Quality is important to us and we have a number of processes to assure the quality of teaching and students welfare at Spinnaker College. We regularly evaluate all aspects of our provision and seek to improve our quality continuously. All processes related to testing, feedback, observations and client care are developed following the British Council and ABE standards.

 
  Our goals of quality assurance:

1. Strict compliance of the company’s services with international, national, and corporate standards and requirements.
2. Responsibility to customers for the quality of the services rendered.
3. Cost efficiency of the services as compared with other companies operating in the market.
4. Development and implementation of new services that fully satisfy our customers’ needs.
5. Continuous monitoring of complaints and claims from customers, and aim to maintain these at zero.
6. Positioning of the company as employing professional staff educated to an appropriate level to the post, and providing services of high quality.

Our strategy for achieving the goals:

1. Focus on the continuous improvement of the company services (in accordance with the market requirements).
2. Satisfaction of customers’ requirements to all services. Fulfilment of the customers’ requirements within the shortest periods of time, ensuring highest quality.
3. Understanding of the customer needs, their present and future specific requirements.
4. Continuous cooperation with customers in order to understand their needs.
5. Transparency - customers obtain access to information on the quality of the services.
6. Primary focus on prevention of a possible decrease in quality rather than on measures to restore the quality level.
7. Consistent training of staff.

 

Spinnaker College Quality Tools:

• Director of Studies and Course Manager as key contact for the client
• Teacher Qualifications
• Teacher Development
• Student Placement and Progress
• Student Welfare
• Student Accommodation Officer
• Student Handbook
• Student feedback
• Independent inspections by the British Council
• Independent inspections by the Investors in People
• Independent inspections by the City and Guilds

 

Teacher Qualifications

All teachers at the College must have a certificate of teaching English, either issued by the University of Cambridge or by Trinity as a minimum qualification. Teachers receive regular training and are encouraged to seek higher qualifications such as the Cambridge Diploma (DELTA). Lecturer of other courses such as ABE are all fully qualified and experienced to teach their subjects.

 

Teacher Development

• Teachers receive 3 hours training per month through workshops and seminars
• All teachers are observed at least twice a year by the Director of Studies
• Observations are followed by feedback sessions and focus on teacher development as well as the school’s teaching approach

 

Course Manager and Director of Studies

• Main contact for students for the duration of the programme. The Director of Studies is available at any time to deal with student problems or queries and is happy to advise on courses or exams to take.

 

Student Placement and Progress

• All students are given a placement test on registering for a course to ensure that they are put into the correct level. They are regularly monitored and tested so as  to inform them of their progress.  Teachers and the Director of Studies are always available to answer any question about their level and progress

 

 

Student Welfare

·         The Student Welfare Officer and the Accommodation Officer are here to help students with any problems or queries. Students may also approach their teacher or Course Director, who are always willing to give help and advice

 

Student feedback

• Students receive a ‘First Week Questionnaire’ to ensure that they are receiving the teaching and accommodation they expect
• Questionnaires concerned with the quality of the language teaching programme are given to students at the end of each semester
• Questionnaires are analysed and the results are made available to students and all members of staff
• Steps of improvement are taken if any dissatisfaction is detected
• Students complaint procedure known to them through the students handbook

 

Student  Accommodation Officer

·         Students are in direct contact with the Accommodation Officer who will ensure that they have the accommodation they require and that any problems are dealt with promptly

 

Student  Handbook

·         Students receive a specially designed handbook which gives details of the school’s and their responsibilities; tips about how to make the most of their stay; transport, social events, excursions and local sport; health & Safety, fire safety and first aid, together with a list of useful phone numbers.

 

Independent inspections by the British Council, Investor in People and City and Guilds

 

Regular inspections insure that the highest standards of management, teaching and professional services are maintained, developed and improved in the College. Through its accreditation by the British Council you can have confidence in the high level of teaching the school offers and that the information you receive about the school is accurate.   

·         Visited and became recognised by Investors in People in 2007

·         Visited and became an approved ABE Centre in 2007

·         Visited and became an approved City and Guilds Centre in 2008

·         We are fully inspected and became accredited by the British Council in 2008. The British Council accreditation is an ongoing quality assurance tool. It is very stringent with all aspects of teaching and learning, publicity, management, student administration and student welfare. We have recently (12th November2009) had a successful spot check by the British Council.