The Scottish Government

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REVIEW OF SCOTLAND'S COLLEGES

WORKING GROUP: THE DIFFERENCE COLLEGES MAKE

FEEDBACK FORMS ON UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE

Purpose

1. To provide members with comments received on the Unlocking Opportunity conference

Background

2. Conference participants were asked to complete a response form on a number of issues surrounding the day's events. Eight delegates filled in the feedback form. A summary of the comments received is in the attached as Annex A.

Other Written Feedback

3. We also received an email that included the following comments:

• "Excellent conference so big thanks to the organisers".
• "Administration, catering, facilities etc were all first class. I was sitting at the front of the hall so had no problem hearing the speakers. I'd agree with most of the people I spoke to that the student from Coatbridge was a real highlight - look forward to seeing more of him (on the TV) in future."

Participants

4. A list of participants is at Annex B.

Reviews Team:
Review of Scotland's Colleges

October 2006

ANNEX A

SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK FORMS

'I found the morning workshop that I attended helpful in understanding the work of Colleges'

The graph shows that all of attendees found the morning workshops were helpful in making people understand the work of colleges with 38% strongly agreeing and 62% agreeing to the statement. Although the morning workshops feedback was positive, additional comments from one attendee pointed out that there was too much background noise and they did not think this was fair on the presenters and their 'excellent presentations'. A further attendee also felt that 'intelligent questions' added to the 'excellent presentations'.

'I found the afternoon workshop that I attended helpful in understanding the work of Colleges'

Overall the attendees were more than satisfied with the afternoon workshop. 43% of respondants strongly agreed that the workshop was helpful in understanding the work of colleges, and a further 38% agreed. Although the overall response was a highly positive one, there was one attendee that advised they would have liked to have 'heard about some of the challenges involved'. They further suggested that it would have been useful to hear about a partnership which involved older secondary pupils, and issues involving pupils attending individually and not 'en masse' as a class.

'I found the main conference sessions helpful in understanding the work of colleges'

The attendees all agreed or strongly agreed that the main conference session was helpful in understanding the work of colleges. 38% were in agreement to the statement and 62% were in strong agreement.

'The overall conference objectives were successfully delivered'

Overall the attendees agreed or strongly agreed that the conference objectives were succesfully delievered. One very positive response was that the conference displayed an 'excellent format that made for a well paced and thought provoking event'

Additional Comments and Feedback

Conference Feedback

Overall comments suggested that the conference was excellent with 'administration, catering, facilities etc, all first class. Many delegates expressed that the event was well-paced and included a good variety of speakers. The set-up of the syndicates with 2 different organisations coming together was also liked. Delegates also enjoyed the input of the student from Coatbridge College and his experience of Further Education. Constructive comments was the lighting on the speakers in the main room which could have been improved. One delegate also felt the workshops were interesting but that more time was perhaps needed as there was lots to discuss. Some also thought that the workshops could have been a little more interactive. Additionally, it was also mentioned that tensions between schools and colleges had not been looked into which was disappointing.

The Review of Scotland's Colleges

One of the only comments to arise from this section was that it was a 'very full review' and to one individual has added to their knowledge and understanding 'immensely'.

In General

General comments included that conference was 'professional' and 'well run'. Input from Nicol Stephen was also praised. One delegate was particularly impressed with the alternative lunch he was provided with to suit his dietary requirements. The only constructive comment to be made was that the delegate list could have been more detailed with job titles/organisations. However overall comments were highly positive.

ANNEX B

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY ATTENDEE LIST