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AoC Annual Conference 2014 daily update | www.aoc.co.uk | Thursday 20 November 2014

think, which is why it is so welcome that a panel of young people will be TIME TO addressing delegates.” Students from across the CELEBRATE country have been invited to be part of a separate plenary session, being led by former ‘The Apprentice’ ‘CREATING finalist and social enterprise champion Claire Young. Here, they will discuss what it means to be an FUTURES entrepreneur and how to get there Representatives will then be invited onto the main stage to TOGETHER’ take part in a panel discussion, College students will have a led by National Union of Students dedicated session today to set important,” said Carole. President, Toni Pearce. out what they want from the next “Yesterday, Richard Atkins set Carole said: “Being able to have Government in May 2015. out what is key for colleges in the a student panel session as part of The special student conference future. The 10 ‘asks’ cover a range AoC’s Annual Conference highlights is in its second year at the Annual of areas, from fairer funding to the organisation’s commitment Conference, and highlights how reformed careers guidance. But to helping students succeed. I am important having input of students what is central through each of pleased to be part of it, and look is, according to AoC Board Chair, these is the positive impact they forward to the strong debate which Carole Stott MBE. will have on college students if, we will see.” “The theme of this year’s and when, they are acted upon by conference is ‘creating futures the next Government. As part of ‘What students want in May 2015’ will together’, which is why having a our work we need to have a clear be part of the plenary session from session especially for students is so understanding of what students 11.15am in Hall 1.

AoC President, Richard Atkins, OUTSTANDING STUDENTS PRAISED said: “The finalists for these Burton and South Derbyshire exceptional students who stand awards were outstanding. Their College student Najibolah Rahimi out from the crowd. 20-year-old achievements are a testament both was named as AoC’s Student of the Najibolah won this year’s award to the individuals, and the support Year at last night’s gala dinner. for his dedication to succeed in given by their college. Every year I engineering, despite only arriving am amazed by the accomplishments in England eight years ago, unable of the Student of the Year and the to speak English. He excelled skills of the Student Photographer in an engineering course and of the Year, and I congratulate the A Levels at college, and is now winners.” studying astrophysics at Queen Mary University. He has also invented an international award winning ‘dynamo’, mentors primary and secondary school children, and raises funds for schools in Afghanistan. Southport College student, Jess Middlebrook, was also a winner last night – of AoC’s Student The award celebrates the Photographer of the Year award, achievements and successes of (pictured right). FIVE MINUTES WITH… FINAL BEACON TWEETS OF THE DAY @ipryce #aocce14 Dawn Elson very good on the problem ALAN DAVIES WINNERS REVEALED of the invisibility of Engineering despite its importance in Comedian and actor Alan Davies, is again. I left it too long, much as I everyday activities probably best known as the duffle enjoy doing other things. The remaining AoC Beacon Award continue to help students reach coat wearing amateur detective, winners were announced yesterday their potential.” @cityandguilds a significant Jonathan Creek, as well as being a Do you have any advice for by Lord Willis of Knaresborough, The Beacon Awards are designed challenge for the sector is the panellist on QI. Beyond that, he budding comedians? President of the AoC Charitable to promote the interdependence rapidly changing nature of is a stand-up comedian, as well as Face the front and keep talking! Trust. of further education colleges, STEM industries - @smcpeers being a former student at Loughton Among the winning colleges businesses, professional and #aocce14 College (now Epping Forest College). Do you prefer stand-up or television work? were Abingdon and Witney and voluntary organisations to best What impact did going to I enjoy all my work luckily, but Weymouth Colleges, who each serve their communities and @MoodleMcKean Pedagogy Loughton College have on you? stand-up is what I do best. scooped two awards. students, through highlighting is the driver, technology is the It changed my life and set me on Chair of the Beacon Awards, excellence and sharing best accelerator. #aocce14 the path that I'm still on today. Who’s your favourite guest Dame Pat Bacon, said: “Each practice. panellist on QI? year, the calibre of the winning The President’s winner will be @NSCPrincipal On behalf of What’s your favourite memory of After years of pushing, by me applications increases and I am announced at a special reception our fantastic staff and students - college? and others, we now have more always impressed by the innovative next year. Thank you to @AoC_info and @ Friendships with staff and women on. I like Victoria Coren, and creative ways in which colleges BakerTilly for our Beacon Award students and feeling like I had a Sara Pascoe and Katherine Ryan. #aocce14 place to be myself. Also I like seeing old friends like Bill

Bailey and Jo Brand and new young Winners: The Education and Training @samgarrettradio What How did you get into comedy? ones like Josh Widdicombe. Foundation Award for a great city #Birmingham is. One of my lecturers from The AQA Award for Continued you're taught. Transformational Leadership by Loving the @AoC_info at the #ICC Loughton college, Piers Gladhill, ran Who’s been your biggest Engagement in Education and/ Governing Bodies & exploring the great projects a comedy club and he gave me a inspiration? If you could give your 16-year-old or Training for 16-19 year old Award winner: Abingdon and in the city. Not enough national chance. John Hegley. self some careers advice, what Learners Witney College coverage! would it be? Award winner: East Kent College A couple of years ago you returned If you could give one bit of advice Don't listen to your Dad! The Learning Consortium Award @peterlee_gb Just read to doing a stand-up comedy tour. to college students now, what The Association of Colleges Award for Improvement in Teaching and transcript of @NickBolesMP What made you go back and how would it be? Alan will be part of this morning’s for College Engagement with Learning through Peer Coaching at @AoC_info. Decent balance are you finding it? Find subjects you are really plenary session from 11.15am in Hall 1. Employers Award winner: Abingdon and on English and maths, and non I'm loving being a stand-up interested in and listen to what Award winner: Leeds City College Witney College ‘utilitarian’ attitude to education The Baker Tilly and Association of #aocce14 Colleges Award for Outstanding The NAMSS Award for Student Leadership of Improvement Services Canterbury Award winner: National Star Award winner: NEWS IN BRIEF COLLEGES AT HEART College College SAVE THE DATE The City & Guilds Award for Staff The UCAS Progress Award for As this year’s conference comes to a OF FUTURE GROWTH Development in Further Education Careers Education and Guidance Weymouth close, delegates are invited to save Award winner: Kirklees College Award winner: Colleges are at the heart of future “There is a growing demand College the date for next year’s conference. growth, according to the Secretary for degree level courses whether The 20th conference will take of State for Business, Innovation vocational or otherwise. We are place from 17 to 19 November and Skills, Vince Cable MP. promoting this agenda because 2015, and it promises to be an extra Speaking at yesterday’s there is a demand for it and it’s special occasion. conference, Vince highlighted the popular. We’re looking at how we impact colleges have made to treat students in an equitable way GALA DINNER supporting local growth, and how between FE and HE. We have tried BLOG Last night’s gala dinner was heralded important they are for the future. within financial constraints to inject as a great success by attendees. He said: “Having visited colleges funding into higher apprenticeships The dinner, attended by over 900 AoC’s Assistant Director Celebrating past college the length and breadth of the and developing trailblazer schemes. students who have achieved people was a good opportunity for country, I have seen the important “From high level apprenticeships Julian Gravatt writes today’s excellence. delegates to network with friends role they play in supporting their to funding for top graduates to teach blog focusing on: and colleagues. local community and business. By English and maths, I have overseen Nominations now open for It also highlighted the focusing on what they do best and the introduction of positive change in ‘Funding and the future’ the 2015 Gold Awards. achievements of students, with the partnering with employers, the our further education sector which announcement of the Student of further education sector will remain helps train the nation’s workforce www.aoc.co.uk/blog Closing date: 17 Dec 2014 the Year and Student Photographer fundamental to driving future local as well as help unemployed and of the Year awards. Students were economic growth. disadvantaged people to get their www.aoc.co.uk/gold also involved in cooking the meal lives back on track.” and the table decorations. APPRENTICESHIPS KEY TO THE FUTURE

Higher level vocational and Labour’s Shadow Education professional qualifications are key Secretary, Tristram Hunt MP, who is to the continued growth of the a keynote speaker today, said: UK economy, according to college “The failure to realise the principals, policy makers and aspiration of a high status, high politicians at this year’s Annual quality technical and vocational Conference. education system has held our Over the last couple of days country back. speakers from the worlds of “It is one of the great challenges business, academia and politics facing this country. That is why have all highlighted the importance transforming technical and apprenticeships are set to make vocational education will be at the over the coming years. very heart of my reform agenda, under a future Labour government. The role of colleges and the further education sector is an absolutely pivotal one and I know that working together we can achieve the change that we need for our young people and our economy. “Together, we will restore ”Alongside Tristram, Chuka aspiration, status and integrity to Umunna MP, Shadow Secretary of the apprenticeship brand. State for Business, Innovation and “And as I have set out, we will Skills, will be answering questions raise the bar with new Institutes from delegates today. He said: “I of Technical Education delivering am looking forward to attending a gold-standard technical and speaking at the AoC’s Annual baccalaureate qualification. Conference. Developing the skills of “And I want to make it clear that this country’s workforce is critical to I will not continue this government’s the future of our economy, ensuring damaging policy of decoupling AS everyone can make the most of levels – a policy that is bad for social their talents and achieve their mobility and one that will narrow aspirations. Colleges have a vital the curriculum. I look forward to role to play as part of this agenda discussing my ideas and aspirations – we want to help the FE sector with AoC members at this year’s address the challenges it faces and conference. help it succeed.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY

ŸŸ Julian Gravatt, AoC’s Assistant Chief Executive, hosts this year’s Funding Forum, (Hall 5, 8.15am)

ŸŸ Actor, writer, comedian and former college student Alan Davies is the final day’s guest Contact us speaker (Hall 1, 11.15am) ŸŸ Shadow Secretary of State Association of Colleges for Education, Tristram Hunt 2-5 Stedham Place MP and Shadow Secretary of London WC1A 1HU State for Business, Innovation T: 0207 034 9900 and Skills, Chuka Umunna W: www.aoc.co.uk MP, will both be on stage @AoC_Info (Hall 1, 1.10pm)