Update on EiBAS Review – A Joint Statement from the British Council and English UK
As many of you may already be aware, the EiBAS consultancy review conducted by Sue Mace officially came to a close on 31 May 2005. Many thanks to all who gave their time to participate in this important project, offering your energy, expertise, experience and creative ideas!
The review report has now been accepted by both the British Council and English UK in its current form and both partners support the topics covered and general direction and issues identified, although not necessarily the detail of the recommendations made. The full report will be available to all shortly on the accreditation unit’s review website.
Since completion
The research findings and recommendations within the report form a critical body of work which will inform the development of the Scheme to successfully meet the challenges we face in the coming years.
The members of the Accreditation Strategy Committee met on 10 June2005 to examine the review report and the 65 recommendations in detail and to prepare a proposal for taking the review forward as follows:
The recommendations were divided into 1 of the following 6 categories:
A. For discussion between British Council and English UK in the renegotiation of the Scheme Agreement
B. Referred to a Working Party on inspection and inspectorate issues
C. Referred to a Working Party on marketing of the Scheme
D. For separate discussion/action by the British Council and English UK, not necessarily in/through the Scheme itself
E. Already agreed or being implemented, or a different decision taken (as part of the review of criteria etc)
F. Ongoing and for future consideration by Accreditation Scheme Board
The proposal was agreed by the Board on 21 June, 2005.
Looking to the future…
The Accreditation Strategy Committee and the accreditation unit are currently working through the recommendations, primarily those in category E, and will propose specific changes to the Scheme for 2006 to be ratified at the September 2005 Board and incorporated into the business plan for the Scheme.
The following are currently in progress and being developed by the Accreditation Strategy Committee and will take effect in 2006:
1. Revised Scheme Aims and Objectives Tony Millns and Fiona Pape
2. Revised Criteria for 2006 Clare McKinley, Liz McLaren and Chief Inspectors
3. Student Emergency Support Fund Mervyn Martin and Tony Millns
4. Fee revisions (annual/inspection) Fiona Pape
With the Board’s approval, the accreditation unit will lead on examining in greater detail the recommendations of the review not yet addressed, in categories B and C above. The unit will facilitate two working parties, inviting a small selection of members and stakeholders to participate. The two working parties are as follows:
1. The first to examine in detail the area of the inspectorate, including the following issues: inspector guidelines and standardisation, inspectorate size and profile, job descriptions and terms and conditions of service. Implementation of any changes in this area will be ratified at the September and/or December 2005 Accreditation Scheme Board and come into effect with the renewal of inspector contracts 1 April 2006.
2. The second to focus on marketing the Scheme, including the following issues: strategy for growing the Scheme membership building on the FAIR theme, support for new members, collaboration with EUK, development of a student charter. Implementation of any changes in this area will be ratified at the September and/or December 2005 Accreditation Scheme Board and come into effect in quarter 4 of the current financial year between January and March 2006 and with the 2006-07 business plan from 1 April 2006.
The renegotiation of the partnership agreement between the two partners is still underway and relevant recommendations from categories A, D and F are being considered. Implementation of any changes agreed will be built into the new partnership agreement which comes into effect 1 April 2006.
If you have any questions, concerns or comments on the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
With best wishes,
Fiona
Fiona Pape
Manager, EL Quality Services
British Council
fiona.pape@britishcouncil.org
NB Members of the Accreditation Strategy Committee are Tony Millns (Chief Executive English UK), Clare McKinley (Chair English UK Accreditation Services Board), Mervyn Martin (non-affiliated representative), Elizabeth McLaren (Assistant Manager, Accreditation Services – British Council) and Fiona Pape (Manager, English Language Quality Services – British Council).
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