​The supported self-improvement reviews of the Faculty of Art, IT and Media and the Faculty of Community Studies were carried out in two stages.

In stage one, in November 2005, the reviewers spent three days at the college, working with the heads of faculty and the curriculum managers to plan in detail the second stage of the work. This pre-review exercise included scrutiny of relevant documentation, such as the Self-Assessment Report (SAR), schemes of work, lesson plans and course and student data. There were some observations of lessons and discussions with students and staff, including the vice principal. As a result of this visit, each reviewer drew up a set of hypotheses about the curriculum area which was their focus, to be followed up, in collaboration with college staff, in the second stage. These hypotheses and the emerging issues were shared with the managers and curriculum leaders of both faculties and with the vice principal. Not only did they set an agenda for the return visit, so that the faculties were fully informed about what to expect, but also suggested possible areas for improvement which could be acted upon in the interim period where feasible.

Stage two of the review was carried out over four days in February 2006, with a fifth day comprising an extended feedback and related staff development activities for the staff of both faculties and for faculty heads and curriculum managers from other faculties. For this second stage an average of eight lesson observations was carried out in each curriculum area, with the reviewer paired with a member of the faculty staff, as a training opportunity in identifying and assessing learning.