Dearne Valley College
Quality Improvement Plan
In summary the QAA HER report for Dearne Valley College states:
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The maintenance of the threshold academic standards of the awards offered on behalf of degree-awarding bodies meets UK
expectations.
The quality of student learning opportunities is commended.
The quality of the provider's information about learning opportunities meets UK expectations.
The enhancement of student learning opportunities is commended.
Good practice
The QAA review team identified the following features of good practice at Dearne Valley College that they consider to make a positive
contribution to the students learning experience
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The effective oversight of academic standards and of the quality and enhancement of learning opportunities provided by the Higher
Education Quality and Standards Group (Expectation A4 and Enhancement).
The deliberate steps taken which consistently exceed awarding body requirements (Expectations A4, B1, B8, C and Enhancement).
The highly effective operation and monitoring of admissions procedures (Expectation B2).
The systematic and holistic approach to quality improvement in learning and teaching (Expectation B3 and Enhancement).
The excellent and wide-ranging support mechanisms that enable student development and achievement (Expectation B4).
The clear commitment to developing and enhancing interactive technologies (Expectation C and Enhancement).
Affirmation of action being taken
The QAA review team affirms the following actions that Dearne Valley College is already taking to make academic standards secure and/or
improve the educational provision offered to its students.
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The steps being taken to strengthen students as partners in quality assurance and to formalise their representation on committees
(Expectation B5).
There were no recommendations resulting from the Review
Target
Introduce steps to
strengthen students as
partners in quality
assurance and to
formalise their
representation on
committees (Expectation
B5).
Action(s)
Timescale/milesto
nes
Report on progress/completion of actions +
date
 Election for student reps at programme
level during induction
Programme Leads
 Election for lead student reps to lead on HE
Council
Learner
Involvement Coordinator
 Identify list of Committees requiring
representation
HE & Quality
Assurance Manager
October 2014
 Allocation of student reps to represent HE
voice on Committees
HE & Quality
Assurance Manager
October 2014
 Training programme for reps sitting on
Committees
Learner
Involvement Coordinator
October 2014
 Monitor and evaluate rep contribution at
Committees through rep and chair feedback
Learner
Involvement Coordinator
Continuous
throughout
2014/15
Training programme for existing reps to
offer mentoring support for new reps
annually
HE & Quality
Assurance Manager
July 2015
 Share Dearne valley College standardised
Programme Handbook template with all
programme leads
HE & Quality
Assurance Manager
August 2014
All programme leads have been emailed
the standard Template for each Higher
Education programme
 Carry out internal moderation of handbooks
before allocation to learners
Programme Leads
September 2014
Internal moderation has taken place
between programme leads
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Programme Leads
October 2014
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Standardise programme
handbooks to ensure a
consistency of approach
Person resp
Upload a copy of the handbook to the VLE
Sept 2014
October 2014
Provide opportunities for
staff and students to
participate in scholarly
activity and research to
inform and enhance HE
teaching, learning and
assessment
 Be part of a Capital Fund Bid (Scholarly
Activity with Leeds City College)
HE & Quality
Assurance Manager
 Complete the construction of Scholarly
Activity Moodle Forum
HE & Quality
Assurance
Manager/ICS
December 2014
 Identify planned Scholarly Activity through
Professional reviews and collate information
at a college level
Tutors/ Heads of
Curriculum
January 2015?
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Programme Leads
Set up opportunities for student scholarly
Activity and promote through HE Council
and Tutorials
August 2014
Continuous
throughout
2014/15