Latest news with #PhilippaPickford
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University fined for franchised course monitoring
A university has been fined £115,000 by the higher education regulator for failing to effectively address risks associated with its franchised courses. The Office for Students (OfS) identified "serious failures" in the arrangements Leeds Trinity University (LTU) had in place to oversee its sub-contractual partnerships. The inquiry found an "overarching risk" that LTU was unable to "properly ensure quality" with the arrangements or respond to concerns when raised. The university's vice-chancellor said "rapid growth in our partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time". External organisations can operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf. However, the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers placed the interests of students or taxpayers "at risk". The OfS investigation looked at franchised provision at LTU between 2022 and 2024. It found LTU's oversight arrangements were "not adequate" to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU "did not properly consider" the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between 2023 and 2024. "It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed," the report said. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and had agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's ''co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive'', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: "The rapid expansion of courses delivered through sub-contractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers." The university said it "fully accepted" the investigation's conclusions. Prof Charles Egbu, LTU vice-chancellor, said: "We are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. "We welcome the OfS's acknowledgment of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our sub-contractual arrangements." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Office for Students Leeds Trinity University
Rhyl Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
University fined £115,000 over ‘inadequate' oversight of franchised courses
An investigation by the Office for Students (OfS) identified 'serious failures' in the arrangements the university had in place to oversee its subcontractual partnerships – more commonly known as franchised providers. The penalty of £115,000 comes after the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers – external organisations that operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf – placed the interests of students or taxpayers 'at risk'. The investigation – into the franchised provision at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) between October 2022 and February 2024 – found the university's oversight arrangements were 'not adequate' to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. There was an 'overarching risk' that LTU was unable to 'properly ensure quality' at its franchised partnerships, or respond to concerns when they were raised with the university, the regulator concluded. There had been rapid growth in the number of students taught through these partnerships – from 3,600 students in 2020/21 to 9,400 students in 2022/23. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and has agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's 'co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. As part of the settlement, LTU will be subject to additional regulatory requirements – including restrictions on recruitment to its franchised courses The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU 'did not properly consider' the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between September 2023 and May 2024. 'It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed,' the report said. The OfS said the resources the university had in place to monitor academic assessment of students at its franchised providers were 'insufficient'. It added: 'This meant that key risks, including an increased risk of student academic misconduct, were not appropriately escalated to the university's governing body.' Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: 'As we have repeatedly set out, subcontractual arrangements need to be carefully managed to ensure students receive a high quality education and can finish their studies with a credible qualification. 'In this case, inadequate oversight of Leeds Trinity University's partnership arrangements increased the likelihood that the university would not be able to effectively manage any risks relating to quality, academic misconduct and student support. 'LTU's oversight arrangements were not adequate to ensure that potential risks at partners relating to admissions practices, academic assessments, and academic misconduct were identified. 'The rapid expansion of courses delivered through subcontractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers.' She added: 'All universities offering courses through delivery partners should look carefully at our actions in this case. 'Universities retain responsibility for the quality of students' education and the credibility of their qualifications under these arrangements. 'They must be certain that they are monitoring these courses effectively, and that their oversight of delivery partners ensures students receive the support they need to succeed in their studies and receive a qualification which will benefit them in the future.' Professor Charles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, said: 'Improving student outcomes remains at the heart of Leeds Trinity University's mission, and we are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. 'We fully accept the conclusions of this investigation, and we recognise that the rapid growth in our subcontractual partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time. 'We welcome the OfS's acknowledgement of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our subcontractual arrangements. 'This was a key factor in their decision to lower the financial penalty, and the improvements we have made should give partners and students confidence about the high quality of our courses.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We are committed to taking robust action against organisations that misuse public money and damage the reputation of our world-class universities, which is why we recently put forward comprehensive reform plans to protect students and safeguard taxpayers' money. 'It is right that where OfS investigations find abuse of the student finance system, there are serious consequences – to maintain the credibility of our universities and push forward our drive for growth through our Plan for Change.' In January, the Government announced that providers delivering franchised higher education courses in England faced tighter controls in a bid to crack down on 'rogue operators who misuse public money'. Franchised providers with at least 300 students will be required to register with the OfS to access student loan funding under the plans. The intervention came after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned last year that a lack of Government oversight of franchised higher education providers had left the student loan system open to fraud.
North Wales Chronicle
23-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
University fined £115,000 over ‘inadequate' oversight of franchised courses
An investigation by the Office for Students (OfS) identified 'serious failures' in the arrangements the university had in place to oversee its subcontractual partnerships – more commonly known as franchised providers. The penalty of £115,000 comes after the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers – external organisations that operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf – placed the interests of students or taxpayers 'at risk'. The investigation – into the franchised provision at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) between October 2022 and February 2024 – found the university's oversight arrangements were 'not adequate' to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. There was an 'overarching risk' that LTU was unable to 'properly ensure quality' at its franchised partnerships, or respond to concerns when they were raised with the university, the regulator concluded. There had been rapid growth in the number of students taught through these partnerships – from 3,600 students in 2020/21 to 9,400 students in 2022/23. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and has agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's 'co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. As part of the settlement, LTU will be subject to additional regulatory requirements – including restrictions on recruitment to its franchised courses The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU 'did not properly consider' the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between September 2023 and May 2024. 'It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed,' the report said. The OfS said the resources the university had in place to monitor academic assessment of students at its franchised providers were 'insufficient'. It added: 'This meant that key risks, including an increased risk of student academic misconduct, were not appropriately escalated to the university's governing body.' Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: 'As we have repeatedly set out, subcontractual arrangements need to be carefully managed to ensure students receive a high quality education and can finish their studies with a credible qualification. 'In this case, inadequate oversight of Leeds Trinity University's partnership arrangements increased the likelihood that the university would not be able to effectively manage any risks relating to quality, academic misconduct and student support. 'LTU's oversight arrangements were not adequate to ensure that potential risks at partners relating to admissions practices, academic assessments, and academic misconduct were identified. 'The rapid expansion of courses delivered through subcontractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers.' She added: 'All universities offering courses through delivery partners should look carefully at our actions in this case. 'Universities retain responsibility for the quality of students' education and the credibility of their qualifications under these arrangements. 'They must be certain that they are monitoring these courses effectively, and that their oversight of delivery partners ensures students receive the support they need to succeed in their studies and receive a qualification which will benefit them in the future.' Professor Charles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, said: 'Improving student outcomes remains at the heart of Leeds Trinity University's mission, and we are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. 'We fully accept the conclusions of this investigation, and we recognise that the rapid growth in our subcontractual partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time. 'We welcome the OfS's acknowledgement of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our subcontractual arrangements. 'This was a key factor in their decision to lower the financial penalty, and the improvements we have made should give partners and students confidence about the high quality of our courses.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We are committed to taking robust action against organisations that misuse public money and damage the reputation of our world-class universities, which is why we recently put forward comprehensive reform plans to protect students and safeguard taxpayers' money. 'It is right that where OfS investigations find abuse of the student finance system, there are serious consequences – to maintain the credibility of our universities and push forward our drive for growth through our Plan for Change.' In January, the Government announced that providers delivering franchised higher education courses in England faced tighter controls in a bid to crack down on 'rogue operators who misuse public money'. Franchised providers with at least 300 students will be required to register with the OfS to access student loan funding under the plans. The intervention came after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned last year that a lack of Government oversight of franchised higher education providers had left the student loan system open to fraud.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
University fined £115,000 over ‘inadequate' oversight of franchised courses
An investigation by the Office for Students (OfS) identified 'serious failures' in the arrangements the university had in place to oversee its subcontractual partnerships – more commonly known as franchised providers. The penalty of £115,000 comes after the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers – external organisations that operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf – placed the interests of students or taxpayers 'at risk'. The investigation – into the franchised provision at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) between October 2022 and February 2024 – found the university's oversight arrangements were 'not adequate' to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. There was an 'overarching risk' that LTU was unable to 'properly ensure quality' at its franchised partnerships, or respond to concerns when they were raised with the university, the regulator concluded. There had been rapid growth in the number of students taught through these partnerships – from 3,600 students in 2020/21 to 9,400 students in 2022/23. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and has agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's 'co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. As part of the settlement, LTU will be subject to additional regulatory requirements – including restrictions on recruitment to its franchised courses The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU 'did not properly consider' the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between September 2023 and May 2024. 'It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed,' the report said. The OfS said the resources the university had in place to monitor academic assessment of students at its franchised providers were 'insufficient'. It added: 'This meant that key risks, including an increased risk of student academic misconduct, were not appropriately escalated to the university's governing body.' Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: 'As we have repeatedly set out, subcontractual arrangements need to be carefully managed to ensure students receive a high quality education and can finish their studies with a credible qualification. 'In this case, inadequate oversight of Leeds Trinity University's partnership arrangements increased the likelihood that the university would not be able to effectively manage any risks relating to quality, academic misconduct and student support. 'LTU's oversight arrangements were not adequate to ensure that potential risks at partners relating to admissions practices, academic assessments, and academic misconduct were identified. 'The rapid expansion of courses delivered through subcontractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers.' She added: 'All universities offering courses through delivery partners should look carefully at our actions in this case. 'Universities retain responsibility for the quality of students' education and the credibility of their qualifications under these arrangements. 'They must be certain that they are monitoring these courses effectively, and that their oversight of delivery partners ensures students receive the support they need to succeed in their studies and receive a qualification which will benefit them in the future.' Professor Charles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, said: 'Improving student outcomes remains at the heart of Leeds Trinity University's mission, and we are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. 'We fully accept the conclusions of this investigation, and we recognise that the rapid growth in our subcontractual partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time. 'We welcome the OfS's acknowledgement of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our subcontractual arrangements. 'This was a key factor in their decision to lower the financial penalty, and the improvements we have made should give partners and students confidence about the high quality of our courses.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We are committed to taking robust action against organisations that misuse public money and damage the reputation of our world-class universities, which is why we recently put forward comprehensive reform plans to protect students and safeguard taxpayers' money. 'It is right that where OfS investigations find abuse of the student finance system, there are serious consequences – to maintain the credibility of our universities and push forward our drive for growth through our Plan for Change.' In January, the Government announced that providers delivering franchised higher education courses in England faced tighter controls in a bid to crack down on 'rogue operators who misuse public money'. Franchised providers with at least 300 students will be required to register with the OfS to access student loan funding under the plans. The intervention came after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned last year that a lack of Government oversight of franchised higher education providers had left the student loan system open to fraud.
Powys County Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
University fined £115,000 over ‘inadequate' oversight of franchised courses
Leeds Trinity University has been fined more than £100,000 by England's higher education regulator for failing to effectively address risks associated with its franchised courses. An investigation by the Office for Students (OfS) identified 'serious failures' in the arrangements the university had in place to oversee its subcontractual partnerships – more commonly known as franchised providers. The penalty of £115,000 comes after the watchdog previously warned it would intervene when the use of franchised providers – external organisations that operate in partnership with registered universities to deliver courses on their behalf – placed the interests of students or taxpayers 'at risk'. The investigation – into the franchised provision at Leeds Trinity University (LTU) between October 2022 and February 2024 – found the university's oversight arrangements were 'not adequate' to ensure risks at partners relating to admissions practices and academic misconduct were identified. There was an 'overarching risk' that LTU was unable to 'properly ensure quality' at its franchised partnerships, or respond to concerns when they were raised with the university, the regulator concluded. There had been rapid growth in the number of students taught through these partnerships – from 3,600 students in 2020/21 to 9,400 students in 2022/23. The OfS said LTU accepted it breached the watchdog's regulatory requirements relating to management and governance, and has agreed to pay the monetary penalty of £115,000. The regulator reduced the penalty by 30% in recognition that LTU's 'co-operation with our investigation has been positive and constructive', and it also reflected early settlement, and that the university proactively undertook its own inquiries into the concerns raised and took steps to address them. As part of the settlement, LTU will be subject to additional regulatory requirements – including restrictions on recruitment to its franchised courses The watchdog's investigation concluded that LTU 'did not properly consider' the impact of a decision it took to pilot lowering English language requirements for students who applied to study at its franchised partners between September 2023 and May 2024. 'It did not ensure arrangements were in place to enable these students to succeed,' the report said. The OfS said the resources the university had in place to monitor academic assessment of students at its franchised providers were 'insufficient'. It added: 'This meant that key risks, including an increased risk of student academic misconduct, were not appropriately escalated to the university's governing body.' Philippa Pickford, director of regulation at the OfS, said: 'As we have repeatedly set out, subcontractual arrangements need to be carefully managed to ensure students receive a high quality education and can finish their studies with a credible qualification. 'In this case, inadequate oversight of Leeds Trinity University's partnership arrangements increased the likelihood that the university would not be able to effectively manage any risks relating to quality, academic misconduct and student support. 'LTU's oversight arrangements were not adequate to ensure that potential risks at partners relating to admissions practices, academic assessments, and academic misconduct were identified. 'The rapid expansion of courses delivered through subcontractual partnerships further increased risks for students and taxpayers.' She added: 'All universities offering courses through delivery partners should look carefully at our actions in this case. 'Universities retain responsibility for the quality of students' education and the credibility of their qualifications under these arrangements. 'They must be certain that they are monitoring these courses effectively, and that their oversight of delivery partners ensures students receive the support they need to succeed in their studies and receive a qualification which will benefit them in the future.' Professor Charles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, said: 'Improving student outcomes remains at the heart of Leeds Trinity University's mission, and we are unwavering in our long-held commitment to widening participation and increasing access to higher education. 'We fully accept the conclusions of this investigation, and we recognise that the rapid growth in our subcontractual partnerships created pressures that our systems and oversight processes were not fully equipped to manage at the time. 'We welcome the OfS's acknowledgement of the proactive steps we have taken and the significant progress that Leeds Trinity has made to strengthen the oversight of our subcontractual arrangements. 'This was a key factor in their decision to lower the financial penalty, and the improvements we have made should give partners and students confidence about the high quality of our courses.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We are committed to taking robust action against organisations that misuse public money and damage the reputation of our world-class universities, which is why we recently put forward comprehensive reform plans to protect students and safeguard taxpayers' money. 'It is right that where OfS investigations find abuse of the student finance system, there are serious consequences – to maintain the credibility of our universities and push forward our drive for growth through our Plan for Change.' In January, the Government announced that providers delivering franchised higher education courses in England faced tighter controls in a bid to crack down on 'rogue operators who misuse public money'. Franchised providers with at least 300 students will be required to register with the OfS to access student loan funding under the plans. The intervention came after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned last year that a lack of Government oversight of franchised higher education providers had left the student loan system open to fraud.
