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PROMOTION: COMPASS COMPUTER CONSULTANTS | 33
College looks to technology to deliver an eff ective SAR process
Online solution developed by Newcastle-under-Lyme College in collaboration with Compass Computer Consultants
of key performance indicators. Martin Lawrie, Head of Learning
AB OV E : ProSAR
p rov ides intuitiv e rep orting cap abilities to disp lay a teacher’ s
p redicted success rate earlier in the academic year
JUST OVER FOUR years ago, Newcastle-under-Lyme College decided to review how self assessment reports (SARs) were writ en. By relying on Word templates and print outs of statistics from MIS, the SAR was typically writ en when results were being fi nalised between September and October (often the busiest period for staff ), which then led to an action plan being devised. Inconsistencies arising from staff edits and various copies circulating at the same time created confusion, and it was not uncommon for staff to at end meetings with out-of- date versions of the same SAR. Even when the SAR was fi nally
completed it was too late to implement an action plan based on the fi ndings. Invariably, the late SAR(s) would be left gathering dust in a drawer, having zero eff ect on shaping future strategy. The College, which has 4,000
students and 300 staff , developed its own in-house system to streamline this process and overcome some of the obstacles that can arise including staff using varying sets of data and diff erent criteria to Ofsted. The system was also intended
“With ProSAR in place, we will have access to a centralised online system which is fully compliant with Ofsted criteria”
to reduce time-consuming administration associated with paper-based processes. Compass Computer Consultants,
a leading provider of FE software, partnered with the College to develop an online SARs system. The ProSAR system can be fully customised to meet the needs of any college, with diff erent data, questions and reports. ProSAR was launched by
Compass in 2014 and is a web- based application, which runs on college intranets to allow staff , such as heads of departments, to evaluate the eff ectiveness of the courses they manage. The solution is aimed at making the self-assessment process, which is key for Ofsted inspections, easier, quicker and more eff ective. Compass enhanced the system
to enable colleges to confi gure it to their specifi c needs with the ability to refi ne the questions for diff erent members of staff . A customisable dashboard was also created to provide an instant graphical view
Compass is an Advanced Computer Software Group company. For further information please visit:
www.compasscc.com/Products/ProSAR
and Quality Systems from Newcastle-Under-Lyme College, said: “With ProSAR in place, we will have access to a centralised online system which is fully compliant with Ofsted criteria. This ensures there is only ever one ‘version of the truth’. Those completing self-assessments are also reassured that they are using centrally validated data to make bet er informed decisions based on the College Inspection Framework.” ProSAR provides intuitive
reporting capabilities to display a teacher’s predicted success rate earlier in the academic year, rather than waiting for exam results, which gives the College more time to implement action plans before the next academic year starts. In addition managers can
monitor the self-assessment process and compare performance against action plans to assist them with improving the quality of teaching and overcome barriers to learning. Lawrie adds, “ProSAR will
undoubtedly save us time by creating an easy and eff ective online process which eliminates unnecessary paperwork. Implementing the ProSAR system will help us to maintain and improve our success rates and will also be a vital contribution in preparing for future Ofsted inspections.” The College also uses three
other Compass solutions which help them to record and analyse lesson observations, monitor students’ progress and analyse the College’s success, retention and achievement. ET
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