Association of Colleges

Quality Improvement & Regulation

The manchester College Enhancing Quality

In enhancing quality, the Directorate aims to: 

  • Work with external agencies and partners to ensure coherent, fit-for-purpose quality assurance of the sector, working towards a single quality framework in line with self regulation
  • Promote best practice and support Colleges in driving up the quality of teaching, learning and assessment
  • Lobby to secure "fit for purpose" inspection and review regimes
  • Lobby to ensure learner access to impartial advice and guidance to inform choice and progression
  • Working with stakeholders to ensure Colleges are best placed to respond to the skills agenda including responsiveness to employers and individuals
  • Support Colleges in widening participation and inclusion

Ofqual Purpose & Objectives
Please read the document below for details of Ofqual's remit.

  Ofqual Purpose and Objectives

Representing the sector

The Directorate influences policy and developments through representing AoC and the sector on a number of advisory and working groups including: 

 


AoC Strategic Quality Group

Following the publication of Framework for Excellence, AoC was asked to work with the LSC in a variety of ways, both formally and informally, as the LSC took forward its work to refine and define the Framework for Excellence, the LSC’s contribution to the wider Quality Improvement Strategy.

The LSC invested considerable importance to this work, because the work undertaken in partnership with Colleges would define the standards that would contribute to the key performance indicators of the plan against which Colleges would self assess. These self assessment reports underpin the relationship with the LSC and are the significant indicator that will inform their contracting arrangements.

The AoC Strategic Quality Group works to the following Terms of Reference:

  AoC Strategic Quality Group Terms of Reference

The AoC Strategic Quality Group has been advising the LSC on its work . Its membership comprises senior College colleagues with an existing outstanding reputation together with Principals of rapidly improving Colleges. These Colleges are: 

College Name Role
Alton College Jane Machell Principal
Boston College Sue Daley Principal
Bridge College Maggie Thompson Principal
Brooklands College Colin Staff Principal
Brooksby Melton College Jim Harrocks Principal
Bury College Lauran Chatburn Principal
Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College Peter McGhee VP 
City College Brighton & Hove James Mettyear Head of Learning & Quality
City of Sunderland College Suzanne Duncan VP Quality
City of Westminster College Pat Squires Vice Principal
East Surrey College Frances Wadsworth Principal
Gateway Sixth Form College Nick Goffin Principal
Grantham College Amada Mosek Vice Principal
Great Yarmouth College Robin Parkinson Principal
Hackney Community College Ian Ashman Principal
Hackney Community College Lois Fowler Deputy Principal
Hertford Regional College Lesley Graham Head of Quality & Development
Hopwood Hall College Derek O'Toole Principal
Hull College Malcolm Fraser Director of Quality
Hull College Elaine McMahon Principal
John Ruskin College Tim Eyton-Jones Principal
Leeds City College Peter Roberts Principal
Liverpool Community College Maureen Mellor Principal
Myerscough College Ann Turner Principal
Nelson & Colne College Lyn Surgeon Principal
NESCOT Sunaima Mann Principal
New College Swindon Graham Taylor Principal
Oldham College Kath Thomas Principal
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College Tim Fisher Principal
Sir George Monoux College Kim Clifford Principal
South Leicestershire College Christine Bullock Principal
Stockport College Lyn Merilion Principal
Taunton College Alice Wrighton Principal
Thanet College Anne Leese Deputy Principal
Tower Hamlets College Michael Farley Principal
Tresham Institute Mark Silverman Principal
Walford and North Shropshire College Paul May Director of Teaching & Learning
West Nottinghamshire College Asha Khemka Principal
West Suffolk College Angela Whatley Head of Faculty, Business & Service Industry
West Suffolk College Ann Williams Principal
Weymouth College Sue Moore Principal
York College Alison Birkinshaw Principal

  Strategic Quality Group Minutes 3 June 2009  

  Minutes of the Strategic Quality Group 29 September 2009

  Minutes of the AoC Strategic Quality Group Meeting 12 January 2010


AoC Bloomsbury Group

AoC established this group with the express aim of offering guidance and support to Colleges issued with Notices to Improve by the Learning and Skills Council.  AoC have guaranteed LSC representation at every meeting so that members can hold a direct dialogue with LSC about their issues.

  Minutes of the Bloomsbury Group Meeting 16 October 2009

AoC Colleges Improvement Advisory Group

This task and finish group has been advising the LSC, Ofsted and QIA as they form their position in relation to Colleges described as satisfactory but not improving. Principals on this group have now been invited to join the Strategic Quality Group so that they can continue to have voice in influencing the LSC's future work. 

  Work of the AoC Colleges Improvement Advisory Group