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Third of FE colleges offering degrees fail inspection | Third of FE colleges offering degrees fail inspection |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Inspectors failed almost a third of further education colleges offering higher education courses that were reviewed this year. | Inspectors failed almost a third of further education colleges offering higher education courses that were reviewed this year. |
The higher education watchdog, the Quality Assurance Agency, says 14 out of 45 colleges inspected received "failing judgements". | The higher education watchdog, the Quality Assurance Agency, says 14 out of 45 colleges inspected received "failing judgements". |
Not all of the inspection reports have been published yet. | Not all of the inspection reports have been published yet. |
The quality watchdog oversees the more than 200 FE colleges that are allowed to provide higher education courses. | The quality watchdog oversees the more than 200 FE colleges that are allowed to provide higher education courses. |
Tens of thousands of lower-cost degree places - with fees of £7,500 or less - have been allocated to colleges in England rather than universities. | |
'Requires improvement' | 'Requires improvement' |
When limits on student numbers are completely removed next year, it is likely that the expansion will include more places in further education colleges. | When limits on student numbers are completely removed next year, it is likely that the expansion will include more places in further education colleges. |
But the inspections of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) found failings in about 30% of colleges scrutinised this year. | But the inspections of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) found failings in about 30% of colleges scrutinised this year. |
They were classed as "requires improvement to meet expectations" or "does not meet expectations". | They were classed as "requires improvement to meet expectations" or "does not meet expectations". |
This was based on the same review process used in universities, rather than the different system previously used for colleges. | This was based on the same review process used in universities, rather than the different system previously used for colleges. |
But the inspections also found that among the colleges that passed a "relatively high proportion" received "commended" judgements. | But the inspections also found that among the colleges that passed a "relatively high proportion" received "commended" judgements. |
The QAA is expected to publish an analysis of its inspection findings next month. | The QAA is expected to publish an analysis of its inspection findings next month. |
'Commendations' | 'Commendations' |
Nick Davy, higher education policy manager for the Association of Colleges, said that only a very small proportion of all the individual judgements across these further education colleges were failures. | Nick Davy, higher education policy manager for the Association of Colleges, said that only a very small proportion of all the individual judgements across these further education colleges were failures. |
He also said there was not enough information yet to compare these further education colleges with universities going through the same new inspection process. | He also said there was not enough information yet to compare these further education colleges with universities going through the same new inspection process. |
Mr Davy added the Association of Colleges was working with the QAA "to help colleges understand the process fully". | Mr Davy added the Association of Colleges was working with the QAA "to help colleges understand the process fully". |
"It is also the case that 20% of colleges are experiencing commendations, with agricultural colleges doing particularly well," said Mr Davy. | "It is also the case that 20% of colleges are experiencing commendations, with agricultural colleges doing particularly well," said Mr Davy. |
The quality-checking system for higher education is itself facing an overhaul. | The quality-checking system for higher education is itself facing an overhaul. |
Last week, the higher education funding councils announced that for the first time the inspection system was to be put out to competitive public tender. | Last week, the higher education funding councils announced that for the first time the inspection system was to be put out to competitive public tender. |
It follows major changes in the university sector - with more consumer pressure from students paying higher tuition fees and an increasing number of private providers needing to be overseen. | It follows major changes in the university sector - with more consumer pressure from students paying higher tuition fees and an increasing number of private providers needing to be overseen. |
The QAA, running the current system, is expected to bid for the new quality assurance contract, which will begin from 2017. | The QAA, running the current system, is expected to bid for the new quality assurance contract, which will begin from 2017. |
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