Burton and South Derbyshire College
AT A GLANCE
CHALLENGES
- Lots of different documents
- Stored on different platforms
BENEFITS
- One platform to streamline processes
- Produces data for SLT to drive improvement
- Accountability for staff and management
OVERVIEW
Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, Tameside College is a further education college that provides the next steps from school to university and employment. They also offer a range of apprenticeships as well as adult and university-level courses.
They aim to support the individual aspirations of each learner by providing first-class learning environments and resources. They are rated Ofsted good and have invested significantly in their campus, to develop state-of-the-art facilities for our students.
"CollegeiP has become the platform where we are able to streamline processes, and make them consistent whilst also producing data for SLT."
SAREA YOUNIS
Quality ManagerIMPACT
We asked Sarea the following questions:
DOES SCHOOLIP PROVIDE SCHOOL DATA?
We are able to pull the full appraisal and observation processes together, whilst also showing support and CPD. All this being live to the manager and the staff member whereas previously, we had to use several other platforms for checking.
DOES SCHOOLIP IMPROVE TEACHER WELL-BEING?
It brings back the accountability for staff and managers. Curriculum are working really well and they advise that other college processes could be carried out in CollegeiP so we are going to look at these things as part of the development for the academic year 23/24.
HOW HAS SCHOOLIP IMPROVED YOUR SCHOOL’S PROCESSES?
As a college, we previously used several word documents and templates that were then stored in different platforms i.e SharePoint. So, bringing all the information together took a long time.
What led your college to choose CollegeiP as a solution? Were there specific challenges you were trying to address?
After meeting with CollegeiP and having demo's on the system, we found that the platform could be developed as a 'one stop shop' for performance management but that it also provided quality management reporting on performance, including teaching learning and assessment performance.
Can you describe the process of implementing CollegeiP at your college?
Key staff i.e. Head of Quality/Assistant Principal/Quality Officer team obtained direction from Deputy Principal which enabled the build of objectives and competencies. Quality Officer assigned to carry out the build and training of key staff - support provided by CollegeiP Customer Care Team. Training was delivered to managers who then delivered training to their department staff. Quality Officer provides further training and support where required.
What has been the feedback from teaching staff, support staff, and other users regarding the usability of CollegeiP?
Overall, feedback has been very positive. We do have staff who are not digitally capable but these staff members are supported as and when they use the system. The key to positive feedback was the content of the training sessions and ongoing support provided. The start of all training sessions was a CollegeiP introduction along with a reflection on previous processes and how CollegeiP would pull all information together to ensure that all good work carried out by staff is recorded - basically, selling the system.
Have you made any specific customisations to better align the platform with your college's goals and objectives?
Yes - the staff objectives and competencies are aligned with the Teaching & Learning Framework and the college Values & Behaviours.
How well do you think CollegeiP can scale as your college grows or faces new challenges?
The system already has the unique linking/evidence etc - we are confident that the system can meet our needs and be developed further in the future.
If applicable, how does CollegeiP compare to any previous solutions your college may have used?
CollegeiP is user friendly and our one stop shop - it has helped to develop and improve some outdated processes. It collects evidence all in one place that would have normally been stored elsewhere.
What specific advantages does CollegeiP offer over other products in the market?
Good value for money. Excellent customer support team. Able to build unique reports. All performance review information in one place - really good staff portfolios.
What advice would you give to other college leaders considering the adoption of CollegeiP?
We would definitely recommend the system. A comprehensive structure of key staff responsibilities for the implementation of CollegeiP is required and also, a trial year. Chat with other organisations who are currently using CollegeiP.
