This case study shows how QAA Membership delivers tangible value by strengthening institutional resilience, compliance and student outcomes.

Institutional context

Reaseheath College is one of the few remaining fully independent land-based colleges in the UK. We’re based in the heart of Cheshire and offer a genuinely applied learning environment, with a working zoo, equine centre and farm that shape our zoology, animal science, agriculture, equine and canine degree programmes.

Navigating sector challenges as a small provider

As a small provider with around 500 students, staying on top of sector-wide developments can be challenging. We don’t have large specialist teams at Reaseheath College, so we need reliable guidance, sector insight, and practical tools we can trust. That’s where QAA has made a real difference.

I’ve worked with QAA for more than ten years across several land-based colleges and they have consistently acted as a critical friend - effectively an extension of my own team. Their support helps me ensure that what we deliver is in line with wider sector expectations, and that we remain confident in how we interpret regulation, design curriculum, and enhance teaching and learning.

Trusted guidance, sector insights and practical solutions

For me, membership is about reassurance and access. The regular conversations with QAA’s quality leads help me stay abreast of the key changes in higher education - which, as we all know, are constant and varied. As a smaller provider, I simply wouldn’t have the same access to timely, credible information without this network.

QAA’s resources and events, particularly the Quality Insights conference, give me a place to ask questions in real time and bring back answers that I can implement immediately. The case studies, guidance, and the new Quality Code Advice and Guidance offer the assurance that our programmes, assessment approaches and partnerships are well designed and meet sector expectations.

Driving curriculum quality and student success

I rely on QAA because the information is sound, research-led and truly relevant to the realities of providers like ours. The membership resources help us plan our academic year, inform curriculum design, strengthen student engagement and make sure we’re meeting essential conditions of registration.

After 18 months at Reaseheath College, I’ve seen how working with QAA can drive genuine enhancement in our provision. For a small, specialist college, having access to that level of expertise and sector intelligence is invaluable - it gives us the confidence and clarity we need to deliver an outstanding student experience.