Departments within CLS

Administration Team

The Administration Team is primarily responsible for the data held and entered into Unit-e after initial enrolment. This would include learner ILR form data, register production and input, learner completion or withdrawal status, the collation and input of ILP achievements and end of course evaluations. Other duties include procurement, banking and postage, updating of first aid boxes and notice boards.

Customer Relations

Customer Relations carry out enrolments and provide learners with information on concessions, eligibility, initial assessments and course information. They liaise with site maintenance/contractors and lead on building H&S compliance. They also monitor class attendance and can support classroom set-ups in line with layout requests.

Exams and Accreditation

The Exams and Accreditation Team is responsible for registering and management of exams and entering accredited achievements.

Curriculum - Curriculum Managers and Curriculum Leaders

Curriculum Managers have countywide responsibility for steering the curriculum areas that they manage. They manage a team of Curriculum Leaders, who in turn manage tutors. Curriculum Leaders manage the local programmes.

Quality Team

The Quality Team works in conjunction with Curriculum Managers, Curriculum Leaders and tutors to promote compliance and drive quality standards against internal and external standards i.e. Ofsted and Awarding Organisations, to drive continuous improvement.

Finance Operations

The Finance Operations Team manage the transactional elements of finance including refunds, transfers, standing orders, write-offs, bank and fee income reconciliations, year-end closedown, balance sheet control, purchase cards and cash/cheque management.

Budget Support

The Budget Support Team are responsible for management and reporting of the financial position. This includes setting budgets, budget report production and support, year-end closedown, transaction list management as well as processes such as DLS, access and bursary. The team are also responsible for external invoicing and variable hour tutor payroll production.

Management Information

The Management Information Team is a service department within the Finance and Funding Team. They are ultimately responsible for the production of all of our government Individual Learning Record (ILR) funding returns and for ensuring that the ILR data we submit meets funding and contractual obligations. The team is responsible for ensuring that CLS remains up to date and compliant with all rules relating to ILR, funding and audit. They are also responsible for development and production of all management information for the service as well as areas such as the apprenticeship service account, advanced learner loans, unique learner numbers and personal learning records. They provide regular and ad-hoc support as well as continual development of reporting to all staff, primarily from Unit-e and pro-achieve. This includes both financial and qualitative reporting as well as providing expertise on ESFA funding rules and regulation.

Systems and ILT teams

The Information Technology (IT) Services Team develop and support technology as a prime communication channel for customers, a learning medium for students and a toll to increase efficiencies in business processes. They manage business and education systems, information learning technology and the ILT network, advise on data protection and the procurement of technology and lead on information security.

Marketing and Partnership Team

Marketing is responsible for getting people interested in CLS's learning opportunities. This happens through market research, analysis and understanding our ideal customer's interests. Marketing pertains to all aspects of CLS's provision, including information marketplace characteristics, course development, delivery methods, sales and advertising. CLS's marketing and sales methodology is continually evolving, from that of a mass-media driven approach, to an intelligence based and data-driven; and more systematic and analytical process. We strive to ensure the right message is with the right audience, at the right time and prompt them to take action. This is achieved utilising mixed media whether on or offline, broadcast (TV or radio), or direct (email or letter). We are also responsible for all of CLS's learner facing printed materials.

SMT Support Team

The SMT Support Team provide wide-ranging, coordinated and efficient business support service to the Senior Management Team and their teams across Community Learning and Skills, including all staff communications, complaints and staff records.