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- Quality and Standards
Quality and Standards
Writtle College recognises the need for continuous improvements to the standards and quality of its educational provision. The responsibility for quality assurance and enhancement is embedded within the roles and duties of staff at every level in the institution.
The quality assurance processes operate at both an internal and external level. The mechanisms and procedures for quality assurance have developed within the College over many years but have been adapted to embrace the current statutory requirements and recommendations of validating bodies, relevant professional bodies and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). Undergraduate and postgraduate degree provision is validated by University of Essex in accordance with agreed quality assurance processes. The QAA has provided an UK Quality Code for Higher Education (previously known as the Academic Infrastructure) which includes sections relating to the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education. This suite of documented guidelines has provided a focus for review and development of many College operations and processes, monitored and reviewed through the College’s Academic Standards Committee, and continues to inform the College's higher education activities.
- Strategy for Quality at Writtle College
- Summary of QAA Code of Practice Mapping to Writtle College Processes
The Framework for Managing Quality, Standards and Enhancement
Academic Board, the highest level academic committee in the College, is responsible to the Board of Governors for academic matters. The Academic Standards Committee (ASC), the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Group (LTG) and the Research Committee are the three key standing sub-committees of Academic Board, with delegated responsibility and authority for the operational management of academic standards and quality assurance. The LTG is responsible for the development, support and enhancement of learning, teaching and assessment at undergraduate and taught postgraduate level. The Research Committee oversees the implementation of the Research Strategy and the management of postgraduate research students.
Central support for the maintenance of academic standards, quality assurance and the enhancement of learning and teaching is provided by the Centre for Academic Standards, Teaching and Learning (CASTLe) which was established in 2007.
CASTLe provide the procedures and guidelines for implementation of quality-related policies derived through the College’s academic committee structure. These procedures and guidelines are published in the HE Quality Assurance Manual.
Responsibility for the operational management of quality assurance and enhancement rests with the Head of Higher Education and in turn the Heads of School who oversee the implementation of quality assurance and enhancement processes and procedures at School, scheme and module level. Within each School, Course Scheme Managers manage, monitor and review the delivery of the curriculum and the performance of students, supported by Module Leaders and School Administrators.
