HE in FE Enhancement Programme Developing Strategic Plans for HE in FE Colleges:

1. HE in FE Enhancement Programme Developing Strategic Plans for HE in FE Colleges: The Academic Infrastructure: Planning for quality London June 2008 Wendy Stubbs, Maldwyn Buckland Phil Lester

2. Event aims: • 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

3. 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 12.30Lunch & networking

4. 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&A 3.30 Close

5. The HEFCE Pilot Process • 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

6. What isdriving the need for FE strategies ? • 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) Subtext for smaller FEC’s? Do you really want to be in HE? If so, demonstrate your commitment !

7. 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

8. HEFCE require an HE strategy from all FECs, whether funded directly or indirectly, in 2008-09 • Period 2008-09 to 2010-11 • 250 + Colleges • FOCUS UPON • Consistency with college’s overall strategy • Meeting the Needs of local and regional communities

9. Criteria for appraisal of FEC HE strategy 6 Key areas: • 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

10. 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

11. Part 2

12. HE in FE Strategic Policy Commitment “Planning the Journey” Practical guidance in developing your strategy Maldwyn Buckland

13. Planning the Journey Three simple steps! • Planning the Vision • Consultation, Ownership and Development • Seeking Commitment and Approval

14. Planning the Journey Define 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?

15. Planning the Journey Consultation & 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!

16. Planning the Journey Seeking 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

17. HE in FE Enhancement Programme June 2008 Maldwyn Buckland mbuckland@ccm.ac.uk Phil Lester phil.lester@heacademy.ac.uk