Programme Development Team

2.1 The role of the PDT is to provide a forum through which the design of a new programme (or the delivery of an OBU programme by a partner organisation) may be informed by a range of expertise from within and - crucially - external to the University, so as to meet sector expectations and the University’s criteria for approval. The PDT is responsible for ensuring that appropriate consultation takes place, and for the preparation of the programme documentation to an appropriate standard for submission to an approval panel

2.2 The PDT must work with relevant colleagues in the Faculty and Directorates to ensure that the new programme:

• is consistent with sector-recognised standards, relevant subject benchmark statements, any professional body standards, and the appropriate national qualifications framework;
  
• meets the expectations of University frameworks for promoting inclusive practice in teaching, learning and assessment, including ongoing engagement with the IDEAS model;
  
• complies with the relevant University Regulations
  
• provides students with high quality teaching and learning support, including learning resources and specialist teaching facilities
• takes into account the views of a wide range of stakeholders, as appropriate to the provision and the context in which it is to be delivered.

2.3 In order to ensure that these tasks are effectively completed, the overall PDT membership should include:

• Chair (usually the Programme Lead/Subject Coordinator or Liaison Manager – for new cross-Faculty partnerships, subject-level PDTs will be coordinated by the Brookes Global Partnerships team)
• Academic staff (especially the leaders of all compulsory modules) who will be involved in the delivery of the programme, including (for collaborative arrangements) members of staff from partner organisations
• External Adviser/s
• Faculty Head of Finance & Planning (for collaborative arrangements)
• Academic Liaison Librarian (for collaborative partnerships Library advice should be sought on student access to Brookes resources)
• OCAED link Educational Development Consultant (in particular, for home programmes)
• APQO link Quality Assurance Officer
• Student Central link Curriculum & Student Information Manager
• Secretary
• Students and other stakeholders should also be invited to join the PDT, as appropriate
• the Timetabling Team should be consulted on timetabling options (for on-campus programmes), and advice should be sought from the Faculty Marketing Manager on the effective marketing and promotion of the programme.

2.4 In order to avoid excessive pressure on staff workloads, it is not necessary for all members to attend every meeting of the PDT. However, members must attend meetings at which their expertise is required in order to progress the business of the PDT - the agenda of each meeting must therefore be provided to all members in sufficient time to enable the appropriate personnel to make arrangements to attend.

2.5 The FHQAV and/or the ADESE may also wish to attend PDT meetings in order to assure themselves that the PDT is adhering to agreed deadlines for consultation and development, and that the documentation is being prepared to an appropriate standard. They should, as a minimum, be treated as members of the PDT in respect of circulation of documents, agendas and action points, but may choose to maintain an overview of progress via regular updates from the PDT Chair rather than attendance at meetings.