Internal Quality Assurance Policy

1. Introduction

• This policy applies to any Ayurva Academy staff member or visiting instructor involved in the planning, delivery, assessment or evaluation of training courses and/or qualifications provided by Ayurva Academy and for any employee, student or training delegate participating in such training.

2. Aims

• The aims of this policy are to ensure that Ayurva Academy:
  • provides an extensive range of high-quality training, education and development opportunities to enable everyone to pursue their professional aspirations and potential.
  • implements an Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) system that monitors and evaluates the quality of teaching and learning and the consistency and accuracy of assessment, to ensure all Ayurva Academy activities are delivered by qualified and enthusiastic tutors to maximise student enjoyment and learning.
  • ensures the IQA system meets the quality assurance requirements of the relevant awarding body for each externally accredited or approved training courses.

3. Responsibilities

• The Senior Management Team is ultimately responsible for ensuring the aims of this policy are met for optimal learner outcomes, with day-to-day responsibility for implementing it lying with any Ayurva Academy staff member or visiting instructor delivering training on the academy’s behalf.
• Ayurva Academy staff specifically take responsibility for:
• Training Provision – provide a plethora of therapy based training, education and development opportunities that meet the diverse interests, needs and aspirations and upskill our workforce and wider community, providing bespoke support and suitable levels of challenge to develop talent, ensuring everyone can thrive.
• Communication – ensure timely communication with students throughout their training journey. For example, providing comprehensive joining instructions, including details of the assessment procedures and any pre-requisite requirements (such as pre-course eLearning, signing an Individual Training Agreement etc) to ensure no student is disadvantaged or misinformed prior to training commencing, and post-training, provide results, certificates and feedback ideally within two weeks of completion.
• Tutor Experience and Qualification – continuously review staffing levels to meet demand, ensuring any Ayurva Academy staff member or visiting lecturer involved in the planning, delivery, assessment or evaluation of training courses/qualifications provided by Ayurva Academy, is appropriately experienced, qualified and appraised, with all checks/evidence recorded centrally.  This includes the completion of the Ayurva Academy Train the Trainer induction and course for all new training staff.
• Teaching and Learning – with the support of a Senior Management Team member, promote reflective practice and implement a continuous, audited and supportive learning walk and observation programme amongst the Ayurva Academy staff and visiting instructors involved in the planning, delivery, assessment or evaluation of training, to enhance the standardisation of training delivery and quality of teaching, learning and assessment practices.
• Training Venue – provide dedicated, contemporary, and people-focused training environments to deliver stimulating training opportunities, ensuring as per each qualification specification, all venues are safe, clean and fit for purpose with a sufficient number of instructors available.  See the Ayurva Academy Guidelines for Choosing a Training Venue.
• Training Resources – ensure training course manuals, resources and qualification specifications are the current version and make any necessary updates as and when they are received from the awarding body.
• Administration– ensure any awarding organisation policies, procedures and guidance are followed and the necessary Ayurva  Academy policies and procedures are in place and adhered to, including but not limited to Health and Safety, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (including Access to Assessment), Malpractice and Maladministration, Safeguarding, Data Protection and Privacy Notice.
• Qualification and Student Registration – be the point of contact for all accredited courses/qualifications registered by Ayurva Academy and ensure the timely registration of all courses/qualifications/learners in line with the awarding bodies procedures.
• Data Protection – retain training course, visiting instructor and learner documentation as required by the awarding body in line with General Data Protection Regulation 2016, The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation 2021.
• Raising Concerns – manage any conflicts of interests within Ayurva Academy and raise to the relevant awarding body, reporting any concerns relating to malpractice or maladministration to the Senior Management Team and to the awarding body.

4. Monitoring and Review

• This policy and its implementation will be reviewed annually or after any external quality assurance visit which raises action points for the Ayurva Academy.
• As part of the Ayurva Academy ongoing IQA process a Lesson/Module Tutor Review and Feedback Record must be completed by the Lead Tutor.  See appendix 1
• As part of the Ayurva Academy desire for learning, quality and growth an annual audit will be completed by a member of the Senior Management Team prior to September student intake each year. See appendix 2