The School is committed to safeguarding students' interests in the event of programme closure, suspension, or change. We ensure compliance with regulatory standards and ethical practices through robust risk management and our student protection plan. Our policies, aligned with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, detail steps to minimise impact and support students.
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
The School is dedicated to providing a high-quality academic experience. Our academic regulations ensure programmes and modules meet sector standards and adhere to the School’s Teaching and Learning Quality Assurance Policy. If programmes must be closed, suspended, or changed, we are committed to protecting students' interests and minimising impact through our risk management policy.
This rule ensures that the School maintains high academic standards while actively managing risks associated with programme changes. By aligning with sector standards and having a robust risk management system, we address potential disruptions effectively, safeguarding students' educational experiences and fulfilling legal and ethical responsibilities.
Departmental directors must consistently monitor and utilise the risk register in their operations, reporting risks and mitigation strategies to the Executive Committee. The Quality and Audit Committee will convene at least three times annually, following key dates in the operating cycle. Its duties include:
This rule ensures that risk management is a continuous and integral part of departmental operations, with regular oversight from the Quality and Audit Committee. The committee's broad responsibilities include reviewing controls, advising on compliance, and addressing breaches, which upholds the School's commitment to effective risk management and regulatory adherence.
The School maintains a Student Protection Plan submitted to the Office for Students (OfS) to ensure students can complete their education in the event of serious risks, such as operational cessation or loss of degree awarding powers. This plan includes:
The Board of Governors oversees the protection plan and employs additional tools and systems, including reporting and evaluation mechanisms, to support it.
The Student Protection Plan is essential for safeguarding students' education in case of significant disruptions. The Board of Governors is responsible for its oversight and uses various tools to enhance its effectiveness, ensuring comprehensive protection and communication strategies are in place.
The Student Protection Plan addresses various risks including:
The Plan outlines:
The Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing the Plan, with risk minimisation and management integrated into School operations.
The Plan is designed to protect students from the impact of significant risks by detailing response strategies, compensation procedures, and communication methods. The Board of Governors ensures the Plan is effectively implemented and that risk management is embedded in the School’s operations.
The School may need to disrupt its services, including programme delivery, due to factors beyond its control. This may include:
Disruptions may occur because of external factors such as changes in regulations or necessary health and safety measures. The School must adapt to these circumstances to comply with legal and safety standards.
The School will take all reasonable steps to minimise disruption, including continuing programmes through alternative means if feasible.
To ensure that the impact of any disruptions is reduced, the School will explore all possible methods to maintain programme delivery and minimise inconvenience to students.
Students on all programmes will be notified by email and/or in person as soon as possible to minimise disruption.
Prompt notification helps to reduce the impact of any disruptions and ensures that students are informed in a timely manner.
If the School decides to discontinue, continue, or change a Programme, the following arrangements will be made:
The School will consult with students regarding any changes.
These measures ensure that current students' education is not disrupted and that prospective students receive fair alternatives or refunds. Consulting with students helps to address their concerns and maintain transparency.
The Marketing Team will follow a protocol with programme and module teams to ensure:
Refer to the Accuracy of Information Policy (AOIP) for further details.
This protocol ensures that all published information is accurate and current, maintains effective communication about changes, and makes information readily accessible to stakeholders.
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.