HE in FE – 11th February 2015, 2 – 5 pm

Note of meeting

Attendees: Pricilla Angelique-Page ( of North West ), Jane Baker (Pearson), Marisa Castellini (OCN London), Ian Claussen (), Nicola Dean (Bromley College of Further and Higher Education), Rebecca Eliahoo (University of Westminster), Janet Gardner (The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London), Geraldine Griffiths (City and Islington College), Brian Hill (), Scott Isaacs (West Herts College), Andrew Jones (Linking London), Matthew Kolakowski (Kensington and Chelsea College), Jo Lever ( College), Duncan Murray (), Robert Rees (Lewisham ), Marina Sleep (), Emily Taylor (Lambeth College), Howard White (Westminster Kingsway College)

1. The meeting was opened by Sue Betts, Director Linking London, the second HE in FE meeting of the year. The meeting note of the last HE in FE meeting on the 5th Nov 2014 was looked through and it was agreed to re-send Yolande Burgess’ research ‘Young people in London: an evidence base’ as some partners were new to the group.

2. Scott Isaacs from West Herts College presented on ‘Preparing for and the lessons from the QAA HE Review’. This was a fantastic look at how Scott and the college prepared for HER, what happened during it and some of the lasting impact on the college. The slides are available on the Linking London website along with a write up of the event. www.linkinglondon.ac.uk In discussing the topics for the next meeting Scott has kindly agreed to attend again on the 20th May to talk through ‘what happened next’ in more detail.

3. Jane Baker from Pearson Education Ltd. then introduced the second presentation on the changes and developments that are happening to Higher Nationals. Jane mentioned the fact that online global support will be available as the issue of low cohort numbers had been a problem for some providers. The slides are available on the Linking London website along with a write up of the event. www.linkinglondon.ac.uk

4. Partners’ updates. The group then heard an update from all partners on their HE in FE provision. The issue of internal progression was raised in the discussion, a topic we will return to.

 City and Islington College – Made a significant step last year with new developments – top up degrees in Sports Science, staff support put in place working with the HEA to create Fellows. Focusing on enhancement and scholarly activity. Remission time for staff. 520 HE students. From a Careers Adviser perspective UCAS issue about taking HN students and providing information on top up opportunities, will use ‘course finder’, and the issue of exams.

Linking London, hosted by Birkbeck, .

 North West London – thought the Pearson APMR process is good and will align it with their HE processes.  Westminster Kingsway – HER in two weeks. Want to expand their HE provision – currently 310 – 320 students.  Kensington and Chelsea – BA in Fine Art with LSBU top up is now in house. 70 – 80 HE students. TT didn’t recruit this year unusually. HE Review in March  Harrow – 50 – 60 HE students. HER next year.  Lambeth – HE provision reduced over the last few years – going to start FDs again – 70 students roughly – and looking at internal progression level 3 and beyond. Issue re multiple awarding partners. Exploring brokering PAs to help top up transition  Uxbridge – Expanding their Higher National provision from Sept. 160 FTE currently. Working on progression to level 6, computing and engineering pathways.  University of Westminster are setting up a forum in April to start a project on teacher educators and professional standards.  Waltham Forest – numbers have declined, as of today focus is now on enhancement and partnership with universities to work on.  Bromley – BA top ups in place, Business and Education 2 year part time, 1yr BA all through to year 3, all level 6 work done in partnership. 800 HE students. 10% progression internally. 4 new degrees in Sept and 4 new top ups. One HN looking to expand. Question to consider ‘How do you develop an HE culture in an FE environment’?  CHENEL – 200 HE students grown 30% up on last year, good opportunity to grow the Access to HE linked to the HN route, especially for internal progression. Accepts the cultural issues are difficult when you have small numbers.  OCN LONDON - Welcomed increased internal progression opportunities from Access to HE Diplomas to internal HNs

6.AOB

 The group discussed the next meeting and Scott kindly agreed to return on the 20th May to talk about being the other side of the HE review.  The topic of developing an HE culture was raised again as something to discuss.  John Lee’s work on scholarly activity was raised by Nicola Dean

 Next meeting 20th May 1400 - 1630.

SB 17th February 2015.

Linking London, hosted by Birkbeck, University of London.