Saran Deo

My 15 years in further education with extensive knowledge of both professional qualifications and vocational qualifications enable me to lead and have a strategic approach on the intention, implementation, and impact to help support and drive improvements in the student/learner experience across all provisions. I now occupy the position of centre nominee and have extensive experience of quality assurance procedures, awarding bodies, and regulatory requirements across both England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. 

Recently, seconded to Head of Quality, I lead quality assurance and improvement processes by actively analysing, evaluating, and managing quality assurance activities such as OTLAs, Author of SAR and QIP/CIP (England), SA (Scotland), CER and QAP (Northern Ireland), as well as monitoring learner satisfaction and destination. I have a proven track record of decision making and able to evaluate the impact of business decisions and have experience in designing bespoke blended programmes some of which have been large bluechip companies such as Barclays, Royal Mail, Amazon, DWP and most recently Lloyds. 

I am fully aware of and adhere to the Education Inspection Framework (EIF), Education Skills Funding 

Agency (ESFA), and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) regulatory requirements for further education. I have clear methodologies to ensure compliance across awarding bodies as well as providing a ‘rapid strategic response’ when required. I am the centre nominee and have successfully completed SDS and Matrix inspections and drive the same strategic approaches to Ofsted and ESFA inspections.

Keeping the aforementioned in mind, I manage high performing teams to achieve KPIs and develop staff when required. I have a track record in ensuring that staff culture of invention and creativity are welcomed and have strategic experience in performance management. I understand the process of risk analysis and risk management and analytical and can clearly respond when required with solutions to minimise such areas. Collaboratively working comes naturally to me when working operations, directorship, and the governance board. 

I have a track record of making an impact and getting the right results in a short space of time when adapting to change. I am passionate about improving the experiences of employers and learners and being a member of several provider and educational advisory groups and governance boards it has allowed me to shape how the future looks for learners! 

Babington Business College – Lead Quality Service and Standards Manager, & Subcontractors/Partners Manager – Centre Nominee July 2022 – Present

(Seconded into Head of Quality) 

Role includes but not exhausted across: 

Reporting into Director of Quality 

• Lead and oversee of an effective strategic and achievable business improvement cycle, that focuses on a quality customer experience based upon learner progression and experience and employer satisfaction.
• Lead on Ofsted England, SDS Scotland, ETI, Estyn (Wales) and on Matrix inspections (IAG).
• Manage subcontractor college within Northern Ireland
• Oversea and Manage observation process (OLTAs) as well as quality activities 
• Lead on Quality Assurance throughout England and Devolved Areas 
• Collaborate with design team to fully create bespoke programmes 
• Manage Budgets to ensure delivery time to cost and quality requirements are adhered too
• Manage EV Visits and hold the Lead centre nominee position. 
• Manage the internal and external assurance of the learner and customer experience 
• Support HoD with all funding requirements for SDS whilst ensuring service standards are in place and adhered to. 
• Managing Subcontracting and Partners Quality Assurance Activity Cycle
• Overall SAR/CIP/CER/SA Author
• Track and monitor Performance Manage within performance systems 
• Drive performance both operationally and quality 
• Extensive experience managing provisions delivering excellent outcomes with a deep understanding of EIF framework. 

Learning Curve Group – Lead Quality Experience Manager (March 2021 – July 2022

All Provision and all Sectors and Subcontractors

As the Lead Quality Experience Manager nationwide to 100,000 learners across the following provisions: Apprenticeship, Skills Distance Learning, Employability, Bootcamps, Academies, NEET, Study Programme, Subcontractors, Employability inclusive of Traineeships. 

 

Role includes but not exhausted: 

 

• Reporting into Director of Quality & Performance. 
• Managing a team, I lead on the design, intent, implementation, and impact (including destination) to evaluate and improve student/ learner experience, carrying out a variety of activities including thematic reviews, learning walks, observation of teaching and learning (OTLAs), learner interviews, focus groups, deep dives, sampling and created themed surveys.  
• I analyse the key trends and themes to strengthen the core practices that the organisation delivers within. 
• Working with design team to create both regulated and non-regulated qualification 
• Having independently created a strategy round Quality Experience and Teaching and Learning, I take a lead improving learner outcomes. I help support and strengthen operational and quality functions to ensure a holistic, impactful, and reflective approach is adopted in all in house assurance and development processes. 
• I am the author of provision self-assessment reports by collaborating at all levels alongside Director, Curriculum and Heads of Departments. 
• preparation for external awarding bodies (EQA visits) and inspections, such as those by Ofsted, QAA, Matrix Nominee and other Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies.  
• Supported Bid teams, with Quality Kite Marks in various subject areas.
• Lead Quality Assurance in Apprenticeships, Employability and AEB.

Capita Learning - Learner Experience Manager and Lead Quality Assurance Manager (2016 – 2021) All Provisions & Subcontractors - Centre Nominee

• Leading on Learner Experience and Design as well as Quality Assurance across AEB. programmes, Employability, subcontractors, and Apprenticeship provision. 
• I continuously improved quality processes and procedures.
• Supporting design team to create bespoke programmes for DWP & Barclays. 
• I collaborated effectively complete and lead on deep dives, observation of teaching and learning, learning walks, work scrutiny.
• Centre Lead for English and maths. 
• Centre Lead for Staff CPD development planning. 
• Created and carried out surveys and reporting on the analysis for learners and employers’ feedback.
• Lead Safeguarding and Prevent officer.
• Lead on areas within the Self-Assessment Reports.
• Centre nominee for Matrix Standards, EQA and QAA.
• Deputised Ofsted Nominee working alongside Director of Quality. 
• Lead on aspects on SDS performance framework 
• Created and implemented Strategy on Learner Experience and Teaching and Learning. 
• Supported subcontracting and partnership due diligence and quality assurance. 
• Development and sharing of best practice for all. Working collaboratively with the senior management team, quality board and leaders across the organisation to enhance the learner experience and quality assurance. 
• Regular attendee at Governance Board

Capita Talent Partnerships - Apprenticeships Team Manager (2015 – 2016) 

• I was able to fully performance, retaining a proven track record of learner achievement and learner outcomes. 
• Build strong partnerships with employers to effectivity complete candidate screening and prepare learners for job prospects. 

Capita Talent Partnerships - Talent Coach/Trainer/Assessor (2014 – 2015)

• I provided outstanding support, advice, and guidance to learners throughout

their apprenticeship programmes. 

• I provided coaching, teaching and inspired them to succeed and achieve. 
• I continuously built on my knowledge, skills and capabilities and contributed to the organisation to continuously improve. 

Awards & Highlights

• Corporate Award - Capita Learning - 2017 Local Hero of the month. 
• Corporate Award – Capita / Knowledgepool) June 2019 National Hero of the month. Cooperate Award - Capita/ Knowledgepool) June 2019. 
• Nominated for newcomer of the year 2021 Learning Curve Group.
• GEM Awards (x2) Babington Business College 2022 – 2023
• Centre Nominee – 2016 - 2023

Education 2005 – 2022

Quality Assurance: 

• Lead Internal Quality Assurance Level 4 (Pass)
• End Point Assessor Level 3 (Pass)
• Internal Quality Assurance Level 4 (Pass)
• Advanced Safeguarding Training (DSL) 2020
• Safeguarding Basic Awareness Level 1, 2 & 3 (Pass )
• Certificate in Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values Level 2 (Pass)

Teaching and Learning 

• (PTLLS) Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in Lifelong Learning (Pass )
• (A1) - Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Candidates Using A Range of Methods (Pass)
• Certificate in Mental Health Awareness Level 2 (Pass) 
• Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities Level 2 (Pass)
• Certificate in Information Advice and Guidance Level 2 – (Pass) 
• Equality and Diversity Level 2 (Pass)

English, maths and ICT

• Maths Functional Skills Level 2 (Pass)
• ICT Functional Skills Level 2 (Pass)
• English Functional Skills Level 2 (Pass)
• SCQF Core Skills achieved ICT, Working with Others, Communication, Problem solving 

Sector Specific (Financial Services)

• Institute of Financial Services Certificate in Retail Banking Conduct of Business Level 3 Merit 
• Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice Level 3 (Pass (All Modules)