HE in FE Enhancement Programme

Developing Strategic Plans for HE in FE Colleges:

The Academic Infrastructure: Planning for quality

LondonJune 2008

Wendy Stubbs, Maldwyn BucklandPhil Lester

• to review the key drivers behind the requirements for strategic plans• to provide direction on developing and implementing the strategy,

and reducing barriers to acceptance• to  provide an opportunity to discuss issues raised by the HE

Strategy document assessment criteria• to understand the role of the academic infrastructure in

underpinning the success of both IQER and planning for the HE programme • to provide an update on BTEC higher qualifications• to provide a networking opportunity for colleagues to discuss and

seek answers to issues relating to the above

NOT to tell you how to write a strategy

Event aims:

Programme (Morning)

10.30 Introduction

10.35 the Academic Infrastructure and

Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review ( IQER)

Wendy Stubbs, Assistant Director , QAA

11.35 Coffee

11.45 Edexcel – Update on BTEC Higher Qualifications

Ian Fleming, HE Manager, Edexcel

12.15 Q&A /Discussion

12.30 Lunch & networking

Programme (Afternoon)

1.15 HEFCE 2006/48 Consultation - Strategy Pilot process and

Key drivers behind an HE strategy for FEC’s

• key areas to consider in developing your strategy Phil Lester

1.30 Planning the Journey – “Selling the Unsellable”• Practical issues and pitfalls to overcome - Maldwyn Buckland

2.00 Small Group discussion• What you feel are important issues/evidence for inclusion in a strategy

(Coffee available during this session)

3.00 Feedback Discussion/summary of issues

and Plenary/Q&A3.30 Close

• 30 Pilot Strategies submitted March 2008

• QAA appraised the strategies with support from HEFCE regional teams (hestrat)

• Outcome report to Hefce June 2008 and feedback to colleges

• Concurrent external evaluation of HEFCE process

• Autumn 2008 Board Paper on how HEFCE wish to proceed

The HEFCE Pilot Process

• HEFCE require clarity of strategic commitment by FEC’s to support their future decisions on funding HE in FECs

i.e. (12/2008) Circular on Direct funding allocations

2009 on dependent on development of HE strategies & talks with LSC

• Centres for Higher Education Excellence in FECs • Foundation Degree Awarding Powers• Drive for Widening Participation & Growth• HEFCE desire for growth in Employer engagement • Focus on Delivery Partnership development• Reduction/protection of small pockets of HE- (Cost v Value)

What is driving the need for FE strategies ?

Subtext for smaller FEC’s?

Do you really want to be in HE?

If so, demonstrate your commitment !

HEFCE would like to see FEC’s

• take on a more active and strategic role in design, delivery & partnership working

• draw on their traditional strengths:

Student support, local knowledge, vocational progression

• build from existing patterns of provision to meet employer needs – Short cycle, responsive, variable MOA’s & WBL

• avoid seeking opportunistic short term gains

• Meet particular (local) market needs which are not the core focus of HEIs

• Period 2008-09 to 2010-11

250 + Colleges

HEFCE require an HE strategy from all FECs, whether funded directly or indirectly, in 2008-09

• FOCUS UPON Consistency with college’s overall strategy Meeting the Needs of local and regional communities

Criteria for appraisal of FEC HE strategy

• Overview – Clarity of mission and aims

• Taking account of regional and local, and any national priorities

• Strategic management of HE

• Academic standards and quality assurance in HE

• Effectiveness of academic staff and

• the HE student experience

Detailed criteria in your pack for discussion

6 Key areas:

ISSUES:

• Format • Formal single paper or collection of evidence from existing

sources?

• Template vs. Free construction?• Timescales for sign-off by SMT/Partners• Degree of detail – Strategic - not operational

More direction from Hefce likely following review of pilot

Part 2

HE in FE Strategic Policy Commitment

“Planning the Journey”

Practical guidance in developing your strategy

Maldwyn Buckland

Planning the Journey

Three simple steps!

1. Planning the Vision

2. Consultation, Ownership and Development

3. Seeking Commitment and Approval

Planning the JourneyDefine HE Educational Character

• What are we doing and why are we doing it? Establish mission, vision and rationale

• Do we do what we say and do we do it well? Is provision meeting real need? Local & Regional priorities

• Can we carry on doing it? Are we resourced? - Can we sustain and achieve growth?

Planning the JourneyConsultation & Development

What are the issues?

• Staff and Students Ethos, Environment & Resources

• Collaborative Partners Foundation Degree Awarding Powers – Redressing the balance?

• Lifelong Learning Networks “Leitch” and the higher level skills agenda – Approval for growth

• Employers Co-Funding provision – the biggest challenge!

Planning the JourneySeeking Commitment and Approval

• Selling the un-sellable? – Is it part of our core business?

• Key drivers for change

• Risk Analysis – impact of non-engagement

• Formal policy commitment - from senior managers

HE in FE Enhancement Programme

June 2008

Maldwyn Buckland mbuckland@ccm.ac.uk

Phil Lester phil.lester@heacademy.ac.uk