Policy round-up: the latest developments affecting business schools
We have just had the most recent round of TEF awards announced. It has become clear that subject-level TEF is here to stay and, after consultation with our members, we submitted a response to the technical consultation on which method is preferable. We have raised concerns over whether the proposed models will meet TEF’s objectives of improved teaching performance at subject-level and better informed student choice. You can read our response here.
We have also responded to the BEIS Select Committee review of management education availability for SME leaders and highlighted the effectiveness of programmes already being delivered by Small Business Charter award holding schools. As a consequence, the SBC was asked to speak in front of the committee. Paula Whitehouse, Associate Dean for Enterprise at Aston Business School and Director of the Aston Centre for Growth, undertook this on our behalf. You can watch her in action here. Next week it will be the turn of Tim Vorley from Sheffield University Management School to speak on our behalf. There is ongoing dialogue between the SBC and both BEIS and the BEIS Select Committee on the work of SBC accredited schools.
The profile of the SBC was further amplified at the Reception in the House of Lords, which was hosted by Lord Young of Graffham and to which over 200 people from business schools, small businesses, small business bodies, and policy makers gathered to enjoy Pimm’s on the Terrace. Andrew Griffiths MP, the Small Business Minister, gave a speech on the importance of business schools in helping smaller businesses achieve their full potential and to improve productivity.
To support our members on the delivery of apprenticeships, our Apprenticeships Working Group has shared a list of helpful resources put together for us by QAA. We will also be running a workshop on an introduction to degree apprenticeships.
We have already begun work on the next edition of the review of strategic groups of UK business schools. Many expressed an interest in participating this when the results were published at last year’s annual conference in the ‘Pathways to Success’ report, so this will be your opportunity. There are also some new questions to broaden the work, for those who participated last year. The questionnaire will be sent out in week commencing 18 June.
Anne Kiem, Chief Executive, Chartered ABS
