Minutes of the East Durham College Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee held on 5th June 2025

S Laverick, (Chair), A Brennan (virtual), S Bullock, H Driscoll, O Fishburn (Student Governor). J Bromiley (observer)

C Briggs (Vice Principal)

H McCoy – (Assistant Principal Performance)

J Lanagan (Assistant Principal)

C Cowan (Assistant Principal

A Grainger (Director of Quality)

S Pritchard (Clerk to the Corporation) 

Apologies received from L Watson (Student Governor)

Helen Driscoll declared an interest as Sunderland University is a collaborative partner with Teesside University

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record and that all actions had been completed.

There were no matters arising.

The report was presented by the Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships and Director of Quality. The report was confidential. 

The Committee noted the report.

The Vice Principal Curriculum presented the report and provided context for the new governor.  The report was confidential. 

Action: committee asked for the methodology for how the college calculates retention to be added to future papers

It was confirmed that the college would likely hit 92% retention overall for the year.  The committee congratulated the college leaders for the work done to date to maintain this level and was pleased with retention in Access which was particularly impressive.

The committee noted the progress made against the improvement plans. 

The Assistant Principal C Cowan presented the report which was confidential.  The committee noted the updated information in relation to KPIs and actions being taken to improve academic performance. 

The committee congratulated the Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships on the apprenticeship figures which were impressive.

J Bromiley left the meeting

The committee noted the progress being made towards curriculum planning for 2025/26, and the process was explained to the new governor.  The committee discussed the desire to increase average class sizes to maintain financial sustainability, the planned recruitment against allocation, growth in line with the local NECA growth plan, Durham County Council’s approach to meeting payments for SEND learners and the plans to seek to improve this by working together with other Durham colleges.

Action: the committee asked for training on changes to funding for governors. 

The robust and comprehensive nature of the curriculum planning process was noted.

The feedback from students via course lecturers was noted, including how well animal management degree is going and the interest in providing accommodation to attract students from further afield.  The committee noted the impact of student progression to Higher Education.

The proposed schedule of reports to the committee were accepted.

The Chair noted that Helen McCoy would no longer attend this committee and thanked her for her contributions to the committee.

There being no other business, the chair brought the meeting to an end.