Programme Approval, Review and Modification: The roles and responsibilities of the PARM Chair

1. Programme Approval, Review and Modification:The roles and responsibilities of the PARM Chair Peggy Cooke Head of Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Chairing PARM Events

2. Types of Panel • Faculty-based Panel • Most approval events; • High risk courses; • Complex provision. • Institutional Standing Panel • Courses at lower risk; • Courses in good health; • Changes within the period of approval. Chairing PARM Events

3. Types of Activity • Approval events; • Periodic review; • Major Modifications; • MMU ‘home’ delivered programmes/courses; • MMU Collaborative Provision which may be undertaken on a face to face basis or exceptionally may be undertaken via Skype. Event Name and Venue

4. Role of the Chair: the programme • Protect the awards of MMU; • Ensure that the panel consider: • the quality of the total student experience (learning, teaching and assessment AND the supportive infrastructure around the student); • the quality and standards of the award are robust and comply with: • the QAA Quality Code including FHEQ, Subject Benchmark Statements • the University Regulations and the Curriculum Framework or that variation has been sought and approved; Chairing PARM Events

5. Role of the Chair: the people and the event • Manage the agenda and the people; • Ensure that the panel remains within its remit; • Note issues that may lead to: • Conditions; • Recommendations; • Good practice. • Provide an overview of the agreed outcomes; • Approve the outcomes and the report; • Review revised documentation and confirm whether conditions have been met. Chairing PARM Events

6. Collaborative Partnership events • Note the location of the event; • The contribution of the partner; • Resources: • Physical • People • Programme management; • Link tutor arrangements • Recognised Tutor Status; • Draft of the formal agreement. Event Name and Venue

7. PSRBs • Every event will be different; • Potentially additional and specific requirements, e.g.; • Additional meetings with separate groups of staff, service users, practitioners or other stakeholders • Tours of facilities; • Private meetings to discuss the progress of the event; • Separate conditions. • Key note: the panel will not go beyond its remit Event Name and Venue

8. Strategies for dealing with difficult situations • Before the event: • Know the documentation and if you have concerns speak to: • The Dean of Faculty or Head of Department; • The Head of CASQE • If time allows ask the FQA to: • gain early feedback from panel members; • gain additional information or clarification from the programme team • Know who will be available on the day to provide support Chairing PARM Events

9. Strategies for dealing with difficult situations • At the event • Get a feel of the panels view at an early stage; • Take time out to regroup if a situation arises that causes concern. • Be brave about decision making; • Take as much time as you need to make decisions. • After the event • Stick to the outcomes of the event; • Return documentation for further work if necessary. Event Name and Venue

10. Difficult situations • NOTE: the outcome of an event is the decision of the panel – it is not your personal decision • HOWEVER: if it is necessary, you are the person who will have to break the bad news; • WE WILL SUPPORT YOU! Event Name and Venue