Dear Colleagues s17

Bulletin June 2009

Dear colleagues, It was good to see so many of you at the annual conference last week, and in spite of the many challenges we face, I hope you found it something of a tonic. It is clear that we will have to live with a fairly high level of uncertainty for some time to come but I think that meeting together and sharing ideas for facing the future will help us all to manage it better. As you know, Natspec is doing all it can on your behalf to ensure that the legislation is as good as it can be for our learners and I know that many of you are engaging in conversations with anyone who will listen locally. Back to conference, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped to make it a successful event, especially those who contributed to workshops – it is always encouraging that so many of the workshops reflect the excellent work going on in member colleges, but equally important to find out about developments elsewhere. Particular thanks to our sponsoring organisations, TechDis who paid for the event management – and Amanda Kerin at Istead events who managed the event so efficiently - and LLUK who paid for conference bags and the drinks reception. This provided a great opportunity to celebrate ISC successes in technology and at the same time say thank you to John Sewell for his persistence in making sure Natspec’s members really are leading edge users of ICT. Please remember to complete your conference evaluation by June 5th, after which time we can have a look and decide on a location and date for next year’s event. ISCs feature prominently in a recent publication from LSIS; an updated Raising Standards guide in relation to learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It is a free publication, which you can order from LSIS Publications, 0845 270 2238, reference SFLLLDD. Many of the examples and materials are based on work on skills for life undertaken in ISCs. Don’t forget that the AoC Beacon awards and the LSIS Star awards both offer further opportunities to celebrate ISC success and innovation; please think about nominations for both of these. I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few more thank yous. Natspec is a membership organisation and is only as good as its members make it – so thank you for all the work you do and your input on issues such as lobbying your MP, which ensure that we have a regional and local presence. Thank you to the directors who form the steering committee and give up time to further the work of Natspec and ensure strategic direction (a list of the new steering committee is elsewhere in the bulletin). Special thanks to the officers, in particular Helen Sexton who works tirelessly to promote Natspec and David Kendall who keeps the books in immaculate order. Finally, thank you to Andrew Harris for his work as company secretary and bulletin editor. Enjoy the sunshine! Best wishes Alison

Conference feedback “What a positive atmosphere at the conference – a real celebration in difficult times. I was really struck by people’s enthusiasm, and felt privileged to be invited to be a part of the Natspec ‘scene”’. Victor Dejean, Programme Director The Leadership Toolkits LSIS “ Yes great to see everyone at the conference there is always a real buzz of energy and commitment from Natspec colleagues it is always a pleasure” Punam Khosla Director Leadership and elearning, LSIS

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 1 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA Elections to Natspec Steering Committee – May 2009 Under the Articles of Association a maximum of 12 Directors are appointed by election, allowing up to a further 3 directors to be co-opted under Article 3.7.1 so as to correct any imbalance in the Board membership. There were 6 nominations for the 4 elected vacancies and following the election held at the Annual Conference, the following 4 candidates were elected to the Board:  Graham Jowett  David Kendall  Anne Price  Caroline Smale The election took place on the first day of the Annual Conference in Birmingham and 40 of the 70 Natspec member colleges voted – thanks to all members who voted. The Natspec Steering Committee for 2009/10 is: Member College Helen Sexton Chair National Star College David Kendall Treasurer Derwen College Tracey De Bernhardt-Dunkin V. Chair West of England College Graham Jowett V. Chair Treloar College Jennifer Dixon-Clegg Fortune Riding Centre Caroline Smale Henshaws College Anne Price David Lewis Centre Alex Mellon Queen Alexandra College Andrew Giles Nash College Terry Harrington Dilston College Maggie Thompson Bridge College Amanda Quincey NCYPE A further 3 co-opted directors will be announced following the next steering committee meeting in July.

The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) Leadership and elearning programmes from LSIS Registration is now open to participant in the next round of Leadership and elearning programmes offered by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS). These programmes have been designed to bring together managers and leaders from all over the Further Education and Skills System whose roles involve serving and enriching the technology needs of their organisation. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences with peers, network and play an important part in not only shaping technology within their organisations, but also the development of future programmes and resources. Participation in the programmes has as also led to whole organisational improvement and cost savings in leadership development. Managers and leaders will benefit from:  Online resources that meet the needs of differing learning and development styles  The opportunity to focus on a specific area of need within the organisation  Free access to hundreds of pounds worth of online resources that will help address the challenges of whole-organisational improvement, preparing for inspection and individual CPD  Access to capital grant of up to £7,500 (per organisation) to purchase equipment on completion of one of our leadership and elearning programmes. View the full Leadership and eleadership programme brochure>> The Leadership and elearning programmes are fully subsidised and are free to attend. Spaces are limited so early registration is advisable, and can be done online at www.lsis.org.uk/enrol Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 2 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA For programme dates and further information visit www.lsis.org.uk/eleadership, call LSIS London on 0870 060 3278 or email [email protected]

New National Improvement Strategy principles The full report on the responses to the New NIS consultation and the shorter summary are now available to download from the LSIS website: http://www.lsis.org.uk/consultation/NISPrinciples/DiscussionFeedbackNewNIS.aspx You can also view feedback from the three regional consultation events we held during February 2009.

Identifying the Contribution of FE Providers to Local Priorities, Partners and Places

The contribution of FE to local priorities partners and place - 17 May 09 - final report.pdf

Election process for members of NATSPEC to join the LSIS Council LSIS is governed and advised by a member council made up of 30 members who fully reflect the richness and diversity of the sector, taking into account the nature and type of providers and geographic distribution.

The member council of LSIS has powers through the Memorandum of Articles to hold the board of LSIS to account at the annual and general meetings, as well as an advisory, consultative and representative role.

The LSIS Council will be a forum for professional exchanges between the sector, stakeholders and LSIS on matters to do with improvement and Self Regulation. The Council’s purpose is to enable LSIS to best serve the sector via conversation and challenge to LSIS and its strategic direction and plans. The Council will meet formally two or three times a year and council members will serve for a period of one year. The position is not remunerated but travel expenses will be met by LSIS. Further information about the work of the council is on the LSIS website at: http://www.lsis.org.uk/News/ReadNews/09-06-01/Elections_begin_for_LSIS_council_2009_2010.aspx?ReturnURL= %2fGovernance%2fLSISCouncil.aspx The Council is co-chaired by Dame Ruth Silver (Chair of LSIS and Principal of Lewisham College) and Graham Hoyle (Chief Executive of Association of Learning Providers). Natspec has one place on the council. If you feel you are able to represent Natspec and ISC’s interests on this important body, please complete a nomination form, above and return it to Andrew Harris, together with a statement of no more than 250 words, outlining why you feel you would be suited to fulfil this role. Please send nominations by post and in addition, please send an electronic copy of your statement. Constituency contact

Andrew Harris, Assistant Principal, Derwen College Tel: 01691 661 234 Email: [email protected] Web: www.natspec.org.uk How to stand for election You are eligible to stand if you are an SMT member of any of the 70 member colleges. You will also need to be nominated by a Proposer and should follow the nomination procedure below.

One member will be elected to the council from this constituency.

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 3 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA To stand, please email the following details to [email protected] by 8 June 2009 using the nomination form which has been circulated to all colleges.  Your name  Your electronic signature  Name of your organisation  Your Proposer’s details: name, electronic signature and organisation  Your election statement (maximum 250 words) How to nominate All candidates must be proposed by a member from their college. How to vote Each member college has one vote. Assuming there is more than one nomination, all potential voters will be sent ballot papers with the candidate and nomination details. In the event that there is only one nomination, the candidate will automatically be elected. Please return your ballot papers to: LSIS Council Elections LSIS London Fourth Floor, 47 Mark Lane London EC3R 7QQ Voting closes 2 July 2009. No ballot paper received after this date will be counted.

Voice for a new age Guardian Society contains an interview with Scott Watkin, the tsar for learning disabilities. Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/may/20/interview-scott-watkin

Request from the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign This summer EDCM are working with disabled children and young people to develop a disabled young people’s manifesto. We want to make sure disabled children’s issues are a key priority for all three political parties in the run up to the next general election and secure public commitments for disabled children and their families in each of the parties election manifestos and policies. We will launch the young people’s manifesto at party conference events this autumn and be asking Ministers from each party to respond to the issues raised by disabled children and young people. We're keen to work with as many member organisations as possible so if you have anything you would like to feed into it's development from your own direct work with disabled children and young people, or if you are interested in endorsing this as a sector-wide product please do get in touch with me at the number below. Please make sure all the children and young people you are in touch with get the chance to make their views known! For more information on how you can get involved please go to www.edcm.org.uk/ypmanifesto or drop me a line: Pamela Shaw Campaign Officer Every Disabled Child Matters National Children's Bureau 8 Wakley Street London EC1V 7QE Direct Line: 020 7843 6318 Fax: 020 7843 6313 www.edcm.org.uk

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 4 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA DIUS - A technology vision for 2020

We are encouraging an informal discussion on an FE and technology vision for 2020. This can be found at: http://altogethernow.ning.com/

We would welcome views from you and your colleagues.

Stuart Edwards

Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills

Improving the Educational Outcomes for Those with Special Education Needs (SEN) Tuesday July 7th 2009, Central London, 09:00 - 14:00 (half day) Junior schools minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry told Parliament last week that schools found to be giving inadequate support to children with special educational needs (SEN) will be penalised in their Ofsted inspections and placed in a "causing concern" category. SEN students are often the most vulnerable children in the classroom and subject to an increased risk of bullying, maltreatment, truancy and participating in criminal activity.

This forum will explore the ways in which relevant agencies and the Government can work together to improve the assistance and support given to vulnerable SEN students. (Please also be aware of other related forums and events on National Curriculum Reform, ICT in Education and the Single Equality Bill).

Book Today (click on link to left)

Private members Bill on SEN & Lamb Inquiry call for evidence

sen bill and lamb enquiry.doc

A Transition: assessment and foundation learning Wednesday 8 July 2009, 10.00am to 3.30pm London Chaired by Peter Little, OBE, independent chair of DCSF LLDD Advisory Group Skill’s summer seminar will focus on implementing post-16 reforms and maximising opportunities for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Key topics to be covered during the day include:  assessment and statutory guidance  an update on the National Transition Support Team  the implications for Connexions  the development of the Foundation Learning Tier Who will benefit from attending? This seminar will be of particular interest to staff taking the strategic lead for transition, 14-19 reform, and developing the curriculum around the Foundation Learning Tier. Delegates will have the opportunity to contribute to the DCSF consultation on draft statutory guidance on Section 139A/140 assessment. By attending this seminar, staff will be able to support their organisation to develop strategic plans for 2010-2013 and will be armed with the most up-to-date information to Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 5 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA better inform learners and families of how the changes may impact on their learning and progression. This workshop day will be participative, involving speaker inputs followed by group work. The venue Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre, 108 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH. Nearest train stations - Waterloo, Waterloo East, Blackfriars. Nearest tube station - Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines), Southwark (Jubilee line) Further information and booking To add your details to the mailing list to receive further information and a booking form as soon as it is available, please contact Sally Hayward, [email protected]. Sally Hayward Conferences and Publications Officer Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities Direct line: at present not working so please call Skill's main number 020 7450 0620 (voice)

Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) Update & Roadshows - May 2009 We are pleased to announce the May edition of the Vetting and Barring Scheme Update newsletter for stakeholders, which also contains dates for the forthcoming Stakeholder Information Roadshows, a copy of which can be found at: http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/pdf/ISA_Stakeholder_newsletter_MAY_2009_V3.pdf

Mencap's magazine Viewpoint is looking for models for photoshoot

Last year Viewpoint featured stunning photos of young people with a learning disability. This year creative director Gary Harvey is looking for people with a learning disability aged 18-40 to take part in a new photoshoot.

The deadline for applying has now been extended to 15 June 2009.

To apply, please send the following to the Viewpoint team:

o a photo of yourself o your name, age, address and telephone number o a short paragraph explaining why you would like to be in the photoshoot, what makes you angry and what makes you smile.

Successful applicants will be told by 30 June 2009. We are sorry, but photos sent in cannot be returned.

The photoshoot will take place in London in the summer. Reasonable travel expenses will be paid and those selected may bring a supporter on the day. Please let us know if you have any special requirements or access needs.

Entries should be sent to [email protected] or Viewpoint, 123 Golden Lane, London EC1Y 0RT. If you have any questions, please call Helen Burger on 020 7696 5534. www.mencap.org.uk

......

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 6 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA Skill is looking for 6-8 young disabled people aged 16-25 to join our Youth Working party. This brand new group will report to our governing Council and help Skill respond better to young disabled people's needs and promote youth involvement within our organisation. By joining the Youth Working Party, young people will have the chance to make a real contribution and help Skill tell the government about the things that affect young disabled people in education, training, work and volunteering. We ask Youth Working Party members to attend 3 meetings a year, and all reasonable travel expenses and access costs will be covered. Lunch and refreshments will also be provided at meetings. If you know any young people who would be interested, please ask them to fill in the expression of interest form and send it back to Susan Hubbard. The form can be downloaded from here: http://www.transitioninfonetwork.org.uk/view/1/0/699 Email: [email protected] Fax 020 7450 0650 www.skill.org.uk Or post to Skill, Unit 3, Floor 3, Radisson Court, 219 Long Lane, London SE1 4PR. Deadline is Wednesday 10 June.

Developing Capability, Unlocking Potential Conference

090529 D FV LLL40011 Event Catalyst event agenda forInvite delegates 2.pdf - Final v.2.doc

NEWS FROM LIFELONG LEARNING UK

The Workforce Strategy for the Further Education Sector in England and the opportunities it outlines can enable the sector to take great steps forward in these fast changing times.

Everyone can benefit from the Workforce Strategy in building a better future for the sector. The vision is to support a further education workforce that is world class.

These documents are a result of extensive consultations with providers and partners in the further education system and replace the format of last year's Workforce Strategy and Implementation Plan publications; this has been done to separate:

 Providers' needs and the resources being developed for them  National partners' needs and the rationalisation of services which can then be linked to the National Improvement Partnership Board and the revised National Improvement Strategy

As a result, the following documents are now available for use this year:

1. The Workforce Strategy for the Further Education Sector in England, 2007-2012 (2008-9 revised version)

A streamlined and updated version of the existing strategy, based on feedback from providers and partners. This document is available on the Lifelong Learning UK website and will be distributed directly to employers in the further education sector as a hard copy in the coming weeks. http://www.lluk.org/documents/LLH21990_Workforce_Strategy_20pp_no_pics(1).pdf

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 7 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA 2. Implementing the Workforce Strategy for the Further Education Sector in England: A Guide for Learning Providers

Designed to communicate to providers the progress that has been made with addressing the priorities of the Workforce Strategy in the past 12 months, the guide will set out the range of support that is available to them in 2009-10 and what is proposed for development in the near future. This document is also available on the Lifelong Learning UK website and will be distributed directly to employers in the further education sector as a hard copy in the coming weeks. http://www.lluk.org/documents/LLH21991_Implementation_Plan_no_pics.pdf

LLUK update May 09.doc

FORTHCOMING NIACE EVENTS Engaging the Learner: Enhancing the range of reading experiences Friday 26 June 2009, London, 10:00am - 3:40pm Friday 3 July 2009, Birmingham, 10:00am - 3:40pm Friday 11 September 2009, Newcastle Upon Tyne, 10:00am - 3:40pm NIACE has developed a range of materials with the aim of encouraging practitioners working with adults, (including families), to introduce more reading for pleasure into their sessions. The work was developed in partnership with The Reading Agency's Vital Link programme and NIACE's campaigning work for Quick Reads in order to promote wider use of reading for pleasure in a range of settings. The events aim to draw attention to the new materials and offer a hands-on opportunity to engage with the materials Audience

 Skills for Life practitioners  Practitioners interested in developing their use of technology in the teaching of reading  Union Learning Representatives  People working in Offender Learning

Event fee per person: £150, NIACE members fee: £99

NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference and course fees. For further details look up http://www.niace.org.uk Enquiries to NIACE Events Team - Tel: 0116 204 2833 E-mail: [email protected]

Natspec website – goes live! To complement the new Natspec directory, which was launched at the Annual Conference, the re-vamped Natspec website goes live on Wednesday 3rd June and will contain up to date member college information, situations vacant, news, bulletins, a Principal’s forum, valuable links, presentations from Natspec events as well as the essential information on ISCs for parents and professionals. Photographs of the recent Annual Conference will be on the website soon, as will all the presentations of the speakers and workshops. Please let us have any news, events or job vacancies that you want placing on the website. www.natspec.org.uk

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 8 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA Natspec Directory

To request a Natspec directory please contact: Queen Alexandra College 0121 428 5050 [email protected]

Homefield College 01509 814827 [email protected]

Derwen College 01691 661234 [email protected]

Contacts email Alison Boulton [email protected]

Bulletin info: [email protected]

Andrew Harris June 2009

This is the June edition of the bulletin – but don’t think you’ve missed the May edition (there wasn’t one due to half term etc.) Hence this bumper Summer edition to make up for it.

Thought for the day… “Five out of four people are bad at fractions!”

Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. 9 Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA