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. 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:

3. Programme (Morning) 10.30 Introduction 10.35the 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 12.15Q&A /Discussion 12.30 Lunch & networking

4. Programme (Afternoon) 1.15 HEFCE 2006/48 Consultation - Strategy Pilot process and Key drivers behind an HE strategy for FECs 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. 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

6. HEFCE require clarity of strategic commitment by FECs 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 FECs? Do you really want to be in HE? If so, demonstrate your commitment !

7. HEFCE would like to see FECs 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 MOAs & WBL avoid seeking opportunistic short term gains Meet particular (local) market needs which are not the core focus of HEIs

8. 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 colleges overall strategy Meeting the Needs of local and regional communities

9. 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:

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! 1.Planning the Vision 2.Consultation, Ownership and Development 3.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 Bucklandmbuckland@ccm.ac.ukmbuckland@ccm.ac.uk Phil Lester phil.lester@heacademy.ac.ukphil.lester@heacademy.ac.uk