Stockton Riverside College :: Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information - Publicaton Scheme for Colleges of Further Education

Name of College :	Stockton Riverside College
Type of College :	General Further Education (GFE)
Principal & Chief Executive :	Mr Sujinder S. Sangha
Postal Address :	Harvard Avenue Thornaby Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6FB
Telephone :	01642 865400
Fax :	01642 865470
Website :	http://www.stockton.ac.uk
Chair of Governors :	Dr Frank King

1. Legal requirement

1.1 Adopting a publication scheme is a requirement of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This Act promotes greater openness and accountability across the public sector by requiring all ‘public authorities’ to make information available proactively, through a publication scheme.

1.2 ‘Public authorities’ are defined in the Act and include universities, further education colleges and sixth form colleges.

2. What is a publication scheme?

2.1 A publication scheme is a document which describes the information a public authority publishes, or intends to publish. In this context, ‘publish’ means to make information available, routinely. These descriptions are called ‘classes of information’. The scheme is not a list of the actual publications, because this will change as new material is published or existing material revised. It is, however, the public authority’s commitment to make available the information described.

2.2 A publication scheme must set out the classes, or categories, of information published. It must also make clear how the information described can be accessed and whether or not charges will be made.

3. The ‘model’ publication scheme for colleges of further education

3.1 Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges every public authority to adopt an approved Publication Scheme and Stockton Riverside College has adopted the scheme for Colleges of Further Education.

4. Who we are

4.1 Stockton Riverside College (SRC) is an ambitious, forward-looking, values driven and dynamic college which endeavours to be innovative and inclusive in meeting the complex needs and demands of its learner communities. The college is dedicated to delivering high quality provision and meeting or exceeding national educational and occupational standards in preparing learners for employment, enterprise, higher education, independent living or enhanced lifestyles.

4.2 Stockton Riverside College opened in January 2003 in new purpose built premises and was formerly known as Stockton and Billingham College of Further Education. In May 2008 it merged with Bede College, Hale Road, Billingham, which has become the college’s Sixth Form Centre. The main campus is situated on the Teesdale site, close to Stockton town centre and Thornaby railway station. The curriculum is delivered through five teams each headed by a divisional director and by Bede Sixth Form which is headed by the Head of Sixth Form:

Health Care and Public Services
Creative and Service Industries
Life Skills
Business, Management, Education and Information Technology
Technology and Prince’s Trust
Bede Sixth Form

5. College Mission, Purpose, Aim and Corporate Values

5.1 Our MISSION: Stockton Riverside College will lead education for learner success and progression.

5.2 Our PURPOSE is to be a college of excellence providing pathways to work, enterprise and higher education.

5.3     In order to achieve that we AIM to:

5.3.1   Provide learners with personalised educational experiences which raise their aspirations, enable them to fulfill their potential and contribute to economic and social prosperity.

5.3.2   To provide the skills, knowledge and qualifications significant to the local and wider economy.

5.3.3   Ensure high quality teaching and learning, promoting and sustaining excellence in everything we do.

5.3.4   Develop and maintain safe, welcoming, stimulating and engaging environments for learners, staff and visitors.

5.3.5   Value staff and be an excellent employer.

5.3.6   Be flexible, innovative and responsive.

5.3.8   Promote sustainability and efficient use of resources.

5.3.9     Corporate Values:

Trust, integrity and respect.
Co-operation and partnership working.
Equality, fairness and inclusion.
Open and inclusive governance.

5.3.9 The newly merged college will continue the commitment of Stockton Riverside College and Bede College to develop further, with continuous improvement, quality and standards at the heart of the college’s vision and plans.

5.3.10 Building upon strong levels of existing performance, the college will continue to develop the curriculum offering, ensuring relevance to the needs of employers, individuals and the local community in terms of scope and delivery. Maintaining a concentration on high success rates, the college will continue to enhance its upper quartile performance, from its already strong starting point.

5.3.11 The college is re-aligning the curriculum offering to priority skills areas, and supporting the needs of employers locally, regionally and nationally, which will impact upon all areas of delivery.

6. Accessing information covered by the publication scheme

6.1 The classes of information we publish are described in the second part of the scheme.

6.2 Next to each class we have indicated the manner in which the information described will be available. We have also indicated whether charges apply to material in each class.

6.3 To request information available through our publication scheme, please contact: Director of IT and Information Security, Stockton Riverside College, Harvard Avenue, Thornaby, Stockton on Tees, TS17 6FB.

6.4 Please note that a publication scheme relates to ‘published’ information. Therefore, material covered has already been prepared in a format ready for distribution.

7. What about information not covered by the publication scheme?

7.1 From 1 January 2005 you have the right, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, to request any information held by a public authority which it has not already made available through its publication scheme.

7.2 Requests will have to be made in writing and, in general, public authorities will have 20 working days to respond. They may charge a fee, which will have to be calculated according to Fees Regulations. They will not be required to release information to which an exemption in the Act legitimately applies. However, public authorities may be required to explain to the applicant why they are not releasing information and they may also have to justify this to the Information Commissioner.

8. Feedback

8.1 It is important that this publication scheme meets your needs. If you find the scheme difficult to understand, please let us know. We also welcome suggestions as to how our scheme might be improved. Any questions, comments or complaints about this scheme should be sent in writing to:

          Director of IT and Information Security
          Stockton Riverside College
          Harvard Avenue
          Thornaby
          Stockton on Tees
          TS17 6FB

8.2 If we are unable to resolve any complaint, you can complain to the Information Commissioner, the independent body who oversees the Freedom of Information Act:

          Information Commissioner
          Wycliffe House
          Water Lane
          Wilmslow
          Cheshire
          SK9 5AF

www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk

Stockton Riverside College Harvard Avenue Stockton-On-Tees TS17 6FB United Kingdom