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Higher Education in Further Education Colleges Liaison Group and Policy Advisory Forum

Terms of reference

Introduction

1 Since 1999 the volume of interaction between the Agency and further education colleges has increased due to the changes in funding arrangements and the consequent subject review schedule.  In the period from September 2000-December 2001, the Agency carried out 166 subject reviews in colleges. Colleges in England are currently undergoing academic review of subjects, with 73 reviews between January and June 2002 and some 90 reviews for 2002-3.  The Agency has provided a range of briefing events to assist colleagues in colleges to prepare for academic review.   Five of these have been in collaboration with the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA).  Discussions are also taking place about the possible future contribution of the Agency in the review of higher education in further education colleges in Wales and Scotland.  It is now appropriate to consider the establishment of a liaison group.

The Liaison Group

2 Aim: to provide a forum for the discussion of matters of interest to colleges, related organisations and the Agency.

Membership

3 Membership shall consist of representatives from each of the following:

  • three each from large, medium and small FECs (defined in terms of their HE student numbers rather than absolute size); one of these representatives will normally be from a Mixed Economy Group College;
  • one from the specialist colleges;
  • one from a HEFCE funded consortium;
  • one from an FEC offering indirectly funded HE provision;
  • one from an HEI with collaborative provision interests;
  • one representative of the Association of Collaborative Providers
  • one officer from each of the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Learning and Skills Network
  • up to six members of Agency staff.  A Head of Operations will normally chair the meetings
  • members temporarily co-opted, as deemed appropriate

College representatives will be nominated by the Association of Colleges with the exception of the representative of the Mixed Economy Group

Definitions of size (directly funded HE student numbers) used are:

Small: less than 200 FTEs;
Medium: 200 to 500 FTEs;
Large: more than 500 FTEs.

4 The AoC will be asked to propose college representatives, each of whom will normally serve for two years. This may be extended if supported by their nominating organisation.

Meeting frequency

5 The Liaison Group will normally meet four times each academic year.

Terms of reference

6 These are:

  1. To provide the opportunity for an exchange of information on developments within higher education in FECs.
  2. To provide the opportunity for the Agency to update the sector on work which relates to the FECs.
  3. To provide the opportunity for FECs, AoC and LSDA to update the Agency on their work.
  4. To allow the Agency to draw to the attention of the FECs and related organisation to any relevant developmental activities such as workshops and briefing sessions which it intends to hold.
  5. To discuss collaboration in order to promote the enhancement of the student experience and the sharing of good practice.
  6. To provide opportunity to comment on and inform development of methods of review within HE in FECs.

The HE in FECs Policy Advisory Forum

7 In addition to the HE in FECs Liaison Group, the Agency proposes to set up a Policy Advisory Forum consisting of the FEC Liaison Group together with representatives from other organisations with an interest in FE and HE matters. Among its activities the Policy Advisory Forum will receive report and comment from the Liaison Group.  The Policy Advisory Forum will provide an area for debate between representatives of Further Education Colleges and national bodies.

Aim of establishing the HE in FEC Policy Advisory Forum

8 To provide an opportunity for the exchange of information on matters of common interest in the work on the Agency, the FECs and related organisations.

Membership

9 Membership will consist of members of the Liaison Group as set out in 3 above plus:

One member of each of the following:

  • The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI)
  • Edexcel
  • Foundation Degree Forward
  • The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
  • The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW)
  • The Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
  • Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)
  • The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)

An Agency officer, usually the Director of the Reviews Group, will chair the Policy Advisory Forum.

Frequency of meetings

10 The Policy Advisory Forum will normally meet twice each academic year and these meetings will be held on the same day as two of the liaison meetings.

Terms of reference:

11 These are:      

  1. To provide the opportunity for an exchange of information on developments in HE within FECs and the work of the member organisations.
  2. To provide the opportunity for discussion on the impact at college level of the various review and inspection regimes.
  3. To provide the opportunity for the identification and discussion of strategic issues of common concern and interest.
  4. To provide opportunity to comment on and inform development of methods of review within HE in FECs.
  5. To advise on the development of policy and strategy for HE in FECs

Organisation of meetings

12 Meetings of both the Liaison Group and the Policy Advisory Forum will be held either in London or Gloucester and QAA will provide appropriate refreshments to be available.  Representatives will be responsible for paying their own travel and subsistence expenses.

 

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