Yesterday I attended the online launch of the new QAA UK Quality Code.
This has been a long time coming – nearly two years in fact – but instead of being frustrated, it has just confirmed to me that we should be delighted, excited and feel positive that we now have a code that is genuinely “sector-agreed” – sustainable and relevant for some years to come.
So yes, worth the wait in my eyes!
The QAA have produced a code that is robust, consistent, sustainable, contextual but, most importantly, flexible.
The principle-based framework is built in such a way that it can be developed and enhanced for today and tomorrow as the sector diversifies.
It alsod manages new delivery methods and practices that future students, along with the UK and International industry, will demand and need, such as the development of micro-credentials, life-long learning etc.
You will be pleased to know that I am not going to blog the traditional quality and compliance dry explanation of what each of the 12 principles are – you can read that for yourself – what I wanted to share in this piece is how I feel about the new UK Quality Code.
This, I guess is a new concept for my normal audience, as the perception is that us quality and compliance folk don’t do a lot of feeling; we just do a lot of evaluating, questioning and ticking of boxes.
So, I hope that these next few paragraphs also show how we can multi-task, and not only bring thoughts and feelings to yesterday;s launch, but perhaps, at the same time, dispel a few preconceptions of my role type.
Better together
My overwhelming, stand-out take from this new UK Quality Code is how the journey, so far of its creation and evolution, has sparked a flame of sector collaboration.
It is bringing real human beings together from all over the sector – from FE and HE (with a tertiary approach as one of the heartbeats of the code), Students and Student Bodies, Devolved Nations (who are currently working under different regulations) and European Standards.
The QAA has built a generic code of practice that everyone has had input to if they so wished, forming genuine sector-agreed best practices and principals regardless of different terminology, approaches, perspectives, regulators and compliance requirements.
It has understood that below all of these superficial differences, the principles of the way in which we are all working have so many more similarities than differences.
And I see this code cutting through a lot of that white noise, allowing us all to talk using a similar language.
Flexibility and alignment
Because of the QAA’s approach in taking their time to getting this new code right, it has the ability to be mapped to not only the plethora of other quality and compliance frameworks in the UK sector such as OfS, Pearson, Ofsted and other PSRBs, but also to wider frameworks – with the next piece of work mapping to the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
And, in my opinion, this is crucial.
It has concerned me for some time that, for the English HE regulator (OfS), their Conditions of Registration are not actively aligned to ESG, which I know has created some barriers when some of our clients work with the international community.
Now, by using and embedding the new UK Quality Code principles – and eventually the practice and guidance that will come from it – we can confidently evidence compliance or, at least, alignment and recognition of the ESG.
This, in turn, will only support our ability to talk to our international partners and encourage international students that we are not UK-centric in our approaches.
Conclusion
I am very excited; we at illuminare Education are very excited – and we hope you are too.
There is clearly still lots of work to do by the QAA and sector to keep developing and enhancing what has been launched today, but… what a great start, QAA!
And, if you don’t want to take my word for it, David Kernohan, Wonkhe’s Deputy Editor, enthusiastically endorsed the new code at the launch event, welcoming it to the sector like a new born baby – and if David thinks it’s awesome, who are we to argue?
Check it out for yourself here and let us know how you FEEL about it too!