Sense College East is a specialist Further Education (FE) college, supporting students between 16-25, who have a wide range of disabilities. We aim to prepare young people to be as independent as possible and help them to achieve their long term goals. We offer different pathways to help students gain the skills, experience, knowledge and confidence to achieve these goals.
Sense College East has 8 locations in the East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands:
- Aldeby, Suffolk
- Bedford, Bedfordshire
- Dereham, Norfolk
- Knapwell, Cambridgeshire
- Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- Rothwell, Northamptonshire
- Touchbase Pears, Birmingham
- Streatley, Luton
This is a primarily virtual role, with all meetings taking place remotely, and an expectation of travelling to college sites once a term.
The role of members of the Governing Body is to provide strategic leadership, support and constructive challenge to the college senior management team to ensure that Sense College provides an excellent education experience for all students.
About us
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
Sense values
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
Some examples of governor duties are below, noting that these are not exclusive:
- Reviewing, approving and monitoring the implementation of the Sense College 2022-2025 Strategic Plan
- Approving the final Sense College Annual Self-Assessment Report (SAR)
- Reviewing and monitoring progress and outcomes from the Sense College Quality Improvement Plan (QuIP)
- Reviewing students’ progress and achievements through a range of products i.e. case studies, reports and visits to Sense College
- Reviewing college data against Key Performance Indicators and dashboards.
- Participating in Ofsted inspection meetings on governance to support Sense College and the college senior management team
- Monitoring implementation of safeguarding (SfG) procedures, keeping updated with current SfG legislation and governors Prevent responsibilities
- Monitoring college budget performance with the emphasis on new students referrals funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency
- Attending and participating in governor training events, student celebrations and college visits
Time commitment
Sense College East Lay Governors will attend 3 full committee meetings a year, plus 3 extra meetings for their chosen sub-committee. Meetings last from 90 minutes for sub-committees and 2 hours 30 minutes for the full committee, Lay Governors will come prepared and engaged, having done the reading the prior and ready to ask any questions they may have. Governors of Sense College have a varied role encompassing a range of duties. Much of this is undertaken through participation in the full Governing Body meetings and Sense College sub-committees according to a governor`s experience and skillset, and through college visits.