1 SLALE 20 th November 2006 QUALITATIVE BENEFITS OF IMPROVED COLLEGE ESTATES

2 SOURCES Design with Distinction (CABE) Analysis of HMIE Reviews Individual College Responses

3 DIFFERENCES THAT ESTATES DEVELOPMENT MAKES Learner: Recruitment, Retention, Achievement. Staff: Working environment, ICT, Teaching Methodology Employers: Services provided by the college.

4 DESIGN WITH DISTINCTION - CABE Measuring the impact of architecture and design on the performance of higher education institutions.

5 RECRUITMENT ‘The research findings suggest that the existence of well-designed buildings on a campus is a significant factor in the recruitment of staff and students’

6 RETENTION ‘The way people feel and behave while studying or working within buildings is linked to their overall satisfaction rates and level of happiness. This will clearly have an impact on retention rates’

7 PERFORMANCE ‘The majority of staff (80%) was of the opinion that the buildings they worked in impacted positively upon their performance’

ANALYSIS OF HMIE REVIEWS 2004/05 TO 2005/06

out of 43 colleges reviewed in 2004/05 and 2005/ % of the learning and teaching – good or very good. 3.Highest other positive factor – 13% was good accommodation and equipment. 4.Highest other negative factor - 22% was poor accommodation and equipment.

10 COLLEGE RESPONSES John Wheatley College Adam Smith College Forth Valley College Angus College Perth College Edinburgh’s Telford College

11 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS Very difficult to prove causal effect. Interesting to look at year of transition from old to new and new to new (ie 2 nd Year) Quite often estates development involves relocation. Increase in commercial letting of space. New buildings go in tandem with regeneration. IT is an all pervasive issue. Seems to be enhanced with a new building. Mechanical and electrical benefits on ventilation and heating. Environmental issues. Accessibility, political and public relation tools.

12 SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS DIFFERENCES THAT ESTATES MAKE TO THE LEARNER

13 Improved achievement and retention rates ‘facilities just like a university’ Increase in enrolments 15.2% (over two years) Highest levels of utilisation and satisfaction. Angus College

14 Learning Streets and practical areas very positive. Enhanced interaction between various groups. Edinburgh’s Telford College

15 Specialist Facilities and synergies. Improved social space and catering facilities. Improved access. IT led to increase in online teaching. Adam Smith College

16 Planned increase of 5%. Actually 25% in student numbers. Previously student retention was lowest in sector. New building retention at sector norm. John Wheatley College

17 Social spaces can be used as learning spaces. Shared spaces between staff and students. Open days for new building increased recruitment. Forth Valley College

18 DIFFERENCES NEW ESTATES MAKES TO STAFF

19 Times 100 Best Companies. Enhanced ICT. Pride. Angus College Staff Relationships ICT Edinburgh’s Telford College

20 IT MIS Adam Smith College Teaching methodologies Working environments John Wheatley College ICT Efficiency and standardisation Effectiveness of teaching. Forth Valley College

21 DIFFERENCES THAT ESTATES MAKES TO EMPLOYERS Send increasing number of students. Employ students from college. Employers’ holistic view. Impact on local & specialist suppliers. Greater acceptance of college as economic contributor. Employers run events at college.

22 The only concern is - THE RISING COST OF CONSTRUCTION!!!