In-depth, investigative journalism, determined to get past the bluster & explain the facts for the FE & skills sector

FEWEEK.CO.UK | @FEWEEK FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020 | EDITION 317

'GIVE US 'TRUST COLLEGE 'DON'T FLEXIBILITY LEADERS AND INTERFERE AS TO WHO RESPOND IN THE IS ON SITE' SWIFTLY' DETAIL'

opening from june: college leaders given flexibilities Colleges freer to choose who attends for face-to-face contact FE Week leadership survey finds 54% support DfE expectations But 71% fear significant number of learners will refuse to attend Page 5 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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2 Contents EDITION 317

Outstanding! College group given top Ofsted marks across the board

Profile: Chris Humphries: Acting president and chair, WorldSkills International Page 6 Page 13

Former adviser to skills minister calls for temporary ban on new adult apprentices Page 20

Necessity breeds invention, and grade assessment has had to adapt quickly Page 21

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Majority of eligible providers chose not to apply for ESFA Covid-19 supplier relief

BILLY CAMDEN Wednesday. [email protected] FE Week understands that some providers have already heard back, and all applicants Exclusive should now receive their outcome by the end of this week. Only around a quarter of eligible training “We are sorry for the delay and providers applied for the Education and Skills inconvenience, but assure you that it will not Funding Agency’s Covid-19 supplier relief affect the date that payments will be made,” the scheme, FE Week analysis suggests. ESFA added. The agency told this newspaper this week The agency has come in for a lot of criticism that they have received 162 applications for the over its handling of the relief scheme. extra financial support, which opened on April They took more than a month to launch 24 and closed on May 3. the support after the Cabinet Office gave The figure is 22 per cent of the 734 providers contracting authorities the green light to pay with a procured adult education budget their suppliers in advance of delivery on March allocation and/or non-levy apprenticeship 20, and when it was released, it excluded the contract with the government – nearly all of majority of apprenticeship providers. which would have been entitled to bid for the All apprenticeships recorded on the Goudie QC, a senior silk at 11KBW as well as a scheme. government’s digital system, mostly with levy- deputy High Court judge and a master of the It comes as the ESFA delays releasing the paying employers, have been made ineligible as bench of the Inner Temple, has been instructed outcomes of provider applications. the ESFA believes the contractual relationship is by the law firm VWV to help present the The agency had expected to notify providers between the employer and the provider, rather case in a letter on behalf of the membership of the outcome of their applications by Tuesday than the government. organisation. May 12, but this “unfortunately has not been The Association of Employment and Learning The letter was sent at the end of April and the possible in all cases”, they said in an update on Providers is challenging this legally. James government is yet to respond.

Ofqual reveals three-week window for calculated grades

BILLY CAMDEN result before revealing that colleges and circumstances”, where awarding organisations [email protected] training providers should “expect awarding need to extend the window beyond three organisations to ask you to provide centres’ weeks, “they will be in touch with you”. Colleges and training providers will have a assessment grades and other information “The window will allow them time for three-week “window” to provide calculated about learners in a window of up to three awarding organisations to quality assure the grades for vocational and technical weeks, starting 1 June”. data, check the overall profile of outcomes and, qualifications from June 1, Ofqual has revealed. This will be only a week after the regulator if necessary, raise any queries with centres The exams regulator this week published publishes its response to the current before results are issued,” Ofqual said. further guidance for grading the courses this vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) “If you feel your awarding organisation’s summer owing to the cancellation of exams. consultation, on May 22. deadline is unachievable, you should speak to It follows an announcement at the end of Ofqual intends to publish an app that will them urgently.” April that schools and colleges can either allow colleges, training providers and learners Results day for level 3 VTQs will be held on grade the qualifications by calculating results, to see what qualifications are in scope for August 13 alongside A-levels, while level 2 adapting assessments or, as a last resort, delay calculated grades or need-adapted assessment results will be given to students on August 20 assessments until they reopen. “when we publish the outcomes of our alongside GCSE. Ofqual reiterated that the “majority” consultation”. Ofqual’s new guidance can be found online of learners should receive a calculated The new guidance states that in “exceptional by visiting https://bit.ly/2LuJzdo

4 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Opening from June: college leaders given flexibilities

NICK LINFORD to vulnerable students and children of key [email protected] workers, but the guidance makes it clear they do not have to open more widely from the June 1. From front Monday June 1 is the earliest opportunity, but College leaders have been given significant many colleges are expected to plan to open at flexibility over which learners they invite back a later date, after many leaders told the ESFA onsite from as soon as June. they would need more time to prepare. The Department for Education made the David Hughes, chief executive of the announcement in updated guidance on Association of Colleges, said the guidance Thursday after college leaders had strongly “will help colleges to make the right decisions demanded them. in the best interests of their students, whilst It is understood senior staff from the maximising the safety of staff”. Education and Skills Funding Agency had “We are advising every college to make phoned nearly every college principal on their own decisions on their assessment of Wednesday 13 May to quickly collate feedback priorities, needs, the context in which they on the expectation they reopen from as soon operate and individual risk assessments and as 1 June and only for those 16 to 19-year-old we are confident that is what the government learners on the first year of a two year course, wants,” he added. The latest guidance will be welcomed by equivalent to year 12 in schools. also called on the government to “trust college Shelagh Legrave, chief executive of Chichester Mirroring the findings of an FE Week survey leaders” whilst “responding swiftly to our College Group, as she responded to the FE the following day in which 54 per cent of questions and concerns”. Week survey to say she wanted to be given college leaders that responded said they were The government has also given college “flexibility as to who is on site” along with supportive of the announcement, a massive 94 leaders the “flexibility to decide the “more guidance on health and safety”. percent (32 out of 35) said the DfE should leave appropriate mix of online and face to face In terms of the college staff there were “some it to college leaders to decide who should come content for each programme, reflecting what very enthusiastic to return tomorrow, others into college when they reopen. will maximise learner engagement as well more reticent”, according to Legrave, who The new DfE guidance, published on May 14, as supporting more vulnerable learners, and added that “we will not force staff to come in if says: “We understand that there may need to enabling the provider as a whole to minimise they feel unsafe”. be some flexibility in place due to the variety of transmission risk”. Russell Lawrance, principal of Haringey learners and courses offered in FE setting.” Despite the flexibilities on offer, 71 per cent of Sixth Form College, said he encouraged the Adults in the same class as 16 to 19-year-old those responding to the FE Week survey said government to “set the challenge so to speak - learners could also receive face to face tuition, they thought a significant number of students but don't interfere in the detail” and committed as can 16 to 19-year-olds due to finish this will refuse to come into college in June and 46 to all students “having a virtual meeting or a academic year “but not been able to because per cent thought a significant number of staff phone conversation or meeting in college with their assessments have been deferred”. would refuse. staff as a minimum sign off”. Apprentices aged 16 to 19 should also be And nearly all college leaders expressed And Bill Jones, principal of Leeds City College, included on the same basis “for their off the job concern when asked about the logistics and training where possible and appropriate, cost of staff and student transport. so that they can be offered some face More guidance on the safe use of transport to face contact”. is expected from the DfE as they “will be The DfE added that the policy consulting with sector representatives”… also applies to “a small number of “and this will be published along with local authority providers, specialist further guidance for secondary schools post-16 institutions and independent and colleges and other providers in the training providers”. week commencing 18 May”. Many colleges are already open Shelagh Legrave, Bill Jones and Russ Lawrence

5 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Outstanding! College group given top Ofsted marks across the board

BILLY CAMDEN [email protected]

Chichester College Group has become the second general further education college to be rated ‘outstanding’ under Ofsted’s new inspection framework. The group, which formed in 2017 following mergers between Brinsbury College, Chichester College, Crawley College and then Worthing College in 2019, received grade ones across the board in a report published on Tuesday, following a visit in early March. Chief executive Shelagh Legrave said that to achieve the rating after such a short period following formation was a “phenomenal achievement” and a “true testament to the hard work, dedication and talent of all of our staff and students”. Ofsted’s glowing report lauded leaders and working “closely” with employers and other college groups. managers for successfully developing a strong external stakeholders to “research and design “I am proud of the entire team of CCG staff “collaborative culture between the campuses, appropriate courses for learners” and ensure across all colleges. They work extremely hard particularly within teaching, training and that these courses meet “fully the demands of and demonstrate great dedication to give our learning”. their local and regional communities”. students the best opportunities possible.” Chichester College Group has more They are also “highly ambitious” for In a joint statement, the group’s student than 12,000 students who are all “rightly disadvantaged learners and those with presidents Sophie Sargent, Ria Voice and very proud of their college”, according to additional needs, who “rapidly develop the Philip Pasby added: “We’re so proud of our inspectors. skills needed to participate within society and Ofsted result. They found that learners and apprentices gain employment”. “Students are the heart of all of our colleges of different abilities and backgrounds work The leadership team was commended for and the leadership of the group prioritises “harmoniously together and in so doing, having “robust” measures in place to make sure the student voice. It really is central to support and inspire one another” and they are that subcontracted provision to eight providers everything the group does. “ambitious to achieve”. is of a “high standard”. "It’s why we’re so passionate about our The report continues: “They [students] “They hold subcontractors to account and colleges and we’re really happy to see Ofsted cherish the passion and subject expertise of frequently check on the progress that learners confirm what we – as student presidents – their teachers which inspire them to extend and apprentices are making in this area of have always felt.” their learning. provision. As a result, learners and apprentices The first and only other general FE college “They develop new interests and pursuits, within subcontracted provision achieve as well to be rated ‘outstanding’ under Ofsted’s new such as involving themselves in wider as their peers, and occasionally better.” inspection framework, which was rolled out community, national and international Prior to the merger, Crawley College was in September, was Newcastle and Stafford interests, with enthusiasm. For example, judged as ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted, Colleges Group. learners work with Crawley Open House, a while Worthing College was rated as ‘good’. Ofsted has paused the publication of centre for homeless people, the Alzheimer’s Chichester College Group chair James further education and skills reports during Society, or with overseas education charities Sarmecanic said: “This report places CCG’s the Covid-19 pandemic, but they will release [such as building schools in Kenya].” standing at the forefront of the further them sooner if requested by individual Leaders and managers were praised for education sector, particularly among providers.

6 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] School slammed by Ofsted after failing Baker Clause

BILLY CAMDEN failing the Baker Clause. education select committee chair Robert Halfon, [email protected] The controversial rule was introduced in January believe the government is still “not doing enough”. 2018 and stipulates schools must ensure a range The lack of action has led to calls for Ofsted to of FE providers have access to pupils from year assess compliance with the rule as part of a wider A school has been rapped by Ofsted for flouting 8 to year 13 to provide information on technical judgment on a schools’ careers guidance. the Baker Clause, as the inspectorate begins to education and apprenticeships. King Edward VII Science and Sport College is an police the controversial rule. It became law after the government adopted academy that teaches around 750 students aged Leicestershire-based King Edward VII Science an amendment to the 2017 Technical and Further 14 to 18. and Sport College was rated ‘inadequate’ in a Education Act, proposed by former education Since Ofsted’s visit in January, it has joined the report published on Wednesday following an secretary Lord Baker, who claimed schools were Apollo Partnership Trust and appointed a new inspection in January. “resisting” those who tried to promote more governing body. Inspectors found, among other leadership and vocational courses to pupils. Jennifer Byrne was the school’s principal at the safeguarding issues, that the school was “not The government has become increasingly time of the inspection, but a press release on its currently meeting its statutory responsibility to concerned at non-compliance with the rule but website states that vice principal Emma Booth ensure that providers of technical qualifications has yet to take any meaningful action. has since become acting principal. and apprenticeships visit the school to inform While it has sent out numerous letter to schools Julia Patrick, chief executive of the Apollo pupils about these options”. and multi-academy trusts reminding them of the Partnership Trust, said that although King The watchdog said leaders “do not make sure duty, no action was taken in the first year of its Edward VII College was not part of the academy that pupils receive independent careers advice”, existence, even though a study by the Institute for chain at the time of the inspection, they have which means students “do not feel well prepared Public Policy Research found that around two- taken Ofsted’s report “very seriously and for their next steps”. thirds had broken the law. are actively reviewing it with a view to early Ofsted added that leaders “must” provide It led to the clause being labelled a “law without implementation of any recommended changes”. pupils with “information about what technical teeth” by Charles Parker, the then executive She would not comment on Byrne’s position at education and apprenticeship opportunities are director of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the school. available in accordance with the school’s legal which helps to run University Technical Colleges. Ofsted has paused the publication of inspection obligations under the ‘Baker’ clause”. Former Department for Education minister Lord reports during the Covid-19 pandemic, but has FE Week understands this to be the first case of Agnew sent out the most recent batch of warning said it will release them sooner if requested, as a school being pulled up by the inspectorate for letters in February 2020 – but MPs, such as was the case with King Edward’s. ESFA delays action on achievement rates

BILLY CAMDEN ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Providers have to have more than 40 per cent [email protected] “We are aware of the continuing challenges of their cohort on frameworks and standards surrounding the delivery of apprenticeships above a 62 per cent achievement rate to achieve under the present circumstances and will the minimum standard. Exclusive monitor the situation closely. As previously reported, overall achievement “We will make a final decision on the need for rates for apprenticeships dropped 2.2 per cent Two weeks after the Education and Skills intervention, as a result of failure of minimum points last year to just 64.7 per cent. Funding Agency announced they would standards, later in the year. We expect this to The achievement rate for the new intervene at apprenticeship providers that failed happen as soon as it is possible, but no later than apprenticeship standards was particularly low, to meet the minimum standards in 2018-19 they October 2020, when we will write to you again on averaging just 46.6 per cent, compared to 68.7 per have pushed back the plans by more than four this subject.” cent for frameworks. months. A spokesperson for the ESFA confirmed that all The DfE cited apprentice drop-out as the Officials originally said on April 29 they would providers will receive the same message “where problem, with overall retention rate being 65.7 send out letters to those in scope, understood to we are deferring our decision on intervention per cent, meaning more than one-third of funded be several hundred training firms, stating how action”. apprentices were leaving before the course had they would be challenged “next week”. They could not say how many providers could finished. However, FE Week understands that only a require challenge as the agency has not yet The agency’s minimum standards policy handful were sent out and only to those where it completed the process of contacting all those in document reminds providers that “poor or was decided there was no need for action. scope. declining education performance data can lead The remaining and vast majority of letters were The spokesperson added that the approach to escalating intervention action and we will act finally sent this week, but they state that any on minimum standards, including the deferral early in the best interests of students, apprentices challenge has been delayed because of Covid-19. of final decisions on intervention, was agreed and the public purse”. In letters seen by FE Week, the ESFA said: “We “prior” to the notice being published on April And action for failing to meet the minimum have decided not to issue you with additional 29, and they have “taken account of the impact standard can be as severe as contract contractual obligations, which we use to manage of Covid-19 on the provider base (e.g. their termination, according to the agency’s “oversight the quality and quantity of the delivery of your need to prioritise work to manage through the of independent training providers” operational apprenticeship provision, at this point, due to the immediate challenges) in our decision making”. guidance.

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected] Coronavirus delays troubled college’s merger until autumn

BILLY CAMDEN [email protected]

Exclusive

A cash-strapped college’s merger plans have been delayed owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College, which was told by FE Commissioner Richard Atkins last year that it could not survive as a standalone due to its “terminal” finances, had scheduled to join the Trafford College Group by August. A consultation on the move was run at the end of March and while both parties are still the merger process is completed but also allows Merging Trafford College Group and committed to it, they have pushed back the both colleges to recruit and enrol at the start of Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College date for completion to October 30. the academic year as well as get students inducted would create a single college group working In a joint statement the colleges said: “In and on to their study programmes as the main across the existing college sites. light of the ongoing Covid-19 situation and priority.” Trafford College already merged with the impact this will have on the due diligence The merger is reliant on additional funding Stockport College in April 2018, a move that process, the merger transition board, along being fronted up by the ESFA. required a £30 million bailout from the with the Education and Skills Funding Agency Minutes from a Trafford College board meeting Department for Education. considered the July 31, 2020 merger date and in January stated that principal Lesley Davies The merger will have to be finalised without agreed that it was sensible to reschedule the “reminded members of the red risk and that Trafford principal Lesley Davies, who is merger date for October 30, 2020. the group would not proceed with the merger if stepping down from the role on July 31 after “This not only allows more time to ensure funding was not made available”. leading the college for four years. “The ESFA representative commented that it was “I am immensely proud to have led The important that the ESFA were clear on what the Trafford College Group and its amazing staff funding requirement was and its justification.” for the past four years and it has truly been a The college told FE Week it is still working with highlight in my career,” she told FE Week. the ESFA on funding models and options, which “It has been incredibly rewarding to work cannot be assessed until all due diligence has been with so many fantastic colleagues, supporters, completed. They would not provide a figure of stakeholders and our communities in Trafford how much funding has been requested. and Stockport.” A number of other college mergers are planned Davies added that while she is leaving her for August 2020 and remain on track despite full-time job, she will be continuing with a the disruption caused by Covid-19. These include number of non-executive board roles. Peterborough Regional College joining up with She started her career in education and New College Stamford, and Swindon College training 30 years ago as a college lecturer merging with New College Swindon. and has since held senior roles in the Adult The Grimsby Institute and East Riding College Learning Inspectorate, the Learning and are also currently scheduled to merge in August, Skills Council, the Association of Colleges and but a spokesperson said they could not comment Pearson. on whether this was still the case. James Scott, the vice principal of curriculum Atkins’ report on Cheadle and Marple revealed and campus principal of Stockport College, how the college had generated “substantial” has been appointed as acting principal and

Lesley Davies deficits since 2013-14, and said it was “unlikely” the chief executive of the group while it recruits a college could continue alone. permanent replacement.

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? News CONTACT US [email protected]

COLLEGE INNOVATION SHOWCASE Highlights from the 'regional skills concordat' college showcase

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU businesses and potential future changes to [email protected] engagement with employers. Here is how the showcase went...

Twelve months ago a “regional skills concordat” Q1: How has your employer engagement most was set up so that 11 colleges would work with benefited the college, your learners, employer industry to identify current and future skills gaps. partners and the wider community? Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow and chair of the education select committee, launched the Hertford Regional College collaboration in April 2019 claiming the “vital Katrina Dougherty, vice principal of enterprise and exciting development will provide a ladder and innovation, said the college operates a of opportunity for those from disadvantaged destination curriculum model, which “supports backgrounds and improve the prestige of skills learners to see their current studies as a development”. passport to their future careers and not just The UK Innovation Corridor – a network of the achievement of a qualification in its own Ann Limb science and technology companies, academics, right”. She focused on the provider’s 15-year start-ups, finance and law firms from London relationship with Winchmore Brickwork – its for Food and Drink to shape the curriculum. to Cambridge – set up the project and helped team visits at least once a month to actively Forums, meetings and feedback informed the produce a “showcase” of FE college-led engage in programme delivery and typically uses contextualisation of the programme as well as employer engagement and skills activity along the partnership to recruit their apprentices each the layout and equipment that should be used the region. year. “Working with Winchmore has enabled us to in the centre. Further engagement allows staff Former college principal and chair of the UK provide learners with access to real-time, hands- at the college to ensure they have up-to-date Innovation Corridor, Ann Limb, praised the on experience,” she added. expertise. collective efforts as “phenomenal”. The final showcase was due to be presented in Peterborough Regional College Q2: Which employers has your college parliament but had to move online owing to the Marie Peene, operations director of engaged with? Covid-19 pandemic. apprenticeships, provided the example of the FE Week joined the webcasted event on development of the level 3 food and drink Capital City College Group Wednesday, during which ten of the participating engineering maintenance apprenticeship Barry Connelly, strategic advisor for engineering colleges answered one of three questions about standard. Prior to delivery, the college engaged development at Conel (part of CCCG), discussed the benefits of developing partnerships with with employers and the National Skills Academy the gratitude of Transport for London rail and of global real estate firm CBRE for the development of apprentices’ engineering skills and benefits to their businesses. He added the college’s facilities put it in a “strong position to bring out further growth” and that increased employer partnerships would create new apprenticeship opportunities to help “young people within the local community and the UK Innovation Corridor become the next generation of qualified engineers”.

Waltham Forest College Senior business adviser Nelson Dean spoke about the development of the college’s partnership with One Housing Group. It started Barry Connolly, strategic advisor for engineering with a request to help recruit one apprentice and development at Conel, discussing employer partnerships

10 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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COLLEGE INNOVATION SHOWCASE

Deputy principal of Cambridge Regional College Michelle Dowse’s has now grown into a bigger programme with highlighting employers’ future expectations for engagement opportunities for industry work placements. Dean said Waltham Forest College also has wider discussions with the housing association’s supply chain and host networking events to explore the challenges of the industry and how the college can support the upskilling of staff or provision of candidates for jobs.

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills Principal Stuart Noss elaborated on Ada’s partnership with software company Salesforce. It provides “significant” numbers of mentors every year and sponsors events such as a week- long take-over of the college to co-deliver a client brief training project, giving students “the opportunity to experience what the real world will be like”. The firm has also helped design the Q3: How do you see your employer engagement included climate change and food security, curriculum, is part of the induction programme changing in the coming one to five years? What which he said had been highlighted with the and provides grants to invest in welfare. Noss is driving this change? pressures on the supply chain during Covid-19. concluded the partnership is “hugely beneficial For the specialist environmental and land-based for both parties”. Cambridge Regional College college the most effective way to develop multi- In the most popular quote of the seminar, employer collaboration has been hosting large Stansted Airport College, part of Harlow College deputy principal Michelle Dowse passed on fairs. “Looking at the three- to five-year picture, Deputy principal Will Allanson explained that the perspective that “resilient companies don’t I think I can see the alumni playing a much more the partnership came about due to the college’s bounce back, they bounce forward”. She said significant role,” he concluded. location, the fact Stansted Airport was the largest that many employers in the Innovation Corridor single employment site in the East of England have told her they will embrace the technological New City College and that there had been no access to vocational changes that many of them have accelerated Steve Lee, the deputy group director for education within the district. He said the during lockdown and “they’ll require even more apprenticeships and business development, said curriculum had been designed to prepare people support from us to help them make those the college has been maintaining engagement to go into employment at the airport. “We join changes”. She predicts this may take the form with employers and stakeholders during the the dots up with young people between where of more webinars, virtual career support and pandemic and “keeping that momentum going they are and where they need to get to,” Allanson interviews, as well as greater flexibility in delivery where we can”. It is currently in the process continued, citing employers coming in to work models. of opening a new campus and modernising alongside learners and tutors at the college as the others with hopes to “meet the needs of well as opportunities for work placements. Capel Manor College employers and to future-proof education where Key issues for principal Malcolm Goodwin we can”. Input received so far on equipment and technology has been utilised to shape what the campus should look like.

North Hertfordshire College Adam Barnes, head of employer engagement, outlined how the college’s separate brand for apprenticeship provision, Hart Learning & Development, was set up to look at how it could “expand on a more national basis”. By cutting the number of courses on offer, it was able to create “a much more tailored programme”. He sees the provision of pre-apprenticeship training to help clients with recruitment as an area for Senior business adviser at future growth. According to Barnes, this means Waltham Forest College, Nelson Dean, speaking the provider “can design things that are expressly about their partnership related to the job roles that people go into”. with One Housing Group

11 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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Volunteers flock to Kent’s ‘Sewing For Carers’ Zoom workshops

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU to provide their expertise and assistance to [email protected] members of the public sewing the much-needed garments for NHS staff and carers. It has had more than 100 enrolments in A local council’s adult education department the scheme so far, with Sewing For Carers has launched a range of free virtual sewing workshops running three to four times a week. workshops to make medical scrubs for key Alison Cutts, curriculum leader and sewing workers. tutor for Kent Adult Education, told FE Week: The initiative by Kent County Council aims “The response we have had to the classes has to alleviate the shortage of protective clothing been brilliant, they have filled up very quickly Alison Cutts, Curriculum being experienced by hospitals and care and the students are all pleased to be able to do Leader and sewing tutor workers in the area. something to help and feel that what they are for Kent Adult Education Specialist tutors are running online courses producing is made to a good standard. “Some students have been sewing to fulfil facing, inserting pockets and attaching sleeves, orders placed through the Kent Scrubbers is available. Facebook groups and others are making PPE The council’s adult education division has for family, friends and neighbours who are key sent out over 40 free resource packs of fabric, workers.” thread, patterns and instructions, and are also Supplies made by those following the real-time supplying fabric to relevant Facebook groups online step-by-step demos on Zoom include to distribute to their members as orders come scrub tops, trousers and gowns. in from each hospital. Kent County Council has also bought and This week it is fulfilling an order for the distributed 300 metres of fabric for local groups, Darent Valley Hospital Core Midwife team, who Scrub resource packs distributed which can make around 85 sets of scrubs. need 20 sets of scrubs with their team name on by Kent County Council Specific help, with, for instance, the neck- to identify them.

Cumbrian campus welcomes some new four-legged students

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU [email protected]

Lakes College in West Cumbria has opened its doors to some canine students, though currently closed to most of the human variety. The college has allowed Cumbria Police dogs (From left) Andrew Sisson, estates manager at Lakes College, Jovi, Dot and Lola to undergo specialist training police dog Junior; Sergeant Aidan Bew, police dog Lola and on their campus after the dogs’ usual training Kate Pearson, cross college administrator at Lakes College venues became unavailable during lockdown. College estates manager Andrew Sisson said “It has proved to be an ideal setting to put the keep us all safe. Always happy to help here at there was “no hesitation” in their decision to dogs through their paces, and extremely valuable Lakes.” help out. “The police, and their dogs, play a vital with the current restrictions.” He thanked the Copeland Mayor Mike Starkie also praised role in keeping us all safe, and it’s great that staff for being “extremely accommodating. the partnership. He said: “It’s great to see Lakes we’re able to support them, especially through Police dogs have to be trained in a variety of College stepping up to offer the site for Cumbria these challenging times,” he said. environments to prepare them for the conditions Police to use during the lockdown. Sergeant Aidan Bew of the Cumbria Police dog they will be placed in during live jobs. “The college is an important part of the West section said: “We’ve been using this location to Lakes College principal Chris Nattress said he Cumbrian community, and the willingness perform essential training with our three new was “delighted to help” the police force. “It was of staff to help out in this difficult time is an dogs, as well as follow-up training with our other a perfect opportunity for the dogs and trainers excellent example of the area’s resilience when specialist roles. to use our estate to sharpen their skills and help faced with challenges.”

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Introducing... CHRIS HUMPHRIES Acting president and chair, WorldSkills International

'I’m doing my very best to make sure that I live up to everyone’s expectations'

JL DUTAUT International after the untimely passing away, maximum eight-year term.” [email protected] aged just 56, of its deeply respected and newly For someone who has spent his entire career elected president, Jos De Goey in February this in the skills sector, with a somewhat intimidating year was, he says, “not on my plan”. CV of professional and volunteering positions, FE Week meets the new WorldSkills Humphries had been brought in as the including leadership in education and industry International president trying to live up organisation’s chair of the board. “It was all I was and driving national strategies, Humphries is to a legacy while negotiating the headwinds expecting to do. Jos was the head of WorldSkills self-effacing about his own vision. “I’m doing my of multiple global challenges. Netherlands for decades and was everyone’s very best to make sure that I live up to everyone’s choice to be the next president. We were delighted expectations based on what Jos was going to try Chris Humphries didn’t expect to be in this when he was approved unopposed by the and bring to WorldSkills.” position. Taking over the presidency of WorldSkills members, and we expected him to serve his full, That agenda, Humphries explains, “is to exert

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more positive and beneficial influence on the content and structure, the curricula and the assessment of VET [vocational education and training] systems around the world.” That already sounds like a vast remit, but as if picking up from such a legacy, and after such a trauma, isn’t hard enough, Humphries has been given the reins at a time of extreme headwinds for a global organisation that aims to foster partnership and to champion young people in industry. Even before the Covid pandemic, the global political scene was defined by Brexit and by American retrenchment. Unequal development still threatens geopolitical stability. Environmentalism, especially among the young, was becoming more global and more radical, and we are undergoing a technological revolution (accelerated by the response to coronavirus) Chris giving a speech that is transforming precisely the kinds of jobs at his election to the WorldSkills is built to champion. WorldSkills Board last August It’s quite a cocktail, but Humphries has a knack for disaggregating its ingredients and protected through all of this. And of course, we his father had named as his godfather was a putting them back together in less threatening have no foresight or expectation of the impact of member of Australia’s intelligence services, and admixtures. Perhaps that comes from having coronavirus.” had “a rather large file on him”. been instrumental in the ten-year strategy to take Nevertheless, he says, “we were on target with “I couldn’t get into America for a number of WorldSkills to 2025. He is steeped both in the some of the challenges, in particular sustainability years because I’d been too active in the anti- organisation and the sector, and has had time to and environmental impact. We were particularly Vietnam War movement,” he adds, with what gaze into a crystal ball with some of the sector’s keen to ensure that our competitions are as sounds like some relish. He also confesses another leading lights, not just here but around the world. environmentally sound as possible, and that reason for his lengthy studies: “I was probably Did that document get everything right? No. includes everything from looking at the materials enjoying myself a little too much.” “Of course, the long-term impact of Brexit on we use to the projects we set.” Europe wasn’t a feature, but to be honest, that’s As surprised as he genuinely is to find himself been a relatively easy one to track. The UK’s “The Chinese are in the presidency of WorldSkills International, it position in WorldSkills Europe has been strongly was never a given that Humphries would determined to open be involved with skills at all. Yet his study of philosophy at bachelor’s level at the their doors, but University of New South Wales (a degree will the rest of the he took seven years to complete) clearly still informs his incisive analysis of world come?” today’s situation. If the degree took him so long, it is in From Sydney, Humphries came to England to great part because of his politically active take up a master’s degree at the LSE under Karl youth, which saw him serve as the deputy Popper, but quickly realised he was done with editor of the university newspaper and as academia. “I needed a break, and I met someone student union president. It was the end who was doing this job working in a school around

Chris along with his family of the 1960s and Humphries was, to all media and working with teachers and children to receiving his CBE award at intents and purposes, a bit of a campus actually try and change education. I just thought it Buckingham Palace, 1998 radical. He later found out that the man sounded interesting.” It led to his first job in the UK,

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in 1974, as a media resources officer at the Inner worked his way up to a position of some status, one. But Humphries sees a bigger picture and a London Education Authority, helping to effectively he watched his wife overtake him and, at a time bigger role for the WorldSkills network. Seventy apply technology to improve learning. when this was still socially awkward, embraced per cent of its member countries and regions have He started as technician, on the shop floor, and his new role as the “directors’ partner”. “He threw closed their colleges and training providers, “so Humphries hasn’t looked back. He has committed himself into it with great gusto and he became a we’re doing a lot of active work around the world his entire career to the overlap in the Venn sort of little celebrity in this group of partners, all to explore how many countries have taken their diagram where education meets technology, of whom were Japanese women. They had to adapt training online”. with stints at the National Council for Education all of the partner visits and trips to make sure It’s work that could bring forward the agenda to Technology, Acorn Computers, Training and they could somehow cope with this stray develop remote assessment of skills in leaps and Enterprise Councils, City & Guilds and others, and Australian man.” bounds. “The problem with VET is that it is in the contributed to the evolution of technical education application that the skill is properly reflected. So since before Thatcher’s technical and vocational “We are looking to we are looking to establish a potential project on education initiative. creating a model for hybrid assessment that would It’s an illustrious career for a man who came establish a potential allow not just us but colleges, apprenticeship from a broken home, and whose childhood was employers and training providers to conduct put back on track by his stepmother. His biological project on creating validated assessments at a distance.” mother “disappeared” when Humphries was a model for hybrid Additionally, developing countries are four, and until the age of 12 he was “fostered out particularly struggling, and increasing the quality to relatives”. His father had no formal education, assessment” of VET there is difficult even in the best of times, but “taught himself and eventually became a state so Humphries and WorldSkills International manager for one of the big insurance companies Good humour and optimism characterise are leveraging member-to-member support to in Sydney”. His stepmother first ran a baby store, my conversation with Humphries, and he will lay the groundwork for leaps forward. “Member then became a bookkeeper of such skill that she need them in spades in the first months of his cooperation has been driving us for the last two was recruited as the treasurer and company unexpected role. The next WorldSkills global months, and over the next four months we’ve secretary for Japanese-run global stationery competition is set for Shanghai next year, and the scheduled a whole series of workshops, seminars, manufacturer (and whiteboard pen inventor), Chinese authorities are determined to open their coaching sessions, material exchanges, and the Pentel in Australia. “Within three years, she was doors, “but will the rest of the world come?” sharing of projects and materials to protect those the first female and first non-Japanese director of With 20 per cent of national competitions nations and help them get ahead of the game.” a Pentel subsidiary in the world.” cancelled this year, and a further two-thirds In passing, he praises WorldSkills UK and His father was no less inspirational. Having postponed indefinitely, the challenge is a steep its CEO, Neil Bentley-Gockmann, for being “a leading light in much of what’s happening here”. But tackling inequality seems to permeate the whole organisation, and none more so than its inadvertent president. His other role is as pro chancellor of the University of West London – a university set up to serve disadvantaged students and which bills itself as “the career university”. (They considered “the vocational university” as an alternative.) Until Humphries joined as part of a shake-up, it was set to fail. It is now among the top 50 in the UK. “Targeting young people for whom education and higher education is not on their radar and creating opportunities for them is a fantastic agenda.” It’s an agenda Humphries has been pursuing his whole life, and there’s no doubt this lapsed philosopher and radical will leave a legacy at Chris' first trip for City & WorldSkills in his own right. Guilds to Shanghai, 2002

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REPLY OF THE WEEK

Government to take ownership of colleges READER'S “What a pity that mismanagement/poor governance in a relatively small number of REPLY colleges should lead to such an outcome being contemplated. As former chair I

Government to take ownership of colleges would certainly resign and ask the rest of the corporation to consider its position, thus Bob Harrison, website: enabling, under a governmental regime, the appointment of properly remunerated board “I know this is way out left field but could the problem be that the government has systematically and deliberately at full NED rates. The entire governance underfunded further and adult education for several years, playing field having changed, a national leading to a degradation of infrastructure and a depleted and move in that respect might cause a measure demoralised workforce?” of governmental reflection and their greater

John, website: appreciation of the majority of well-run, well- governed colleges.” “Does this mean the college teaching staff salaries will be brought in line with school teaching salaries? Great!” Graham Ripley, website

What does an inspectorate do when it can’t inspect?

Richard Moore, website: their 20 per cent off-the-job hours – all the additional skills this brings to enhance a CV.” “I’m afraid there isn’t very much Ofsted inspectors could usefully tell practitioners about high-quality online learning. DfE announces first-year sixth-form students return to That isn’t meant to be a criticism, rather that inspectors have college as soon as June 1 rarely looked at online learning properly in the past, even in colleges with significant amounts of it. I suspect that it is the Tim Paver, website: practitioners who could train inspectors up on what separates good and outstanding online learning from the rest, rather “This is lunacy. The government expects social distancing to than the other way around.” continue for months and yet you want to bring young people back to unsuitable environments. Even at half-capacity you will be looking at DfE clarifies which college students ‘should’ receive hundreds of students in most establishments. It’s far too early. Waiting face-to-face delivery from June 1 until at least July 4 makes far more sense, and then only if R is still below 1 and reported new cases have dropped below 100 a day. Health Jo Brodrick, Twitter: and safety of staff and students must come first.”

“Surely it would be more beneficial to focus on students Scarlett, website: who need specialised spaces or equipment to develop their vocational skills. I’m thinking construction, motor vehicle etc, “I totally agree with this. As a student, I don’t feel safe. Many of my where practical assessments are mandatory.” friends won’t be able to get to school and their parents are key workers and school buses will not be running. Furthermore, the size of my Taking up the ventilator challenge classroom, it would be very difficult to be 2m away from everyone, even if it’s half the class. Working from home has not been hard for Jo Kitchen, Facebook: me as I keep to a timetable and I would be happy doing this until early July or even September if it has to be. Sending children back is wrong “I’ve always said that one missed opportunity with 18-25 at this time as there is still no vaccine found. Even though children apprentices is not being able to count voluntary work as part of aren’t affected as badly, we can still carry and pass on this virus.”

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Tom Former adviser to skills Richmond minister calls for temporary Founder and director, EDSK ban on new adult apprentices

The response to the pandemic aged 19 to 24. Additional grants of recession must centre on £5,000 would also be given to any supporting those who are employer that has never recruited finishing their education and an apprentice before or has not those who are struggling to find done so in the past 12 months. work, says Tom Richmond There is nothing to be gained by timid action on this front, Given the controversy particularly when employers’ surrounding the apprenticeship training capacity in terms of levy before the outbreak of staffing and resources is likely to Covid-19, it is unsurprising to see have been seriously curtailed by calls for the levy to be reformed apprenticeship system. In a time freed up. recent events. as part of the government’s of crisis, this cannot be allowed to The same survey found that Although such spending might response to the economic continue. To cushion the impact 84 per cent of apprentices aged feel like a luxury, England is in crisis. In our EDSK report at of this change on older workers, 25+ were already employed fact remarkably stingy when it the beginning of this year, we the government could bring before their apprenticeship comes to encouraging employers found that the introduction of forward some of the funding began compared to 47 per cent of to take on apprentices (even in the the apprenticeship levy in 2017 earmarked for the upcoming apprentices aged 19-24 and just good times). In Austria, companies had already contributed to a National Skills Fund to support 28 per cent of those aged 16 to 18. have received government grants steady fall in the proportion of those who need to retrain or This means that any restrictions for each apprentice since 2008 apprenticeships being provided upskill during this period. on the use of apprenticeships equivalent to as much as three to young people compared to for existing employees will times an apprentice’s gross older learners. “Minor policy disproportionately benefit the wages. In France, organisations If the objective is to prevent youngest learners. employing apprentices for at least young people suffering financial tweaks and good Third, the government should one month can benefit from a tax hardship in the coming months, rekindle the Apprenticeship credit of €1,600 per apprentice a major package of direct and intentions will Grant for Employers (AGE). In per year. In the Netherlands, temporary measures will be prove entirely 2012, when over a million young a subsidy for employers was required to overcome the people were unemployed, this introduced in 2014 of up to €2,700 challenges posed by Covid-19. insufficient” grant of £1,500 was given to per apprentice per year. Minor policy tweaks and good employers who took on up to While there is no perfect policy intentions will prove entirely Second, the government three apprentices aged 16 to 24. waiting to be plucked off the shelf, insufficient. There are three tools should ban apprenticeships Eighty per cent of the grants went the response to Covid-19 must that the government has at its for learners who are not new to businesses that employed up to revolve around supporting young disposal – all of which could be recruits to their employer. The 25 people, and 85 per cent went to people who are finishing their implemented relatively swiftly. latest Department for Education employers that had never had an education throughout the rest of First, the government should survey of apprentices showed apprentice before. this year as well as those who are introduce a temporary ban on that 61 per cent of “apprentices” The government should struggling to find work. There is new apprenticeships being were already employed by the reintroduce a more generous nothing wrong in principle with offered to learners aged 25 employer with whom they started version of AGE as part of their upskilling the existing workforce, and over until, say, the end of their apprenticeship, and 42 Covid-19 response. Small and but it would take a brave 2020. It is often forgotten that per cent were working for their medium-sized employers would politician to argue in the current “adult apprenticeships” did not employer for at least 12 months receive £5,000 for every newly climate that people who already exist until 2007, yet they have beforehand – thus illustrating the recruited apprentice aged 16 to 18 have jobs are more important subsequently swamped the amount of funding that could be and £2,500 for new apprentices than those who do not.

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Julie Necessity breeds invention, Mizon and grade assessment has Access manager, Quality Assurance had to adapt quickly Agency

This crisis has shown how well students are as prepared for their be subject to quality assurance we can make transitions in order transition to higher education as processes, including internal to protect students’ interests, says possible. moderation, external moderation Julie Mizon The basic roadmap is clear. and standardisation. Students who plan to complete We have to make sure that According to Dutch historian their Access to HE Diploma by student awards and results Rutger Bregman, crises bring out July 31, 2020 will now receive have been quality assured and the best in us. And while it will estimated grades for all remaining approved. They must also be take some time before we can assessments with submission ready around the same time as assess the success of the rapid dates after March 20, 2020. AVAs in previous years, to allow timely changes we’ve seen across the will ask course tutors to generate transfer to UCAS and higher sector, there’s no doubt that, those estimated grades based education providers. That means despite the physical distancing, on their professional judgment. grades will reach UCAS by July 27, the resolve for sector stakeholders Those really are cornerstones 2020, and should reach students to work together to protect of the model: professional around the same time. students’ interests has surged, judgment and evidence. The Occasionally, students may feel assessments won’t happen as or allowing us to make significant evidence will include the student’s their grade doesn’t accurately when originally planned. transitions in a short space of time. prior attainment, formative reflect their performance. That’s We’re encouraging continued QAA’s Access to HE Diploma assessments and any other a risk of any estimated model. learning, where possible, because has had to change fast too. We’ve records of student performance. In such cases, students will have it’s critical for students to be as moved swiftly to an estimated The course tutor will review all the opportunity to appeal, or may prepared as possible for their grade model. Getting there the grade indicators that have choose to sit their assessments transition to higher education. required collaboration with been given for a unit and will then at the earliest reasonable And we have to be open to other Ofqual, the Department for determine the final grade for the opportunity. The latter may, options too. The ERF provides a Education, and Access Validating unit using the existing method however, impact their ability to structure and rules around who Agencies (AVAs), and we consulted of establishing the midpoint of progress to higher education in is eligible for estimated grades, extensively with Access students. grades in the unit grade profile. September – and it’s down to us which is particularly helpful for And now that we’ve developed and to course providers to make students on flexible learning an Extraordinary Regulatory “Grades will those choices clear. We’ve hosted pathways. We are working with Framework (ERF) (‘extraordinary’ webinars for students too – and AVAs and providers to provide is the regulatory term – we’re not reach UCAS by there are more coming up this information about other options trumpet blowing) to make sure July 27, 2020, month. for students, for example, breaks the principles for assessment are Last week we published further in learning. AVAs are also working consistently applied, we’re talking and should reach detail for students continuing with providers where students are to Access providers and students their studies after July 31, 2020. due to complete close to, but after, to make sure everyone knows students around There are three key considerations 31 July 31. what we’ve done and what’s going the same time” for providers after the summer. Ultimately, we have to be open to happen. Firstly, the challenge for tutors and to the possibility of continuing Consulting providers and This is the fairest solution, as students in a full or partial move change too. Through collaboration students through webinars has ultimately tutors are best placed to digital delivery. Secondly, we and solidarity, we’ve got to a been a great way to get a direct to judge the likely performance of have to be alive to the possibility place where we can offer the best sense of what the key concerns their students. QAA and AVAs will that there may be changes to the possible outcome for students. If are. Above all, course tutors want do everything they can to make way work is assessed. And finally, the pandemic context changes, to make sure the grades they sure grades awarded this year the possibility that, depending on collaboration will be important award are fair and that their are as fair as possible. Grades will provider and AVA arrangements, again.

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Stuart The can has been Rimmer shaken, so we must Principal, East Coast College proceed with caution

Re-opening campus is a high- decisions in the context of health on three principles. risk wasting a year. risk, high-stress, physical and and safety law and colleges doing emotional challenge, says Stuart our very best. 1. The safety of staff and students Colleges have a very busy few Rimmer. Here are some guiding I have reminded my governors is the primary concern. Safe weeks ahead, with a range of principles to keep in mind that guidance is simply that. It systems of working should be complexity to navigate, including does not mandate, but suggests. defined locally and will require risk assessments, training for At my school there was a boy It points to what we should or detailed risk assessments at staff, meaningful consultation called Dave. He was well off and could do, but not what we must. college, building, course and with staff and unions, re- (mostly) good hearted, so used This is an important distinction, individual level. Risks cannot engagement of facilities, to buy cans of Tango at break especially where the weight be eliminated but can be better including new cleaning protocols, time for fellow students who of culpability rests. While this understood and mitigated. communications to students, re- were less well off (me). This was remains the case, our paramount Staff morale and commitment supply of PPE, identification and usually well received, except that concern must be the safety of through the crisis has been planning priority groups (based around one in three times Dave staff and students. This will high in many colleges and this on baskets of quals yet to be would secretly, violently shake require a re-opening approach must be protected at this crucial revealed by Ofqual), taking legal the can before handing it over, based on pragmatism, phasing juncture. advice and finally, corporation resulting in the poor student (still and principle-led decisions. approvals. Each of these items is me) getting an explosion that I wish also to delineate two 2. Priority groups must be in itself a detailed work stream. normally led to arguments and a distinct issues – that of opening identified at a local level. massive uncontrollable mess. in September against issues of Colleges need to have the “Our paramount This crisis has been punctuated closing off this academic year. The flexibility to choose these for concern must by daily changing, uninformed former is still to be fully explored, themselves. These groups and contradictory but mostly while the latter is managing amid should be selected by what is be the safety benign DfE guidance notes. crisis, with action born out of necessary, not what is desirable. Generated by 23-year-old necessity, not detailed planning. of staff and Cambridge graduate policy The approaches may be governed 3. Face-to-face interventions in students” geeks, who have been turfed out by similar H&S rules but the June should only be focused on of Sanctuary Buildings and are emphasis must be different. ensuring that progression can The educational, social and now located in their childhood I propose that to close off this be secured for all students, so even psychological case for re- bedrooms in the Surrey year the focus needs to be based they are not disadvantaged, or opening can be easily made with commuter belt, with their PCs set obvious benefits. However, we to rapid-fire, like Custer’s cavalry have to deal with the situation trying to repel the natives, as it is, not how we would wish the latest campus re-opening it to be, and policy makers need guidance being handed over is a to be mindful of this. Re-opening bit like Dave’s can. campus is a high-risk, high- This view can be juxtaposed stress, physical and emotional with the ESFA response, which challenge that should be treated I have experienced as more respectfully. sensible, steady, measured and We now need to learn to work interested in identifying risks and out how to open the fizzy can, but recognising the sovereignty of with flexibility, caution and only individual corporations to make when necessary.

22 @FEWEEK EDITION 317 | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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John It’s hard to argue cope that further college Deputy director, Public First rationalisation isn’t needed

Rationalisation needs to reconcile to the local economy or a sector three very different types of in which the UK is a world leader, college – and the grey areas in allowing it to leverage private between, says John Cope investment and prestige. “Rationalisation” therefore It is almost impossible to needs to reconcile these three identify when this was said: very different groups and the “Commissioners cannot repeat grey areas in between, such as too often that they have been independent training providers. impressed with [the] technical In doing so, the government could be about to see what lay number of college groups couldn’t knowledge of the masters must learn the lessons of behind the overlooked Augar be clearer to me as a new non- and managers of industrial academisation. Setting out in 2010 recommendation for the exec director of the Activate establishments on the Continent”, to rationalise secondary schools “rationalisation of the [college] Learning group, which includes unfavourably comparing us with into 20 or 30 super school groups network” to “establish a genuinely colleges, higher education, Germany. Was it the Roberts with 100-plus schools each, national system”. This isn’t entirely apprenticeships, UTCs, academies Review in 2002? Tomlinson in the system has ended up more new territory, the government’s and sixth forms. This is the first of 2004? Wolf? Sainsbury? Ney? fragmented, with LA schools, area review has led to more than three types of college – massive Augar? Nope. It’s from an 1884 single academies, tiny and huge 60 mergers since 2015, with more in scale and educational offer. Royal Commission on technical trusts all existing a decade later. in the pipeline. But pushed to its With nearly 20,000 learners, instruction. Predating even the They have also struggled to grow maximum, it is radical. it’s a similar enrolment to the appointment of Nick Gibb as the pool of effective leaders Universities of York or even schools minister. and the strength of governance Imperial. It’s groups like this I In an echo of history, Gavin “There must needed to sustain groups that think the department has in mind Williamson announced last could feasibly oversee £1 billion of as a “new normal”. year, “Today, I am setting a new be support for public money. A second type of colleges ambition. To super-charge further So if Williamson is serious in his college leaders are the converse – small and education over the next decade ambition on colleges, there can be hyperlocal. They tend to be in with an aim to overtake Germany”. to oversee huge no half measures: rationalisation struggling communities and Colleges have been braced for a of the whole system needs huge towns, scraping by financially, skills “white paper” ever since, institutions” cash incentives for mergers and and are outcompeted by sixth and as revealed by FE Week, it is support for college leaders to It’s hard to argue rationalisation forms and universities on funding now imminent and potentially oversee huge institutions. And isn’t needed, but it can’t be narrow and prestige. I vividly remember explosive. when the inevitable pushback and top down. It needs to cover a college principal despairing Most dramatically of all, it comes, the department has a more fundamental questions on that having attracted enough looks like the government is set to compelling case to the sector, what a college actually is, where students for courses to break even, bring colleges back into the public parents, and learners (backed by do sixth forms fit in, should a massive new sixth form was sector. This could be interpreted a long-term funding settlement universities keep creeping into approved just down the road. in many ways. At the tinkering and cross-party support) so apprenticeships, and does the The third type are more end, it could change the ability the reforms don’t become a academisation of schools into specialist institutions. Not of colleges to borrow, some DfE toxic distraction or top-down large groups offer lessons for a necessarily large or with intervention powers, and the reorganisation, but a stable similar process with colleges. thousands of students, but with a role of the FE Commissioner. settlement that will last for The huge scope of an increasing unique specialism, usually related At the revolutionary end, we decades.

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DO YOU HAVE A STORY? Bulletin CONTACT US [email protected] Movers & Shakers Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

Jennifer Peter Craig Bramley Mucklow Wade Chief Operating Official Delegate, Sector Manager Officer, Babington WorldSkills UK Health and Science, NCFE

Start date May 2020 Start date May 2020 Start date February 2020

Previous job Concurrent job Previous job Executive Director Customer Director of Apprenticeships, ESFA Curriculum Manager for Health and Engagement, Babington Social Care at New College Durham Interesting fact Interesting fact Actively hosts and participates in Peter has supported Aston Villa Interesting fact various fundraising events, ranging from for 50 years Craig has 10 years’ military experience 20 mile riverside walk to five-a-side having served in the Royal Navy as a football in support of local charities registered nurse

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]

et in touch. Contact: nes@eee.co.u or call 81 8

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