NEW COLLEGE GLASGOW
Comments on any curriculum issues arising from the proposed merger including their impact on learners (Section 6):
Answer Options Response Count
38
answered question 38
skipped question 23
Number Response Date Response Text
1 Nov 23, 2009 02:00 PM There are great opportunites for synergies in the new college and with a new build only a few years
away there should be a coming together of teaching and support staf to ensure that the possibilities
come to fruition.
2 Nov 26, 2009 12:06 PM On average our learners will have further to travel, and will spend more time travelling as although
all subjects still being of ered; the geographical position will be more centralized. This will have an
adverse af ect on students who are carers, and those who are disabled. Carers because they will have to
spend longer away from home, and disabled because they will have to get more transport there, could
possibly mean changing buses etc.
3 Dec 3, 2009 09:30 PM There is bound to be overlap in provision where similar courses are of ered, in particular in the i eld of
information technology. Care will need to be taken to ensure optimum quality and range of provision
after merger.
4 Dec 10, 2009 9:21 AM We seek assurances of the continued support for both Maritime, Engineering and International activity
on one site only.
6 Dec 15, 2009 04:51 PM As one of the largest providers of ESOL courses in Scotland, it is of concern that ESOL has not been
considered a subject worthy of mention in this catagory. As Scotland is part of the EU and the global
economy, ESOL provision has now become an essential part of the education system. Without
possessing a sound knowledge of English, many students are not able to access further education
courses or work opportunities that would otherwise be available to them. Lack of English not only
prevents people from progressing in their chosen careers but also from fully participating in and
contributing to Scottish society. As a result, GMC now of er ESOL courses are recognised as an inportant,
if not essential, componant of citizenship applications as well as of ering ESOL courses specii cally
catered to particular professions, e.g. social care.
The demand for ESOL courses has grown over the years and those on the waiting list currently have
on average a 3-6 month wait before being able to start a course. Approximately 1300 students will be
enroled in an ESOL course within an academic year, indicating the intense demand for this subject.
If the above is not recognised in the new college's plans for the future, it will transpire that the 'more
choices more chances' motto will not extend to all the students of the new college and makes a
mockery of the values upon which this merger seeks to lay its foundations.
7 Dec 16, 2009 11:42 AM I am surprised and disappointed that no mention was made of Glasgow Metropolitan's extensive ESOL
provision and the service it provides to the asylum and refugee community in Glasgow in addition to
the many EU and fee-paying students who attend the college.
8 Dec 16, 2009 12:01 PM Where will ESOL i t in the curriculum planning for the new college? It doesn't feature anywhere in the
identii cation of 14 curricula areas in section 6 of the consulation document, even though it could have
been given a mention in the section on Learners with Additional Support Needs. If the college is going
to treat "equality, diversity and inclusiveness" beyond that of a mere slogan and make it a "cornerstone"
of what it believes in, then consideration needs to be given to how the procidion of ESOL will i t within
the college curruculum. It is a pity that despite the fact that Glasgow Metropolitan College is the largest
provider of ESOL courses in the city with over 1,300 students enrolled over the academic year, it fails to
i gure anywhere in its proi le in section 8. ESOL courses at the college provide learners with opportunities
to progress to courses in further and higher education, move into jobs where they can become more
economically productive and aid their integration with the communities in which they live in Glasgow.
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
131
Appendix 10: Consultation Results