Dear Colleagues,

Save the date: launch event

The past year has seen wide-ranging changes in the private education sector, and BAC has been much focused on ensuring that its accreditation, along with the services it offers to colleges, remains of utmost relevance and benefit. The final touches are being put to a package of services, new accreditation schemes and discounts, which will build upon our tailored inspection and accreditation schemes and informative and helpful advice.

With that in mind, I’m pleased to let you know that on Monday 1 October, BAC will be hosting an evening reception near St Paul’s, London. We’re planning a showcase of the best of the private education sector, with the opportunity to hear the latest news about BAC and the new services on offer, network with colleagues at other institutions, and enjoy drinks and canapés while celebrating the quality and diversity of the sector. Further information will be shared after the Olympics.

BIS research

All accredited colleges should have received a recent email from BAC advising that we have been requested to provide our research partners CFE with access to data collected in the 2010-2011 BAC annual returns completed by colleges. This would include aggregated course data, student data and student cohort progression data.

Please ensure you have considered this message and contact privateHEresearch@the-bac.org if you have any questions.

Online learning and international providers: new accreditation schemes

I am pleased to announce that two new accreditation schemes, one for providers of Online, Distance and Blended Learning, and the other for International Centres which are not catered for under BAC’s existing international accreditation scheme, have been approved by BAC’s Executive Committee. We will be publishing further detail shortly; please contact the BAC Head Office if you would like more information.

Olympics

Finally, a reminder that the BAC Head Office will be closed from Monday 30 July to Friday 10 August due to the Olympics. Our office will re-open on Monday 13 August.

Urgent phone calls and emails will be dealt with through this period. Please direct emails to info@the-bac.org and mark ‘urgent’ in the subject line. Please call 0300 330 1400 as normal. All non urgent messages will be dealt with when the office re-opens.

Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very pleasant summer period and I look forward to meeting with many of you in the new academic year.

Dr Gina Hobson

Chief Executive