About Our Governance

Acquire Learning College Sheffield is committed to being a well-governed, transparent and accountable institution. Strong governance is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is the foundation on which we build trust with our students, our staff, our partners and the wider communities we serve in Sheffield and beyond.

We are in the process of applying for registration with the Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator of higher education in England, and working towards meeting the ongoing conditions of registration that the OfS requires of all registered providers.

Our Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is the governing body of Acquire Learning College Sheffield and holds ultimate responsibility for the strategic direction, financial health and overall performance of the college.

• Independent governors from professional backgrounds
• Staff and student representatives
• Oversight of strategy, finance and institutional performance
• Formal meetings at least three times per academic year
• Committees for audit, risk, finance, resources, academic governance and quality assurance

The Board operates in accordance with the seven Nolan Principles of Public Life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Our Regulatory and Governance Framework

Office for Students Registration

Acquire Learning College Sheffield is subject to the ongoing conditions of registration set by the Office for Students. These conditions cover quality and standards, governance and management, access and participation, and financial sustainability.

CUC Higher Education Code of Governance

We model our governance on the Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Higher Education Code of Governance, which provides a benchmark for good governance practice across the UK higher education sector.

Additional Sector Guidance

The college also has regard to guidance from sector bodies including the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Advance HE, the Charity Commission, Independent Higher Education and the National Governance Association where relevant.

How We Make Decisions

• Board of Governors: Sets strategic direction, approves major decisions and holds leadership to account.
• Principal and Senior Leadership Team: Manage the college, deliver the strategic plan and oversee staff, resources and student experience.
• Academic Board: Oversees academic quality, standards, curriculum, assessment and the student academic experience.

Transparency and Accountability

Acquire Learning College Sheffield is committed to transparency in all aspects of governance. We publish our governing documents, governor information, governance framework summary and financial statements in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

Student representatives sit on the Board of Governors, Academic Board and key committees, ensuring that the student interest is considered in significant decisions.