Authority 

• The Committee operates under the authority of, and reports to, the Board.

Remit 

• Oversee and monitor the implementation of the College’s Curriculum and Digital Strategies, reporting to the Board of Management as needed.
• Ensure compliance with the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) through regular updates from the Learning, Teaching and Quality Strategy Group (LTQSG).
• Review key performance data on curriculum, teaching, student support, experience, and graduate outcomes - including future proofing of the curriculum (to support the College’s ambition to be a ‘High Performing Digital College’) - and approve related policies and strategies.
• Reflect on the broader added value of the college experience, including its societal impact, student resilience, and sense of belonging.
• Undertake high-level reviews of:
  • Key aspects of academic performance, including student retention, progression, attainment and achievement.
  • Internal academic reporting mechanisms.
  • Performance on admissions, access, inclusion, induction and support.
  • Arrangements for articulation and partnerships.
• Monitor educational trends and encourage innovation to meet the current and future needs of learners and stakeholders, including fostering student-led innovation.
• Maintain oversight of academic quality assurance and improvement through internal and external reports, including student feedback and evaluations. The Committee shall ensure that its decision-making is driven by data, which is appropriately contextualised through case studies and other micro-moments.
• Monitor matters concerning student discipline, the academic appeals process and the volume and themes of complaint activity, their handling and outcomes.
• Receive and consider regular reports from the Edinburgh College Students’ Association and relevant reports from the Access and Inclusion Strategy Group (AISG), and address any issues raised as appropriate.
• Recommend to the Board of Management any matters of significance that fall within the Committee’s remit.

Membership and Attendance

• At least three Board members will be represented on the Committee. More than one-half of the Committee’s membership will comprise non-executive Board members. The remaining members may include the Principal and Chief Executive, staff, and/or student Board members.
• Additional members may be co-opted to the Committee with the approval of the Board of Management. Co-opted members shall contribute to the business of the Committee but will not have the right to vote.
• Members of the Committee shall elect a Chair from among their number. In accordance with the Standing Orders, approved and issued by the Board of Management, the Chair should be a non-executive member. The Committee may also choose to elect a Vice Chair.
• The Vice Principal of Education and Skills and the Vice Principal of Innovation, Planning, and Performance shall act as Executive Leads for the Committee.

Meetings and Quoracy

• The Committee shall meet at least three times in each academic year. Meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders as approved and issued by the Board of Management.
• The quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be no less than one-half of the members, as outlined in Membership and Attendance, who are entitled to vote. At least one-half of those attending must be non-executive members to complete a quorum.

Review

• Members will review the Committee’s Terms of Reference at least annually. Any amendments shall be submitted to the Governance and Nominations Committee for consideration and approval.