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College Charter

Quality

We try to deliver a high quality service to our customers and the Charter sets out how we do this. We are committed to continuous improvement in the range and quality of programmes we offer and in our service to the community. All staff share a common responsibility to improve our provision. We have set a series of standards, which are regularly reviewed. Students, staff, employers, parents, governors and the community are invited to express their views about our College through our reviews. We set improvement targets based on your opinions and experiences. There are a number of North Devon College policies, which support you as a student. Full copies are available from the library on the main site, or from the Business Development Centre in Queen Street. North Devon College, working with partnership organisations, continuously reviews the quality of its provision, and the services offered to students and the community. Students on all programmes, whether part-time or full-time are asked to contribute to these reviews, which lead to action plans to improve. As students, your views are a vital part of this process.

The annual cycle involves:

September: Teaching teams review retention, achievement and completion rates. Improvement targets are set, where appropriate.

October: Review of student induction and admissions processes.

Spring Term: Review of learning and support services and teaching and learning experiences.

May-July: North Devon College Strategic Plan for the following cycle is drawn up.

June: Students who are completing their studies are asked to review their learning experience.

Throughout the year action plans are reviewed in line with Student and Staff experiences and Student achievements. All full time students will receive a Guide to their Qualifications at the start of their studies, outlining the learning experience. These explain what you can expect from your study programme. The review questions we ask are linked to these and the Charter. All students receive either the full Charter or a summary on the enrolment form. If you do not have yours, contact your Tutor, Centre Manager or Trainer.

Pre-course Information

Guidance

If you are interested in becoming a student of the College we make available details of: Entry requirements. Content of the programme. The aims of the programme, and qualifications on offer. Possible progression and career routes. Any charges that are payable for: Tuition fees Registration fees Examination fees; Programme-related expenses exemptions and tax allowances. The cost of any books or equipment which you may have to provide

We will also make sure you know about

The teaching and learning facilities available. How your programme will be assessed. Opportunities for having experience, knowledge and skills taken into account; Teaching and assessment methods, and, where appropriate, work placements; Whether there is any scope for building up credits towards a transferable qualification, should you decide to change programme or College; How any vocational study relates to the world of work; The broad structure of the course; How your key skills can be developed: Particular facilities or requirements if you are an overseas student.

We do this through:

Taster programmes and school visits College prospectuses. Course leaflets and directories Open days. General guidance interview Qualification specific interview. Results and destinations information Student Recruitment Policy Qualification guides Learning Framework Policy

Learning Support

Students with additional learning support requirements and or disabilities can have their individual needs assessed. You will be shown arrangements for access to College buildings and informed who your point of contact is for any issues relating to your particular needs. All students will be treated in line with the College's Equal Opportunities policy.

We do this through:

Extra Help Statement Details on Application forms. The Additional Support Co-ordinator Equal Opportunities Policy

Application Procedures

All students applying for a programme of study in the full time prospectus will be asked to complete an application form. We will reply to you within 7 working days. All students applying for a full time learning experience will be interviewed. All interviews will be conducted on the basic understanding that they are for guidance and not recruitment. Your needs will be our main concern. Arrangements for enrolment on part time courses will be available in College publications, which will be widely distributed throughout the region, and in the local press.

We do this through:

Student Recruitment Policy Course directory Local media releases Interview survey cards

Induction

We will provide all students with a planned induction into the College and the learning programme. The emphasis in induction will be to welcome you to North Devon College, your learning programme, students, and tutors, as appropriate.

We will

Inform you about essential safety procedures, College facilities and services. Begin to develop the skills that you will need to be successful. Provide, wherever appropriate, initial assessments to enable us to determine your support needs. The reason for these assessments is that we want you to succeed. Make you aware of the learning contract, which outlines our commitment to you and sets out yours to us. This contract is the basis of the partnership that is essential for your success. Inform you of the range of student services that are provided by the College and how to access them. Invite you, at the end of the induction period, to take part in the review of the student induction experience. We will act on these review findings and keep you informed of any changes that we make. This is part of our commitment to you to deliver a quality learning experience.

We do this through:

Student Guidance and Induction Policy The Learning Contract Teaching&Learning Questionnaire Learning Framework Policy Induction Review questionnaire and report

During your study programme:

Whilst you are a student at North Devon College you have the right to expect:

To be taught by suitably qualified and well-prepared staff.
That your work will be marked promptly and returned to you within an agreed time, usually within two weeks. Longer projects/assignments may take longer and this will be negotiated with you.
That you, and if appropriate, your parents, employer or other sponsor, will receive regular information on your progress and achievements through a combination of tutorials, written feedback and information events.
Access to careers advice and other confidential guidance and counselling at times appropriate for you.
Opportunities to make your views known about how well we are meeting your needs, as part of our programme quality review process.
A safe working environment.
Help in recording your Record of Achievement (progress file) by the end of your studies.
The opportunity to study and access enrichment activities irrespective of age, gender, race, mental or physical disability, belief, marital status or sexual orientation.

In addition to this all full time students can expect regular weekly contact with a personal tutor, who will support you during your time at College. Your tutor will assist you in the production of an initial action plan and review your progress with you. You will have an individual tutorial at least once a term; your tutor will guide you through the tutorial programme outlined in the tutorial entitlement statement. Your tutor will also support you in the production of a portfolio of evidence for your key skills' qualification. If you feel that any of the rights outlined above are not being delivered, please contact the Head of Student Services or use our appeals, compliments and complaints procedures.

We do this through:

Quality Assurance Policy Learning Contract Equal Opportunities Policy Health and Safety Policy Tutorial Entitlement Statement

Appeals, compliments and complaints procedures

We work hard to try to ensure that you will be happy whilst you are with us and that you receive a learning experience of the highest quality. We are always delighted to receive compliments about any service that we provide but also understand that sometimes things do go wrong. When complaints are made we will take them seriously and do what we can to resolve the problem by talking to the member of staff or the course or section leader, and advise you of any action taken. It is surprising how many misunderstandings can be cleared up by improved communication. It might be that your situation cannot be resolved in this way and you will need to make a formal complaint. This should be done through the Director of Studies or the Principal. We will acknowledge your concerns within 10 working days of your letter. A full written response will be provided within a further 10 working days, indicating any action to be taken. If you are not satisfied with the response that you get then you may take the matter to the Governing Body. A complaint cannot lead to action being taken against you.

We do this through:

Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy/Service Standards The College has established a range of service standards for the following support services: Catering Departmental Administration Examinations Finance Information Technology Research and Development Learning Resources Management Information Systems Personnel Premises and Maintenance Reception These service standards tell what you can expect as a user of these services. Details are available from the Library and the Guidance Centre.

Contract between Student and College

We are in a learning partnership and the contract outlines what we can expect of each other. All full-time students receive a full copy of the learning contract on arrival. When it is signed the learning contract is accepted by both parties. Part-time students receive and sign the learning contract as part of the enrolment form. The Learning Contract is an agreement between us. It lets you know what you can expect from us and us from you. The Learning Contract says:

We Will:

help you choose a study programme that suits you
give clear and accurate information about your chosen qualifications
provide a suitable introduction to the qualifications that you study
provide access to advice, information and counselling on any educational or personal matter
give you information about the College services and any developments which may affect you
mark your work promptly and return it to you in line with the Charter commitment
advise you regularly on your progress
encourage you to succeed
provide a safe learning environment
be taught by suitably qualified and well prepared staff
ask you to let us know how we can do things better
respect the differences of all in our community
be clear about the data that we hold on you in connection with your programme of study
make sure that opportunities to study and access enrichment activities are available to you, irrespective of age, gender, race, mental or physical disability, belief, marital status or sexual orientation
provide opportunities to identify any essential skills support needs that you may have

You Will:

attend regularly and on time
show commitment to your learning by submitting assigned work on time
be determined to achieve
work with your tutors/trainers to review your progress
seek help if you need it
follow health and safety guidelines
respect the differences of all in our community
ensure you are entered for awards, exams or tests
let us know how we can do things better
not bring any alcohol or illegal drugs onto the premises or attend under the influence of these
take personal responsibility for computer security and use as set out in the College Computer Policy
Take personal responsibility for library books and other College materials that you borrow.
Ensure that all personal data provided to the college is accurate and up to date

Page updated: 21st November 2005