Quality Assurance Policy

Last Updated: 1st July 2026

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1. Policy Statement

Creative Media Skills Institute (CMSI) is committed to providing high-quality education, training, assessment, learner support, and student experience. CMSI recognises that effective quality assurance is essential to maintaining academic standards, supporting learner achievement, ensuring consistency, and meeting the expectations of students, industry, regulatory bodies, awarding organisations, and academic partners.

CMSI operates within an academic partnership with the academic partner and recognises its responsibility to maintain appropriate quality assurance arrangements that support the requirements of the partnership. CMSI is committed to a continuous improvement approach to quality assurance and will seek to ensure that:

·Learners receive high-quality teaching and learning

·Programmes are appropriately planned and delivered

·Assessment is fair, valid, reliable, and consistent

·Learners receive appropriate support

·Teaching staff and tutors are appropriately qualified and supported

·Learner progress and achievement are monitored

·Learner feedback is actively considered

·Equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility are embedded in practice

·Safeguarding and learner welfare are appropriately managed

·Quality assurance activities are evidence-based

·Good practice is identified and shared

·Areas for improvement are identified and addressed

·Relevant academic partnership requirements are met

·Quality assurance processes support continuous improvement

CMSI's approach to quality assurance is intended to be supportive, proportionate, transparent, and focused on achieving positive outcomes for learners.

2. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework for the quality assurance and continuous improvement of CMSI's education and training provision. The policy aims to:

·Maintain and improve the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment

·Ensure academic and programme standards are maintained

·Support positive learner outcomes

·Ensure learners receive appropriate support

·Provide consistency across programmes and delivery

·Monitor learner progress, achievement, retention, and engagement

·Ensure effective assessment and internal quality assurance

·Monitor the learner experience

·Identify and share good practice

·Identify and address areas for improvement

·Provide evidence of quality and continuous improvement

·Support compliance with academic partnership requirements

·Ensure appropriate records and evidence are maintained

3. Scope

This policy applies to all education and training delivered by or on behalf of CMSI. It applies to:

·Directors and management

·Employees

·Freelance tutors

·Visiting lecturers

·Assessors

·Internal quality assurance personnel

·Programme and course staff

·Learner support staff

·Administrative staff involved in learner services

·Other individuals involved in the delivery, assessment, or support of learning

The policy applies to:

·Programme design and planning

·Admissions and enrolment

·Induction

·Teaching and learning

·Assessment

·Internal quality assurance

·External quality assurance

·Learner support

·Learner progress

·Learner achievement

·Learner feedback

·Complaints and appeals

·Staff development

·Teaching observations

·Safeguarding

·Equality, diversity, and inclusion

·Academic integrity

·Data and record management

·Partnership arrangements

4. Quality Assurance Principles

CMSI will operate its quality assurance arrangements according to the following principles:

·Learner Focus: Quality assurance will focus on the learner experience, learner progress, achievement, and outcomes.

·Continuous Improvement: CMSI will use evidence and feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.

·Evidence-Based Practice: Quality judgements and improvement actions will be based on appropriate evidence.

·Consistency: CMSI will seek to ensure that learners receive a consistent standard of teaching, learning, assessment, and support.

·Transparency: Quality assurance processes and expectations will be communicated clearly to relevant staff and tutors.

·Inclusivity: Quality assurance will consider equality, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and the needs of individual learners.

·Partnership: CMSI will work collaboratively with the academic partner and other relevant partners to maintain and improve quality.

·Proportionality: Quality assurance arrangements will be proportionate to the size, nature, and risk profile of CMSI's activities.

·Accountability: Individuals will understand their responsibilities for maintaining and improving quality.

5. CMSI Quality Assurance Framework

CMSI's quality assurance framework will include, as appropriate:

·Programme and curriculum review

·Course planning

·Teaching and learning observations

·OTLA/classroom visits

·Assessment and internal quality assurance

·Learner progress monitoring

·Learner achievement monitoring

·Learner attendance monitoring

·Learner feedback

·Staff and tutor feedback

·Complaints and appeals monitoring

·Safeguarding monitoring

·Equality and inclusion monitoring

·Staff and tutor development

·Academic integrity monitoring

·Review of learner outcomes

·Partnership monitoring

·External quality assurance

·Annual quality review

·Quality improvement planning

CMSI will use information from these activities to identify strengths, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

6. Governance and Responsibilities

CMS Management has overall responsibility for ensuring that appropriate quality assurance arrangements are established and maintained. CMS Management will:

·Approve the Quality Assurance Policy

·Provide appropriate oversight of quality

·Review quality assurance findings

·Ensure significant risks are addressed

·Monitor improvement actions

·Support compliance with academic partnership requirements

·Ensure appropriate resources are available

·Review quality performance regularly

·Quality Lead / Quality Assurance Lead

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Where appointed, the Quality Lead will coordinate CMSI's quality assurance activities. Responsibilities may include:

·Coordinating the quality assurance cycle

·Maintaining quality assurance records

·Monitoring action plans

·Coordinating OTLA and classroom visits

·Supporting assessment and internal quality assurance

·Reviewing learner feedback

·Monitoring learner outcomes

·Preparing quality reports

·Supporting programme reviews

·Coordinating improvement planning

·Liaising with the academic partner on relevant quality matters

·Programme and Course Staff

Programme and course staff are responsible for:

·Delivering programmes in accordance with approved requirements

·Maintaining appropriate programme documentation

·Monitoring learner progress

·Identifying learners requiring additional support

·Maintaining accurate records

·Participating in quality assurance activities

·Responding to learner feedback

·Implementing agreed improvement actions

·Tutors and Teaching Staff

Tutors are responsible for:

·Delivering high-quality teaching and learning

·Planning appropriate learning activities

·Supporting learner engagement

·Assessing learners fairly

·Providing constructive feedback

·Maintaining appropriate records

·Supporting equality and inclusion

·Following CMSI policies and procedures

·Participating in observations and quality assurance activities

·Engaging in continuing professional development

·Contributing to continuous improvement

·Learners

Learners are encouraged to contribute to quality assurance through:

·Providing feedback

·Completing surveys

·Participating in focus groups

·Raising concerns

·Making suggestions for improvement

·Participating in learner representation where applicable

CMSI will seek to ensure that learner feedback is considered appropriately.

7. Programme and Curriculum Planning

CMSI will seek to ensure that programmes are appropriately planned and structured. Programme planning will consider:

·Programme aims

·Learning outcomes

·Curriculum content

·Assessment requirements

·Learner needs

·Industry expectations

·Employability skills

·Creative media sector developments

·Resources

·Staffing

·Facilities

·Accessibility

·Equality and inclusion

·Academic partnership requirements

Where programmes are delivered under the partnership with the academic partner, CMSI will ensure that programme planning and delivery align with relevant approved arrangements.

8. Teaching, Learning and Assessment

CMSI is committed to maintaining high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment. Teaching and learning should:

·Be appropriately planned

·Have clear learning objectives

·Engage learners

·Develop relevant knowledge and skills

·Support different learning needs

·Promote independent learning

·Reflect industry practice where appropriate

·Encourage professional behaviours

·Provide opportunities for learners to apply knowledge and skills

Assessment should:

·Be appropriately designed

·Align with learning outcomes

·Be fair and consistent

·Be accessible

·Provide opportunities for learners to demonstrate achievement

·Be appropriately recorded

·Include constructive feedback

·Meet relevant awarding or academic requirements

CMSI will monitor teaching, learning, and assessment through appropriate quality assurance activities.

9. Observation of Teaching, Learning and Assessment

CMSI will use Observation of Teaching, Learning and Assessment (OTLA) and classroom visits as part of its quality assurance arrangements. Observations may be used to:

·Review teaching quality

·Identify effective practice

·Support professional development

·Monitor learner engagement

·Review assessment practice

·Identify areas for improvement

·Support continuous improvement

Observations will be conducted in accordance with CMSI's OTLA / Classroom Visit Policy.

Observation findings may contribute to:

·Individual development plans

·Staff training

·Quality improvement planning

·Programme reviews

·Annual quality reviews

10. Assessment and Internal Quality Assurance

CMSI will maintain appropriate arrangements to ensure that assessment decisions are fair, consistent, valid, and reliable. Where applicable, internal quality assurance may include:

·Assessment planning

·Assessment checking

·Sampling

·Standardisation

·Internal verification

·Moderation

·Review of assessment decisions

·Review of learner feedback

·Monitoring of assessor practice

Where programmes are delivered in partnership with the academic partner or another awarding organisation, CMSI will comply with applicable assessment and quality assurance requirements. CMSI will maintain appropriate records to demonstrate the integrity and quality of assessment decisions.

11. Learner Progress, Retention and Achievement

CMSI will monitor learner progress and outcomes where appropriate. This may include monitoring:

·Attendance

·Engagement

·Retention

·Progression

·Achievement

·Completion

·Assessment performance

·Withdrawal

·Learner destinations

Where concerns are identified, appropriate action may include:

·Additional learner support

·Individual tutorials

·Academic support

·Attendance interventions

·Additional learning opportunities

·Referral to appropriate support services

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CMSI will use learner outcome data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

12. Learner Voice and Feedback

CMSI recognises learner feedback as an important component of quality assurance. CMSI may collect learner feedback through:

·Surveys

·Questionnaires

·Focus groups

·Tutorials

·Learner representatives

·End-of-course evaluations

·Informal feedback

·Complaints and compliments

Feedback may cover:

·Teaching quality

·Learning resources

·Assessment

·Tutor support

·Learner support

·Facilities

·Communication

·Programme content

·Overall learner experience

CMSI will review relevant feedback and, where appropriate, identify actions for improvement.

CMSI will communicate appropriate outcomes or actions to learners where practicable.

13. Learner Complaints and Appeals

CMSI recognises that complaints and appeals provide important information about the quality of its services. Complaints and appeals will be managed in accordance with CMSI's relevant policies and procedures.

CMSI may monitor:

·Number and type of complaints

·Themes and trends

·Response times

·Outcomes

·Recurring issues

Where appropriate, findings will be used to identify improvements. Complaints relating to academic partnership arrangements may be managed in accordance with the relevant CMSI and academic partner's procedures.

14. Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

CMSI is committed to ensuring that quality assurance arrangements promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. CMSI will seek to ensure that:

·Learners are treated fairly

·Discrimination is not tolerated

·Teaching and assessment are accessible

·Reasonable adjustments are considered

·Learner support needs are identified

·Teaching promotes an inclusive environment

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Where appropriate, CMSI will monitor learner outcomes and feedback to identify potential inequalities or barriers to achievement.

15. Safeguarding and Learner Welfare

Safeguarding and learner welfare form an important part of CMSI's quality assurance arrangements. CMSI will monitor whether appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place. Quality assurance activity may consider:

·Safeguarding awareness

·Staff training

·Reporting arrangements

·Learner awareness

·Referral procedures

·Safeguarding concerns

·Prevent responsibilities where applicable

·Learner welfare

Safeguarding concerns will be managed in accordance with CMSI's safeguarding policies and procedures.

16. Staff and Tutor Development

CMSI recognises that appropriately qualified, experienced, and supported staff contribute significantly to quality. CMSI will seek to support staff and tutors through:

·Induction

·Professional development

·Continuing professional development (CPD)

·Teaching observations

·Peer support

·Mentoring

·Sharing of good practice

·Training based on identified needs

Professional development needs may be identified through:

·OTLA outcomes

·Learner feedback

·Programme reviews

·Quality assurance findings

·Changes in industry practice

·Changes in academic or regulatory requirements

17. Academic Partnerships

CMSI recognises its responsibilities under its academic partnership with the academic partner. CMSI will cooperate with the academic partner.

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·Programme monitoring

·Quality assurance activity

·Teaching observations

·Assessment monitoring

·Internal quality assurance

·Learner outcomes

·Learner feedback

·Academic standards

·External quality assurance

·Annual reviews

·Action plans

·Quality improvement activity

CMSI will maintain appropriate evidence to demonstrate compliance with relevant partnership requirements. Where the academic partner identifies areas for improvement, CMSI will consider and implement appropriate actions within agreed timescales. Where specific partnership requirements differ from CMSI's general quality assurance arrangements, the relevant partnership requirements will be followed.

18. External Quality Assurance

Where applicable, CMSI will cooperate with external quality assurance activities undertaken by:

·The academic partner

·Awarding organisations

·Regulatory bodies

·Funding organisations

·External quality assurers

·Other authorised organisations

CMSI will provide appropriate information and evidence where legitimately required. Findings from external quality assurance activity will be reviewed and, where necessary, incorporated into quality improvement plans.

19. Annual Quality Review

CMSI will undertake an appropriate review of its quality performance at least annually. The annual review may consider:

·Learner recruitment

·Attendance

·Retention

·Achievement

·Progression

·Teaching and learning

·Assessment

·OTLA outcomes

·Learner feedback

·Complaints

·Appeals

·Safeguarding

·Equality and inclusion

·Staff development

·Partnership requirements

·External quality assurance

·Identified risks

·Previous improvement actions

The findings may be used to develop an annual quality improvement plan.

20. Quality Improvement Planning

Where areas for improvement are identified, CMSI may establish a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). A Quality Improvement Plan may include:

·Area for improvement

·Evidence or source of concern

·Required action

·Responsible person

·Target date

·Success measures

·Progress status

·Review date

Actions will be monitored by CMS Management or the appropriate Quality Lead. Where actions relate to the academic partnership, CMSI will agree appropriate timescales and responsibilities with Capital City College where required.

21. Risk-Based Quality Assurance

CMSI will seek to adopt a proportionate and risk-based approach to quality assurance. Higher levels of monitoring may be applied where there are:

·Significant learner achievement concerns

·Assessment risks

·Safeguarding concerns

·Repeated learner complaints

·Poor learner feedback

·Significant staff turnover

·New programmes or tutors

·Changes to delivery arrangements

·Identified compliance concerns

·External quality assurance findings

CMSI will seek to ensure that quality assurance resources are focused on areas where they provide the greatest benefit to learners.

22. Data and Record Management

CMSI will maintain appropriate records to demonstrate the effectiveness of its quality assurance arrangements.

Records may include:

·Quality reports

·Programme reviews

·Observation records

·Assessment records

·Internal quality assurance records

·Learner feedback

·Complaints and appeals

·Learner outcome data

·Action plans

·Staff development records

·External quality assurance reports

Records will be stored securely and managed in accordance with CMSI's:

·GDPR and Data Protection Policy

·Data Retention Policy

·Information Security arrangements

Personal data will only be accessed by individuals with a legitimate need to do so.

23. Monitoring and Reporting

CMSI will monitor the effectiveness of its quality assurance arrangements.

Quality information may be reported to:

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·CMS Management

·Relevant programme staff

·Tutors

·Capital City College

·Awarding organisations

·Other relevant stakeholders

Reporting will be proportionate to the nature of the information and any applicable confidentiality and data protection requirements.

24. Quality Assurance Calendar

CMSI will maintain an appropriate annual quality assurance cycle. The quality assurance cycle may include:

·Termly / Periodic Activities

·Learner attendance monitoring

·Learner progress monitoring

·Learner feedback

·Assessment monitoring

·Quality concerns review

·Annual Activities

·OTLA planning

·Programme review

·Learner outcome review

·Staff development review

·Quality improvement planning

·Policy review

·Annual quality review

·Ongoing Activities

·Safeguarding monitoring

·Complaints monitoring

·Learner support

·Assessment quality assurance

·Staff and tutor support

·Risk management

·Continuous improvement

The exact timing and frequency of activities may vary depending on programme requirements and the academic partnership with the academic partner.

25. Continuous Improvement

CMSI is committed to using quality assurance information to support continuous improvement. CMSI will seek to:

·Recognise effective practice

·Share successful approaches

·Address identified weaknesses

·Respond to learner feedback

·Improve teaching and learning

·Improve assessment

·Improve learner support

·Improve learner outcomes

·Strengthen partnership arrangements

Quality assurance will be considered an ongoing cycle of:

·Plan → Deliver → Review → Evaluate → Improve → Monitor

26. Training and Awareness

CMSI will ensure that relevant staff and tutors understand their responsibilities for maintaining quality. Training and awareness may cover:

·Quality assurance processes

·Teaching and learning standards

·Assessment requirements

·Internal quality assurance

·OTLA and classroom observations

·Learner support

·Safeguarding

·Equality and inclusion

·Academic integrity

·Data protection

·Partnership requirements

Relevant individuals may be required to participate in mandatory training or development activities.

27. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

·At least annually

·Following significant changes to CMSI's provision

·Following changes to the academic partnership with the academic partner

·Following changes to relevant regulatory or awarding requirements

·Following significant external quality assurance findings

·Where monitoring identifies a need for improvement

The policy will be updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, regulation, academic requirements, partnership arrangements, or CMSI's activities.

28. Implementation Decision

·Quality assurance is a core part of maintaining high standards

·The learner experience and learner outcomes are central to quality assurance

·Teaching, learning, and assessment will be appropriately monitored

·OTLA and classroom visits will contribute to quality assurance

·Assessment and internal quality assurance arrangements will be maintained

·Learner progress and achievement will be monitored

·Learner feedback will be considered

·Complaints and appeals will inform continuous improvement

·Equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility will be considered

·Safeguarding and learner welfare will form part of quality considerations

·Staff and tutors will be supported through appropriate development

·CMSI will cooperate with the academic partner on relevant quality assurance matters

·External quality assurance requirements will be met where applicable

·Quality improvement actions will be identified, monitored, and reviewed

·Appropriate quality records will be maintained

·CMSI will seek to continuously improve its provision

·The policy will be reviewed annually or following significant change

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29. Contact

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For questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact:

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CMS Institute (Creative Media Skills Group Ltd)
Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road,
Buckinghamshire, SL0 0NH, United Kingdom
info@creative-media-skills.com
01753 656168

© CMS Institute / Creative Media Skills Group Ltd. All rights reserved.

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