THE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE FARNBOROUGH
MINUTES OF THE CURRICULUM AND QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING
MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2009
The meeting opened at 4.36 p.m.
CQ 09/23 Apologies
Andrew Annette, William Bagnall, Maire Davies
Members present
Peter Eyre (Chair), James Bacon, Catherine Cole, John Guy OBE, Jon Marks, Simon Jarvis, Jo Spikes, Paige Wish
Clerk
Richard Compton
Attending
David Woodward
CQ 09/24 Minutes of 19 May 2008 meeting
The minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.
CQ 09/25 Matters Arising
(a) 7 July Corporation meeting reports
(i) January 2009 modular examination results CQ 09/17
(ii) Investors in People – continuation CQ 09/18
(b) EQR of Spanish – production of Action Plan CQ 09/20
The Action Plan for Spanish was being produced within the wider context of a Faculty proposal.
(c) Newly Qualified Teachers’ induction - outcome of Hampshire CC verification visit, 19 June
Simon Jarvis confirmed that the report following the validation visit by Hampshire County Council had again confirmed the quality and consistency of the College’s procedures for inducting NQTs.
CQ 09/26 Chair’s Business
The Chair welcomed Jo Spikes, Chair of the Joint Staff Group, and Jon Marks, PCG representative, to the Committee.
CQ 09/27 2009 Performance Report and College Quality Strategy
The Committee had been invited to consider the 2009 Performance Report and then to recommend to the Corporation that this report, like its predecessors, should encompass the College Quality Strategy required by Article 3(10(b) of the Instrument and Articles of Government.
Simon Jarvis commented on the process for developing the draft report, with moderation and assessment in Faculties and by the Principalship leading to the annual Quality Day. This ensured a thorough and consistent approach.
The first section provided an overview of the College, with two crucial sections (1.33 and 1.34) consisting of a review of issues for improvement from the 2008 Performance Report and a summary of key strengths and weaknesses in 2009. The comprehensive report covered retention and achievement in 2009, curriculum grades, QCDA subject sector categories, College management, student guidance and Every Child Matters.
The Performance Report culminated in an assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the provision and related services against the parameters of achievement and standards, quality of provision, and leadership and management. It listed the College’s successes, often with LSC judgments of Outstanding, in the May 2009 Framework for Excellence.
The report depicted a comprehensive and rigorous approach to enhancing quality and as such would justifiably form the basis of the College’s 2009 Quality Strategy.
In discussion, members welcomed the style of the report and the approach to quality enshrined therein. Less quantifiable matters should be given due weight and some external examination results, which could reflect the fallibility of examiners, should be kept in perspective.
The section on students’ views (6.11) was important, and Paige Wish commented on how these were collected and collated.
DECISION
The Committee recommended to the Corporation that it accept the finalized 2009 Performance Report as the basis of the College’s 2009 Quality Strategy.
CQ 09/28 Summer 2009 examination results
(a) Analysis of the results
Simon Jarvis commented on the summer 2009 examination results. There were excellent total pass rates, excluding General Studies and re-sits, of 92.7% for AS and 99.0% for A2. There had been some particularly good achievements in individual subjects, both in aggregate terms and in comparison with previous years. Some GCSE results had again been first class. There had been particular difficulties with the marking of Music Technology ((b) below).
(b) Subject and individual re-marks; and appeals
There had been 294 requests for re-marks (31 by curricular areas and 263 by students). In addition, two extended re-marks were in progress and .the College had had one coursework unit re-moderated. The 294 3 re-marks had produced 125 UMS changes and 42 subject grade changes.
Jon Marks commented on the very disappointing results for Music Technology. The extended re-mark had been at both A2 and AS. 61 AS papers had been re-marked and 34 had resulted in an increase in UMS. As a consequence, 8 students had had an increase in subject grade. 10 scripts were still undergoing re-marks. The outcome of the A2 re-mark was awaited. A somewhat indecisive meeting had taken place with the Chief Examiner.
(c) Value added analyses for 2008/09
There had been 15 positive and 6 negative residuals at AS, and 10 positive and 5 negative residuals at A2. Both results were pleasing.
(d) Implications for Curriculum Risk Register
Simon Jarvis confirmed that the methodology of combining the four criteria of value added, retention, national statistics, and national statistics for high grades had been retained. The three courses considered most at risk, subject to re-marks and appeals, were Applied Leisure Studies (AS), Music Technology (AS) and Sociology (A2).
DECISION
The Committee asked the Chair to brief the Corporation at its 7 December meeting on the consistently good summer 2009 examination results and on the continuing issue of re-marks and appeals.
CQ 09/29 2009 and 2010 admissions
(a) 2009
Catherine Cole summarized the paper circulated with the agenda. The total number of students on the second day of lessons had been 3204 compared with the projected 3175. The total number aimed for six weeks after the start of them was 3175, 3151 of whom would be funded by the LSC.
(b) 2010
2234 e-mailed applications, 500 from students at partner schools, had been received by 4 pm. that day (16 November).
CQ 09/30 A* pilot
Dr. Guy commented that the A*, piloted by the College, was now embedded in the examination process. Feedback would prove particularly useful for helping future students prepare.
CQ 09/31 Diplomas
Simon Jarvis reported that 11 Year 1 and 7 Year 2 students were taking the College's IT diploma. The Rushmoor and Hart Partnership was preparing Gateway submissions for three new diplomas.
CQ 09/32 Common Inspection Framework (CIF)
Simon Jarvis updated the Committee on the Ofsted’s revised CIF, which came into operation with effect from 1 September 2009.
An important development was the concept of ‘limiting grades’. These related to safeguarding and to equality and diversity, as these were considered essential in ensuring the development and well being of young people. The grades for these aspects might therefore limit other grades including the grade for overall effectiveness.
The Committee noted that the Corporation was already well and consistently briefed on safeguarding and equalities/diversity issues through presentations and annual reports. After discussion, members concluded that the Corporation should now receive a more formal presentation on both issues at its March or July 2009 meeting.
DECISION
The Committee recommended to the Corporation that, in the light of the limiting grades issue, it should receive a full presentation on safeguarding and equality/diversity issues at its March or July meeting.
CQ 09/33 Framework for Excellence (FfE)
Simon Jarvis commented that the original concept of a unified performance assessment for all providers had now been somewhat elaborated. Emphasis would be placed on Governors’ role in using the Framework in setting and monitoring their own strategic roles and targets. Schools providing 16 plus education would be included in the Framework from 2011.
CQ 09/34 2008/09 Committee self-assessment
The Committee discussed its collective self-assessment form seriatim.
DECISION
The Committee approved its 2008/09 self-assessment.
CQ 09/35 Spring 2010 presentation
The Committee considered a range of options before reaching its conclusion.
DECISION
The Committee decided that the spring 2010 presentation should be on
Enrichment Activities
CQ 09/36 Any other business
None
The Chair closed the meeting at 6 o’clock.