CASTLe

The Centre for Academic Standards, Teaching and Learning (CASTLe) was established in 2007. The main focus of CASTLe is to promote the highest possible standards of Teaching and Learning across the College. It does this by offering a wide range of services and resources which assure and enhance quality, as well as enhance and develop learning.

CASTLe provides a central resource and advice service for school and departmental staff. It provides effective and efficient systems which contribute to the assurance of academic standards, as well as providing academic development opportunities, and advice for academic staff. CASTLe also provides technical and pedagogic advice and services.

The work of CASTLe falls broadly into the following areas:

Teaching & Learning and Assessment: to promote excellence in teaching and learning through effective teaching practice and assessment, reflective pedagogic practice, advice and guidance.

Academy Policy and Standards: to ensure that the requirements of external quality and standards bodies are addressed and maintained.

Module and Course Review & Evaluation: to establish effective operating and reviewing systems to monitor annual academic activity.

Curriculum Development and Enhancement: to assist the development and validation of new academic programmes that are externally referenced and benchmarked.

Professional Development: to support individual staff and students to maintain and develop the quality of the College's taught provision in ways which promote personal and organisational development and improvement.

E-Learning and Information Resources: to promote the development of information resources and support e-learning and blended learning.

The Centre encompasses Academic Quality Systems, Learning and Teaching Pedagogy, Careers Advisory Service, the Library and English Language Support.