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Round 1 project summaries: College collaboration fund (CCF)

Updated 12 January 2022

These project summaries are split into 3 workstreams:

• digital content
• learner support and safeguarding
• staff and organisational capacity and capability workstream

Digital content workstream

This section summarises the projects developed by colleges relating to digital content.

There’s also a separate list of resources which is under development.

London South East College (lead) and East Sussex College Group (partner)

ChangeMakers is a co-designed development project, supported by strategic partners the Education and Training Foundation and Jisc.

The project aims to:

• build leadership capacity in strategic business planning and a culture of high aspiration and ambition
• improve the quality of education and strategic planning and commissioning in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• increase and improve the quality of digital learning and pedagogy in key curriculum areas
• enable greater financial resilience

The objectives are the development of:

• ChangeMakers action research groups
• online conferences
• new digital focused courses and a skills academy

Contact: andrew.cox@lsec.ac.uk.

Wiltshire College and University Centre (lead) and Bridgwater and Taunton College (partner)

The aim of the project is to support a range of curriculum areas and student support services for both colleges and to meet strategic digital objectives.

The objectives are the development of:

• resources and training to support the remote delivery of a vocational curriculum and develop a more digitally confident workforce
• a sequence of digital resources for use in synchronous or asynchronous delivery to support students in engaging with local employers while colleges are restricted under coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown conditions
• OneNote portfolios and workbooks for use in synchronous or asynchronous delivery to support students in GCSE and functional skills maths and English, accompanied by topic specific additional resources

Contact: jo.grenfell@wiltshire.ac.uk.

Wilberforce Sixth Form College (lead), and Franklin Sixth Form College, John Leggott College, Scarborough Sixth Form College and Wyke Sixth Form College (partners)

The aim of the project is to support students and staff through the development of digital teaching and learning materials and blended learning approaches.

The objectives are the development of a range of digital resources including:

• a cloud-based archive of teaching and learning materials and assessments
• a full programme and set of broadcast lessons, digital content and developed materials for key subject areas with a specific focus on English and maths (level 2 and level 3), sciences, humanities, psychology and health studies and caring (level 3)
• blended learning approaches in maths (at level 2 and level 3) with providers across the region, including key secondary partner schools, and a virtual maths hub for the Humber and North Yorkshire, with focus on improving level 2 and level 3 results
• digital learning platforms to support progress and progression

Contact: LHR@wilberforce.ac.uk.

Heart of Worcestershire College (lead) and Grimsby Institute (partner)

The aim of the project is to create 285 hours of open source SCORM resources across level 2 and level 3 vocational topics plus maths, English, mental health and special educational needs. Micro assessment will be built into each resource.

The objectives are to:

• identify and undertake a gap analysis from existing blended learning resources in addition to updating and repurposing resource that is most popular based on individualised learner record data, partner college feedback and teacher responses
• allocate aspects of videography work to partner colleges as well as some vocational content authoring
• appoint content writers or vocational specialists to develop new content
• develop a hosting platform for resources and monitor download or user statistics and provide technical support to enable integration into the relevant learning management system

Contacts: cheywood@howcollege.ac.uk and ahollier@howcollege.ac.uk.

Heart of Worcestershire College (lead) and East Durham College (partner)

The aim of the project is to create 180 videos across a range of vocationally specific areas that link to common awarding body criteria for assessment and demonstrate skill objectives. Topics include construction, catering, special educational needs, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), IT, animal care, agriculture, horticulture, careers support linked to promotion of T Levels and employability skills.

The objectives are:

• using a host video platform to create an open source library of demonstration videos to use independently or embedded within learning management systems and virtual learning environments
• storyboarding, filming, post production and vocational specialist consultation to identify most useful topics to cover via demonstration

Contacts: cheywood@howcollege.ac.uk and ahollier@howcollege.ac.uk.

Fareham College (lead), and Highbury College and Havant and South Downs College (partners)

The aim is to develop high-quality blended learning material for level 3 delivery, including a range of high-quality interactive resources that can be used across the partner colleges and beyond.

The objectives are that each partner college will form digital curriculum development groups, designed to:

• establish a synergy between level 3 delivery among the partner colleges
• agree the curriculum priorities for development of new resources as well as identifying existing high-quality resources suitable for sharing
• develop storyboard content, including employer links within the design and delivery, to support the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours, and provide links into T Level delivery

Contact: C.Allen-Kotze@fareham.ac.uk.

Learner support and safeguarding workstream

This section summarises the projects developed by colleges relating to digital content.

There’s also a separate list of resources which is underdevelopment.

Truro and Penwith College (lead) and South Devon College, Petroc (partner)

The aim of this project is to create an enhanced digital tutorial offer to strengthen the support measures in place for level 2 and for most vulnerable learners who require more extensive support models than currently available. This will provide students with access to more resources as well as appropriate contacts within their college.

Through learning and best practice, the project will develop:

• an online scheme of work with embedded lessons and resources for all FE providers to access
• a leaflet or booklet outlining the key areas to focus on to effectively address emotional and social skills barriers and support progression to level 3

Contact: julianroberts@truro-penwith.ac.uk.

DN Colleges Group (lead) and The Sheffield College (partner)

The aim of the project is to enhance the student experience and to ultimately digitalise paper-based processes.

The objectives are to map the administrative processes behind the student journey and to establish a to-be set of process definitions. This will involve stakeholder workshops and challenges to existing ways of working. The project will involve the development of:

• specifications and user journeys to inform future digital solutions gap analysis or procurement requirements
• as-is and to-be process maps that colleges across the sector can use on an ‘adopt and adapt’ basis
• standard operating procedures, guides and manuals

Contact: Elaine.McFarlane@don.ac.uk.

Cirencester College (lead), and Strode College, Brockenhurst College and The Henley College, Petroc (partners)

The aim is to explore and develop remote learning capability, emotional support and transport options for rural students.

The objectives are to intensify collaboration between rural tertiary colleges in the south west, support isolated practitioners and exchange best practice in a sustainable way. The project will develop:

• ‘talking heads’ of students (ambassadors) explaining ‘life at college’ to reduce anxiety around transition from school to college
• resource banks of online materials to support transition to college, pastoral support and mental health support to reduce learner anxiety and sustain recruitment
• 6-week wellbeing programme for all students to kickstart a habit of a healthy learning lifestyle
• reports on evaluating technology and cost-effective sustainable models for effectively supporting students remotely and on rural transport models

Contact: matt.reynolds@cirencester.ac.uk.

Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College (lead) and Harrow and Uxbridge College, West Thames College, The Windsor Forest Colleges Group and Brooklands College (partners)

The aims are to address key challenges facing the colleges when switching to online delivery or remote learning, recognising that limitations for face-to-face learning will continue for the foreseeable future. 

The objectives are focused through 3 workstreams which will develop:

• digital content and resources to support a virtual work experience programme, leveraging the relationships Heathrow Airport has within ‘Team Heathrow’ and its wider supply chain and infrastructure partners such as HS2 and Transport for London
• essential skills for young people through a targeted coaching and mentoring programme aimed specifically at vulnerable groups, those not in employment, education or training (NEET) and those digitally disadvantaged
• technical industry skills for teachers, supporting the use of technology in teaching and learning, preparing learners fully for the world of work, engaging with Heathrow and its wider supply chain to provide work shadowing and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities

Contact: d.warnes@wlc.ac.uk.

Dudley College of Technology (lead), and Birmingham Metropolitan College and City of Wolverhampton College (partners)

The aim is to develop a collaborative approach to reduce the number of NEETs in the West Midlands region by creating an improved approach to identifying and tracking young people, particularly at prominent transition points at years 11, 12 and 13. The programme will include a second strand, to develop intervention programmes for those identified as most at risk of becoming, or who currently are, NEET.

The objectives of the project are to:

• create a working group of new individuals representing participating colleges, alongside West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities to understand the tracking approaches and identify best practice
• link with neighbouring schools and partners and be a member of the project group that will feed data into a central hub - the group will develop a single data-sharing agreement, analyse information and accelerate the tracking and communication process
• develop a suite of NEET intervention activities and selective programmes to engage with current or prospective NEETs

Contact: carl.riding@dudleycol.ac.uk.

Newcastle and Stafford College Group (lead) and Shrewsbury Colleges Group (partner)

Newcastle and Stafford College Group will provide support with the aim of ensuring that Shrewsbury Colleges Group’s safeguarding arrangements are effective and create a climate where:

• vulnerable students and all students feel safe on campus
• all staff consider safeguarding to be effective
• all students are safe online

The objectives will be to review current safeguarding practice and use best practice to address the issues identified by Ofsted.

The project will develop:

• revised safeguarding policy and procedures
• new mentor roles
• small group support and implementation of an e-safety teaching package

Contact: lesley.morrey@nscg.ac.uk.

Weston College (lead) and Gateshead College (partner)

The aim is to develop online programmes of remote support that will support learner and staff mental health and wellbeing and enable strong, resilient further education (FE) communities of practice that can respond to current and future challenges.

Under the brand ‘Let’s Chat’, the project’s objectives are to:

• support learners and staff to develop their character and help them know how to keep physically and mentally healthy
• help learners and staff to reduce their risk of harm by securing the support they need, or referring in a timely way to those who have the expertise to help
• engage with staff and ensure leaders are aware and take account of the main pressures on them

Through 3 workstreams, the project will develop:

• therapy - targeted therapy via one-to-one remote counselling for learners and staff regarding mental health and wellbeing and enhanced specialist support for SEND learners
• the workforce - by delivering activities focused on upskilling staff to recognise and manage the emotional wellbeing of themselves, learners or colleagues
• thematic workshops and resources - by creating on-demand content supporting individuals to approach common issues related to mental health and wellbeing

Contact: Benjamin.Knocks@weston.ac.uk.

Staff and organisational capacity and capability workstream

This section summarises the projects developed by colleges relating to digital content.

There’s also a separate list of resources which is underdevelopment.

Darlington College (lead), and Middlesbrough College, Education Training Collective, Hartlepool College and Northern School of Art (partners)

The aim is to improve digital capability and provide access to high-quality digital content for all learners at all levels including school leavers, continuers and adult returners.

The project objectives are to:

• improve the quality of digital provision leading to greater student satisfaction, engagement and achievement
• strengthen student engagement, in particular by disadvantaged groups, leading to better individual learner outcomes
• develop the capability of staff to access, author and use digital resources to improve the quality of education experienced by learners

The focus will be the development of digital support for disadvantaged groups, including students that have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in place, are entitled to free school meals, are engaged with a social worker, are care leavers or who have low attendance levels.

The Windsor Forest Colleges Group (lead) and Berkshire College of Agriculture (partner)

The aim is to deliver a range of peer support measures that accelerate the curation of digital content and resource to support the online delivery of apprenticeships by both colleges. This will include both existing apprenticeships offered by the colleges and ‘new’ apprenticeships which could be delivered remotely.

The objectives will be to:

• curate and develop digital content and resource that support online delivery of apprenticeships - this includes the creation of ‘virtual workshops’ for students to study in if they cannot attend vocational sessions
• train and support the 25 staff involved in apprenticeship delivery to deliver learning via digital technologies
• review and develop the use of the partner college’s e-portfolio and apprenticeship tracking systems to share and develop best practice - this includes providing support and training to apprenticeship delivery staff and ensuring that managers have sufficient tools to monitor and track progress

Contact: juliet.holloway@windsor-forest.ac.uk.

Lincoln College (lead) and Grimsby Institute, DN Colleges Group, Grantham College, Boston College and New College Stamford (partners)

The project will create digital resources that meet the aims and objectives to:

• improve workforce capability and capacity to curate, collate, extend and integrate digital content and resources to support remote and blended delivery
• provide an effective and comprehensive digital induction for staff and students to encourage buy-in, raise confidence and ensure high-quality outcomes
• embed English and maths, by contextualising digital resources, to make them relevant and appropriate to learners’ core vocational aims, particularly in business, construction and health and care

The project will develop a digital induction programme for students and staff along with a training schedule package.

Contact: mmcdonnell@lincolncollege.ac.uk

Plumpton College (lead) and Basingstoke College of Technology and EKC Group (partners)

The aim is to develop, test, review and share solutions to the variable quality and learner experience of online learning to facilitate a step change in the effectiveness of online pedagogy.

The project objectives are focused on:

• the use of online platforms
• articulation of the key characteristics of good or better content for online delivery
• guidance for effective delivery of ‘live lessons online’
• proposals for robust self-assessment of online learning

The project will develop:

• research to establish a standardised approach to reflective learning across the colleges
• support materials for use of platforms
• content for each workstream to include criteria, a structured staff development programme, study guides and methodology

Contact: carolyn.langford@plumpton.ac.uk.

Kendal College (lead) and NCG (Carlisle College), Lakes College, Furness College and Askham Bryan (Newton Rigg College) (partners)

The aim is to establish cost-effective online delivery practices by developing the resources, capacity and capability of partner organisations and their staff. The project also aims to establish a process that will be used by all of the colleges throughout Cumbria to monitor, ensure and maintain the quality of online learning.

The project objectives are to:

• procure and install resources and staff and student training to allow colleges to develop online content as well as switch to the use of online content in full or in part
• look into learner experience and build in control mechanisms via quality assurance systems to support improvement in teaching, learning and assessment using remote technologies
• develop a quality improvement and assurance framework to assess the quality of online content and delivery

Contact: kelvin.nash@kendal.ac.uk.

Walsall College (lead), and Birmingham Metropolitan College, National College for Advanced Transport and Infrastructure and South Staffordshire College (partners)

The project aims to improve the delivery of synchronous teaching and learning by identifying and curating best practice within the colleges for a variety of subject areas. Where best practice is not available across the partners, the project will research and produce exemplar lessons.

The project will develop an online synchronous teaching and learning toolkit and guidance for FE teachers by identifying:

• online synchronous approaches that engage, motivate and differentiate the learning experience for learners
• a series of high-quality synchronous e-teaching techniques that demonstrate learners’ progress through an effective sequence of online activities

Contact: Jholt@walsallcollege.ac.uk.

The LTE Group (The Manchester College) (lead), and Bury College, Bolton College, Hopwood Hall College, The Oldham College, Tameside College, Trafford College Group and Wigan and Leigh College (partners)

The project aims to identify, evaluate, develop and deploy the most impactful digital content and resources for learners.

The project’s objectives are to:

• bring together subject experts in a communities of practice model
• provide expert ongoing support and advice to colleagues via trained and upskilled digital blended learning champions in each college

The project will develop:

• a digital and blended learning teacher toolkit
• bespoke CPD for digital blended learning champions and teachers
• college digital learning strategies

Contact: scottg@ltegroup.co.uk.