meeting the needs of learners throughout Shetland

Learner Report 2014 “Shetland College UHI has in place effective arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for learners and other

stakeholders.

Shetland College UHI is led well, and is likely to continue to improve the quality of its services for

learners and other stakeholders.”

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The external review of Shetland College by HM Inspectors took place during the week beginning 28 October 2013. During this review HM Inspectors evaluated the quality of learning and teaching and other important activities that impact on the quality of the learner experience. The external review team talked with learners, staff at all levels, employers and other users of Shetland College.

This document is a short summary of the review findings; the full review report can be found on www.educationscotland.gov.uk

HM Inspectors (formally HMIe) is part of Education Scotland and is an agency of the Scottish Government which provides independent evaluation of educational providers, including colleges throughout Scotland.

The college has in place effective arrangements to maintain and enhance the quality of its provision and outcomes for learners and other stakeholders

The college is led well, has sufficiently robust arrangements to address any identified minor weaknesses, and is likely to continue to improve the quality of its services for learners and other stakeholders

The majority of college learners complete their programmes, make good progress an gain relevant qualifications

The college provides high quality learning opportunities for learners from different backgrounds, circumstances and geographical areas

Programme design, delivery and assessment support the development of skills and underpinning knowledge well

Most learners are actively involved in influencing their learning experiences

The acting principal and senior managers have a clear vision for the college to provide high quality education and training which meets the needs of the population and employers

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Overall, successful completion rates for learners on full-time FE programmes have improved significantly over the last three years and are now well above the 2011-12 national sector performance level

The college delivers a large number of Skills for Work pathways which meet the needs of learners well - during 2012-13 127 school learners engaged in this college provision and approximately 25% of them progressed to full-time FE programmes at the college

In Art and Design, Business, Care and Nursing, completed successful outcome rates have improved and are now in line with the highest performing colleges in Scotland

The college provides an extensive range of full-time and part-time programmes for learners across a very wide geographical area - programmes make good use of facilities in 9 learning centres across Shetland and provide access for learners in remote areas

Lecturers plan lessons well, taking good account of learners’ prior learning and ensure that learning activities are appropriate and sufficiently challenging in meeting individual learner needs

Lessons are well structured and lecturers consolidate previous learning before progressing to next topics

Shetland College only had 2 points for action relating to learning and teaching which are:

Programme teams should ensure they focus on learning and teaching in their self-evaluation reports

The college should ensure its policy on academic progress interviews for learners is fully implemented in all teaching sections

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Provides a good range of programmes which meet the learning needs of its widely-dispersed island-based community well

Programme design provides high quality learning opportunities for learners from different backgrounds and circumstances

Staff are committed to the college’s quality culture

The college has a number of well-established links with local community groups, employers and other stakeholders

Many programmes incorporate live projects and work placements which enhance employability skills

Most learners work cooperatively and engage enthusiastically with staff during lessons and are actively involved in influencing their learning experiences

Social networking forums, focus group meetings, class representative contributions at course team meetings, online learner surveys and unit evaluations provide opportunities for learners to share their views and suggestions for improvement

The majority of learners complete their programmes, make good progress and gain relevant qualifications

Overall, successful completion rates for learners on full-time FE programmes have improved significantly over the last 3 years and are now above the national sector performance level

Almost all full-time FE programmes provide progression routes onto HE programmes

Overall, learners express high levels of satisfaction with their programmes through completed online surveys and end-of-unit evaluations

The college provides clear and comprehensive guidance to potential learners about programmes and college services which helps learners to make informed choices about programmes

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The college provides effective curriculum and pastoral guidance and learning support for learners

Learners benefit from personal development and volunteering opportunities which are promoted well

The college celebrates learners’ achievements through the Annual Awards Graduation Ceremony held at the local Mareel cinema and music venue

The college is committed to learner engagement and this is evidenced well through its Learner Engagement Strategy and the establishment of the Learner Engagement and Marketing Assistant post

There are effective arrangements in place to ensure learner views are represented effectively in the work and life of the college

The strategic approaches of the college are mapped well to Scottish Government national performance outcomes and the priorities of the Scottish Funding Council (the college’s main funder)

The college’s approaches include a commitment to develop programmes that meet the needs of the local community and the economy of Shetland

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During the Education Scotland external review, the college submitted examples of what it considered to be excellent practice and the review team selected the following example which they felt was worthy of wider dissemination:

Excellent practice in embedding employability and entrepreneurship skills in art and design

programmes

Highlighting a number of approaches to support aspiring artists to make a living through self-employment, as Shetland is a popular destination for artists due to excellent light conditions and extensive panoramic scenic views.

The development of employability and entrepreneurship skills includes vocational placements in Voss, Norway in local art studios, helping to develop learners’ artistic working practices and techniques.

Annual art exhibitions at which Art and Design learners’ work is displayed in public promotes learners’ artistic talent and provides opportunities for learners to sell their work or undertake commissioned work.

The development of an online gallery space will enable learners to display their work for a silent-auction which will provide funds for a study trip to Amsterdam.

Good use is made of the college’s Facebook page to promote learners’ artwork, and encourages and motivates Art and Design learners to continue with their college programme and their aim of becoming self-employed artists.

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Shetland College UHI

Gremista Industrial Estate

Lerwick

Shetland

ZE1 0PX

Tel: 01595 771000

Fax: 01595 771001

Email: shetland.college@uhi.ac.uk

Web: www.shetland.uhi.ac.uk