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The College has published a Disability Equality Scheme and Action Plan, in consultation with staff and students, outlining its commitment to promoting access and opportunity for people with disabilities.
Please click here to view a copy of BCA's Disability Equality Scheme.
Race Equality Policy
Please click here to view a copy of BCA's Race Equality Policy.
INTRODUCTION
1. Legal Requirement
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.
‘Public authorities’ are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.
2. What is a publication scheme?
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.
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 Further Education
BCA has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the Higher/Further Education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.
This model is designed for further education colleges across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the model is to save institutions duplicating effort in producing individual schemes and to assist the public in accessing information form across the sector. However, to reflect the diversity in size and function of institutions, a number of optional classes are included. As a result, models within the sector will vary slightly. Any optional classes relevant to BCA have been included in our scheme.
4. Who we are
The Berkshire College of Agriculture (BCA) is situated near Maidenhead at the centre of the Thames Valley economic region. It recruits from across the region and from the outer boroughs of West London. It provides subsidised transport services for its students. The campus consists of a 200-hectare estate centered on a Grade I listed building. This provides much of the colleges’ administrative accommodation and houses the learning resource centre. The remainder of the campus extends along the axis of the college and includes sporting facilities, animal care and equine units, extensive grounds which are used for horticulture, glasshouses, laboratories and a commercial farm. The down turn in the agricultural economy and shift towards the leisure aspects of the rural environment has been mirrored in the colleges’ portfolio of courses with significant growth in equine studies, animal care and veterinary nursing.
The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme.
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.
To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact:
BCA
Directorate Office
Hall Place
Burchetts Green
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 6QR
Please note that a publication scheme relates to ‘published’ information. Therefore material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.
6. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?
From 1st January 2005 you will have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by a public authority which is has not already made available through its publication scheme.
Requests will have to be made in writing and, in general, public authorities will have 20 working days to respond. They may charge a fee, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. They will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, public authorities may be required to explain to the applicant why they are not releasing information and they may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.
7. Feedback
It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to the Publication Scheme Co-ordinator below:
BCA
Directorate Office
Burchetts Green
Maidenhead
Berks
SL6 6QR
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:
Information Commissioner
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
8. Further Information
More information about the Freedom of Information Act is available on the Information Commissioner’s website at:
www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk
Please note that Scotland has its own Freedom of Information Act and Information Commissioner. For more information, please see the Scottish Executive’s website at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/government/foi
Section One – Governance
This section covers information relating to the way BCA is governed and how decisions are made. It includes information on the legal status of the institution, which individual member if staff or group within the organisation is responsible for specific functions and where they fit in the overall structure of the organisation. In some instances information from committee minutes will be exempt from disclosure where it contains personal information; information that may damage the commercial interests of the institution or that may threaten the health and safety of specific individuals
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Legal Framework |
|
|
Instrument & Articles of Government |
Directorate Office |
£5 |
Decision Making Structures |
|
|
Strategic Plan |
Directorate Office |
£5 |
Agenda Planning Cycle 2003 |
Directorate Office |
|
Schedule of Meetings |
Directorate Office |
|
College Mission Statement |
Directorate Office |
|
College Organisation Chart |
Directorate Office |
|
Board of Governors |
|
|
Governors Handbook Index |
Directorate Office |
|
Corporation Members |
Directorate Office |
|
Code of Conduct |
Directorate Office |
|
Performance indicators for Governors Self Assessment |
Directorate Office |
|
Policy on Access to Corporation Business |
Directorate Office |
|
Register of Interests |
Directorate Office |
|
Committee Structure |
|
|
Corporation Meeting Organisation Chart |
Directorate Office |
|
Standing Orders |
Directorate Office |
|
Role of the Chair of Corporation |
Directorate Office |
|
Role of the Governors |
Directorate Office |
|
Role of the Clerk |
Directorate Office |
|
Terms of reference for Corporation Committees |
Directorate Office |
|
Minutes of Corporation Meetings |
Directorate Office |
|
Minutes of Committees of the Corporation |
Directorate Office |
|
Academic Board Terms of reference and minutes |
Directorate Office |
|
Organisational Structure |
|
|
BCA Organisational Chart |
Directorate Office |
|
Management of Learning & Learning Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Quality Assurance Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Academic Calendar |
Directorate |
|
Section Two – Financial Resources
This section covers information on BCA’s strategy and management of financial resources. The Finance Department provides accounting, procurement and contracting services, helping to make best use of resources and fulfilling statutory responsibilities. Information that may damage BCA’s commercial interests will be excluded from publication.
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Finance |
|
|
Published Accounts (Previous Year) |
Directorate Office |
£5 |
Resource Planning |
|
|
Financial Regulations |
Directorate Office |
£5 |
Annual Report |
Directorate Office |
|
Planning & Budget Procedures |
Directorate Office |
|
Corporate Plan/Mission Statement |
Directorate Office |
|
Fraud Prevention Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Three – Human Resources
This section covers information on BCA’s strategy and management of human resources, rather than information relating to individual members of staff which is exempt from disclosure as personal information. The information available covers personnel policies and procedures (including terms and conditions of service).
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Employment and employee relations |
|
|
Terms and conditions of employment |
Directorate Office |
|
Salary Grades |
Directorate Office |
|
Grievance procedures/policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Disciplinary Procedure |
Directorate Office |
|
Harassment and Bullying Procedure |
Directorate Office |
|
Health and Safety Policy/Procedure |
Directorate Office |
|
Whistle blowing Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Acceptance of Gifts & hospitality |
Directorate Office |
|
Sickness & Absence |
Directorate Office |
|
Equal Opportunities/Diversity |
|
|
Disability Statement |
Directorate Office |
|
Equal Opportunities Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Race Equality Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Staff Development |
|
|
Induction Process |
Directorate Office |
|
Probation Process |
Directorate Office |
|
Appraisal Scheme |
Directorate Office |
|
Staff Development Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Achievement Review Process & Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Four – Physical Resources
Classes at this section cover information at a strategic level relating to BCA’s management of its physical resources. Information that provides specific details of the college’s future plans to alter the estate may be exempt from disclosure where such disclosure would damage the colleges commercial interests.
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Estates |
|
|
Property Strategy |
Directorate Office |
£5 |
Physical Access Summary |
Directorate Office |
|
Estate Plan |
Directorate Office |
|
Building Maintenance |
Directorate Office |
|
Map of main site and location plan |
Directorate Office |
|
Grounds and Garden Plan |
Directorate Office |
|
Recycling/Disposal Policies |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Five – Student Administration and Support
This section contains information on how BCA manages the administration and progression of the students from admission to course completion, including student support services. Information available within this section does not include specific student personal details, by virtue of being personal information.
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Information on student admission, |
|
|
Marketing Leaflets |
Marketing |
|
Student Accommodation |
|
|
Student Handbook |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Administration |
|
|
Student Records Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Data Protection Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Admission and enrolment |
|
|
Admissions Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Learner Support Funds |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Discipline |
|
|
Conduct and attendance |
Directorate Office |
|
Appeals against assessment grades |
Directorate Office |
|
Cheating and Plagiarism |
Directorate Office |
|
Drugs Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Complaints Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Learner Disciplinary Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Learning Support Services |
|
|
Study Skills Support |
Directorate Office |
|
Tutorial Support |
Directorate Office |
|
Learning Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Liaison |
|
|
Course Rep’s Guide |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Welfare |
|
|
Student Welfare |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Protection |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Handbook |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Associations and Activities |
|
|
Constitution of Student Association |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Six – Information Services
This section covers functions within BCA that provide access to information to the student body, and both academic and administrative staff. These include libraries, computing services and information support services.
Such functions may be managed separately from one another, or in various combinations. These services routinely explain their facilities (and the conditions of their use) to students, staff and the general public, and it is information of this nature that is included within this section.
Information services generally hold large quantities of personal data that are exempt from general disclosure
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Availability and conditions of use of facilities |
|
|
IT, Internet and e-mail facilities acceptable |
Directorate Office |
|
Library Documents Policies and Procedures |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Handbook |
Directorate Office |
|
Mission Statements and related documents |
|
|
Mission Statement |
Directorate Office |
|
College Charter |
Directorate Office |
|
Information Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Policies with regard to data and information |
|
|
Data Protection Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Records Management |
Directorate Office |
|
Security Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Procurement and Disposal Policies |
|
|
Financial Regulations |
Directorate Office |
|
Scope of Collections held |
|
|
Library Catalogues |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Seven – Teaching and Learning
This section contains information regarding the management of teaching and learning within BCA including mechanisms for reviewing and ensuring the quality of teaching provided.
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Academic Year Dates |
|
|
Academic Calendars |
Directorate Office |
|
Further Course Information |
|
|
Course Leaflets |
Directorate Office |
|
How to change Course |
Directorate Office |
|
Information on internal procedures for |
|
|
Quality Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Self Assessment Review |
Directorate Office |
|
Programme Approval |
Directorate Office |
|
Accreditation and Monitoring |
Directorate Office |
|
Assessments |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Surveys |
Directorate Office |
|
Tutorial Guide |
Directorate Office |
|
Learning Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Peer Observation & Mentoring Policies |
Directorate Office |
|
Lesson Observation Policies |
Directorate Office |
|
Staffing structure of schools/departments |
|
|
Organisational Chart |
Directorate Office |
|
Contacts |
Directorate Office |
|
Student assessment strategy |
|
|
Examinations Policy |
Directorate Office |
|
Appeals Procedure |
Directorate Office |
|
Cheating & Plagiarism |
Directorate Office |
|
IV Policy and Procedures |
Directorate Office |
|
Tuition fees |
|
|
Course Fees |
Directorate Office |
|
Foreign Students |
Directorate Office |
|
Learner Support Funds |
Directorate Office |
|
Section Eight – External Relations
This section covers information relating to BCA’s relationship with its external environment. These include the formal reports that BCA is required to provide to its funding bodies, arrangements with other institutions, how it manages its relationship with the local community and how it retains contact with its former staff and students.
Class/Description |
Manner |
Fee |
Community Liaison |
|
|
Berkshire IAG Partnership |
Directorate Office |
|
RBWM Lifelong Learning Partnership |
Directorate Office |
|
Government and Regulator relations |
|
|
Ofsted Report |
Directorate Office |
|
Marketing and Recruitment |
|
|
Prospectus |
Directorate Office |
|
Open Day |
Directorate Office |
|
Student Advisory Days |
Directorate Office |
|
Marketing Strategy |
Directorate Office |
|
Public Relations |
|
|
Prospectus |
Directorate Office |
|
Course leaflets |
Directorate Office |
|
Newsletter |
Directorate Office |
|
Welcome Pack for Students |
Directorate Office |
|
Website |
www.bca.ac.uk |
|
