to discuss student enrichment and learning spaces at the Welsh Bridge and English Bridge campuses, to inform the development of strategies to improve student experience at both campuses.
• In conclusion, they had thoroughly enjoyed their first term as a student governor.

56/24.  Careers Report (Appendix, Agenda Item 10)

The Committee received a verbal update from The Agency Manager, as follows –

• Colleges were required to hold the Matrix Standard if they were in receipt of funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency adult education budget. The Matrix assessment was last undertaken in March 2023, where the college was confirmed to meet the standard; the next continuous improvement assessment was scheduled for February 2025.
• The college continued to meet all eight Gatsby Benchmarks in full. Revised Gatsby Benchmarks had now been published and were due to be implemented from September 2025. The Agency Careers Team would self-assess against the revised benchmarks once the new additional guidance has been published in 2025.
• The college had been designated a ‘Thriving + college’ in the Shrewsbury Food Hub.
• The Agency Team had co-ordinated a number of career campaigns and events, including -
• Shrewsbury Scholars programme (Competitive entry) launched to Year 1
• National School and College Leavers Festival
• Create Your Future
• Find Your Future
• National Interview Month
• National Apprenticeship Week
• National Careers Week
• A full-time Level 6 Careers & Progression Adviser was now in post at London Road.

57/24.  Safeguarding and EDI Report

The Committee received a verbal report to receive assurance that the college continued to effectively fulfil its statutory obligations regarding safeguarding in college and that the college had in place effective and appropriate processes to identify and support vulnerable students at the start of the academic year.  The Safeguarding Annual Report would be presented to Board at its meeting on 09 December 2024.

The Committee reviewed a report from the VP, S as follows –

Safeguarding

• The number of students being referred for Safeguarding support continued to increase year on year. Entries on the safeguarding system for 2024 – 25 were already significantly ahead of the same time in any previous academic year.
• Students continued to use the emergency out of hours support provided by the Student Assistance Programme, including significant instances where students deemed to be a high level of risk were made safe. Designated Safeguarding leads were made aware when this occurred. Students also continued to access the trained counsellors offered by the Student Assistance Programme. 
• The newly appointed Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner currently had a caseload of just under 100 students from across the campuses; often referred by staff.
• The college was successfully taking all staff through the Raising Awareness Safeguarding Training. 95% of staff had now completed the Home Office Prevent Training introduced in 2023-24.

EDI

• The Committee reviewed the updated college’s Single Equality Scheme that demonstrated compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which outlined the ways in which the college showed due regard to the 3 main aims of the PSED:
• eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other unlawful conduct prohibited by the act.
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.
• foster good relations between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.

The report was able to confirm that due regard was shown.

ACTION:  Safeguarding Annual Report and PREVENT Risk Assessment to be included on 09/12/24 Board agenda

58/24.  Risk

The Committee considered the strategic risks relevant to its remit and agreed that they had been discussed within the meeting, particularly –

• QSC 1 - Risk of retention factor falling below target 95% for 16-19 students (or declining from year to year)
• QSC 2 - Risk that Achievement rates fall below target or are declining
• QSC 4 – Risk that Attendance falls below target levels
• QSC 5 - Risk that Systems in place to support students who are struggling to achieve predicted grades are not effective.

Going forward, all committees would receive the latest relevant extracts from the ‘live’ 2024/25 Strategic Risk Register, to ensure they were kept up to date with risk mitigations and risk score movements.

59/24.  Date of Next Meeting – 27 January 2025 from 5.30 p.m. – venue to be confirmed.

60/24   Governance Pack – Committee Terms of Reference (Appendix)

The Committee reviewed the Committee’s Terms of Reference (previously circulated) to ensure they remained relevant to the Committee’s remit.  The Clerk reported that the Terms had been assessed as part of the recent External Review of Governance and no amendments were required.

The meeting concluded at 8.10 p.m.