2008 University College Annual Report - St Mary's University College

Contents
Chair of Governors
Principal 3
School of Education 5
School of Communication, Culture
and Creative Arts 7
School of Human Sciences 9
School of Management and
Business Enterprise 11
School of Theology, Philosophy,
and History 13
Information Services and Systems 15
Chaplaincy 17
Sport at St Mary’s 19
St Henry Walpole Prize Winners 20
Honorary Fellowship
Estates
3
Student Services
5
The Centre for Bioethics
and Emerging Technologies 27
Strawberry Hill Overseas and
Community Concern
9
Board of Governors, Students
and Staff Numbers 30
Finances 31

Introduction from the
Chair of Governors
Letter from the Principal
Opening of the Shannon
Conference Suite
On behalf of the Board of Governors
of St Mary’s University College I am
pleased to introduce the Annual Report
for the academic year 2007–08. It
is a story of continuing growth and
development within a clearly articulated
statement of our values.
In our Corporate Plan 2008–12, which
the Board of Governors approved in
July 2008, we state that St Mary’s
is a University College which:
· is rigorous, critical and altruistic,
dedicated to the development
of the physical, intellectual and
spiritual potential of each member
of our community
· fosters equality of opportunity for
all and the integrity of the individual,
respects human diversity and
actively works towards a more just,
prosperous and inclusive society
· acts with honesty, integrity and
professionalism in a spirit of dialogue
and reflection.
The development of our new Corporate
Plan was undertaken through a process
of consultation and engagement,
including governors, staff and students,
to set out the goals that we will together
achieve by 2012.
While looking to the future development
of St Mary’s was a prominent feature
of the Board’s activities in 2007–08,
governors were equally concerned
with ensuring the quality of the
experience of our current generation
of students. It was again gratifying
to see St Mary’s continue to score
highly in the ‘satisfaction’ scale of
the National Student Survey and in
graduate employment tables.
I am pleased to report that there was
continuing significant investment in
campus improvements in 2007–08,
in particular, the central campus
development along with the completion
of the refectory extension and
refurbishment project and the building
of the Shannon Conference Suite.
As we face up to more challenging
economic circumstances over the
next two years it is pleasing also that
the University College ended the year
in good financial health.
St Mary’s is particularly well served
by a strong and committed Board of
Governors. On their behalf I would like
to thank all those who contributed to
the successes of the year.
Principal with
scholarship winner
Welcome to our University College
Annual Report. With so much to
reflect on and discuss, this document
can provide only a snapshot summary
of the year. Hopefully, it gives a
good idea of all the far-reaching and
important work that has been carried
out by our staff and students.
In some ways, 2008 was frustrating
for us. Having achieved awarding
powers for taught degrees, plus our
university college title in 2006, we are
now in sight of the required 4,000
full-time equivalent student population,
but our opportunities for growth are
limited. As the Times Higher reported
in July 2008, St Mary’s applications
had more than doubled in the last five
years and we would have loved to
have taken many more students onto
our programmes.
However, we again found ourselves
severely constrained in adding to our
student numbers by our funding
contracts with the Higher Education
Funding Council and the Training and
Development Agency for Schools. We
did, however, manage to increase our
numbers of foundation degree places
through successful engagement with
the South London Lifelong Learning
Network. International student numbers
were also increased.
Our report describes the achievements
of the year in learning and teaching,
research and knowledge transfer.
Alongside these core activities of a
university college, we have worked
to strengthen our contribution to
society through increasing levels of
student volunteering and to our local
communities through the cultural
and sporting opportunities that
we provide.
In particular, we are strongly committed
to playing a part in the success of the
London 2012 Olympics. The first
stage in that process was achieved
with our selection as an official pre-
Games Training Camp. It was also
heartening to see a number of current
and past students compete in Beijing,
the most notable being Rebecca
Romero, a St Mary’s graduate who
won Gold in Cycling.
In this, and in all the successes of our
current and former students, we take
great pride and encouragement.
+George Stack
Chair of Governors
Dr Arthur Naylor
Principal
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
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St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk

School of Education
Enthusiastic and
confident trainees.
Ofsted 2008
The Ofsted inspections of our Primary
and Secondary provision created a
focus and opportunity to showcase
the work of the School of Education.
The reports gave praise for the high
quality of our programmes as well as
clear indications for development.
Both inspection teams highlighted
the dedication, enthusiasm, expertise
and professionalism of the staff.
The Primary inspection identified key
strengths as ‘high quality, personal
support for trainees with a very caring
University College atmosphere’.
The report went on to applaud the
‘enthusiastic and confident trainees
who are committed to becoming
good primary teachers’. The ‘effective
collegiate leadership and management
of the partnership programme and
subjects, and excellent communication
with schools’ also deserves a mention.
There were no key points for action.
Partnerships
Partnerships are essential to the School
of Education’s success. Tremendous
progress has been made, working
with Local Authority partners and
other Schools across St Mary’s.
In addition, we have forged links with
the local Diocese, Catholic Education
Service and the Catholic Association
for Teachers, Schools and Colleges
(CATSCA). We have re-established
our traditional links with Gibraltar.
The goverment’s aim for the
transformation of teaching into a
Master’s Profession, a vision shared
by the School of Education, is evident
and fully embraced in our Masters
Programmes with the emphasis
on school-based delivery. We will
continue to build, with our partners,
as the Masters in Teaching and
Learning develops.
The Primary inspection identified key
strengths as high quality, personal
support for trainees with a very caring,
University College atmosphere.
Ofsted report
The Secondary report highlighted
strong collaboration with partners,
as well as ‘effective management
which supports good quality training
and outcomes’. Finally, it was
stated that there is ‘rigorous quality
assurance of provision, which
promotes good quality training,
in partnership schools.’
These positive, encouraging reports
help reinforce St Mary’s long history
of teacher education, and will allow
the School to develop even further
in the future.
The School is now looking to the
future, and January 2009 will see
the launch of The Aquinas Centre
for Learning, Leadership and
Innovation. This centre will form
a nexus for research-informed
teaching, leadership development
and consultancy. Excitingly, it will
mark the beginning of a one year
programme of public lectures on
the changing face of education.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk

Richmond Schools in a
project, culminating in a
large-scale community play
at Ham House
School of Communication,
Culture and Creative Arts
An artist is a man of action, whether
he creates a personality, invents an
expedient, or finds the issue of a
complicated situation.
Joseph Conrad
Dedicated research
and excellent
scholarship underpin
everything the School
of CCCA does.
The School has a vibrant teaching and
learning ethos, informed by excellent
scholarship and research. The School
is very pleased with the results of the
Research Assessment Exercise 2008,
which identified research that was
world leading and internationally
excellent in our submission.
Researchers within the School have
been encouraged to apply to external
funding agencies, with successes.
Most recently, Pauline Foster was
awarded £56,000 from Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC) for
her work on Native-like Selection in
Second Language Acquisition.
We are intending to take on the editing
of The Cambridge Edition of the
Works of Joseph Conrad from Kent
State University, Ohio – one of many
successful literary research projects.
When it comes to the performing arts,
the School is highly active on the
London creative scene for artistic
production and performance. Ian
Hughes of the Drama Programme is
playing John Gummer in Margaret on
BBC TV – a two hour special drama
on Margaret Thatcher’s last days in
office. He will be featured alongside
a cast that includes Edward Fox.
Trevor Walker, Deputy Head of
School and Academic Director of
Drama Programmes, presented
Cancer Tales at the Royal Society
of Medicine in October. He was also
part of the after-show discussion
panel with Anna Ford, Jed Mercurio
(writer of TV series Bodies) and writer
Nell Dunn. Matthew Hahn has been
working overseas in South Africa on
his own project, Robben Island. This
hinges on the true story of the prisoners
of Robben Island – including Nelson
Mandela – and their affection for a
smuggled copy of The Complete
Works of Shakespeare.
Through partnerships with Richmond
Theatre and Richmond Council’s
Dramatic Edge, the Drama Programme
has developed its engagement with
the local community. Mark Griffin’s
Applied Theatre students delivered
drama workshops to most of
Richmond’s schools in a project,
culminating in a large-scale community
play at Ham House. Mark Griffin and
Matthew Hahn also visited Malawi
to give drama workshops, and to
cement a partnership with Theatre
for A Change, a charity funded by
Christian Aid and the Department
for International Development.
The School is always exploring
ways to participate in knowledge
transfer. Carol Murphy of the
Sociology and Cultural Studies
programmes has recently been
commissioned to design and
implement a research project for
the Richmond Housing Partnership.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk

A third year Sport Science
student measuring blood
lactate from an exercise test
School of Human Sciences
In 2007–08, two new, vocationally
linked Honours Degrees were introduced
together with a new Continuing
Professional Development (CPD)
related Masters Degree.
A key feature of the
School is its strong
links with professional
bodies, industry,
commerce and
wider society.
Learning and Teaching Development
From Foundation and Short Course
level through to Honours and Masters
Degrees, the School has continued
to offer a wide range of programmes
and taught degrees. An important
part of this portfolio is the link with
careers and their relevant professional
bodies. In 2007–08, two new,
vocationally linked Honours Degrees
were introduced together with a new
Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) related Masters Degree. For
the first time this year, the BSc degrees
in Strength and Conditioning Science
and Sports Coaching Science and
the MSc in Sport and Exercise
Rehabilitation successfully recruited
students.
The School was also successful in
its application to the South London
Lifelong Learning Network for project
funds and Additional Student Numbers
(ASNs). This led to the redevelopment
of the Foundation Degree FdSc in
Sport Health and Fitness so that it
more closely matches the needs of
local vocational learners.
Research and Knowledge Transfer
A major part of the academic activity
of the School is geared towards
developing and maintaining
relationships with industry, commerce
and wider society. Research and
knowledge transfer activity is delivered
through school ‘Centres’, each one
responding to regional and national
needs in the subject areas
of sport, health and exercise.
During 2007–08, plans were drawn
up for the establishment of a Centre
for Applied Sport and Exercise
Sciences (CASES) and a Centre for
Applied Sports Medicine (CASM)
based on engagement levels with a
range of external clients, including
RFU, Quins RL, Royal Yachting
Association and Watford Football
Club amongst others.
Finally, the Centre for Workplace
Health (CWPH), established in
2005, has continued to research,
design and deliver health promotion
interventions in a range of workplaces
across public and private sector
organisations. It has successfully built
on work carried out in previous years
with Newham University Hospital
Trust, Carphone Warehouse, Sport
England, Sainsbury’s, Transport for
London and the London Development
Agency among others. 2007–08
saw the CWPH working with NHS
organisations (including Harrow
Primary Care Trust) and the Royal
Institute of Public Health.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk

School of Management
and Business Enterprise
Over 150 students from across a range
of degree programmes undertook
accredited part-time placements during
this year.
2007–08 marked
a period of further
expansion and
development for
the School of
Management and
Business Enterprise.
This year the School continued to
develop a range of strategies aimed
at expanding its knowledge transfer
activities. The Institute of Leadership
and Management granted Centre
accreditation to the School for a
range of courses in the professional
development field. Programmes are
currently focused on coaching and
mentoring, business start-ups and
the management of volunteers.
This work complements the existing
MA in Charity Management, which
continues to recruit well in this
specialist area.
The School saw a number of new
developments in teaching and
learning, particularly around the use
of blended learning, which was well
received by the student cohorts. The
commitment to teaching and learning
innovation was recognised during
2007–08, with a member of the
School being awarded the St Henry
Walpole Prize for excellence.
The Centre for Workplace Learning
offered over 150 students from across
a range of degree programmes the
opportunity to undertake accredited
part-time placements during this year.
Students carried out their placements
in a variety of organisations, including
schools, charities, banks, airlines and
local authorities. The placement
experience gives students the
opportunity to apply theory in a
practical setting, to enhance their
transferable and interpersonal skills
and to test possible career
opportunities.
Recruitment to undergraduate
and postgraduate programmes
remained strong, with new curriculum
developments being planned at
each level. The Psychology team
successfully introduced a new
Foundation Degree in Psychology
and Counselling during the year and
aim to commence delivery in
February 2009.
The School is committed to its
clear mission focus and has seen a
broadening of its curriculum offering
in recent years. Within this context,
the decision was taken to adopt a
new title for the forthcoming academic
year. The School of Management and
Social Sciences aims to build on the
achievements to date and develop
an innovative range of programmes
for the future. 2008–09 certainly
promises to be a significant period
for the School.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
10
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
11

School of Theology,
Philosophy, and History
In the recent Research
Assessment Exercise, world
leading and internationally
excellent contributions
established St Mary’s
as the clear sector leader
among Church colleges.
St Mary’s has also
hosted gatherings on
The Legacy of John
Paul II and the first
National Conference
of Catholics in
Healthcare.
The School of Theology, Philosophy,
and History continued to thrive in
2008. In the recent Research
Assessment Exercise, world leading
and internationally excellent
contributions established St Mary’s
as the clear sector leader among
Church colleges for research in
Theology and related disciplines.
This has been achieved whilst
maintaining its enviable teaching
reputation and its commitment to
the Common Good.
At undergraduate level, the development
of new courses that widen access
to Higher Education has continued
with the successful launch of a new
Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry.
Further agreements sealed in 2008
with St John’s Seminary, Wonersh
and Wesley College near Bristol,
testify to the growing reputation of
St Mary’s in the field. Meanwhile,
innovative provision of Single Honours
Philosophy has been agreed and
teaching links have been forged
between historians at St Mary’s,
Strawberry Hill and at De Sales
University, Pennsylvania.
At postgraduate level the MAs in
Pastoral Theology, Bioethics and
Catholic School Leadership go from
strength to strength. New extra-mural
centres have been established to
broaden educational opportunity.
Alongside online provision, the team
have boosted postgraduate student
numbers beyond 250. St Mary’s has
also hosted gatherings on The Legacy
of John Paul II and the first National
Conference of Catholics in Healthcare.
The year also saw landmark personal
moments with Alan Murphy earning the
St Henry Walpole Prize for Teaching
and Learning and Professor Gerald
O’Collins completing his fiftieth book.
In terms of public impact, it was
encouraging that at the climax of
the Autumn debates on the Human
Fertilization and Embryology Act, the
expert work of Professor David Jones
and St Mary’s University College was
specifically mentioned in both Houses
of Parliament. Finally, due to such
expanding research and consultancy
work, a busy year culminated in the
launch of the Centre for Bioethics and
Emerging Technologies (CBET).
CBET’s Professor Geoff Hunt is a
recipient of European ‘FP7’ funding –
a notable first for St Mary’s and
the School which augurs well for
our future.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
St Mary’s University College Annual Report 2008
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13

Information Services and Systems
There has been a marked increase in
the use of ‘blended learning’ in teaching
and learning at St Mary’s which has
been a priority area for development.
The Director of
Information Services
and Systems
examines the widereaching
merits of
‘blended learning’.
Since last year, it has been most
encouraging and exciting to report
on a marked increase in the use of
‘blended learning’ in teaching and
learning at St Mary’s which has been
a priority area for development.
At St Mary’s we see blended learning
as “a pedagogical approach to enrich
and facilitate the student learning
experience. This encompasses a
range of technologies, delivery
modes and learning methodologies
to ensure that the process is
interactive, learner orientated,
fit for purpose and accessible”.
Put simply – it is about using a
range of teaching methods such as
e-learning, interactive whiteboards
and face-to-face lectures in
course delivery.
Student feedback has clearly
highlighted the obvious benefits of
blended learning. Some students
like the convenience of accessing
lecture materials online with
PowerPoint slides or podcasts, while
others enjoy sharing thoughts and
ideas with their peers in discussion
threads and chat rooms. It is clear
that others appreciate interactive
content, such as online assessments,
to test and consolidate their learning.
The advantages of blended learning
are perhaps greatest for those
juggling academic study with other
commitments, such as work or family.
Specific related projects this year
have included the use of Lifelong
Learning Network funding (LLN) to
support the development of online
content for two Foundation Degree
programmes. There have been similar
developments in the work of other
programmes, such as the MA in
Catholic School Leadership, which
has been offered in dual mode,
on-campus or by distance learning,
with high rates of take-up and student
satisfaction for several years.
Our initial research suggests that
blended learning may play a positive
role in St Mary’s, helping retain students
who might otherwise withdraw from
study. But what do the staff think
about it? With improved training and
the showcasing of good practice in
this new teaching method, we are
pleased to report a general increase
in awareness and wider use of
‘St Mary’s Online’ to support student
learning, achievement and progression.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
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Twickenham London
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15

A third year student reading
at Mass in the University
College Chapel
Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy
looks at how it has
encouraged initiative
and creativity in the
University College
community.
At the heart of St Mary’s lies the
Chaplaincy team. They provide a
focus for the community life of the
University College, offering pastoral
care and support for all the staff and
students. As the University College
has a Roman Catholic ethos, Mass
is celebrated on campus each day,
and throughout the academic year
a Meditation group meets every week
in the Crypt.
2008 has certainly been a busy
and productive year for us. The
students attended a Lenten retreat
at Cumberland Lodge, Great Windsor
Park, to enjoy a weekend of selfexploration,
prayer and reflection
on the Easter Gospels. The retreat
concluded with a service in the private
Royal Chapel in the presence of the
Queen and Prince Philip.
As always, one of our ongoing goals
with the students is to raise funds for
worthwhile causes. The Chaplaincy
facilitates outreach programmes,
which continue to flourish as students
get involved with local and national
voluntary organisations. Our Annual
Carol Singing Appeal raised £5,000
and the money was given to children’s
charities at Christmas. In addition, the
Simms Lourdes group successfully
collected enough funds to sponsor
children with physical and learning
difficulties. They had an unforgettable
time travelling with the Pilgrimage
Trust (HCPT) to Lourdes at Easter.
Throughout the academic year the
Chaplaincy team has been keen to
nurture the talent within our students,
tapping into their creative energy
whilst encouraging initiative. We
believe that, by building close working
relationships with others, the students
will strengthen our own community
and openly reach out to the wider
community, the hope being that we
can all make a difference in the short
and long term.
“ Young people are, and ought to
be, encouraged to be active on
behalf of the Church as leading
characters in evangelisation
and participants in the renewal
of society”
Pope John Paul II
The Vocation and Mission of Lay Faithful
in the Church and in the World, 1998 para 46
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
St Mary’s University College Annual Report 2008
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Twickenham London
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Steph Twell second year
Strength and Conditioning
Science student – World
Junior 1500m title holder
Sport at St Mary’s
Eight athletes from the St Mary’s
High Performance Centre were in
the GB team at the 2008 Olympics.
At the end of a very
successful year
for sport, we were
well represented by
students past and
present at the Beijing
Olympic Games.
Eight athletes from the St Mary’s
High Performance Centre were in the
GB team: Andy Baddeley (1500m),
Mo Farah (5,000m), Jo Pavey
(10,000/5,000m), Steph Twell
(1500m), Kate Reed (10,000m),
Susan Scott (1500m), Mara Yamauchi
(marathon) and Jemma Simpson
(800m), along with former student
Nicola Sanders in the 400m.
They were joined by former St Mary’s
students Rebecca Romero (cycling),
Matt Wells (Rowing), James Tindall
(Hockey) and Harry Aikines-Aryeety
(4x100m relay). Rebecca won a
magnificent Gold to go with her two
World Championship titles and Matt
Wells gained a commendable Bronze
medal in the double sculls. In athletics,
Mara Yamauchi had a strong run to
finish sixth in the marathon, while
Andy Baddeley, Jo Pavey and Nicola
Sanders all made finals. Steph Twell
had a very good run following her
capture of the World Junior 1500m
title in Poland but just missed out on
a place in the final.
St Mary’s based coaches Mark
Rowland and Mick Woods both went
to Beijing and Mick was subsequently
voted England Athletics Coach of the
Year. In addition, Professor Dick
Fisher represented London at the
British Embassy for the launch of the
Pre-Games Training Camps for 2012.
St Mary’s also had notable student
sporting achievements with the
athletics club leading the way. The
squad won the overall title at the
BUCS Cross Country Championships
with Steph Twell and Andy Vernon
taking individual titles. At the
World University Cross Country
Championships Faye Fullerton won
individual Gold and secured victory
for the GB women’s team, while Andy
Vernon and Keith Gerrard were the
first two finishers for the men’s team
which took Silver. The men’s rugby
union club won the prestigious
Middlesex Club Sevens beating
Rosslyn Park in the final by 38-17.
The St Mary’s Classic provided an
outstanding evening of athletics
involving 144 Primary and Secondary
School pupils, national teams from
England, Scotland and Wales and
a number of top junior and senior
runners from across the UK.
Locally St Mary’s provided sports
programmes for every Primary and
Secondary school in both Richmond
and Hounslow and more than 35
professional and community clubs
trained or played at the University
College. Also very successful was
the Simmsport programme for 150
local children in gymnastics, athletics
and football.
Other highlights included hosting
a Youth Sports Trust Regional
Multi-Skill Academy for gifted and
talented young people and an
‘Explore the future of sport: 2012’
day in collaboration with Aimhigher
and Podium.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
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St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
19

St Henry Walpole Prize Winners
The Service Learning
module takes the
prize for creating
undergraduate
work placement
opportunities within
the local community.
The Principal with Liz Coombs
and Alan Murphy
In keeping with our mission to
‘engage with the wider community …
and to develop students’ ‘academic,
professional, moral, physical and
spiritual potential’, St Mary’s has
always supported volunteering in
the local community.
Liz Coombs, Director of the Centre for
Workplace Learning, was presented
with the prize for her work on the
Service Learning Module, which
harnesses our tradition of community
involvement and incorporates it
within the existing academic
framework. The module requires
students to undertake a practical
work placement in a not-for-profit
organisation. By combining theory
and practice the module enables
students to develop their awareness
and understanding of community
and their role within it, and to enhance
their skills and employability through
a process of practical application
and reflection.
Through this distinctive experiential
learning opportunity, Service Learning
encourages social responsibility.
Students get involved in active
citizenship, and can see for themselves
how their skills and talents make
an important contribution to their
communities. They then view service
to the community, not as just a oneoff
act performed while at university,
but as a lifelong commitment one they
can continue both to give to and
benefit from, for the rest of their lives,
whatever their chosen career path.
This year, Liz’s presentation for the
Walpole Prize concentrated on the
positive impact Service Learning has
on the students. It is heartening to see
how organisations and the people
served by them have benefited
from our students coming in as
extra volunteers, equipped with
plenty of enthusiasm, dedication
and knowledge.
Perhaps the greatest impact of
Service Learning has been on the way
that students view their own futures:
“ Undertaking this module has
given me a greater appreciation
of the value of ‘job satisfaction’.
I am now even more certain that
I want to find a job that satisfies
me emotionally and intellectually
as well as financially. Of course,
financial security is important,
but I am convinced that a
fulfilling life requires something
more and deeper.”
Level 2 student, 2006
Alan Murphy, Programme Director of
the MA in Catholic School Leadership
received the award for developing a
distance learning course through
innovative use of ‘St Mary’s Online’.
This MA is the only programme of
its kind in the UK that meets the
distinctive needs of leaders who
work within all phases of Catholic
education. It gives these school
leaders, at every level, access to the
course through a variety of modes of
study, including full distance learning.
The main challenge that Alan faced
when developing the full distance
learning mode was to make sure
that ‘independent learners’ did not
become ‘isolated learners’. St Mary’s
Online provided the solution, by
allowing students to be brought
together inside one virtual learning
community.
A prime example of this is shown
by one of our students, based in a
Catholic school in Malta, who has
been able to discuss the principles
and practice of Catholic education –
not just with fellow learners based
on the St Mary’s campus, but with
those based in centres in the north
of England and Wales, as well as
with other distance learners across
the UK. St Mary’s Online also makes
available a wide range of relevant
literature sources and direct access
to key websites.
Assessment of the frequency and
quality of contributions to the online
discussions was introduced in 2007.
The aim of it was to reward those
who respond to the learning
opportunities offered. Tracking tools
within St Mary’s Online allow tutors
to monitor the activity of students.
This data also shows that in 2007–08
one module alone received over
30,000 hits!
“St Mary’s Online allows students to be brought
together inside one virtual learning community.”
Alan Murphy
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
St Mary’s University College Annual Report 2008
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Twickenham London
www.smuc.ac.uk
21

Honorary Fellowships 2008
Estates
Three new Honorary
Fellows.
Rt Rev Edwin Regan, receiving
Honorary Fellowship Award
from Bishop George Stack
Honorary Fellowships of the University
College are conferred on people
eminent in their chosen field who have
made an outstanding contribution to
society. Fellowships for 2008 were
awarded at the University College’s
Annual Awards Dinner in February to
Rt Rev Edwin Regan, The Religious of
the Assumption and Ms Anji Phillips.
Rt Rev Edwin Regan, Bishop of
Wrexham, has been President of the
National Board of Religious Inspectors
and Advisors for a number of years.
He has been centrally involved in the
development of policy on Catholic
education as a trustee of the Catholic
Education Service.
Education for the fulfilment of the
individual in the service of society is
the heart of the work of the Religious
of the Assumption. The conferment of
an Honorary Fellowship is recognition
of the close links with St Mary’s, in a
year of great celebration for the
Religious of the Assumption with the
canonisation of Mother Marie Eugenie
in June 2007.
Anji Phillips was Director of Education
and Children’s Services, London
Borough of Richmond upon Thames
until Spring 2008. The Borough
achieved an outstanding judgment in
2007 from Ofsted in the Joint Area
Review, and under Anji’s directorship
a strong partnership model has
been developed which has brought
St Mary’s into closer working with
Richmond upon Thames.
2008 saw major
investment combined
with Campus Care
improvements.
Newly refurbished refectory
The development of the estate in
2008 has revolved around the aims of
the 2008–12 Corporate Plan Strategic
Aim, namely improving the range and
quality of facilities.
This started at the beginning of the
year, with the opening of the new
servery and kitchen. After the
expanded and refurbished dining
area also opened (at the start of the
2007–08 academic year), the whole
project was finally complete. What
followed in the Spring was the formal
opening of the Shannon Conference
Suite, bringing the £4 million project
in on time and within budget.
Since this project, our focus has
shifted to a range of smaller ventures.
A programme of classroom
refurbishment and redecoration
was undertaken in the summer,
and the all-weather playing surface
was relaid at Teddington Lock.
The Learning Resources Centre
was refurbished following flood
damage, and a new training pitch
was reinstated adjacent to the
athletics track.
The new Director of Estates Strategy
and Projects, Andy Wright, joined in
the Summer. Since then, he has
focussed on a range of areas. These
include: finalising the new estates
strategy for the period up to 2012;
refining the Stock Condition Survey
into a Planned Maintenance Schedule
of Works totalling £4 million over
the next four years; developing
projects on additional tutor office
accommodation, and a new
110-seater lecture space.
Our £9.25 million sports facility
project is completely designed, and
has been submitted for planning
permission. Not only has the
University College community given
its endorsement, but so too have a
range of external agencies. These
include the English Institute of Sport
and UK Athletics alongside local
community users, together with
local residents and schools, as
recognised by the Borough Sports
and Education Services.
Sustainability has also been a key
area of development, including
energy management, green travel
and recycling.
Following the leasing of Walpole
House to Strawberry Hill Trust, the
University College has been working
alongside the Trust as it undertakes
the £10 million restoration. We are
pleased to report that significant
progress on the internal works has
been made over 2008.
After such good progress throughout
2008, our main priorities going
forward are now effective space
management, the Sports Block
project and the major planned
maintenance works.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk 22
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
23

Student Services
The recent student
satisfaction survey
has shown a high
level of appreciation
with every area of
Student Services.
Issues of student engagement and
entitlement came to the fore this year.
The Director, working closely with
colleagues from across the University
College, published a brand new,
revised Student Charter. A number of
smaller projects, supported from the
Director’s office, also encouraged the
development of enhanced services to
students.
The Disability Forum is now firmly
established in the calendar. Engagement
with a range of external professional
organisations also continues –
in particular the Higher Education
Academy Equality and Diversity Unit.
The overall trend in student
employability is very good. 96.9%
of the 2007 graduates contacted
six months after graduating, who were
available for work, confirmed they
were either employed, or in further
study, or a combination of both.
The number of those in graduate level
work rose by 3% compared to 2006.
The Careers Service is firmly embedded
within many academic programmes.
The biannual Careers Board Forum,
consisting of representatives from
the programmes, now advises on
operational issues.
Importantly, feedback confirms that
the service contributes directly to
students’ transition into work or
further study and helps add value to
the student experience as a whole.
The Careers team worked with
academic programmes and
employers to produce a series
of employability events. Record
numbers attended the Teaching
Appointments Fair. The service
also helped develop work placement
opportunities and published a series
of career-oriented booklets.
This year, the Academic Board
approved the Employability Policy and
action plan – developed jointly with
the Centre for Workplace Learning.
96.9% of the 2007 graduates contacted
six months after graduating, who were available
for work, confirmed they were either employed
or in further study – or a combination of both.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
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St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
25

The University Centre education for Bioethics
and in a collegial Emerging environment Technologies
In 2008, St Mary’s
University College
launched a new
centre for research,
teaching, and
dialogue.
The Centre for Bioethics and
Emerging Technologies (CBET)
focuses on the ethical and social
implications of medicine and of new
technologies such as nanotechnology.
It has six residential staff:
Professor David Albert Jones,
Director of CBET, is also Programme
Director of the MA in Bioethics. His
research focuses on public policy and
he frequently engages with national
and parliamentary debates on
bioethical issues.
Professor Geoff Hunt, a philosopher
and an international expert in the
ethics of emerging technologies, is
involved in two European-funded
projects. He has come to St Mary’s
from the University of Surrey.
Professor Mary Grey, a worldrenowned
theologian, has worked
unceasingly to promote interest in
ecology, feminism and conflict
resolution. She brings a global
and environmental perspective
to the centre.
Dr Wendy Hiscox, a medical lawyer
with a PhD from Cambridge University,
brings legal expertise essential in
this area.
Dr Trevor Stammers, a medical doctor,
divides his time between general
practice and working at St Mary’s.
He has advised professional bodies
at a national level on public and sexual
health issues.
Mr Malcolm Britton provides CBET
with dedicated administrative support.
CBET has an Advisory Board
including scientists and physicians
from throughout the United Kingdom.
It also makes an important link
with the National Physical Laboratory
in Teddington and has an International
Council including academics from
Belgium, Germany, Moscow, the
United States, Mexico, Canada,
China and Japan.
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
St Mary’s University College
Annual Report 2008
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Twickenham London
www.smuc.ac.uk 27

Children of these Maasai men
from northern Tanzania will
benefit from the schools that
SHOCC is helping to finance in
the Moshi area
Strawberry Hill Overseas and
Community Concern
SHOCC has raised over £250,000 for
over 100 projects in 35 countries since
its inception.
This year, SHOCC
attained full charity
status and widened
its scope to include
charitable work in
the UK and the local
community.
Back in 1971, when St Mary’s was
about a quarter of its present size, a
group of staff started Strawberry Hill
Overseas Concern (SHOC). Since then
the charity has raised over £250,000
for over one hundred projects in thirtyfive
countries. It has provided funding
for schools in Ghana, Kenya and
Peru, helped a HIV/AIDS hospice
in Guatemala and has acted as an
advice centre for students wishing
to work overseas.
Most of the funding SHOCC receives
will continue to come from staff and
students, both present and past.
However, because it is now a
recognised charity, it can bid for
support from grant awarding bodies.
Another source of funding is
sponsorship. Everyone at St Mary’s
is being encouraged to consider
SHOCC when taking part in events
such as the London Marathon, or
even cycling across America!
2008 marked some major developments
for the charity. Not only has it added
another ‘C’ to its name for ‘Community’,
it has also widened its remit to include
charitable work in the UK, in particular,
with its local community. It has also
attained full charity status, a Board of
Trustees and representatives from
departments across the University
College. SHOCC was officially launched
at this year’s Academic Mass and
events during that week publicised
its aims to staff and students.
SHOCC’s goals for 2009 are to
expand on what it has been doing
outside the UK and to develop its
links with local charities. So it will
continue to support Proyecto Vida
in Guatemala and schools in Ghana,
Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and
Zimbabwe, but as well as these,
SHOCC will work closer to home
with organisations such as the Roy
Kinnear Trust, the Shooting Star Trust
and other local and national charities.
A recent graduate, Claire Kiely
(2005–08), is currently employed
overseas for a year as a volunteer
doing invaluable work at the Katin
Aran Children’s Centre in the
Philippines as an Associate of the
Missionaries of the Assumption. We
are hopeful that other students will
follow her example and take up
opportunities at organisations such
as the Roy Kinnear Centre across
the road from St Mary’s.
Further details are on the
University College website
www.smuc.ac.uk/shocc
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk 28
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
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29

Board of Governors,
Student and Staff Numbers
Finances
The members who served on the Board
of Governors as at 31 July 2008
Student Numbers
Income 2008
Total: £29,042,000
Income 2007
Total: £26,042,000
Ms J Beedham 4
Ms C Brett 4, 6
Ms F Burns 5, 9, 11
Mr A Carey 1, 2, 8
Dr M Eaton
Mr M Fry 10
Mrs J Hamer 1
Cllr E Jaeger 3
Dr R Kaczmarski 1
Mr P Keech 4
Mr D Kennedy , 4, 8
Professor H Michels , 3
Dr A Naylor , 3, 4, 6, 7
Fr M Noonan CM
Mr P Pledger
Professor B Robinson 10
Ms O Stannard – Vice Chair , 7, 8, 9
Mr S Uttley 9
Mr T Walker 10
Mr J Walsh
Dr T Walsh 1
Professor B Weiss , 5, 8
Foundation Degrees
Undergraduate
PGCEs
Masters
MPhil/PhD
Total 3,424
Short Courses
35
Total Student FTE 3,659
Staffing
Full and part time 443
15,000
12,000
9,000
6,000
3,000
0
Expenditure 2008
Total: £27,692,000
15,000
14,932
Funding
Councils
8,505
Fees
389
Research
Grants
4,251
Residences
Catering
965
Other
15,000
12,000
9,000
6,000
3,000
0
Funding
Councils
Fees
Expenditure 2007
Total: £25,025,000
15,000
13,965
6,900
268
Research
Grants
4,368
Residences
Catering
541
Other
1. Audit Committee
2. Chairs Committee
12,000
11,557
12,000
11,014
3. Estates Committee
4. Finance and Staffing Committee
5. Health and Safety Committee
6. Honorary Fellowship Committee
7. Nominations Committee
8. Remuneration Committee
9. Student Services Committee
9,000
6,000
3,000
1,801
4,225 3,410
6,699
9,000
6,000
3,000
1,767
3,571
3,935
4,738
10. Staff Governor
11. Student Governor
0
Academic
Academic
Support
Residences
Catering
Premises
Admin
0
Academic
Academic
Support
Residences
Catering
Premises
Admin
Surplus for year £1,350K (2006: £1,017K)
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
St Mary’s University College Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk 30
Twickenham London
www.smuc.ac.uk
31

St Mary’s University College
Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill
Twickenham TW1 4SX
Tel. 020 8240 4000
Fax. 020 8240 4255
www.smuc.ac.uk
marketing@smuc.ac.uk
St Mary’s University College
Twickenham London
Annual Report 2008
www.smuc.ac.uk
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32