Dfe Demands T-Levels Delivered for 20 Years

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Sixth form staff march across Westminster Fraser Whieldon Yasemin Craggs REPORTER Mersinoglu to protest for fairer college funding @FRASERWHIELDON REPORTER Page 4 [email protected] @YASEMIN_CM [email protected] 'Worryingly low' number of BAME FE leaders to be tackled with new scheme Simon Kay DESIGNER Page 6

[email protected] ? More UTCs to recruit from year 7 as trust softens stance on entry age THE TEAM Page 6

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BILLY CAMDEN “The employer does not adequately “Of the apprentices who are past [email protected] release apprentices to complete their planned end date, most of those off-the-job training or provide who need to achieve functional skills apprentices with a workplace qualifications in English and maths A new provider that trains nearly supervisor,” inspectors said. have not done so,” they added. 500 apprentices for a “world leading” “Therefore, too few apprentices At the time of the monitoring visit, security company has been rapped by develop significant new knowledge, EGS trained 499 apprentices based in Ofsted. skills and behaviours.” locations around the country for G4S. Inspectors listed a catalogue of Supervisors are “too often based Over two thirds of the apprentices issues with the training delivered by in different locations” meaning are studying the level 2 customer EGS Nationwide Limited, which was the majority of apprentices “do not service standard, while just over a found making ‘insufficient progress’ receive first-hand feedback on their quarter are studying the level 3 team in two areas of an early monitoring progress in the workplace and cannot leader. The remainder are studying report. access the support that they need to the level 3 business administrator The sole employer it works with achieve their goals”. standard. is G4S Care & Justice Services (UK), Ofsted also found that around A spokesperson for EGS said the which was itself branded ‘inadequate’ a fifth of apprentices should have organisation “remains committed” place to make sure programmes are EGS was found making ‘reasonable across the board by the education completed their programme by now to delivering apprenticeships and delivered to our own high standards”. progress’ in safeguarding, an area watchdog in a 2013 inspection. It but cannot progress to their end- is “working with both Ofsted and “We are working closely with which Ofsted said is given a “high later had its own government skills point assessment because of leaders’ employers to ensure findings are EGS to support them in acting on priority”. contracts terminated. poor arrangements. addressed”. the recommendations made by this Any provider found making It appears that G4S is continuing to Inspectors said that leaders “do Tony Summers, head of inspection,” he added. ‘insufficient progress’ in an early let its trainees down, after Ofsted said not have adequate oversight of apprenticeships for G4S in the UK, Ofsted did praise EGS leaders monitoring report is usually in today’s report that leaders at EGS apprenticeship provision” and they said the employer works “hard” to for using their “knowledge of suspended from recruiting “do not take enough steps to ensure “do not measure progress to identify ensure staff get the “internal support the security industry to plan the apprentices until it improves to at least that the employer fulfils its obligation the necessary steps for apprentices to they need to further develop their curriculum to meet the employer’s ‘requires improvement’ in a full Ofsted to apprentices”. complete their programme on time”. skills and we have processes in training needs”. inspection.

make our colleges such an amazing Colleges Week proves there’s success.” IMPROVED OFFER Many Twitter users responded to a a whole lotta love out there call out to #makeasongFE. Rhian Short, marketing and communications manager at the YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU by the Association of Colleges, the Learning and Work Institute, started [email protected] week of activity is part of the Love the trend off with ‘Oh what a night Our Colleges campaign. It is used to school’. demonstrate why investment in the Other suggestions included the Thousands of students, staff and people sector must be sustainable. reimaging of Robyn’s ‘Dancing on my who love colleges across the country A march on parliament was the (adult learning) loan,’ Stevie Wonder signed pledge cards and handed them centre-piece of the inaugural campaign classic ‘Isn’t FE Lovely’ and the Spice golD to their local MP to mark this year’s in 2018 and appeared to make a Girls’ ‘2 Become 1’ being proposed in Colleges Week. difference after the Treasury announced reference to area reviews. Membership Members of Parliament were asked a £400 million funding boost in August. Trade union UNISON also joined to commit to writing to the chancellor Social media was where support in the fun with an adaptation of Rage Gold Membership | £399 per annum to ask him to include a long-term for the campaign was most visible this Against the Machine’s Christmas funding plan for colleges in the next year, with multiple ministers expressing number one ‘Skilling In The Name Of.’ An FE Week Gold Membership is the ultimate way to ensure comprehensive spending review, ask their support, and colleges sharing their AoC chief executive David Hughes that you and your colleagues a question in the Commons about FE achievements. said: “Colleges Week 2019 has been are always fully briefed and ahead of the game, plus funding, and to go and “see the life- On Monday, the Department for another great example of colleges you’ll have access to great changing work that colleges do every Education tweeted a video of education proudly showing the impact they have discounts on all our events day”. secretary Gavin Williamson from his on our society. and conferences! Now in its second year and organised visit to Exeter College the week before. “I’m really pleased with how the “It’s really week has gone – following the hashtag • 4 DIGITAL EDITION important that alone has introduced me to hundreds LICENSES we celebrate of student stories, staff passionately • FREE GOODIE BAG everything that’s describing the work they do, events done in our with employers and students signing • GENEROUS EVENT colleges,” he said. pledge cards. DISCOUNTS “Not just about “The key message behind the week what the students is that colleges are vital to every are doing there, community, to millions of people, to but of course also communities and to the labour market. the teachers and They need to be supported and invested To make a request for a gold membership, the lecturers and in, and now that we have raised the Macclesfied College celebrating Colleges Week email [email protected] all those who profile I am sure that will happen.” 4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK News AQA to pay out £1.1m for ‘serious breaches’ on exam re-marks

PIPPA ALLEN-KINROSS entry qualifications and the relatively paper being reviewed by the senior [email protected] small size of some marking and review examiner who originally marked it”. panels”. It said AQA had not ensured its “But reviews should always be carried workforce was of “appropriate size and out by a fresh pair of eyes and we’re AQA has been fined £350,000 – the competence” to manage risks. sorry that, for a small proportion in the largest ever handed out by Ofqual – and It added there was “no evidence” past, this wasn’t the case.” will compensate schools and colleges to show any learners or centres had The £350,000 fine is the largest by £740,000 after “serious breaches” of received the wrong outcome, but said ever handed out by Ofqual. The second rules over re-marks. the issues were “serious breaches” of largest fine handed out is believed to The exam board failed to ensure conditions that are “integral to the be the £175,000 exam board OCR was re-marks and moderation were not effectiveness and purpose of the system ordered to pay last year for a blunder carried out by the original marker, nor of reviewing marking and moderation”. involving a Romeo and Juliet question. by someone with no personal interest “The failures therefore have the Separately, AQA has also this week in the outcome. potential to seriously undermine public been handed a £50,000 penalty because Ofqual said around 50,000 re-marks confidence in the review of marking, its marking scheme for its A-level manage the incident appropriately at in 2016 and 2017. or moderations were affected, equating moderation and appeals system, and the French exam in 2018 was “not fit for first. Ofqual said the exam board had to around 7 per cent of all re-marks qualifications system more generally”. purpose”. Bedlow accepted the mark scheme failed to notify it of the incidents despite carried out by the exam board each Ofqual said the re-mark issues Ofqual said the French mark scheme was “too prescriptive”, and said affected having reason to believe they could year. spanned 2016, 2017 and 2018. Although did not take into account all evidence learners received the “extra marks they result in an adverse effect. AQA said around 3,000 centres were the majority of the re-marks affected or allow for the level of attainment deserved”. Ofqual only discovered the problem affected and will receive between £110 (93 per cent) involved individual, demonstrated by some students to be At the start of September, AQA’s chief in September 2018, when it undertook and £440 in compensation. AQA could anonymised answers, 7 per cent reflected in their marks. executive Toby Salt stepped down after a review of AQA’s appeals process not provide a numbers breakdown by involved reviews of whole exam scripts. This affected “a small number” of two years in the role, citing health and and discovered some re-marks and schools, sixth form colleges and general Mark Bedlow, AQA’s interim chief students’ university choices, but AQA family reasons. moderation had been carried out by FE colleges. executive, said the problem was a did liaise with UCAS and universities to AQA failed to spot re-mark issue the same person who conducted the Ofqual said the issue with the “past technical issue” that has now ensure no one missed out on a place as AQA’s response to the re-mark issue initial marking or moderation, and re-marks was a result of “failings in been resolved, and insisted in the “vast a result. has also been criticised, after it emerged asked AQA to investigate further. AQA AQA’s online marking system, the majority of cases” it involved “one It also said AQA missed opportunities the exam board had been alerted to two formally notified it of a potential breach limited availability of reviewers in low isolated, anonymised answer from a to identify the problem and did not incidents of this nature through appeals in November. Union presents £700m sixth form college invoice to DfE after march across Westminster

FRASER WHIELDON strike action today, staff turned up in “We want them to listen, and we “There are schools expanding their [email protected] their hundreds in Westminster to sign want them to act.” sixth form in Cambridgeshire, funded the invoice they say represented the NEU’s joint general secretary Kevin at almost £2,000 more per student funding shortfall for post-16 education. Courtney said he was “pleased” with than we are. “We want the Department for The strike was orchestrated by the the £400 million promised for 16 to 19 “We’ve had huge cuts in subjects,

Education to love our colleges” was National Education Union (NEU) and education by the Treasury in August, support staff have lost their jobs, we NEU joint general secretary Mary the message from sixth form staff joint general secretary Mary Bousted but “we just think there is another don’t have in-classroom support for Bousted (left) and NEU’s national executive member for post-16 Jean marching across Westminster to hand told the strikers: “We want the DfE and £700 million after that we are going to any learner with SEND anymore and Evanson (right) with the invoice at officials a £700 million invoice today. the government to love our colleges need to get from them”. it’s dramatically impacting on young the Department for Education After 25 colleges voted to take and value the essential work you do. Shadow FE minister Gordon people’s life choices.” Marsden had been due to speak, but NEU representative for City & lined the pavements by the entrance. had to pull out due to Brexit duties; Islington College Pippa Dodswell said While sixth form college staff but Labour MP and NEU member their support services, such as IT and participated in the strike, none of their Nic Dakin did attend, and said: “Keep HR, had been “absolutely decimated” principals was there in support. putting pressure on us in Parliament, and centralised following a merger The Sixth Form Colleges Association, because we need it. with Westminster Kingsway. which runs the Raise the Rate “I bang away week in and week out Manish Patel from The Sixth Form campaign calling for more 16 to 19 on 16 to 19 funding – I am a boring College Solihull said the funding cuts funding, said the leaders did not back record; I need more boring records to had led to “bigger classes, cuts in the the action as it would have disrupted get the message out.” arts and humanities and languages – teaching. The march set off from Sanctuary so it’s not equipping students for the Bill Watkin, chief executive of the Building, opposite the Home Office, 21st century economy”. SFCA, added that it was “important past the Houses of Parliament and When the march arrived outside the to note that this strike action is not then down to the DfE. DfE, Bousted and the NEU’s national targeted at the colleges”. Asked why she was out on strike, executive member for post-16 Jean The NEU is looking at further Niamh Sweeney from Long Road Sixth Evanson handed the invoice to a strike action on November 5 and The march passes the Houses of Parliament Form College in Cambridge answered: member of staff while the strikers November 20.

6 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK News ‘Worryingly low’ number of BAME FE leaders to be tackled with new scheme

BILLY CAMDEN BAME background. recent months to reverse this trend. seven coaching sessions over a number [email protected] Ali Hadawi, principal at Central Lord said the group is “beginning to of months in which candidates will be Bedfordshire College, welcomed the take shape” and its first meeting took trained to identify “some of their own ETF’s scheme, especially if it adopts a place in May. The AoC could not say who internal blocks to wanting to take steps Exclusive “two-pronged approach”. the members of the group are at this forward”. “If it has one on practitioners to stage. “Often, people from diverse A ‘Diversity in Leadership Programme’ support and nurture and another A £130,000 tender seeking a partner backgrounds feel the weight of society is to be launched, following analysis which has a targeted strand of work to implement and help design the saying they shouldn't be taking those published by FE Week which found just on governing bodies especially in Diversity in Leadership programme was positions and that gets internalised – so 7 per cent of college principals are Black, colleges that are about to recruit a new launched by the ETF last week. it is partly unpicking that, building up Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME). chief executive or deputy, to work with “The aim of this programme is to their leadership skills to make them feel The Education and Training governors (and especially chairs), then challenge bias, remove obstacles to confident to want to go forward,” Wright Foundation is aiming to roll out the it would be a good approach,” he told FE achieving leadership roles and to use said. scheme by Christmas. Week. tools such as coaching to motivate and He added that the diversity charter It will have four strands: unconscious Kirsti Lord, the Association of Colleges’ build confidence in aspiring leaders will be a significant part of the bias workshops; one-to-one coaching deputy chief executive, said the number across the sector so they can develop programme, which will be co-created Ali Hadawi for aspiring leaders; a diversity charter of diverse FE leaders is “worryingly low” sufficient leadership capacity to achieve with the whole FE sector. for the whole FE sector to sign up to; and and her organisation will work closely senior leadership roles,” it said. “FE doesn't have one as such, new toolkits. with the ETF “to increase the numbers A series of groups aimed at increasing Wright told FE Week that the although it is something that is quite The programme, which will be offered of BAME leaders so staff in further the number of ethnic minority college unconscious bias workshops were well developed in HE and in schools. free of charge, comes hot on the heels of education reflect the communities they bosses have ended in recent times. trialled earlier this year and will involve Although colleges are mindful of an FE Week investigation from July that serve”. This includes the disbanding of the one-day sessions aimed at team leaders, diversity there is not really that head found the number of colleges led by a Mark Wright, the ETF’s head of AoC’s BAME Principals’ Group in 2017, governors and senior HR practitioners of steam that would be created by a non-white principal has fallen to a low leadership development, added that the failed attempt to revive the Network in FE. diversity charter.” of 7 per cent. the diversity scheme is needed because for Black and Asian Professionals in “It is about getting the right people Wright was keen to stress that the And analysis of staff individualised “people from diverse backgrounds will 2016, and in 2015 the closure of the in the room who can make a difference Diversity in Leadership programme record data compiled by the ETF, naturally bring in thoughts and different Black Leadership Initiative, which was because they are the decision makers is not limited to people from BAME published last year, indicated that perspectives which helps break out of launched in 2002. across the organisation,” he explained. backgrounds. People of all genders, just 6.8 per cent of senior and middle the groupthinking that some colleges An equality and diversity steering The one-to-one mentoring side of sexuality and physical ability can sign managers in FE colleges hail from a have fallen into in the past”. group has been set up by the AoC in the programme will include around up. More UTCs to recruit from year 7 as trust softens stance on entry age

FREDDIE WHITTAKER But until recently the influential academy trust last year the UTC had changed the uniform, the whole [email protected] Baker Dearing Trust, which supports been running taster sessions for year model really.” the colleges, has vehemently opposed 4 and 5 pupils at nearby primary In Wolverhampton, recruitment at a change in entry age. schools and has had “real interest the West Midlands UTC was already Exclusive However, Simon Connell, the trust’s from parents”. starting to improve after Ofsted rated new chief executive, told FE Week last She admits that recruitment at it ‘good’ with some ‘outstanding’ Two more university technical month that it could be a “pragmatic 13 or 14 is “not a natural transition”, features last June. However, it is still colleges have ditched their 14 to solution” for colleges with low rolls. especially in Plymouth where parents only one-third full. 19-year-old intakes to recruit from A Baker Dearing Trust have a “quite traditional” approach Av Gill, West Midlands’ principal, 11, with predictions that many more spokesperson said it expects "many to education, and said the move to said he wanted to extend the UTC will follow. more UTCs to apply to extend their recruit students at 11 “will definitely so that more students could benefit UTCs in Plymouth and age range in 2021". support our financial survival”. from its offer. The struggle to recruit Wolverhampton have been granted "Baker Dearing is supportive of “It’s a difficult sell to say ‘actually at upper ages was not his “main Polly Lovell permission to open to 11-year-olds UTCs wanting to do this where it is you’re going to move after you’ve rationale”. from next September. appropriate," they added. made all your mates and got to know However, he acknowledged his Lovell acknowledges she will have to They join The Leigh UTC in Plymouth UTC, which has people in your year group’. Year 7 is student numbers would “definitely be make timetable changes and recruit Dartford, Kent, which opened a struggled with recruitment and much more of a natural move.” healthier moving forward” as a result. more staff with key stage 3 experience. feeder school on its site in 2017. standards since it opened in 2013, is Lovell said the UTC, which went “We were actually already seeing a There are also plans to build a new Other UTCs are expected to follow hoping the addition of year 7 and 8 into special measures in 2016 shortly pickup without [recruiting at year 7], games area, and a nearby mothballed suit. learners will improve its fortunes. after she took over, had been on “a probably because we had the Ofsted. building can be brought into use if Policy experts and ministers have The college already accepts year 9 really challenging journey”. I was expecting an uplift anyway, and numbers explode. long suggested the recruitment of students, but has only 150 pupils in “It was a long, hard battle of slowly I felt that would feed through.” West Midlands UTC will need younger students to solve the pupil total, although it has room for 650. changing pupils’ views of the Both UTCs will require some new buildings, Gill admits, but he recruitment crisis that has faced the Polly Lovell, its principal, said UTC,” she said. “We’ve changed changes in order to accept year 7s. said government funding would be UTC model since its inception. that since joining the Reach South the curriculum, the staffing, we’ve Plymouth UTC has the space, but available.

8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK News Colleges reach all-time high in Ofsted inspection ratings

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU the standards of our colleges are A total of 77 per cent of [email protected] continuing to rise,” Gavin Williamson colleges were found to be in the said after being shown FE Week’s inspectorate’s top two categories in analysis. 2015, when the current methodology Exclusive He described FE as a “vital” part of started to be used to calculate the the education system and expressed percentage of providers judged A record high proportion of Ofsted- his thanks to all lecturers, leaders and ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. inspected colleges are now rated ‘good’ support staff for their hard work. There are currently no general FE or ‘outstanding’, FE Week can reveal. colleges with Ofsted’s lowest grade Our analysis of inspection grades of ‘inadequate,’ matching the 0 per shows an impressive 78 per cent of all cent score of grade four ratings last general FE colleges have been placed “It is the highest year. in the top two categories as of August proportion since However, part of the reason for 31, 2019, up from 76 per cent in 2017/18. this is the mergers of poorly-rated It is the highest proportion since comparable colleges which have been carried comparable records began in 2015 out over the past two years. When and brings colleges within just three records began” two colleges merge, both have their percentage points of the FE and skills Ofsted grades wiped. sector average of 81 per cent. Between September 2015 and The achievement is set to feature FE Week’s analysis shows that March 2019 the Department for Nelson and Colne College also lost rolled out in September. in Ofsted’s chief inspector’s annual colleges have bounced back from a low Education carried out post-16 its grade one after a merger with “We are fully united in our drive to report in December, and has been of 69 per cent in 2017, after 71 per cent area reviews, which resulted in 57 Accrington and Rossendale College, ensure all young people can benefit praised by the education secretary. were graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by mergers by April 1, 2019. which was previously rated ‘good’. from a high standard of education,” he “I am very pleased to see that Ofsted in 2016. Interestingly, a quarter of all Fourteen colleges moved up to grade added. colleges (42 out of 171) currently have two in 2019. Six colleges dropped down “We recently announced a funding no grade Ofsted because of these from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ boost of £400 million for our sixth mergers, up from 38 last year. between 2018 and 2019. forms and colleges – the biggest Ofsted said merged colleges are David Corke, director of education injection of new money into 16 to 19 “treated as new entities, and we and skills policy at the Association of education in a single year since 2010 inspect them within three years of Colleges, said: “This analysis shows – so that we can continue to develop the merger”. that the number of colleges rated world-class education and skills, as “This explains why there are outstanding or good is at an all-time well as the supply and quality of the FE a proportion of general further high. workforce.” education colleges that have not yet received their full inspection in each year,” a spokesperson added. “Colleges up “This in turn reflects the historically high number of college and down the mergers that have taken place since country are 2016. “However, a number of newly- some of the best merged colleges that have not yet had their full inspection places to study have received a monitoring visit (which is an interim type of and train” inspection), especially those that had predecessor colleges that were “The excellent work and support previously judged ‘inadequate’ or provided by teachers and staff means ‘requires improvement’.” colleges up and down the country are FE Week’s analysis shows just some of the best places to study and two colleges fell out of the top train.” ‘outstanding’ category last year, with Williamson said the Department Eastleigh College receiving a grade for Education has worked closely two and Swindon College dropping with Ofsted in developing its new Gavin Williamson David Corke to grade three. inspection framework, which was

A summary of Ofsted results for 2017/18 and 2018/19

Total 140 1032 12 102 FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 294 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 9 News Colleges reach all-time high in Ofsted inspection ratings

Declining Ofsted oversight

The number of Ofsted inspections to Another cause for the reduction in its last year. general FE colleges almost halved last inspections could be the number of “Several inspections within the new year. college mergers after the Department EIF have taken place recently, with early Only 19 per cent of all colleges were for Education carried out post-16 area reports suggesting it is more authentic visited by the education watchdog in reviews. and developmental.” 2018/19 compared to 36 per cent the year After August 2017, colleges classed as FE Week’s findings follow greater before. ‘new’ because of mergers will receive a emphasis on oversight of FE colleges, This equates to oversight of 33 out of full inspection within three years of their with both the Education and Skills 171 colleges in 2018/19, following 64 out of creation. Funding Agency and the National Audit 178 colleges being inspected in 2017/18 – And from August 31, 2018, a policy Office launching their own investigations. a 48 per cent drop. change was introduced to extend short The government announced Dame Overall oversight across the whole FE inspection cycles from three to five years. Mary Ney would lead a review into the and skills sector dropped from 19 per cent However, Ofsted did not agree with way the Department for Education being inspected in 2017/18 to 12 per cent the premise that area reviews and the monitors college finances and financial last year. number of mergers may have prevented management at the end of August, with 77 71 6 76 78 A spokesperson from Ofsted told FE it from carrying out more inspections. college leaders later being asked to Week: “Ofsted inspects colleges, and all “We inspect as we find: if a college is submit their views on ESFA oversight. further education and skills providers, in a providing further education, then it is Earlier that month the National risk proportionate way and in accordance subject to inspection,” a spokesperson Audit Office said it was also preparing with the timeframes detailed in the said. to launch a value-for-money review on inspection handbook. “It’s not relevant to think of area the management of colleges’ financial “We do not inspect providers simply for reviews or mergers as somehow blocking sustainability. the sake of doing so.” inspection. They continue to happen just And in September Ofsted announced One of the likely reasons for this as Ofsted continues to inspect colleges.” plans to publish financial ratings as part decline in oversight is funding cuts to the David Corke, director of education of inspection reports in the future. inspectorate. and skills policy at the Association of The move will not be part of the Ofsted is in line to lose £15 million Colleges, provided further explanation watchdog’s new inspection framework, between 2016/17 and 2019/20 from its of the decline in oversight: “As the new which launched in the same month, 2015 2016 2017 2018 201 inspection budget, which is predicted to inspection framework is rolled out, it isn’t as a spokesperson told FE Week it is fall by 10 per cent from £141,685,000 to uncommon to see a dip in inspections something for a “longer-term piece of £127,100,000. under the current framework, which is in work with the government”.

ORGANISATIONAL READINESS T LEVEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR GOVERNORS, TRUSTEES AND GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS

A series of nine regional events A supportive delivery model for governors, trustees and governance This CPD programme for governors, trustees and governance professionals utilises a supportive delivery model professionals designed to meet the needs of busy volunteer governors, board members and trustees of providers adopting the Location Date new suite of T Levels from September 2020. London 28 October 2019 Participants will be able to explore the implications of T Level delivery in their institutions as a means of Durham 8 November 2019 supporting senior and middle managers in critical decision-making relating to the implementation of these Manchester 18 November 2019 technical courses. Gillingham 17 January 2020 Leicester 24 January 2020 The programme features: Bristol 31 January 2020 • comprehensive introduction to T Levels and their potential impact upon financial management, strategic planning and workforce development King’s Lynn 3 February 2020 • a series of regional events for governors, trustees and governance professionals Birmingham 13 March 2020 • supported online module content Sheffield 20 March 2020 • opportunities to network with governors, trustees and governance professionals from a range of providers.

An in-house training option can be delivered within previously planned itineraries of governance meetings and wider CPD events. Choosing this bespoke option will enable governors, trustees and governance professionals FUNDED BY to access the most relevant modules to support them in making those important future strategic decisions. The approach of the T Level CPD programme focusses on the specific governance needs of the institution when planning for the implementation of T Levels. Register now at https://booking.etfoundation.co.uk/course/details/590 10 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK News Damning FE Commissioner reports published for 3 struggling colleges

‘Significant concerns’ over Brooklands future’s shaky following Hartlepool’s £20m subcontracting scandal financial BILLY CAMDEN of work – the detailed external audit of report that despite the board putting well together and are knowledgeable sustainability [email protected] SCL Security sub-contracting” – has “not in place measures to drive forward the and competent in their roles”. been progressed in a timely manner”. recommendations from the January However, “due to the number of Governors had placed “too much visit, the college’s response to concerns complex issues and risks, the FEC team FRASER WHIELDON A college faces “multiple, difficult trust” on assurances provided by Gail around SCL have not been adequate.” recommendation is that the college [email protected] and high-risk” challenges after being Walker, the former principal and chief Brooklands’ wider financial position would benefit from an experienced rocked by a £20 million subcontracting executive. also posed a threat to its future. The principal appointed on an interim basis scandal that has put its future in doubt, “The board believed that systems and commissioner found the college’s as soon as possible”. The FE commissioner says there are a minister and the FE commissioner audits of the college’s subcontracting Weybridge campus required “major Leaders had been effective in driving “significant concerns” about Hartlepool have said. work were robust enough to identify investment and re-sizing”. through change since the January 2019 College of FE's financial sustainability. Richard Atkins’ team was sent into issues relating to subcontracting “The cost of low space utilisation, high assessment, but the college still faced An intervention into the college Brooklands College in Surrey after FE compliance,” the report said. running costs and backlog of planned “many significant risks”. reveals “financial uncertainties put the Week revealed it had passed millions Worryingly, “no thought had been maintenance adds further financial Staff interviewed by the student experience and opportunities of pounds over to a mysterious private given by governors to the development pressure and risk,” his report said. commissioner felt that the college for learners at risk”. provider, SCL Security, which triggered of a mitigation plan should the SCL FE Week revealed last week that “needed to merge to survive” and to Hartlepool has had an operating an Education and Skills Funding Agency investigation place a financial liability on Brooklands was considering selling a reinvest in Weybridge campus. deficit for the past two financial years, (ESFA) investigation. the college”. historic mansion on its Weybridge site. The report noted the SCL scandal with its total borrowing costs as a The commissioner’s review involved The “possible contingent liability” of a This week’s report confirmed that the “could be a potential block to a merger". percentage of income at 57 per cent. intervention visits in January and May, £20 million clawback was named as the college’s new estate strategy involved Andrew Baird, who was appointed A broken loan covenant with a bank and the college has now been placed most “substantial” risk facing the college. “potential land sales”. interim chair of Brooklands earlier has not been resolved; the report says into “supervised college status” – which The ESFA investigation was “ongoing” Brooklands’ principal and chair this month, said: “The report the college must push for the process to means the ESFA will attend all future at the time of this report. resigned after the launch of the ESFA makes a number of important be finished so it can find out the future board and finance and resources Lord Agnew, the DfE minister with investigation. recommendations and the college terms. committee meetings. financial oversight of colleges, said: Atkins’ report said the interim chief is addressing these as a matter of Hartlepool entered formal It found that the “most critical area “It is clear from the commissioner’s executive and interim principal “work urgency. intervention in April after it told the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) last October it would have inadequate financial health for 2018. It was issued College leaders unaware of with a financial health notice to improve at that time. Richard Atkins, the commissioner, will now consult with local authorities ‘imminent’ insolvency risk about a local provision review for Tees Valley and Durham. YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU to governors were overly optimistic and position”, highlighting its second A letter from Lord Agnew, the [email protected] not fully transparent with problems consecutive grade four Ofsted report, minister with financial oversight of hidden”. huge debts and declining learner Richard Atkins colleges, to Aidan Mullan, Hartlepool’s The report warned that there was a numbers. chair, said there was an “urgent need to Moulton College is in a “perilous “general feeling of a lack of urgency in The college’s financial recovery plan The FEC concludes that if the take swift actions in order to address the position” and its chair and new principal addressing quality and financial matters was “not fit for purpose”. planned cash receipts were not significant financial challenges facing do not appear to “fully recognise” and lack of recognition that the college Moulton has been put into supervised received by December “the college’s the college”. the impact of possible “imminent” could become insolvent in 2019-20”. college status with immediate effect and auditors will need to consider if the When Atkins’ team intervened insolvency, says the FE commissioner. It added: “It did not appear that the the ESFA will attend all future board college is a going concern and it will in June, it found that aside from the Richard Atkins found that “too impact of possible insolvency, which meetings and finance and resources need to be considered for education financial issues, there was “an urgent many students have been failed” by would include the college being placed committee meetings. administration”. need” for the board to replace its chair the Northamptonshire college. It must in education administration, and the Lord Agnew, the minister with The reduction in enrolments, which and many of its governors. swiftly demonstrate progress in student perilous position the college finds itself financial oversight of colleges, said: “As made the 495-hectare estate expensive Most independent members had attendance, progress, retention and in was fully recognised by the board or this is the college’s second consecutive to run, were also noted. served more than the five to ten years achievement. the incoming new principal.” inadequate assessment, I am particularly Corrie Harris, who was appointed considered good practice, and the A culture of “accountability and Moulton College has been in FEC concerned about the quality of provision chief executive in July, said: “We have chair had already served the 12 years responsibility and holding managers to intervention since February 2017 after . . . Urgent action is required to address moved quickly to address the balance of considered proper. account needs to be developed rapidly”. being referred by the Education and these problems. the recommendations the commissioner Principal Darren Hankey said the Governors, meanwhile, were criticised Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) following “It is clear from the commissioner’s included in his report, as well as making financial performance of the college for for not holding previous managers to an inadequate financial health score for report that the college has entirely changes we believe are necessary to 2018-19 is "much improved and, subject account. 2015-16. underestimated the seriousness of its vastly improve the offering here. to final ratification, will see the college The FEC team found that “under the The report described the college as financial weakness and the issues with “We have made substantial progress achieve a ‘good’ ESFA rating". previous management regime, reports being in “a very difficult and challenging quality of provision.” to that end in the past three months.”

12 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK Profile

Introducing... CHARLOTTE BOSWORTH Managing director, Innovate Awarding

JESS STAUFENBERG Charlotte Bosworth’s extraordinary seriously started young. Self-confessed who “absolutely inspired me [email protected] career begins from a council estate in “ginger geek”, at 10 she was already throughout”. the West Midlands to a top role at the worried about her prospects at the But Bosworth’s personal outlook examination board OCR, before joining local comprehensive in Coventry – so has not become that of the fanatical Charlotte Bosworth, the managing Innovate more than two years ago to she decided to try for a selective school grammar-school advocate who director of Innovate Awarding, is focus on apprenticeship assessment. two bus rides away. “My family didn’t promotes a classical education. quite happy to be known as the Under her watch, revenue has really have a large amount of money She is too aware of the pull for “end-point assessment woman”. increased fourfold and the number of and educational ambition wasn’t a paid employment, which led her to Jess Staufenberg meets the permanent staff has more than tripled. thing. But I’d gone to a library and read eschew sixth form for secretarial very determined champion of Her staff numbers are nothing of the about this school. So I pushed myself training. “I wanted to earn money apprenticeships size of the big assessment players such so I could go.” for some of the reasons I’ve laid as Pearson, but apprenticeships are out,” she says. And so she entered The managing director of the small the name of the game for the DfE, and a “youth training scheme” that she apprenticeship assessment body, it knows it needs help. A chat with the “I didn’t want jokingly calls “apprenticeships for Innovate Awarding, has the ear of bubbly Bosworth, 46, reveals that she old people”. the Department for Education. How? is becoming its “end-point assessment anyone to Placed in a law firm, her boss She has a history of turning up when woman” – and today she’s got straight- decided after three months no one tells her to, and it’s got her a talking words for the department. know I was she should be trained as a legal long way. A determination to be taken the poor kid” executive instead, briefing barristers before court. She also took two jobs in pubs. By the Her parents couldn’t understand time she was 18, she had her legal why she didn’t want to go to the local qualifications and a mortgage on a comp, but she was determined. She 1930s terraced house. along the way!” In three months she was interviewed and accepted at her But despite benefiting from an was the manager for her shift team, chosen school and made the one-and- apprenticeship-style education, and by 30 she was a senior manager. a-half hour journey there and back Bosworth’s commitment to a From 2013 she was director of every day until she was 16. Many years career in apprenticeships was skills and employment, responsible later, when working on assessments an accident. Aged 22 she was for vocational qualifications. Her for the same school, the same working as a legal executive for husband – she met him at OCR – still headteacher told her: “You are the only a big plant hire company, flying works there as director of operations. child we ever interviewed who arrived to the US and back, when she By the time of her departure in without their parents.” discovered she was pregnant May 2017, Bosworth “realised that A young Bosworth also realised she with her son. International travel vocational education brings out the wouldn't be able to join school skiing out the window, she returned passion in me – maybe based on my trips if she didn’t take things into her home to Coventry and became an own story”. She’s been a governor at own hands. At 13 she began working administrator because the 2-10pm Walsall College in the West Midlands in a hardware store every Saturday. shift fitted in with childcare. Where for two years, and a board trustee She saved her pay and was able to was the job? At RSA, or, as it became for Career Colleges for three years. visit France with her fellow pupils. “I known in 1998 following a merger, The FE sector was becoming her was desperate to go, I’d never been the OCR examinations board. new home. You can see why: having to another country. But I didn’t want “There were so many staff fought so hard to work and qualify in anyone to know I was the poor kid. development opportunities and the face of disadvantage and single There was an element of not wanting I just sucked it all up,” Bosworth parenthood, the sector’s embrace to share that.” Her favourite subjects says, who was juggling single of employment and learning must were English and drama, and she talks parenthood at the same time. “I resonate. Speaking at the AAC conference glowingly of a teacher, Mrs Chadwick, kept getting more qualifications “I wanted to be working with FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 294 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 13 Profile

“Everyone is in education to get a job”

employers to improve education. a success out of arriving keenly the same place at the same time. Ultimately, everyone is in education and unprompted, Bosworth is now But then if that employer suddenly to one day get a job.” Bosworth felt facing the opposite problem from the has a huge barrage of additional too “constrained” in her OCR role apprentices she works to help. Of all sales, the apprentice is being put on Bosworth and a friend in their school days to try out new ideas, and so leapt the end-point assessments booked other shifts and the assessment is at the chance to lead Innovate with Innovate, an astonishing 60 per cancelled.” Awarding. She explains, for cent were rescheduled or cancelled instance, that routine work with the this year. The government has been time and the apprentice actually turns Providers (AELP). transport company Stagecoach led in hot water about not sorting end- “Apprenticeships up to the assessment.” Such influence gets noticed. her awarding body to create new point assessments quickly enough. One suggested solution is new Bosworth has got “massive end-point assessments in passenger But Bosworth says the DfE is “not are where vocabulary. She wants “end-point engagement from the DfE” and meets transport. on top of” the fact that even where assessment” to be called “end- regularly with the Education and Innovate approves 39 end-point assessments are ready, the you can have point examination”, so apprentices Skills Funding Agency and the IfA. I apprenticeship standards across logistical challenges mean many are understand the importance of turning ask if she is the “end-point assessment hospitality, retail, adult care, health not happening – a huge waste of time real impact” up. “It’s not about putting the fear woman”. care and more, including my and money. of God into people. It’s about saying, “That’s where I’m trying to get personal favourite, mixology, or “If I had a wishlist for the DfE She also ticks off apprenticeship you’ve done all this hard work, and myself to. It particularly interests me cocktail-making. Bosworth’s team and Institute for Apprenticeships providers, who she says are this examination is to show that.” because the apprenticeship space has grown in just over two years (IfA), it would be for them to fully abandoning their charges as soon as She’s in the position to push the is where you can have real impact. from 26 to 87 full-time staff, plus 98 understand the infrastructure the apprentice decides he or she is change. She chairs the end-point It doesn’t matter what your starting temporary workers. "You were a good and logistical issues of end-point ready to be assessed. “Providers often assessment group at the Federation of point is, it doesn’t matter what your appointment", I tell her. “It seems so,” assessment. You’ve got to get act like they’ve got nothing to do Awarding Bodies, and the end-point background is, apprenticeships can she says with a smile. three people – the employer, the with them anymore. They should be assessment group for the Association really unleash talent in people you But for someone who has made apprentice and our examiner – in checking projects are submitted on of Employment and Learning didn’t know they had.” 14 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK News

Providers risk handing back £38m in next 20 years if they quit T-levels

FRASER WHIELDON recover any capital grant we have and the London Design and [email protected] paid.” Engineering UTC were removed Sixth Form Colleges Association from provision in February because chief executive Bill Watkin called T-levels “did not fit with the specialist Exclusive this “a significant commitment” nature” of the former and the UTC which sends out a clear message: received a grade three from Ofsted. Colleges will have to keep on running investing in T-levels is a long-term Providers must have either a T-levels for at least 20 years if they strategy. grade one or two from Ofsted, and want to avoid handing back millions in He said the capital grants ‘satisfactory’ financial health to capital funding. are helping providers invest in deliver T-levels. A pot of £38 million has been made dedicated teaching spaces and A school was removed from the available to colleges and schools industry-standards kit which “will Gravatt said the clause was a There have been a number of programme for receiving an Ofsted to help build new classrooms and make a huge difference to schools “backstop” and his organisation was changes with regard to which grade three, while two others pulled refurbish buildings in readiness for and colleges’ ability to hit the “confident T-levels are here to stay”. providers will be delivering the out, in October. the introduction of the new technical ground running from September But he added: “T-levels will only flagship new qualifications as the But at the same time, Suffolk qualifications next year. 2020”. be suitable for a minority of college sector hurtles towards roll-out: it was New College was added to the list of The Department for Education But, Watkin added, colleges students so the DfE needs to get announced this month Scarborough providers from 2020. this week confirmed to FE Week that will always be reviewing their a move on and sort out its capital Sixth Form College was pulling out “We always expected there to providers who win the funding risk curriculum to reflect student voices, funding plans for the facilities used of offering the digital qualification in be a certain amount of fluctuation having to hand it back if they stop shifting population profiles and by the majority; the Post-18 review 2020. of providers, and the pathways offering T-levels within the next two a changing local economy: “Who panel recommended a £1 billion At the time, Gavin Williamson, they offer, as we progress decades. knew, 20 years ago, that the Ebacc three-year programme.” the secretary of state for education, towards September 2020,” a “The terms of grant will require would be shaping student choices Eleven colleges have been welcomed the decision, which DfE spokesperson said when providers to use the premises funded today, or that maths would be awarded a slice of the £38 million Scarborough cited as being “due to our Scarborough withdrew. for supporting the T-level curriculum the most popular A-level, or that capital funding pot to date, with geographical location, it is proving “However, we continue to have for 20 years,” a spokesperson said. criminology would be booming?” grade one Barnsley College the difficult to secure sufficient work an excellent group of high-quality “If a provider withdraws from Deputy chief executive at the prime beneficiary so far, receiving placements”. providers offering a variety of T-level delivery, we reserve a right to Association of Colleges Julian £2.2 million. Furthermore, Big Creative Training pathways across the country.” JO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 EDITION 294 BS

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Hopwood Hall College East Norfolk is a vibrant and highly successful Sixth Form College, helping students to fulﬁ l their potential for over 36 years. is recruiting!

Assistant Principal (Student Support & Engagement) Hopwood Hall College is a Sunday Times The College is a Living Wage employer, Top 100 employer 2019 and employs paying all directly employed staff the real Permanent, full time, full year. approximately 450 staff in both teaching and living wage rate with plans to extend this Actual salary in range £55,482 - £59,574 learning and support services. Staff are based to all regular, onsite sub-contracted staff as at either our Middleton or Rochdale campus. well. The real Living Wage is higher than the The postholder will focus on the student support experience, government minimum and is voluntarily paid Hopwood Hall College is an accredited by businesses who believe their staff deserve voice and engagement for the College. They will be an active Disability Confident Employer. Our Equality a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. member of the Executive Team, taking a lead for all matters & Diversity statement is designed to ensure related to student support, safeguarding and wellbeing. They will that unfair discrimination does not take place Please see our current opportunities below: also seek to work with key stakeholders in the organisation and in any part of our recruitment process. external partners. The postholder will have a key outward facing role and have signifi cant infl uence over the wider development Occupational Health Advisor Work Based Tutor – AAT and leadership of the whole College. £32,225.37 per annum, pro rata £21,851.57 - £26,401.97 pro rata per (£13,428.31) annum Essential requirements: Work Based Tutor – Fire, Emergency Advanced Student and College • Honours Degree (2:1 or above) and Security Services Apprentice • A recognised teaching qualifi cation £29,543.48 per annum National Minimum Wage • Leadership qualifi cations, evidence of training or willingness to undertake training. Work Based Tutor – Electrical Teaching Assistant – Health and The above vacancy closes at midday on 13 November 2019 Engineering Childhood Studies (Fixed Term) Interviews/tests will be held: 21 November 2019 £29,543 per annum £18,988.60 pro rata, per annum

Job description/person speciﬁ cation and details of how to apply can be Work Based Tutor – Plumbing Lecturer – Public Services downloaded from our website: www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/jobs £26,401 to £29,256 per annum £23,503.50 - £32,459.44 per annum

EN is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of all our students. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate screening, including checks with past employers and enhanced DBS clearance. For more information on each vacancy and to apply, please visit: https://www.hopwood.ac.uk/about/jobs Excellence, Care, Diversity and Integrity JO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK BS

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It’s an exciting time to join our team and compare these terms and conditions….

Head of Department: You will be expected to work 200 days a year with up to 52 non-working days plus bank holidays, combined with a competitive salary and other staff benefits as part of the package.

Curriculum Manager: You will be expected to work 195 days a year with up to 57 non-working days plus bank holidays, combined with a competitive salary and other staff benefits as part of the package.

...with where you are now. Interested?

We are looking for inspiring and ambitious leaders and managers to develop and deliver leading edge technical and vocational curriculum. Langley College sits at the centre of opportunity, working closely with Heathrow and other employers to develop progressive and innovative curriculum. Its curriculum offer is strong and diverse including STEM, Service Industries, Apprenticeships, Adult and HE.

Head of Construction multi-trades bungalow. Curriculum Manager for you. Reporting to the Head of and Building Services Construction and Department, Curriculum Managers You will be a people-focused, ambitious Building Services must be great teachers who will bring Head of Motor Vehicle leader with a strong track record of building their trade experience supported by high performing teams, high expectations and Engineering Curriculum Manager Motor professional qualifications, delivering of students, and a passionate commitment Vehicle and Engineering full-time programmes, evening courses Competitive Salary to the power of teaching and learning. and apprenticeships ranging from Levels With an appropriate teaching commitment, Competitive Salary These two exciting roles are based 1 to 3, practical and theory. You will also you will still be able to demonstrate and at our flagship centre for technical have the ambition and ability to manage a continually up-date your own teaching If you are looking for your first step into provision, recently transformed by a team to ensure that our students have the skills on a choice of full-time programmes, a management role or to expand your £30m investment and equipped with best experience. With a reduced teaching evening courses and apprenticeships experience, then these Curriculum the latest industry standard equipment, commitment these roles will give you the ranging Levels 1 to 3, practical and theory. Manager roles could be the opportunity workshops and studios –including its own space to develop your management skills.

Closing date: 25th October 2019 (midday) | Selection process: week commencing 4th November 2019 Part of The Windsor Please apply at: http://www.windsor-forest.ac.uk/jobs-a-careers.html and complete an online application form. Forest Colleges Group

Opportunities at Milton Keynes College

Milton Keynes College are seeking passionate and innovative Lecturers/Teachers to deliver a Computing – Level 3 – Level 5 variety of accredited qualifications to a diverse group of learners at their 2 campuses in Milton Keynes – Supporting students to build their confidence, develop their skills and achieve within • Teaching Level 3 – 5 HNC/HND level the college environment. This could be on either an occasional or permanent basis depending • Areas within Computer science and IT on your current circumstances. • Networking • Cyber security Permanent vacancies can be part time or full time hours, these are advertised individually and • Data services require a separate application. • Project management

Occasional requirements can be varying and change frequently so flexible availability is More about the College essential. Requirements can range from short notice short term cover to longer term sickness cover or recruitment gaps and anything in between. If you hold expertise or interest in more Milton Keynes College is proud to be an open and inclusive general Further Education College than one area – For example: Maths and English, this could give you the opportunity to cover welcoming learners of all levels and delivering an exceptional educational experience. The across multiple courses as an occasional teacher. College offers a broad range of qualifications with more than 3,000 16 – 18-year-old full-time students studying vocational courses, apprenticeships and Higher Education at our campuses Milton Keynes College are currently keen to hear from individuals with one or more of the in Milton Keynes. In addition, the College delivers employability and skills training programmes below skill sets to support their curriculum delivery: to 3,000 people in local community learning centres. For nearly 30 years, we have worked with offenders in both custody, and the wider community and currently work with 19 prisons across Science – Level 2 Applied Science & Forensic Science/Level 3 Criminal Investigations England; this includes 13 prisons, which make up the Long Term High Security Estate, and 6 category B, C & D men’s prisons. • Areas covered: • Principles of Science All our vacancies can be found on our careers pages. You can also set up job alerts via the • Scientific Skills website if there is nothing of immediate interest or suitability. • Physiology of Human Body Systems • Biology and our Environment Campus based roles - https://www.mkcollege.ac.uk/working-for-us/vacancies/ • Applications of Chemical Substances Prison based roles - https://www.mkcollege.ac.uk/prison-services/vacancies/ • Criminal Investigations If you wish to express an interest in future opportunities at Milton Keynes College or have any Maths & English – Functional Skills/GCSE specific queries please contact The Recruitment Team – [email protected]

• Functional Skills/GCSE Maths – delivery runs across our whole curriculum alongside students primary courses. • Key qualities – strong classroom management, high student engagement, creative teaching style JO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 EDITION 294 BS

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Learning Quality Manager, Tutors and Recruitment Consultants

Step Ahead is a progressive and successful company We are also looking for experienced Tutors/Assessors to with an excellent reputation in Recruitment, Training and delivery our regulated and non-regulate training across Employability. London.

Due to our superb track record and recent success in Lastly, we are looking for Recruitment Consultants who will securing new contracts, Step Ahead is expanding and we be responsible for recruiting, providing advice, guidance are looking for: and support, and work-placements for learner caseload of unemployed adults that need help to secure employment. An experienced Learning Quality Manager with knowledge and experience of ESFA/ ESF/ AEB funding and performance Your Next Step rules and of the OFSTED Common Inspection Framework. Want to know more? In the first instance, please send You will have overall responsibility for the development and your CV along with a paragraph explaining why you are delivery of regulated & non-regulated learning. If you have the best candidate for this role to Christie Hoyte, Head of an innovative approach and are passionate about driving Training: [email protected] quality and compliance to ensure the best possible learner experience, we want to speak to you!

Closing Date: Friday 25th October

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To place a recruitment advert please email: [email protected] or call: 020 8123 4778 FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 294 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 15 News

EDITORIAL

Let’s work together to agree where the inappropriate spending line is drawn

Since FE Week comments section wrote: For a highly respected cannot agree amongst ethics charter, could successfully fought to “Very good journalism, college principal to themselves what is be drafted and then reveal the £150,000 factually accurate after conclude “no breach of appropriate behaviour adopted. expenses by the principal dogged pursuit.” rules” and so defend the and expenditure, let’s This might include, for at Highbury College, the But, they also said I was use of a college card try and agree through example, a commitment sector reaction has been wrong in this editorial on a cocktail fuelled self-regulation. And let’s to publish the details of split. column to call for the lobster dinner and £434 move quickly, before the certain spending as a One college principal principal to consider headphones should new FE college oversight matter of course. told me: “The alcohol, resigning as there was concern everyone. minister, Lord Agnew, The media will always lobster, executive “no breach of rules” Why? Because the rewrites the rules and or try to expose the transport, any form of and “no suggestion of spending revelations, Conditions of Funding inappropriate use of first class travel. The list impropriety/malpractice particularly the lobster, Agreement between the public funds – so let’s goes on. It’s inexcusable. and the college has reached well beyond Secretary of State and work together to agree It needed to be exposed. confirmed it was all FE Week readership colleges. where the line is drawn. “Signed off or not, it’s properly authorised”. and made most of the College leaders Principals interested in an inappropriate use of Highbury College national newspaper and from across England joining a task and finish public funds. Particularly governors did restrict has since been followed- should work together group to develop such when you think the the use of the corporate up by Private Eye. to agree, for example, an ethics code or charter college is in difficulty.” card and first class travel And if FE Week had not if full cost first class can get in touch with me But they had been told: in May, but there remain exposed the spending, travel is appropriate at [email protected]. “Being vocal might be other colleges that will, the national media would and as a minimum bad for my career.” and have, defended a have simply lifted it from whether there should be Another principal took policy permitting the the Portsmouth News greater transparency of a very different view principal to travel first website. expenditure. Nick Linford, Editor and in the FE Week class at full price. So, if college principals A code of ethics, or [email protected]

Readers’ reply EMAIL TWITTER FACEBOOK WEBSITE

Apprentices’ concerns are still OFS regulatory not being heard, admits DfE advice notice 15 and 70 FE commissioner It’s not just the intervention reports, I Reply of the week apprentices that have still #LoveOurColleges concerns, many employers of these apprentices have Julian Gravatt nowhere to turn to either. @JulianGravatt ‘Significant concerns’ over Hartlepool Andrew Roberts OfS urged to ‘get a College’s financial sustainability move on’ and inspect #LoveOurColleges apprenticeship quality I’ve said this before, if there were simply cannot function when they only a few FE colleges in financial are impoverished to the extent I’m a proud product of Only a government dire straits it could be put down to they have been – no amount of FE. I returned to FE after “got at” by self-serving a few bad apples. You could make a ‘intervention’, accountability or years of illness. FE gave interest could think case that the failings were down to ‘challenge’ will ever solve this me a purpose, a reason for having two different poor management, however at this problem. living. It provided me with organisations inspect stage financial failure is epidemic a vocation ‘education’ the same provider/ throughout the sector – you can There is a lot of talk about something I never college was a good only conclude that the problem is leadership, but who on earth would expected. FE enabled idea! the funding mechanism itself. ever want to serve as a governor or me to learn, teach and If they finally get senior leader in this climate. Anyone manage. I am indebted round to inspecting Richard Atkins keeps going around with any ambition or sense would to FE & continue to serve these providers, oh telling off colleges, he must surely flee very quickly. We could adapt #LoveOurColleges what fun for FE Week understand that it is government Enoch Powell’s famous dictum to comment upon a policy which is largely to blame for here, that all (senior) FE careers Paul McKean #FE situation where say OfS these problems. I think he should end in failure. Stories in FE Week @EdtechMcKean view the leadership say this more clearly instead of demonstrate this on a weekly basis. and management of laying the blame at the door of Despite the fact that my the provider/college individual institutions. FE colleges Paul Atkins job requires me to read differently from Ofsted! ESFA's 120 page 2019- 20 funding agreement, Neil Crawford 16 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK Experts Niamh Fiona Mulhall Aldridge Degree apprentice and co-founder, Director for policy and research, The Apprentice Voice Learning and Work Institute

Ministers should put down It’s time to give back to the high-vis and tackle the 300,000 young adult apprentice stereotypes carers in this country

If Gavin Williamson seriously wants the UK to wore as a Rugby School pupil. Five per cent of young adults are carers who wish to improve their support for young adult match the technical and vocational education Research by the charity Education and face barriers to access and success. What better carers. opportunities offered by Germany by 2029, he Employers and others consistently find careers time than Colleges Week to recommit ourselves Based on a new Quality Standard in the Carers needs to address the persisting stigmatisation advice, information and guidance in schools is to their cause? Asks Fiona Aldridge Support framework, participating colleges will and stereotyping of apprentices, says Niamh scarce when it comes to apprenticeships. Most be supported to review their current provision Mulhall teachers have limited knowledge of them and Each year more than two million adults and for young adult carers, to collaboratively identify don’t feel confident enough to suggest them to young people at college develop the knowledge and implement improvements, and to evaluate As an apprentice I am all too aware of the students. Factor in a school’s interest in retaining and skills they need for work and wider life. the impact of these changes. perceptions and misconceptions surrounding students into sixth form, and the default Among them are tens of thousands of young apprenticeships. Young people are not just position is bias towards A-levels and university, adult carers – young people who care and active consumers browsing the education and something that I felt pressured to do. support loved ones, but who, as a result, face “We should be training supermarket and making choices based Nearly two years ago, the Baker clause significant disadvantage in learning and in work. on price, quality and value; their decisions are attempted to reset the balance, but just two in There are about 300,000 young adult carers outraged by influenced by a multitude of socio-structural five schools are compliant and many training in England. They are aged 16-24 and regularly constraints and, not least, by their family, friends providers say it has had no impact in getting provide unpaid care, usually for a family member. their plight” and teachers. them access to schools. This is equivalent to about one in 20 young Many professions could be almost We need to ensure that young people people, so the odds are there is at least one carer exclusively apprenticeships if it weren’t for are aware of all the options. Having quality in your average college class. We know the programme makes a difference. the marketisation of higher education that engagement with a breadth of employers and It is estimated that young adult carers Colleges involved in the pilot reported a range of has turned degrees into lucrative courses professionals throughout school life not only provide £5.5 billion worth of unpaid care each positive outcomes: from increased retention and for universities to sell. The fact that Gavin expands horizons, but can help to challenge year. To put it in context, this is nearly double attainment of young adult carers to stronger Williamson, the education secretary, refers to the stereotypical images of overalls and wrenches. the adult education budget. Yet, despite their relationships with local carers’ services, from “forgotten 50 per cent” – the half of young people This is just as true about gender where received immeasurable contribution to society, they often increased staff confidence in supporting young who don’t go to university – reinforces a divide perceptions of boys as doctors and girls as nurses face significant challenges in pursuing their adult carers to improved job satisfaction. between academically-inclined students who go are formed before the age of five and become aspirations and achieving their potential. And all of this makes a profound difference to university and the “others” who presumably ingrained; the job choices of seven-year-olds On average young adult carers achieve the to the educational outcomes and life chances will be trained to fill the jobs which his new skills mirror those of 17-year olds. equivalent of nine lower GCSE grades than their of young adult carers, such as Emily. Emily left and productivity board will tell him are needed Our research at The Apprentice Voice peers. They are three times more likely not to be school with few GCSEs, having had to balance for the modern economy. recently revealed that two-thirds (67.5 per in education, employment or training (NEET) and schoolwork with caring for her mother, who is cent) of apprentices still face stigmatisation or – despite the best efforts of teachers and support bipolar, since she was 11. With support from York stereotyping, with 58 per cent saying the stigma staff – are four times more likely to drop out of College, she went on to gain English, maths and came from colleagues and peers. college. childcare qualifications before progressing on “We must challenge Williamson went to university, perhaps itself a Perhaps we should not be surprised. Young to an access diploma in social care and guidance testimony to the socially transformative effect of adult carers often miss days at college or several years later. Emily now works with young the image of overalls higher education advocated by Michael Gove and have their study time disrupted as a result of carers to ensure they too have the support they others all the way back to Tony Blair’s ambition caring, and 45 per cent say that their caring need to succeed. and wrenches” for the 'first' 50 per cent. Sadly, the reality for responsibilities negatively impact their mental One of the most inspiring features of Colleges many is a university degree that doesn’t make health. Week has been the use of #LoveOurColleges to them industry-ready, does not open the doors But if we are not surprised, we should still be recognise and celebrate the difference FE makes In his first appearance in the Commons as they hoped for and takes a long time to pay off. outraged by their plight. All young adult carers to individuals, employers and communities. prime minister, Boris Johnson, replying to a Yes, we need quality apprenticeships above deserve the chance to realise their dreams and What better way to mark the celebration question from the former skills minister, Anne quantity and we need better careers education should be given the very best support to help of the sector than to re-commit to some of its Milton, said: “The other kids should acquire the in schools so young people can make informed them to succeed. most vulnerable learners? We want to recruit skills they need which can be just as valuable, choices. But the fundamental difference That’s why, building on our extensive track 12 colleges from across England and Wales to can lead to just as fantastic careers.” between our vocational and technical education record of working with young adult carers, the join the programme. It is a fantastic opportunity The other kids? provision and Germany’s is that choosing an Learning and Work Institute is delighted to be to improve outcomes for young adult carers Last week, education minister Lord apprenticeship there is seen as a positive, not the launching Driving Change, an ambitious new and ensure there are even more reasons to Agnew met engineering apprentices at second-best option that it is often perceived to be programme to narrow the gap in outcomes #LoveOurColleges! Sunderland College. It says something about in the UK. between young adult carers and their peers. the lack of imagination of the government’s Until our policymakers model that attitudinal Supported by the National Lottery Community Colleges interested in being part of communications department that these publicity shift, the “other kids” will remain our 'othered' Fund, and working with the Carers Federation, the programme should contact Jackie. stunts always call for a hi-vis jacket and goggles young people, and the chance to beat Germany the programme will offer free advice and [email protected] by – a far remove from the uniform the minister will be lost to an own goal. intensive one-to-one support to colleges who November 12 FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 294 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 17 Experts

Ofsted’s new-style inspections have been much and didn’t have time to complete their maths and publicised, but some providers have been Simon English qualifications as a result. Being able to surprised by the new format. Simon Ashworth articulate examples such as this is key to showing sets out what providers should expect and how inspectors the whole picture. to prepare. Ashworth “Curriculum doesn’t AELP has been hearing from its members that Chief policy officer, Association of inspections under Ofsted’s new framework (EIF) simply mean Employment and Learning Providers was not what they expected and differed to what they had previously seen. Their comments echo programme content those of Woodspeen Training in FE Week that the EIF represents “a pretty significant shift in or materials” focus”. So what are the main changes and how can On recognition of prior learning and off-the- providers be ready for them? What to expect under the job training, AELP is hearing reports of providers First, far less of the inspection process will be being misled and incorrectly advised to rip up channelled through the nominee. The inspection new framework when the their self-assessment reports (SARs) and quality team will instead work with the key individuals improvement plans (QIPs) and rewrite these responsible for “curriculum areas”, which we against the new EIF. Ofsted does not require this. believe is a really positive change. inspectors come calling As providers move through their individual Second, Ofsted will review the provider’s self-assessment cycle, they will naturally self- curriculum – and that doesn’t simply mean assess against the new framework. In the interim, programme content or materials. Inspectors now it is worth considering the use of a positioning want to look at the whole end-to-end process of and at least take the level 2 functional skills Data is less important, but from our discussions statement to sit alongside the SAR and QIP to help the provider’s programmes; hence the importance test. The short answer is that it should not be an with Ofsted, providers should still be able to articulate to inspectors the transitional process and of having strong curriculum leads who are afterthought bolted on at the end. explain the reasons for their performance. journey they are on. prepared for the new process. “Deep dive” inspections have now been added to With apprenticeships specifically, there is little Remember that the SAR and the QIP are Effective “curriculum sequencing” will be the sector’s unrivalled liking for jargon. Much of the comparable performance data for standards for the benefit of the provider and not a paper inspected to ensure that the provider’s programme previous inspection activity was sometimes seen because of the move away from frameworks, so exercise to simply provide to Ofsted for inspection. has been designed, structured and delivered as operating in silos; for example inspectors would this is a sensible change. Commensurately, Ofsted will place less emphasis coherently and logically. This becomes even more observe a class or hold a focus group with learners Nevertheless, one area of focus is progression on the accuracy of a SAR, but more on how important for programmes where there is now and report back on, say, teaching effectiveness. and destination data. A provider might have low effectively the provider uses the SAR and QIP to more teaching and less assessment. Under the deep dive regime, they may follow the achievement rates that look relatively poor on drive improvements. A good example to consider is how providers journey of different learners all the way through paper, but what is the story behind that? In the case By understanding and preparing for these who deliver training to level 2 apprentices plan their entire experience with the provider from of traineeships, qualification achievement rates changes, a “deep dive” inspection should be limited for and deliver not only the level 1 functional skills, recruitment to the preparation for end-point might be low, because the learners left early as they to a few ripples rather than whipping up waves for but also the current requirement to work towards assessment. got a job (one of the main aims of the programme) providers. 18 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK Bulletin Movers & Shakers

Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

Srikanth Iyengar Paul Geddes Simon Parkinson

Chief executive and Director, QA Chief executive, QA general secretary, WEA

Start date November 2019 Start date September 2019 Start date December 2019

Previous job Previous job Previous job Group CEO, Conduent Chief executive, Direct Line Group Principal, The Co-operative College

Interesting fact Interesting fact Interesting fact He speaks four different Indian languages, each with He is a violinist He left school at 16 and has done all his further and higher a different script education, up to Masters level, part-time while working

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Get in touch. Contact: [email protected] or call 020 81234 778

20 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 294 FEWEEK.CO.UK

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

FE WEEK & AELP AAC APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS 2020 A celebration of excellence in apprenticeship delivery

FE Week & AELP are delighted to announce the launch of the 3rd AAC Apprenticeship Awards.

These awards are designed to celebrate the contribution made by apprenticeship employers and providers in delivering world class apprenticeships.

Nominations For more information visit close 18:00 on aacapprenticeshipawards.com Friday 1 November

Spot the difference FE Week Solutions Sudoku challenge To WIN an FE Week mug

How to play: Fill in all blank squares making sure that each Spot five differences. First correct entry wins an FE Week mug. Turn the paper around to check if row, column and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 Email your name and picture of your completed spot the difference to: [email protected]. your answers match - but no cheating!

Difficulty: 5 4 7 1 3 Easy Easy Difficulty:

8 4 7

1 4 3 6 8 2 9 5

6 3 4 2 7

6 2 7 9 4 5 8 1 3

9 5 8 3 1 7 2 6

3 5 7 4

4 6 2 5 9 8 3 7 1

8 3 1 7 2 6 5 4

7 9 5 4 3 1 6 8 2

1 3 9 2 1 9 8 5 4 7 3

5 7 4 2 6 3 1 9

4 3 5 9 8

3 8 6 1 7 9 4 2 5 1 8 6 7 2 8 3 1

5 1 2 Difficulty: Medium Medium Difficulty:

2 7 9

9 1 4 7 3 5 2 8

9 3 5 2 6

8 7 2 6 9 4 5 1 3

3 5 6 2 8 1 9 7

4 8 2 6 4

2 8 7 4 5 9 6 3 1

1 4 5 8 6 3 7 9

3 8 2

6 9 3 1 7 2 8 4 5

1 4 7 8

7 2 1 5 4 8 3 6 9

5 6 9 3 1 7 4 2

7 1 6 3 8

4 3 8 9 2 6 1 5 7 5 6 7 3 4 1

Solutions: See right Last Edition’s winner: Alyson Shields