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Contents

INTRODUCTION

1. Legal Requirement
2. What is a Publication Scheme?
3. The 'Model' Publication Scheme for Higher Education / Further Education
4. Who We Are and What We Do
5. Accessing Information Covered by the Publication Scheme
6. What About Information Not Covered by the Scheme
7. Our Policy for Charging for Information
8. Obtaining Further Information or Providing Feedback
9. Further Information

MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGES

1. Who we are and what we do
2. What we spend and how we spend it
3. What our priorities are and how we are doing
4. How we make decisions
5. Our policies and procedures
6. Lists and registers
7. The services we offer

Information Access Request Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

INTRODUCTION

This guide has been produced as a requirement of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and introduces a Model Publication Scheme to replace the Publication Scheme adopted by the College in 2004.

The new Model Publication Scheme and definition document provided by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for Further Education Colleges has been adopted by Burnley College with effect from 1 January 2009. The Corporation will formally approve the detail and content of the scheme at its meeting on 25 March 2009.

1. Legal requirement

1.1 Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all 'public authorities' to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.

'1.2 Public authorities' are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.

2. What is a publication scheme?

2.1 A publication scheme is a document which describes the information a public authority publishes, or intends to publish. In this context, 'publish' means to make information available, routinely. These descriptions are called 'classes of information. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority's commitment to make available the information described.

2.2 A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.

3. The ‘model’ publication scheme for higher education/further education

3.1 Burnley College has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Further Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.

3.2 This model is designed for further education colleges across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the model is to prevent institutions duplicating effort in producing individual schemes and to assist the public in accessing information from across the sector. However, to reflect the diversity in size and function of the institution, a number of optional classes of information are included. As a result, models within the sector will vary slightly. Any optional classes relevant to the College have been included in our scheme.

4. Who we are and what we do

4.1 Burnley College is a further education college based in North East Lancashire that has a long history of service to the local community and beyond. The College is clearly recognised by local stakeholders as a key partner in the social and economic regeneration of our community.

We provide a wide range of provision, as at December 2008:

Over 1800 full-time 16-18 year olds
Over 2000 full-time and part-time adult students
750 full and part-time higher education students
550 workbased learners, largely on apprenticeship programmes
Over 2000 employers of local firms on customised programmes including the Government's Train to Gain programme
500 14-16 year olds attend vocational GCSE and equivalent programmes

5. Accessing information covered by the publication scheme

5.1 The information colleges routinely publish falls into the following categories - these have been determined by the ICO:

What we are and what we do: Organisational information - structures, locations, contacts
What we spend and how we spend it: Published accounts
What our priorities are and how we are doing: Strategies and plans, performance indicators, inspections and reviews
How we make decisions: Decision-making processes, records of decisions
Our policies and procedures: Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivery of college services and responsibilities
Lists and registers: Information legally required to be held in publicly available registers and logs
The services we offer: Prospectuses, leaflets, advice and guidance, newsletters.

5.2 Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. We have also indicated whether charges apply to material in each class.

6. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?

6.1 Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you have the right to request any information held by a public authority which it has made available through its publication scheme.

6.2 Requests will have to be made in writing and, the College will have 20 working days to respond. We may charge a fee, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. You should note we will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies (examples are identified below). However, where this is the case we will explain to you why we are not releasing the information and we accept that we may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.

6.3 Exemptions include:

Information already available elsewhere. If this is the case, we will, where we can, direct you to where you will find the information you are looking for
Information provided in confidence. You should note that certain information is supplied to us in confidence and the Act obliges us to hold these things confidentially and not to disclose them.
Personal information. This is covered by the Data Protection Act and is only available to the individual concerned
Investigations and proceedings. If an investigation is ongoing it is unlikely that we will be able to let you have information until all proceedings are finalised
Information intended for future publications. If we intend to publish the information you want you may have to wait until it is published before you can have access to it
Information that the Principal of the College decides is not in the public interest to disclose

7. Our policy on charging for information

7.1 Much of our information is available to you free of charge. However, because of the costs involved in locating or copying what you need, Burnley College retains the right granted under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to charge fees where necessary and these will be in accordance with that Act and any other relevant legislation. Where compilation of data is in our view particularly onerous it will be our intention to charge an additional sum of £25 per person hour to cover locating documents, copying and postage (up to a maximum of £450 as defined within the Act).

8. Obtaining Further Information or Providing Feedback

8.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, or require further information please let us know via the contact details provided below. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved.

Pauline Lucarz (Mrs)
Freedom of Information Officer
Burnley College
Princess Way
BURNLEY
Lancashire
BB12 0AN

Tel: 01282 733104
Email: p.lucarz@burnley.ac.uk
fax:01282 733380

9. Further information

9.1 If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act. More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner's website see below.

Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Tel: 01625 545700
E-mail: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk
Website at www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGES

1. Who we are and what we do
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
1.1 Legal Framework	The Corporate Status of Burnley College is conferred by the relevant statutes, in particular, the Education Reform Act 1988, and the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The actual legislation is already publicly available, for example on the HSMO web site (www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm) Instrument and Articles of Government for former Further Education College	Electronic/ Website	Free
1.2 Corporate Structure	Corporate Body Determination of Membership Code of Conduct for members of the Governing Body The terms of reference for its Governing Board and its sub committees Curriculum and Standards Committee Audit Committee Human Resources Committee Finance Committee Search and Governance Committee Standing orders Appointment of Board members, selection and eligibility Job description of Board members	Website	Free
1.3 How the institution is organised	Organisational and management structure charts.	Paper/ e-mail	£10
1.4 Staffing structure of Divisions	This class includes information about staff roles within divisions, together with organisation charts. Job titles of academic staff and support staff Contact details for each faculty/section	Paper/ email	£10
1.5 Information on the institutional context	Burnley College's Strategic Plan (website address: www.burnley.ac.uk) Quality Committee Policy (001)	Website Paper/ e-mail	Free £10
1.6 Marketing and recruitment	This class should include publications relating to student recruitment (UK and international), including the College prospectus. Prospectus (which includes entry requirements for courses) Open days	Website/ paper	Free
1.7 Public Relations	This class contains information that is created to help publicise our facilities and activities. Press releases Prospectus Course brochures Newsletters and magazines	Website Website Paper Electronic	Free Free Free Free
1.8 Partnerships	The College delivers all of its HE provision through a franchise agreement with the University of Central Lancashire. This is formalised through an annual development plan and memorandum of agreement.	Electronic/paper	£10

2. What we spend and how we spend it Financial Resources This section covers information on the College's strategy and management of financial resources. The Finance Directorate provides accounting, procurement and contracting services, helping to make best use of resources and fulfilling statutory responsibilities. Information that may damage the institution's commercial interests will be excluded from publication.
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
2.1 Funding/income	Information on the sources of funding and income, such as grants tuition fees, endowment and investment income	Electronic	£10
2.2 Budgetary and account information	Annual statement of accounts and other information to allow the public to see where money is being spent. Annual accounts	Electronic/paper	£10
2.3 Financial audit reports	Audit opinion as contained within the annual report and financial statements Financial Audit Opinion	Electronic/paper	£10
2.4 Capital programme	Information on major plans for capital expenditure Information related to capital expenditure upon completion of the project when accounts have been audited	Paper	£10
2.5 Financial Regulations and procedures	Statement of accounting policies	Paper	£10 (per regulation)
2.6 Staff pay and grading structures	Remuneration of senior staff as published in annual accounts Information on the grading structures used within College and the associated salaries Pension scheme information as contained in the annual accounts	Electronic	£10
2.7 Register of suppliers	A list of suppliers used within College	Electronic	£10
2.8 Procurement and tender procedures	Details of procedures used for the acquisition of goods and services.	Electronic/paper	£10

3. What our priorities are and how we are doing
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
3.1 Corporate and business plans	Strategic Plan Teaching and Learning Strategy	Electronic/paper Electronic	Free £10
3.2 Academic Quality and Standards	Quality Strategy	Electronic	£10
3.3 Government & Regulatory Reports	This class relates to the information that the College is legally obliged to make available to its funding and/or monitoring bodies. Such material may provide information as to how well the institution is performing. OfSTED Inspection Report - available on the OfSTED website. Government reports on FE (available from the LSC at lsc.gov.uk)	OfSTED Website/ LSC website	Free
3.4 Student Learning Support Services	This class should include information on student support services from an academic and learning perspective, particularly those not covered under Information Services. Learning Support Guide Student Entitlement Policy	Paper Student handbook	£10 Free to students
3.5 Mission Statements and related documents	College Purpose College Charter	Paper/ E-mail/website E-mail/paper	Free £10
3.6 Information on internal procedures for assuring academic quality and standards	This class includes information about the College's internal quality audit programme and annual review: Internal validation procedure Monitoring review and evaluation procedure Quality and provision policy Information on assessment procedures and outcomes: Student Assessment Policy Information on student satisfaction with their College experience, covering the views of students on: Student Entitlement policy and associated documents 16 – 18 statement Discipline procedures Student representation Parental involvement Induction and Tutorial Complaints procedure Visits and Residential Student code of conduct Student Assessment policy and associated documents Quality of provision policy Equality and Diversity (students) policy Child Protection policy Induction and Tutorial procedure Information relating to the College's performance and its standards: The College Report which includes: Achievement results Retention results Attendance levels Average point scores for A levels	E-mail/paper E-mail/paper Paper E-mail/paper E-mail/paper	£10 £10 £10 £10 each £50

4. How we make decisions
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
4.1 Minutes from the Governing body and steering groups	Governing Board minutes Search Committee minutes Human Resource Committee minutes Curriculum and Standards minutes Finance Committee minutes Audit Committee minutes Accommodation Group meetings	Web Site Web Site Electronic	Free Free £10
4.2 Minutes from the academic board	Academic Board minutes	Electronic	£10

5. Our Policies and Procedures This section covers information on the College's strategy policies and procedures (including terms and conditions of service). Information relating to individual members of staff is exempt from disclosure as personal information.
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
5.1 Employment and Employee Relations	Appraisal scheme Eye sight tests Grievance Policy and Procedures Health and Safety Committee Health and Safety Policy Managing Under Performance Policy and Procedures Redundancy Policy and Procedure Job share, job vacancies Special Leave Managing Absence Policy and Procedure Maternity Scheme Paternity Leave Scheme Public Interest Disclosure Code of Practice (whistle blowing) Recruitment, selection and appointment of staff Salary scales Scheme of recognition of long service Sickness reporting procedure Time off for Trade Union duties	Paper/electronic	£10 per document
5.2 Equal Opportunities/ Diversity Policy	Equality and Diversity Policies – those on the website are free.	Paper/e-mail/ website	£10/ free
5.3 Staff Development	Staff Development Policy and Procedures Staff Induction	Paper/e-mail	£10 per document
5.4 Estates	Tendering policies Recycling policies Map of main buildings. Address of main site and any other locations.	Paper/electronic Paper/electronic Paper Website	£10 £10 £10 Free
5.5 Policies with regard to data and information	Policy Statement on the secure storage, handling, use, retention and disposal of disclosures and disclosure information.	Paper Website E-mail	£10 Free Free
5.6 Academic year dates	This class includes information on the dates for the current academic year as well as future academic years (as far as is known). College planner Prospectus Student induction pack	Paper Website Electronic	Free Free £10 (free to students)
5.7 Further course information	This class includes information relating to programmes and qualifications. Term dates Divisional course guides Structure of programmes Qualifications gained Work experience	Paper/ E-mail/ Website	Free
5.8 Student assessment information	This class includes information on the regulations and/or policy governing student assessment. Student Assessment Policy Disciplinary Procedure Appeals Policy	Available to view in LRC. Paper/e-mail	Free £10

6. Lists and registers
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
6.1 Information we are legally required to hold in registers	Register of Interests Asset register Freedom of Information/Data Protection request logs	Paper Electronic Electronic	£10 £10 Free

7. The services we offer Student Administration and Support This section contains information on how the College manages the administration and progression of students from admission to course completion, including student support services. Information does not include specific student personal details, by virtue of being personal information.
Class	Description	Manner	Fee
7.1 Information on Student admission, progression and completion	Entry criteria The range of student entrants classified by age, gender, disability as returned to LSC Student progression, retention and completion data Results analysis	Prospectus Paper	Free £25
7.2 Student accommodation	Burnley College has no student accommodation.
7.3 Student administration	Course prospectus Student records policies and procedures (included in the ILR data regulations) Security and data protection - included in the Data Protection Policy	Paper Gov website E-mail	Free Free Free
7.4 Student enrolment and admission	This class includes information relating to the admission/enrolment of new students, including policies and procedures covering the assessment of external qualifications, the creation of student records, the co-ordination of student funding arrangements and the division of responsibilities between central admissions or equivalent and college/school/faculty staff. Student Assessment Policy	Paper	£10
7.5 Student discipline	This class includes information relating to the conduct of disciplinary proceedings against students: Student Disciplinary Policy Complaints Procedure	Paper/e-mail Website/paper	£10 Free/£10
7.6 Student liaison	This class includes information relating to the structure and functioning of staff/student consultative committees or other liaison groups. Minutes of Student Council meetings.	Paper or Email	£10
7.7 Student policies and procedures	This class includes a guide to all student policies issued by the College: Enrolment Form Child Protection Policy (refer to LCC for full document) Misuse of drugs and related substances Induction and tutorial procedure Work placements, visits and residential Enrichment Procedure	Paper or Email where available electronically Free to students	£10
7.8 Student welfare	Learning support guide UCAS handbook Student handbook Student financial handbook	Paper	£10 (free to students)
7.9 Student associations and activities	This class contains information relating to the operation and activities of the Learner Council which is organised for or by the students: Learner Council Constitution, Code of Practice Student representation procedure Enrichment procedure Student Council minutes	Notice boards Paper or email where available	Free £10
7.10 Availability and conditions of use of facilities	Active Learning Zones opening hours. Student catalogues and guides, are available in each active learning zone. Computing Code of Practice – Internet/email acceptable use policy Copyright agreements- Educational Recording Association (ERA) and Copyright Licensing Association (CLA)	On display on site Available to view on site to students/electronic Electronic Paper copy	Free Free/£10 £10 £10
7.11 Scope of collections held	LRC guides for subject areas Computerised records of LRC stock	On display in LRC Talis database with onsite access	Free
7.12 Tuition fees	This class should include information relating to tuition fees for UK students, EU students and other international students, including information on when tuition fees will be payable and how to pay. Examples of the type of information in this class include: Information for home/EU students Information for international students Information on other charges	Paper/prospectus	Free

Freedom of Information Act 2000 - Information Access Request Form