Raising your skills improving life chances
at 9-13 Albert Street, Bath
Carole Stott
Andy Furse
Matt Atkinson
Victor da Cunha
Louise Fradd
Richard Harvey
Jenny Payne
Larissa Perry
James Wallace
Gary Waylen
Julian Young
In attendance
Heather Cross
Rob Sibley
Julian Tucker
Katalin Siklodi-Martin
Chair
Vice-Chair
Principal
Clerk to the Corporation
Vice Principal (VP)
Director of Finance (DoF)
Quality Assurance Officer
(for item 4)
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Emma Payne
ACTION
2. Declarations of Interest
Richard Harvey – appointed as governor at Norton Radstock College
3. Confidentiality of Items
None
4. Self Assessment Report 2013-14
Judy Lye-Forster, the Director of Teaching and Learning gave a presentation on the key aspects of the draft self-assessment report for 2013-14, the draft report itself having been circulated to governors previously. She introduced governors to Katalin-Siklodi-
Martin who was attending the presentation for development purposes. Copies of the slides and a summary of the judgements were laid on the table.
Judy reminded governors of the purpose of self-assessment which was to evaluate how efficiently and effectively the education and training provision meets learners’ needs; to help bring about improvement by identifying strengths and areas for improvement; to monitor the effectiveness of improvement strategies put in place

following the previous self-assessment and the last Ofsted inspection, to provide detailed information about the quality of the college’s provision to stakeholders and to assist in the development of the Quality Improvement Action Plan 2014-15. She explained about the process of self-assessment including the emphasis on student focus groups and inputs from employers. She thanked those governors who had taken part in recent SAR panels and reminded the meeting about the judgements used.
Overall effectiveness, outcomes for learners, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and the effectiveness of leadership and management were all assessed as ‘good’. The slef-assessment grades by subject sector area were presented. A governor commented that there were four of these areas in the college which were grade 3 and this represented 28% of long enrolments. Notably
Sport, Care and Public Services had moved from a 2 to a 3 this year and this represented a large number of students. Adult and
Community Learning had moved from a 3 to a 2 and Services to
Business from a 2 to a 1. All other grades had stayed the same. It was noted that the college process was exacting, with grades awarded after long discussion and the data having been carefully examined. Overall the college had 3 grade 1, 5 grade 2 and 3 grade
3 departments.
Other areas of the college were also graded through the selfassessment process. Of 15 other areas, three were graded 1 and two at grade 3, with the rest at 2 – ‘good.’ Two had not been awarded a grade. Finance and Payroll was a 3, with staffing issues remaining in Finance. An action plan continued to operate.
In response to a question from a governor as to whether areas with
3s were at this level because of staffing issues, the Principal responded that the major influencing factor was outcomes.
Judy gave information about the progress being made in addressing weaknesses identified in the 2012/13 SAR. For outcomes for learners satisfactory progress had been made in the on-going development of English and Maths skills and good progress had been made in respect of retention on long courses and success rates on long courses at level 3 for SSA 1 and 8. Insufficient progress had been made in respect of low success rates in subject sector area 15 for all students. Either good or satisfactory progress had been made on weaknesses previously identified in teaching, learning and assessment and leadership and management.
The strengths and weaknesses in each major area were considered.
The key strengths and key areas for improvement in respect of
English and Maths were considered in detail. Governors asked questions about the use of initial diagnostics and formative assessment. The latter was to be used from Jan 2015 onwards.
Student profiles were increasingly informing the planning of lessons and these were expected to be seen by all observers when visiting classes. It was noted that the business, administration and law area was not showing sufficient progress quickly enough and that a special process for this department led by the Principal, Vice

5.
Principal and the Director of Teaching and Learning was being deployed.
Governors discussed how to retain students and for them to succeed on their courses; termly performance monitoring with Heads was considered to assist. The development of students’ skills in English and Mathematics required further improvement and it was anticipated that this would continue to be an area which would require attention.
The college results from 2006/07 to 2013/14 were reviewed and the
25% increase in success rates over that time was noted, with a 4.2% increase since last year. Level 3 enrolments had been significant and success was 5.6% above the national average, which was close to outstanding performance. Governors commended the college on this notable achievement.
It was noted that there were no significant achievement gaps, which was positive.
In reflecting on the key college strengths it was considered that a key strength concerning apprenticeship outcomes should be added.
Governors reflected on the Governance SAR statement which they broadly endorsed but considered that a comment concerning the development of their own performance management be added and that the strength in the skills mix and the connectivity of governors should be included.
The Board thanked Judy Lye-Forster for her presentation.
The Self-Assessment report, subject to the comments made by the Board, was approved and endorsed.
Merger with Norton Radstock College - update
An update report had been circulated. The Principal commented on a number of key matters including the confirmed date of the merger (6
April), the arrangements for dissolution, the work to prepare detailed financial proposals to be submitted to the SFA which would be submitted by 16 January 2015, the progress with the due diligence exercise, initial meetings with NRC staff, the preparation of an 18 week action plan which was been overseen by Lianne McCarthy, the first meeting of the Governors Merger transition working group, uncertainties over the reliability of financial information from Norton
Radstock.
The required pace of HR matters associated with the merger was noted along with the appointment of Mogers to advise on the legal processes and assist with the process.
The ambassadorial role of governors concerning the positive way in which the merger was being viewed was acknowledged.
The planned away day on 23 January 2015 would include

6. continue to be a delay to the permanent accommodation to be able to roll the leases for a further year.
The Board acknowledged that the proposal represented a competitive arrangement. In response to questions, it was reassured that the college was making suitable arrangements through an accommodation team to administer the associated student lets.
7.
The lease of temporary student accommodation as set out in the circulated report was agreed. The Board requested that the
Principal and Director of Finance keep them informed about the operation of the accommodation in practice.
Annual cost of living pay award
A report was circulated.
The Board noted the position and agreed that until the full
8. financial position concerning the merged college was known, a decision concerning an annual pay award to staff should be deferred.
CONFIDENTIAL – SSEC minutes and recommendations
See separate minutes
9. Date of next meeting
The next meeting was the away day which was taking place on
Friday 23 January, starting at 8.30 for 9.00 am. considerations about future governance arrangements.
The Board noted the progress with the merger plans and commended the Principal and team in the continued work being undertaken.
Temporary student accommodation
A proposal for temporary student accommodation through the developer aiming to provide permanent accommodation was tabled.
The proposal had been considered by a working group comprising the Chair, Victor da Cunha and Richard Harvey, with advice from
Mogers, solicitors. Through delays in planning, the permanent accommodation would not be available by the required deadline of
September 2015 and the temporary accommodation for 107 beds met the gap. In addition the college would have first call should there
DoF/Principal