Freedom of Information
- What is a publication scheme?
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- 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 publication, 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.
- The Publication Model
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- Bishop Burton College has adopted the model publication scheme developed for the further education sector and is therefore committed to publishing the information it describes.
- The model is designed for further education colleges and sixth form 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 from across the sector. However, to reflect the diversity in size and function of an institution, a number of optional classes of information are included. As a result, models within the sector will vary slightly. Any option classes relevant to us have been included in our scheme.
- Who We Are
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The college was established in 1954 with the principal aim of serving the training and education needs of the local farming industry. Since that time the diversification and range of courses at the college has grown. Total enrolled students exceed 7,100 per annum.
- Accessing Information Covered
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- 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 through our publication scheme, please contact the Freedom of Information Manager, Bishop Burton College, Bishop Burton, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 8QG.
- Please note that a publication scheme relates to 'published' information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.
- Information Not Covered
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- 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 it has not already made available through its publication scheme.
- Requests will have to be made in writing, 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.
- 1 - Governance
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This section covers information relating to the way Bishop Burton College is governed and how decisions are made. It includes information on the legal status of the College which individual member of 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.
1.1 Legal framework
This class contains information relating to how the College was established and its standing from the point of view of the law. Ultimately the corporate status of some FE 'corporations' will be conferred by the relevant statutes, in particular the Education Reform Act of 1988 and the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. The actual legislation is often already publicly available, for example on the HMSO web site (www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm) and need not be duplicated.
Every educational institution (University, Further or Higher Education College) has a legal basis, which forms its legal status. This legal status can have been obtained in a variety of ways such as by Instruments and Articles of Government, Charter or an Act of Parliament.
Manner Available: On paper, in the prospectus and on the website.
1.2 How the institution is organised
This class contains information relating to how the individual units of the College are organised and where each unit fits in the overall structure of the College. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Organisational structure charts
- Description of work/responsibilities of units
Manner Available: On paper.
1.3 Information on the institutional context
This class should include information to be made available by FE corporations on:
- The FE corporation's mission statement
- Relevant sections of the FE corporation's corporate plan
- Statement of the FE corporation's quality assurance policies and procedures
- The FE corporation's learning and teaching strategy and periodic reviews of progress
If some or all of the information listed above appears in another class(es), then cross-reference(s) to where in the publication scheme (PS) it appears should be included here.
Manner Available: On paper.
1.4 Management structure
This class contains information relating to how the institution's management structure is organised and the function and purpose of each part of the management structure. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Description of Statutory Bodies (eg Governing Body, Corporation). In many cases it will be appropriate to list the names of people who are members of the above, as they are matters of public interest
- Codes of Conduct for members of governing bodies
- Description of the sub-structures and committees supporting them. This may include Academic Boards, Boards of Governors and Steering Groups. These may have 'Standing Orders' that indicate the mode of operation
- Objectives on which the structure is based
- Terms of reference, membership and mode of operation of all boards and committees in the formal structure
- Code of practice for college elections and committee procedures
- Minutes and papers of Governing Body, Corporation meetings and Steering Groups etc
- Appointment committees and procedures
Manner Available: On paper.
- 2 - Financial Resources
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This section covers information on Bishop Burton College's strategy and management of financial resources. Finance 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.
2.1 Finance
Examples of the type of information in this class include policies and procedures relating to:
- Budgets and accounts
- Contracting
- Goods and services
- Insurance
- Pensions
- Remuneration of senior staff as published in annual accounts
- Travel and subsistence
Manner Available: On paper.
2.2 Resource planning
This class should include information that defines how the college undertakes its planning and resource allocation, how it regulates the deployment of resources and how it publishes the outcomes.
Examples of the type of information include:
- Financial regulations, including procurement policy
- Annual accounts
- Annual budget (as appears in the final accounts)
- Planning and budgeting procedures
- Corporate plan/Mission statement
- Annual report
Manner Available: On paper.
- 3 - Human Resources
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This section covers information on Bishop Burton College'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 including all current versions of the information specified in each class).
3.1 Employment and employee relations
Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Policies, statements, procedures and guidelines relating to recruitment
- Generic terms and conditions of employment
- Salary grades
- Collective bargaining procedures and consultation with recognised trade unions and professional organisations, and agreements reached
- Grievance procedures and policies
- Disciplinary procedures and policies
- Harassment and bullying policy
- Health and safety policy and procedures
- Public interest disclosure (for compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act)
- Job vacancies
- Any other policies relating to staff not included elsewhere in the PS
Manner Available: Electronic.
3.2 Equal opportunities/ Diversity
Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Policies, statements, procedures and guidelines relating to the provision of equal opportunities with respect to age, race/ethnic origin, gender, religion and belief, sexual orientation and disability
- Race Relations/Race Equality Policies, as required under the Race Relations Amendment Act of 2000
Manner Available: Electronic.
3.3 Human resources strategy
This class sets out the general aims of the institution, priority areas and plans for addressing them. Examples of the type of information under this class should include any supporting policies and plans that are not covered in the classes specified below.
Manner Available: Electronic.
3.4 Staff development
This class should include information on staff development and training, including induction programmes, probation and appraisal. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Induction - details of areas covered and procedures
- Policies and procedures relating to probation
- Policies and procedures pertaining to appraisal
- Policies and procedures relating to the on-going development of staff, including schemes such as Investors in People
- Policies on upgrades and promotions
Manner Available: On paper and electronic.
- 4 - Physical Resources
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Institutions are often substantial land and property owners in their own right. Classes in this section cover information at a strategic level relating to Bishop Burton College's management of its physical resources. Information that provides specific details of the College's future plans to alter its estate (eg proposals to purchase additional property) may be exempt from disclosure where such disclosure would damage the College's commercial interests. [1]
4.1 Estates
Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Estates strategy and plan
- Tendering policies
- Catering policies
- Cleaning policies
- Grounds maintenance and upkeep
- Building maintenance and upkeep
- Recycling policies
- Disposal policies
- Map of main site
- Address of main site and any other locations
[1] The types of information and documents listed in the classes are examples only and not mandatory, eg 'Cleaning policies'.
Manner Available: On paper.
- 5 - Student Admin and Support
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This section contains information on how Bishop Burton College manages the administration and progression of their 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.
5.1 Information on student admission, progression and completion
This class should include information recommended to be made available by the Cooke report under this heading (as above) [2]:
- Student qualifications on entry
- The range of student entrants classified by age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background, disability and geographical origin as returned to LSC
- Student progression, retention and completion data
- Data on qualifications awarded to students
- Data on employment/training outcomes for graduates/students
Manner Available: In the prospectus.
5.2 Student accommodation
This class should include information relating to:
- Accommodation services
Manner Available: On the website.
5.3 Student administration
This class should include information relating to all areas of the maintenance of individual student records, including policies and procedures covering the management of the student records system itself, the division of responsibilities between central registry staff, school/faculty/college staff and the students themselves. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Registry student records policies and procedures documents
- Registry security and data protection policy and procedure documents
Manner Available: On paper.
5.4 Student admission and enrolment
This class should include 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 coordination of student funding arrangements and the division of responsibilities between central admissions or equivalent and college/school/faculty staff. An example of the type of information in this class is:
- Admissions and enrolment policies and procedures documents
Manner Available: On paper.
5.5 Student discipline
This class should include information relating to the conduct of disciplinary proceedings against students. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Code of student discipline and other policy and procedure documents
- Internal student complaint and appeals procedures
Manner Available: On the website.
5.6 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. This will also likely appear in the Student Handbook and Prospectus in some form. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Learning development and support
- Personal development advice
- Services for students with special needs
Manner Available: On paper.
5.7 Student liaison
This class should include information relating to the structure and functioning of staff/student consultative committees or other liaison groups. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Terms of reference of staff/student liaison committee(s)
- Minutes of previous staff/student liaison
- committee(s) meetings
Manner Available: On paper.
5.8 Student policies
This class should include a guide to all student policies issued by the College:
- Policies relating to students not included elsewhere in the PS
- Reference to student policies included elsewhere in the PS
Manner Available: On paper.
5.9 Student welfare
Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Welfare/advice services
- Health services
- Careers services
- Sports and recreational facilities
- Housing
- Finance
Manner Available: On paper.
5.10 Student Associations and Activities
This class should contain information relating to the operation and activities of the Students' Union and other clubs, associations and non-academic activities that are organised for or by the students. Examples of information include:
- Students' Union Constitution, Code of Practice, List of Officers and any other related documents
[2] Where applicable for colleges who carry out HE work. Information on quality and standards in higher education: Final report of the Task Group, HEFCE 02/15 March Report, 2002 (Cooke report)
Manner Available: On paper.
- 6 - Information Services
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This section covers those functions within Bishop Burton College 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 each other, or in various combinations. These services routinely explain their facilities (and the conditions of their use) to students, staff and the general public, it is information of this nature that is included within this section. Information services inevitably hold large quantities of personal data that are exempt from general disclosure.
6.1 Availability and conditions of use of facilities
Information in these classes provides details about who can access systems and services and the facilities that they can access. They also provide assurance for external bodies/individuals that rules exist to ensure that breaches of conditions of use (eg breach of copyright, email spamming of an external site) are appropriately dealt with. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Opening hours of libraries, helpdesks, etc, scheduled maintenance times of systems
- Who is allowed to use the facilities (for example, categories of persons and their associated rights/levels of access)
- The general rules and conditions of use (eg no smoking/drinking/eating, the existence of policies with regard to law such as copyright, computing code of practice, data protection). For other student policies, see reference to other relevant student in PS
- Some of the information may be covered in the student registration details or staff conditions of employment, but it will be necessary to advise how other categories are accepted as users, eg
- temporary staff, short course or conference use, 'taster sessions' etc.
- There should be a pointer to other codes of conduct or rules external to the institution which may apply to the user) eg JANET acceptable use rules, Athens registration rules)
- Access to/use of Archives, including how far back in time information exists and if so to what extent it is available
- Details of logging, monitoring and procedures followed in case of breach of conditions of use
Manner Available: On paper, On the VLE, Intranet and website.
6.2 Mission statements and related documents
This class should include information regarding the aims of the department in context of its place in the organisation, a definition of the service provided and, where appropriate, service level agreements.
Manner Available: On paper.
6.3 Policies with regard to data and information
Information in this class offers assurances to data subjects, whether they are individuals or companies that deal with the College, that data relating to them is being handled well, minimising the risk of unauthorised access or disclosure. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Security policies (ie how the data is protected). It could be argued that provision of information on this could risk a crime being committed, so it might be exempt or certain parts would not be published. (This is only really an issue where the security policy is explicit enough to include detailed description of implementation. Clearly disclosure of this sort of information could potentially lead to a crime under the Computer Misuse Act)
- Data retention and archive policies (how long it is kept for, what happens to it after the need for it has passed, anonymising data to keep for statistics)
- Data protection statements/policies
- Policies on CCTV monitoring, RIPA etc
Manner Available: On paper, On the VLE and Intranet.
6.4 Procurement and disposal policies
Information in this class offers assurances that monies are being appropriately spent and assurances that procurement is fair and open. The disposal policies also assure that the College is making correct and appropriate use of funds. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Policies relating to the procurement and disposal of equipment
- Collection management/preservation strategy (including policy on disposal of stock)
Manner Available: On paper.
6.5 Scope of collections held
Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Guides to collections
- Scope and availability of catalogues
Manner Available: On paper and Intranet.
- 7 - Teaching and Learning
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This section contains information regarding the management of teaching and learning within the institution, including mechanisms for reviewing and ensuring the quality of teaching provided.
7.1 Academic year dates
This class should include information on the dates for the current academic year as well as future academic years (as far as is known).
Manner Available: On paper.
7.2 Further course information
This class should include information relating to particular schools and departments, also information relating to programmes and qualifications. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Term dates
- Structure of courses
- Qualification gained
- Changing courses
- Work experience
Manner Available: On paper.
7.3 Information on internal procedures for assuring academic quality and standards
This class should include information about the College's internal quality audit programmes and annual review. It should also include information on the FE college's internal procedures for assuring academic quality and standards. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Programme specifications
- Annual monitoring and review processes
- Accreditation and monitoring reports by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies
- Information on assessment procedures and outcomes:
- Assessment strategies, processes and procedures
- The range and nature of student work
- Information on student satisfaction with their college experience, covering the views of students on:
- Arrangements for academic and tutorial guidance, support and supervision
- Library services and IT support
- Suitability of accommodation, equipment and facilities for teaching and learning
- Perceptions of the quality of teaching and the range of teaching and learning methods
- Assessment arrangements
- Quality of pastoral support
- Information and evidence available to teams undertaking internal reviews of quality and standards in relation to:
- The effectiveness of teaching and learning, in relation to programme aims and curriculum content as they evolve over time
- The range of teaching methods used
- The availability and use of specialist equipment and other resources and materials to support teaching and learning
- Staff access to professional development to improve teaching performance, including peer observation and mentoring programmes
- The use of external benchmarking and other comparators
Manner Available: On paper.
7.4 Staffing structure of schools/ departments
This class should include information about staff roles within schools and departments, together with organisational charts. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Job titles of academic staff and support staff
- Contact details for each school/department
Manner Available: On paper.
7.5 Student assessment strategy
This class should include information on the regulations and/or policy governing student assessment. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Examination periods
- Examination regulations
- Appeal procedures
- Policy on plagiarism
- External examination bodies
Manner Available: On paper.
7.6 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
Manner Available: On paper and website.
- 8 - External Relations
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This section covers information relating to Bishop Burton College's relationship with its external environment. These include the formal reports the College is required to provide to its funding bodies,
- Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) - www.hefce.ac.uk/
- Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) - www.ali.gov.uk/
- Learning and Skills Council (LSC) - www.lsc.gov.uk/
arrangements with other institutions, how it manages its relationship with the local community and how it retains contact with its former staff and students.
8.1 Community liaison
This class contains information about the Bishop Burton College's relationship with their local community. The information included within this class represents the institution's approach to maintaining and fostering that relationship. An example of the type of information in this class is:
- Policies relating to the institution's community relations
Manner Available: On paper.
8.2 Fundraising
Information included within this class relates to the activities undertaken by the institution to raise additional revenue to that provided by its main funding bodies. An example of the type of information in this class is:
- Promotional material relating to institutional fundraising objectives including plans, prospectus etc, where their release would not damage the commercial interests of the institution
Manner Available: On paper.
8.3 Government and Regulator relations
This class relates to the information that the College is legally obliged to make available to its funding and/or monitoring bodies.
- Ofsted - www.ofsted.gov.uk/
- Department for Education and Skills (DFES) - www.dfes.gov.uk/
Such material may provide information as to how well the institution is performing. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Reports/returns to funding councils, inspectorates, standards bodies, research councils, professional bodies, government departments etc
- OFSTED Inspections (for FE), Teaching Quality Assessment and Research Assessment Exercise Policies (see also Teaching and Learning)
Manner Available: On paper.
8.4 Marketing and recruitment
This class should include publications relating to student recruitment (UK and International), including the college prospectus. It will also include information related to the learning experience. There will be some overlap with Student Administration and Support. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Prospectus
- Open days
- Entry requirements
- Widening participation
Manner Available: On paper.
8.5 Public relations
This class should contain information that is created specifically by the College to help publicise its facilities and activities. The majority of such information will have been created for prospective and current students but may still be of considerable interest to those wishing to know more about what the College has to offer and the activities of its students and staff. Examples of the type of information in this class include:
- Press releases
- Prospectus
- Course brochures
- Newsletters and magazines
- Current information provided to an enrolled student
Manner Available: On paper.









