LEARNER RETENTION: KEEP PROVIDER BODIES YOUR EXPECTATIONS HIGH, IN BED ON LEVY AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY PROPOSALS Page 21 Page 18

FEWEEK.CO.UK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 nepotism and spending investigated DfE ‘carefully monitoring’ investigation into leadership at Hull College Group

NICK LINFORD [email protected] See exclusive on page 4

"I will be working with the sector to ensure that college leaders treat taxpayers’ money with care and in a way that benefits their students" "I will not hesitate to step in"

Education minister, Lord Agnew, writing exclusively for FE WEEK

See page 5 2 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK

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4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News DfE ‘closely monitoring’ independent investigation at Hull College Group

NICK LINFORD [email protected]

Exclusive

The government is “carefully monitoring” an independent investigation into allegations regarding the management of Hull College Group. FE Week has spoken to numerous current and former employees and understands that a whistleblower contacted the FE Commissioner Richard Atkins earlier this year alleging nepotism and inappropriate use of funds by college bosses. Education minister Lord Agnew told this newspaper that the college has launched an independent investigation into the allegations regarding the management of Hull College Group. He said: “Any financial wrongdoing, if it has occurred, is treated extremely seriously and we will be carefully monitoring events as the information Hull College becomes available.” Allegations of nepotism first the time that the college received Radding’s Twitter account. A spokesperson for Hull College surfaced in 2018, but it is understood a bailout of more than £50 million Several sources also claim that at a Group said: “With regards the that it is appointments that have and slashed more than 300 staff to staff event in late 2018, Swithenbank “We will be ongoing investigation, as FE occurred in recent months that are balance the books as part of a ‘Fresh told staff that the low point in the year carefully Week will be aware, it would under investigation. Start’ programme overseen by the FE for her was “being forced to sack my be inappropriate for this to be Commissioner. husband”. monitoring events discussed publicly until it has been Published accounts for 2017/18 reveal The college has told FE Week that full allowed to conclude without risk of “Any financial a “partner of a senior post-holder” was disclosure of a family connection was as the information interference or prejudice.” appointed in January 2018 and resigned made to the board and claim it was a The college remains in financial wrongdoing, if it their position in August 2018 after fixed term marketing role concluding in becomes available” intervention and is reviewed on a has occurred, is being paid £36,640. August 2018. quarterly basis. The senior post-holder is the now The current investigation is treated extremely chief executive Michelle Swithenbank understood to relate to the use of and the partner, now husband, is college funds and appointments in seriously” Graham Raddings. recent months, and is being conducted Raddings was appointed to a new by a law firm with experience of the The Hull College Group chief senior post, executive director of FE sector which will report back to the executive and principal is Michelle marketing and innovation. chair, Dafydd Williams. Swithenbank, who joined in January FE Week understands that in Lord Agnew, who was announced 2017 as deputy chief executive. February 2018 a whistleblower as a minister for FE earlier this Swithenbank became informed the FE Commissioner of the month and now oversees the FE the top boss in relationship. Commissioner, said: “The Education and August 2018. In April, an anonymous twitter Skills Funding Agency has been made This was account believed to be set up by aware of allegations regarding the around Graham Raddings tweeted: “Been management of Hull College Group. The sacked. Quite pissed off. Wonder college has launched an independent what Hull Coll have to say about it. investigation into these issues. The #shitcollege.” ESFA has contacted the college to seek The tweet, seen by FE Week, was assurances that the investigation is deleted shortly after. independent and is monitoring the Raddings did not respond to a situation.” request for comment and has removed Writing in FE Week this week, he said his LinkedIn profile. many colleges are “already working In July 2018, he married hard to” balance the books and “curb Swithenbank, according to excessive costs”. However, he added, “in the rare circumstances when this does not happen, I will not hesitate to Michelle Swithenbank Daffyd Williams step in”. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 291 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 5 Opinion Lord Agnew: I will not hesitate to step in on college spending

Lord Agnew

Education minister Lord Agnew has in recent boost since 2010. management capabilities needed to keep their and chairs to consider the benefits that the weeks had his brief widened beyond schools Good governance is absolutely crucial in institutions running smoothly and efficiently. I programmes offer. to include financial oversight of colleges. In ensuring that this investment is not wasted and will be working with the sector to ensure that this We want to help any college that is struggling with this, his first article on FE, he sets out why good that the FE sector grows and flourishes in the way happens and that college leaders treat taxpayers’ financial or quality issues to get themselves back on governance is key to a thriving sector making that we all wish it to. money with care and in a way that benefits their track. We want every student to be confident that good use of tax-payers money and the support Despite some recent changes in the education students. the education they receive is of the highest standard that is available to colleges struggling department, I want to reassure you that it is still Balancing the books is a challenge for any and that the college they attend is well run. business as usual, with FE financial accountability organisation. Many colleges are already working Our recently updated College Oversight guidance One thing that comes pretty close to a cast-iron falling under my remit. hard to do this and to curb excessive costs, is a one-stop document for FE and sixth form guarantee in life is that if you don’t have good especially senior staff salaries. However, in the colleges, which sets out how we will work with governance -whether you are making widgets, rare circumstances when this does not happen, colleges to identify issues early on, before they running a multinational company, or the corner “Balancing the I will not hesitate to step in. For instance I will become serious. Its aim is to inform colleges about shop - you will trip up sooner or later. books is a challenge not be turning a blind eye to unjustified and the range of support available, including from The need for good governance is one of those disproportionate pay. the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the self-evident truths that I have become more than for any organisation” We already have a support network to help the FE Commissioner. Where problems persist, the a little evangelical about. Get the basics right and sector lay sound foundations of good governance. guidance outlines how and when we will intervene. you can become as successful as your ambition I will be working alongside you to empower The National Leaders of Further Education and For extreme cases, it details how the insolvency or vision takes you. If you don’t, you won’t; it’s as and strengthen the sector. One of the best ways to National Leaders of Governance programmes draw regime will work. simple as that. do that is to encourage you to look at everything on the expertise and experience of some of the Colleges quite rightly have many freedoms. Further education is a big priority for this through the prism of good governance so that all best FE leaders, governors and clerks to help other But freedoms bring responsibility; not only to the government. The prime minister, the education colleges become financially resilient. colleges to improve. students and staff, but to the taxpayers who fund secretary and the chancellor of the exchequer There are plenty of fantastic governors and These programmes have made a real difference them. I am here to help provide colleges with the have all made this clear. We’ve recently leaders who have a wealth of skills and experience. but they could help many more colleges. We will support they need to deliver high quality education announced an extra £400 million for colleges and But this will not always be the case. We need to shortly be launching an exercise to recruit more and training, and I am committed 100 per cent to sixth forms next year – the single biggest annual make sure that all colleges have the financial members, and I would encourage more principals doing that. 6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News Could two sixth forms be coming to the rescue for a struggling college?

BILLY CAMDEN principal at Richard Taunton said City College Southampton owes [email protected] they are at the “very early stages” of Santander over £6 million. A the merger even being an option and spokesperson for the bank told FE there is no timescale in place for this Week in March that it would “remain A three-way merger is on the cards to happen. supportive” despite the situation. to help secure the long-term future “All three colleges are already The college’s first merger attempt, of City College Southampton, which working together to share best with Southampton Solent University, has been surviving on government practice in areas such as student fell through in 2017, after the move bailouts. support and safeguarding, and we will had been recommended in the Solent City College Southampton, Itchen obviously continue with this close Area Review by the FE commissioner. Sixth Form College and Richard working relationship going forward,” City College is rated ‘requires Taunton Sixth Form have all agreed the statement said. improvement’ by Ofsted and has seen that a merger would be a “positive” “It is widely agreed that a formal its financial health deteriorate to step following a local area review by merger between the three colleges ‘inadequate’ in recent years. the FE Commissioner’s team. would be positive for students and the Its 2017/18 accounts show that its It comes six months after City communities they serve. cash deficit deepened from £257,000 City College Southampton College Southampton saw its second “Nationally colleges have been to £585,000. The college teaches proposed merger collapse at the encouraged to merge to be as around 5,000 students. eleventh hour - on that occasion with financially efficient as possible and if plans to stand down as City College application to be approved to ensure The joint statement from the Eastleigh College. this were to happen in Southampton Southampton principal. it is able to continue operations into principals at City College, Itchen and The situation threatened the it would be in line with the wider But the plug was pulled in March 2019/20” and it would have to “seek Richard Taunton said: “Whatever solvency of City College, which national agenda.” after the government refused a request additional long-term funding from the structure the colleges may take received an unknown amount of A DfE spokesperson said that for an unknown amount of funding ESFA in order to remain in existence in in the future, our number one exceptional financial support from details of the potential merger and from the Restructuring Facility – a the long-term”. focus remains to ensure that the Department for Education (DfE) publication of the FE Commissioner’s £726 million pot that is used to The DfE has made clear there will be young people and adult learners in in 2018/19 to enable it to “continue in local area review will be published “in support college mergers that closed in no more long-term bailouts available Southampton have the best possible operation in the short term”. due course”. September. to colleges following the introduction further education provision and In a joint statement, Sarah Stannard, The merger with Eastleigh College City College Southampton’s accounts of the insolvency regime on January 31, opportunities to learn the skills they principal at City College, Alex Scott, was so close to completion that for 2017/18 warned that if this merger which will allow colleges to go bust for need to be successful in their chosen principal at Itchen, and Dr Liz Lee, Stannard had already announced failed, it would “require a standalone the first time. careers.”

and in our view, apprenticeships are Prioritise investment in level 2 the cornerstone on which the strategy should be built.” Seeking to set the agenda for a “single, qualifications, new report urges simple, integrated and economy-led technical and skills development scheme” – known as a ‘TVET system’ FRASER WHIELDON Close the Gap, a wide-ranging report that people must be taken from level 1 (technical and vocational education [email protected] joint authored by awarding bodies to level 2. and training) internationally – Close NOCN and City & Guilds, says the “You are not going to be able to take the Gap includes a number of other investment is necessary to provide them to levels 4 and 5 where there will recommendations for tackling skills The government should invest a stepping stone to the next level for be jobs. You have to move them up from shortages in England. This includes fully in upskilling people on to level 2 learners at every stage and age. level 1 to level 2 first.” funding an adult’s first level 3 once they qualifications or apprenticeships It warns that over the next five to ten The recommendation builds on have achieved their level 2 qualification. as a priority, a new report has years, there will be a “major skills gap” work from organisations such as Another proposal is for recommended. in the growing number of associate the Association of Employment and recent reforms to TVET, such as professional, scientific and technical Learning Providers (AELP) to encourage apprenticeships, T-levels, and functional Graham Hasting-Evans jobs, particularly at levels 4 and 5 – more starts at level 2; it has previously skills, to be brought under one system which the authors call the ‘Missing called on the government to fully fund and managed by a single organisation Middle’. apprenticeships at levels 2 and 3. – the Institute for Apprenticeships and the government reduces the floor of The report says the overall reduction FE Week analysis in July of Technical Education (IfATE). the apprenticeship levy so that more in “operative skill” grade apprenticeships apprenticeships statistics revealed level By doing so, IfATE should be companies pay the charge. (level 2) is “making the problem worse, 2 starts had dropped by more than accountable for management of public A DfE spokesperson said: “We are as the ability to progress up to and 50 per cent since the apprenticeship investments and quality, while still being committed to ensuring that high quality beyond level 3, 4 and 5 has become reforms were introduced. Last “owned” by stakeholders. apprenticeships are a prestigious option, severely restricted”. December, the Department for Other recommendations include accessible to everyone. It calls on the government to launch a Education (DfE) commissioned an the introduction of an “upskilling “Alongside this the government has campaign to “recognise and encourage investigation to understand what is levy” to help continuously develop just announced an additional £400 level 2 apprenticeships or qualifications behind the drop. employees’ skills and a rebranding million of funding for 16 to 19 year olds in the economy”. AELP chief executive Mark Dawe said: of all TVET qualifications, other than in 2019-20 – this will benefit all students NOCN managing director Graham “AELP very much welcomes the call apprenticeships, as T-levels, or Higher including those on level 2 programmes Hasting-Evans said that the government for a coherent strategy around getting T-Levels at level 4 or above. and is the biggest year-on-year increase currently “does not seem to understand” more people skilled to at least level 2 The report also recommends that in funding since 2010.”

8 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News Colleges blame poor publicity and bad design for low traineeships take-up

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU designed to get 16 to 24-year-olds ready with meaningful industry placements so [email protected] for an apprenticeship or job. They can feel this is a change that has been too slow The 52 colleges out of 170 that last between six weeks and six months. in coming,” he added. offer 16-19 Traineeships The courses include work preparation “We may reconsider this decision in the AYLESBURY COLLEGE Exclusive training, a work placement and English future.” BARKING AND DAGENHAM COLLEGE and maths support if needed. And a spokesperson for Capital City Less than a third of colleges are Many general FE colleges in England College Group, which had over 9,500 BLACKBURN COLLEGE currently offering traineeships to 16 to that have some of the largest numbers students aged 16 to 18 last year - the second BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE 18-year-olds, FE Week analysis of new of 16 to 18-year-old students do not highest out of all colleges in England - BOSTON COLLEGE government data shows. offer them. Staff have indicated there is said: “We have found that the traineeship BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE, THE A list of providers, put together for a lack of awareness of the scheme and programmes don't have enough flexibility BRADFORD COLLEGE the first time to help young people and problems with the design. to engage or meet the needs of pre- employers find out who offers the pre- A spokesperson for Harrow College NEETS (Not in Education, Employment, or BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE employment programme, was recently and Uxbridge College (HCUC), which Training) and NEETs. BROMLEY COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION published by the Education and Skills had 5,960 students aged 16 to 18 “We deliver similar programmes like BROOKLANDS COLLEGE Funding Agency. in 2018/19, said it does not deliver pre-apprenticeships, which we have found BURNLEY COLLEGE It shows that just 52 of the 170 traineeships due to the unpaid work better meet learners' expectations while CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE general FE colleges placement element of the still providing a trained and educated in England offer programme. workforce for employers.” BATH COLLEGE traineeships to Jo Withers, Traineeships saw their starts numbers EXETER COLLEGE those aged 16 to executive director fall from 24,100 to 17,700 (26 per cent) FARNBOROUGH COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY 18. Overall, 138 employer services between 2015/16 - before reforms to the RIVERSIDE COLLEGE of all providers and partnerships apprenticeship system came into force - HAVERING COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION deliver them at HCUC, told and 2017/18. HEREFORDSHIRE, LUDLOW, AND NORTH SHROPSHIRE COLLEGE for that age FE Week: “Our The DfE’s latest data, published in group. experience July, shows there were 12,500 reported HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE It comes three of supporting traineeship starts during the first three HUGH BAIRD COLLEGE months after traineeships quarters of the 2018/19 academic year, a ISLE OF WIGHT COLLEGE the former skills across a range of decrease of 16.8 per cent from 15,000 starts LAKES COLLEGE WEST CUMBRIA minister Anne Milton sectors indicates that at the same time in the previous year. Anne Milton LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE hailed the success of eligibility criteria and Previous FE Week analysis found that traineeships in light of research issues relating to extended unpaid colleges delivered less than a quarter MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE that revealed 75 per cent of learners work placements mean other routes of traineeships in 2016/17, and nearly MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE move on to work or further study within tend to be more accessible to learners half across the country had no starts NCG a year of completing their programme. and employers, as well as maximising whatsoever. NEWHAM COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION Her comments were a boon for the integration with pre-existing college Recognising that traineeships are in PETROC pre-employment course, which has provision. need of reinvigoration, the government NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE COLLEGE been plagued by falling learner numbers “Responsive provision is a core value recently announced it would introduce and a lack of investment that has at HCUC and continued provision of a new traineeships achievement rate DN COLLEGES GROUP frustrated sector bodies. traineeships is an ongoing possibility measure for the academic year 2019/20 SALFORD CITY COLLEGE Julian Gravatt, deputy chief executive should it prove helpful.” to help monitor the programme’s PETERBOROUGH REGIONAL COLLEGE of the Association of Colleges, suggested effectiveness. UNIFIED SEEVIC PALMER'S COLLEGE that one reason for low take- up among During her tenure as skills minister, “Traineeships SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE colleges is that the government has Anne Milton told FE Week in June that failed to advertise traineeships well are a good she wanted to launch a new youth pre- SOUTH ESSEX COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION enough. employment programme as early as next TYNE COAST COLLEGE “Traineeships are a good way to way to provide January. SOUTHPORT COLLEGE provide education, training and work education, She revealed she was already in ST HELENS COLLEGE experience to help young people cross-departmental discussions with STOCKTON RIVERSIDE COLLEGE who are perhaps not quite ready for training and ministers about the programme, employment,” Gravatt told FE Week after which would prepare 16- to 25-year- STOKE ON TRENT COLLEGE being shown the latest college figures. work experience” olds for employment, whether that be STRODE COLLEGE “However, at a time of low apprenticeships or another route. SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE unemployment publicity for the Dan Shelley, the executive director of Asked if officials were disappointed TRURO AND PENWITH COLLEGE programmes needs to be reaching strategic partnerships and engagement by the number of colleges that offer WEST SUFFOLK COLLEGE students and employers.” at East Sussex College, explained that traineeships, and whether there has WESTON COLLEGE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION Gravatt added that the AoC is working until 2019/20 the funding rules for been any movement on this new with a new government-led Traineeship traineeships made the “English and pre-employment programme tabled WIRRAL METROPOLITAN COLLEGE Advisory Group to “make sure the maths requirement contained in the by Milton, a spokesperson for the DfE CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE traineeship offer fits within the broader condition of funding unworkable, as it said: “Traineeships are a demand-led WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE context of pre-apprenticeship and meant the very students that this would programme. FAREHAM COLLEGE employment support to ensure people be targeting would need to participate “We are continually working to raise GRIMSBY INSTITUTE OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION of all ages and backgrounds can get the in GCSE programmes. awareness of them and boost supply with skills they need to progress”. “This has now changed but we are providers to ensure young people are able HEART OF WORCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE Traineeships, launched in 2013, are focused on providing all our students to access opportunities.” LEEDS CITY COLLEGE

10 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News London college becomes first to win Careers and Enterprise Company award

YASEMIN CRAGGS MERSINOGLU “Vulnerable learners and those with [email protected] complex needs are at the forefront of planning.” The National Student Survey, an Westminster Kingsway College has annual poll which asks learners about become the first ever college to win their training provider, found that a gong at the Careers and Enterprise 100 per cent of respondents from Company’s annual awards. Westminster Kingsway College knew The London-based college was their next steps and 87 per cent knew announced as the 2019 winner for where to get advice on what to do ‘Most Progress from a School or next. College’ out of a shortlist of three finalists in a ceremony at The Royal Society of Chemistry in Piccadilly, “Organisations London. This new category received the and individuals largest subscription of any of the 12 award categories with over 30 entries, recognised are out of 200 submissions overall. The judges praised the setting the bar in incorporation of employer careers provision” partnerships and inclusive policies of Westminster Kingsway College’s new careers strategy, which demonstrated The London college said that it Jasbir Sondhi - Westminster Kingsway College director curriculum and learner services, “clear progress and strategic direction” overcame barriers to embed careers Charlotte Hoets – careers and progression lead, Carlo Liu – employability and progression lead towards achieving the Gatsby learning into the curriculum to Benchmarks. address the needs of students who employer partnerships and developed programme, work placements, experience strand during 2018/19: “A Now in their second year, the wanted an alternative to university. a programme across curriculums, workplace and site visits, and the key factor in this delivery was our use Careers and Enterprise Company It was a relatively new area for while the careers and progression lead annual apprenticeship fair. of the Navigate platform, so that pupils (CEC) awards celebrated the work the college which, “with time and focused on personal guidance and “With the employability lead could create a record of their work of colleges, schools, businesses and dedication”, made structural changes progression. we identified the key challenge of experience and careers provision,” careers professionals. to provide this support. In addition, a tutorial scheme ensuring learners have the actual skills it said. “Because of this, we will be In a statement, the judging Two new careers leaders of learning was introduced from they need to get onto apprenticeship able to measure distance travelled in panel said of Westminster were appointed by the 2018/19 to support delivery of careers jobs and implemented the programme employability skills development as a Kingsway: “This FE college college within its centralised education in the classroom. Activities to address this. Last year we had 12 KPI [key performance indicator] of the has established a very cross-college Careers and included a one-to-one service, successful placements and next year careers programme.” thorough programme Employability Service employer visits, a university fair, and Q we hope to double this number and CEC chief executive Claudia Harris with an impressive before the start of the and A sessions. continue expanding the employability said: “Congratulations to the winners relationship with 2017/18 academic year: Matthew Weatherby, regional programme.” and shortlist of the Careers Excellence employers who are the employability lead community engagement manager at Westminster Kingsway College’s Awards 2019. The organisations and now involved evaluated and enhanced Willmott Dixon Construction, provided Careers Strategy 2018 – 2020 is based individuals recognised are setting in shaping the a testimonial about the college’s work. around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks. the bar in careers provision across curriculum. He said: “We support the construction In its submission, the college singled England and changing the lives of the Claudia Harris skills learners with an employability out its development of the work children they work with.”

Award category Winner Highly commended Shortlisted

Careers Hub of the Year Lancashire Careers Hub Worcestershire Careers Hub Tees Valley Careers Hub Jake Armstrong: Careers Leader, Careers Leader of the Year Philippa Hartley: Careers Leader, Huntcliff School Dr Ina Goldberg, Oasis Academy Brislington Addey and Stanhope School Careers Provider of the Year The Wow Show Derbyshire Education Business Partnership Future First Enterprise Adviser of the Year Anna Smith, A Logical Ltd Neil Conlon, Conlon Construction Lucy Bramley, Microsoft and Paul Rutterford, Viking Crew Innovation of the Year The Education Alliance National Careers Week Didcot Girls School

Large Employer of the Year Arm Ltd Willmott Dixon KPMG ZSL Whipsnade Zoo with The Avenue Partnership of the Year Jacobs with Carmel College, Darlington West Midlands UTC Employer Group with West Midlands UTC Centre for Education PRU College winner: Westminster Kingsway College Progress from a School or College Huntcliff School School winner: St Damien’s RC Science College School or College of the Year Bedford Academy Shuttleworth College The Misbourne SEND Champion of the Year Catcote Academy The Westminster School, Sandwell Brookfields Specialist School Small or Medium Employer of the Year Cloudy Group Ltd Pendleside Hospice Atlas Packaging

14 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News Advanced learner loan cap is deterring students, college warns

FRASER WHIELDON they are awarded further funding to take demand led. [email protected] on more learners,” a DfE spokesperson “Instead, institutions have a funding told FE Week. agreement with the ESFA that enables She added that at their most recent them to provide a loans facility. Exclusive review, Ruskin College “did not meet this “The size of this facility is based on threshold, but will be eligible for another what was delivered through loans in A government-imposed cap on review in November”. previous years. As such it is difficult to advanced learner loan (ALL) provision is A college spokesperson would increase the size of the facility even if having a “devastating impact”, a college not reveal how many loans learners the demand is there.” in Oxford has claimed. it had already enrolled, but said: It added that this can be “particularly Despite a 40 per cent increase in “Unsurprisingly, we are seeing increased problematic for small institutions which demand for its adult learning courses, demand year on year, so the cap on may lack the capability and capacity to Ruskin College has been denied advanced learner loan allocation is meet minimum delivery expectations, permission by the Department for having a devastating impact on those yet these institutions are often very close Education (DfE) to increase its ALL adults who may come to us a little later to the labour market and its changing facility. in the academic cycle and don't yet have skills needs and are potentially the key This has led to at least 10 additional a loan in place. to filling local skills shortages”. learners who wanted to enrol on “In a climate where there are severe Advanced learner loans are available Ruskin College courses, including potential nurses and shortages of nurses and carers, the cap for people aged 19 and above, studying carers, being denied a place, the college is actively deterring the very students courses at levels three to six. said. that the government says it is trying to enrol potential students without the advanced learner loans, according to The number of learners using the The DfE said that to be eligible for attract. loan, so this is extremely frustrating, ESFA data; but by July this reduced to loans dropped by nearly a fifth between advanced learner loan facility growth “Although we have been advised that especially given Ofsted's focus on £1,197,675. 2015/16 and 2018/19. under its rules, the value of paid loans new allocation may be available after tackling disadvantage and our own This loans cap is not peculiar to Additionally, FE Week revealed must be at least 75 per cent of the 1 November, this lack of certainty is Ofsted rating as exemplary for widening Ruskin: the post-18 education report led towards the end of 2017 that 58 per cent provider’s 2019/20 total budget. forcing students to rethink their study participation.” by Philip Augar and published in May of FE loans funding – amounting to “All providers must meet a funding options or defer to next year.” In 2018/19, Ruskin College had an said: “Qualifications supported almost £1 billion – had not been spent threshold of committed learners before She added: “As a college, we cannot initial allocation of £1,240,914 for by advanced learner loans are not since the policy was introduced. Cash-strapped college appoints qualified accountant as principal

FRASER WHIELDON and a report on his findings is due to be The spokesperson said: “The first [email protected] published in the coming months. phase of the new campus development A college spokesperson this week is on track for completion this confirmed: “Richmond-upon-Thames academic year.” A financially troubled college being College is working closely with the RuTC has boasted this first phase of looked into by the FE Commissioner FE Commissioner’s office with a view the project would include a TV studio, has appointed an experienced FE to ensuring the future success of the theatre, 3D prototyping fabrication leader and chartered accountant as its college.” laboratory, art gallery, 60-cover silver interim principal. Dimond led Petroc when it was service chef’s academy with views over Diane Dimond, who retired from the named college of the year in FE Week’s Twickenham, spa and wellness centre, Ofsted grade two Petroc College last NICDEX league table in 2018. Prior sports centre and digital golf studio. month after being at the helm since to joining Petroc in 2011, she was the RuTC was previously in FE 2015, will take the reins at Richmond- director for finance at New College Commissioner-led financial upon-Thames College on October 1. Swindon, a job she held for four years. intervention from November 2015 until Her appointment comes after The Richmond-upon-Thames Diane Dimond July 2016. former principal Robin Ghurbhurun College spokesperson said Dimond is a Last week it was announced that left in July for “personal reasons”, qualified teacher as well as a chartered The FE Commissioner’s inquiry into per cent decline in 16-to-18 learner Ghurbhurun will soon take up a role as around the same time of a visit from accountant, and has a “strong track RuTC comes after it generated a £2.4 numbers between 2014-15 and 2018-19, managing director of further education the FE Commissioner amid financial record of driving and maintaining good million deficit in 2017-18. which equates to a 38 per cent decline and skills at education technology concerns. and outstanding financial health in the Between November 2016 and April in funding over that period, according company Jisc. FE Week understands the colleges she has worked for”. 2017, the college had to make use of an to ESFA allocations. After he left RuTC, he was replaced commissioner’s routine diagnostic Dimond is undertaking the role overdraft facility of £750,000, which But this did not stop work starting by deputy principal Jason Jones on an assessment of the college was elevated through her new job as a management was fully paid back in May 2017. on a new £80 million campus building interim basis; Jones will return to his into a more comprehensive inquiry, consultant for FE Associates. On top of that, it has seen a 47 in June 2018. previous job once Dimond starts.

16 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK Feature The future of colleges: lessons from Scotland’s regionalisation

JL DUTAUT educational grandee Ian Diamond 19 [email protected] said regionalisation and the merger Colleges regions of the four Edinburgh colleges was a "good thing". across Scotland In the first of a series of features From March last year to this 16 exploring the themes raised by the August, Diamond was chair of College of the Future Commission, the Edinburgh College board of JL Dutaut looks at regionalisation, management. He has since stepped 15 a Scottish government policy that down in order to become the 13 transformed further education there, UK’s chief statistician. His brief and is very much on the commission tenure at Edinburgh came six chair’s mind. years after it was created from the conglomeration of Jewel & Esk, It is five years since Scotland’s policy Stevenson and Telford Colleges, of rationalising its further education a process that saw the complete 14 sector came to an end. The three- regionalisation of the city’s further 12 1 year roll-out transformed Scotland’s education offer. FE landscape, merging 26 colleges 18 along regional lines into ten so-called The Scottish experience “super-colleges”. Edinburgh College was the last 20 of ten super-colleges created as part of a dramatic realignment “In Edinburgh of FE provision across Scotland. 23 As of 2018, it had approximately at least, 17 19,000 students on roll across four 27 regionalisation campuses. 6 There is robust evidence on 11 has not been the benefits and drawbacks of 8 7 the regionalisation agenda, but it 21 24 9 27 5 straightforward” includes no numbers for Edinburgh 10 26 25 College. The Scottish Funding 22 Council states that “although savings 3 In remarks at the College of the were realised through voluntary Future Commission’s first public severance, the impact of the merger 2 event last week, chair and Scottish is difficult to separate from the 27 4 ongoing financial challenges faced by the college post-merger”. Some of these issues, the report adds, are directly related to the merger. In Edinburgh at least, Region College regionalisation has not been Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire 1. North East Scotland College straightforward. Notwithstanding, two Ayrshire 2. Ayrshire College years later, the SFC were able to show Borders 3. Borders College that the cost of delivery had been £71.6 Dumfries and Galloway 4. Dumfries & Galloway College million over four years. It calculated Edinburgh and Lothians 5. Edinburgh College that annual recurrent savings for the Fife 6. Fife College Forth Valley 7. Forth Valley College nine new super-colleges for which 8. City of Glasgow College data was available added up to £52.2 Glasgow 9. Glasgow Clyde College million, or some £210 million over the 10. Glasgow Kelvin College same period. 11. Argyll College UHI 12. Inverness College UHI 13. Lews Castle College UHI 14. Moray College UHI “The bulk of 15. North Highland College UHI Highlands and Islands 16. Orkney College UHI savings have 17. Perth College UHI 18. Sabhal Mr Ostaig UHI come from 19. Shetland College UHI 20. West Highland College UHI 21. New College Lanarkshire reductions in Lanarkshire 22. South Lanarkshire College staff costs” Tayside 23. Dundee & Angus College West 24. West College Scotland West Lothian 25. West Lothian College n/a 26. Newbattle Abbey College Sir Ian Diamond The bulk of these savings have come from reductions in staff n/a 27. Scotland’s Rural College SRUC FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 291 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 17 Feature The future of colleges: lessons from Scotland’s regionalisation

comments, the Harlow College and adaptable curriculum offer to suit the Stansted Airport College executive needs of learners and employers alike. gave the chair a taste of the English But when courses disappear from the way of things. college up the road, lecturing jobs are lost and support staff contracts reformed, while executive pay rises “At the most and better resources are further away, regionalisation doesn’t carry the basic level, connotations Ian Diamond may have had in mind last week. Scotland’s This is the central tension of a policy that has already shaped the educational FE landscape in England for three decades with its ebbs and flows. Like map has been Scotland, any future of colleges that re-drawn” entails a full and final reckoning with regionalisation will do well to do so as part of a broader and bolder reform “I have a 900-year-old boundary, agenda, whichever political and 900 metres from both of my colleges. economic persuasion determines the I have four LEPs, two devolved vision. costs delivered through voluntary acceleration of a process that indistinguishable from zero”. That authorities, one unitary authority, Either way, the policy’s success severance schemes. Others have has been ongoing since 1993, and is to say, mergers led neither to and we also work across Kent and will hinge on places like Harlow, and been achieved through back-office many of the mergers do represent improvement nor deterioration of Sussex. My nearest neighbouring the legacy of borders, boundaries efficiencies, increased purchasing regional rationalisations. City College college performance on average. college is in Tottenham, north London, and botched policies that hamper its power and estates costs. Norwich merged with Paston College Averages easily disguise not Essex. So when people talk about ability to collaborate meaningfully. The benefits of the policy included in 2017, and is currently consulting differences, and the researchers regionalisation, it’s complex.” Supra-regional entities like NCG will more effective leadership and on a desired merger with Easton found that the differences in post- Regionalisation appeals to ideas likely adapt, and redrawing the map governance, clarity of vision, strategy College. In FE Week’s last edition, merger performance of colleges of localism and community, bringing might just be the rationalisation the and objectives, and increased focus principal Corrienne Peasgood made was large. Unfortunately, their with it the benefits of a responsive and sector really needs. on learner needs. Across the merged clear the process there was driven analysis inexplicably lacked crucial colleges, a culture of flexibility was by the needs of the local community. information and as a result was seen to be developing, and a major Other mergers had in fact been not able to conclude which factors barrier to progress was (and in declined on those grounds. made mergers successful or not. Its places remains) the creation and The slow growth of Cornwall conclusions are predictably asinine: implementation of new working College Group is another example. In the best that can be said so far from practices that take into account the 1993, St Austell College was formed 26 years of mergers in England is multi-campus nature of such super- from the merger of St Austell Sixth that on average they have done no colleges. Form and Mid-Cornwall College. By harm. 2015, Bicton College was the latest to Meanwhile, like the DfE’s join the group that arose from that researchers, the Auditor General for “Regionalisation initial merger. Such absorption of Scotland has also bemoaned a clarity smaller providers accounts for 80 of baseline data against which to in Scotland per cent of all mergers, suggesting judge the regionalisation reforms. was part of a relatively predatory market, in Nevertheless, the sector as a whole which it doesn’t pay to be small. exceeds its targets for learning. a broader Regionalisation is nothing new to But regionalisation in Scotland Cornwall, nor to many other regions. was part of a broader package package of By contrast, those who have of reform that also saw further created Newcastle College Group education colleges reclassified reform” have little regard for localism and as public bodies, brought back appear far more driven by the national collective bargaining and Different models. Same challenges? savings described in the SFC report. brought in a new funding model. If regional rationalisation was Regionalisation was not an end in Of course, mergers and their ostensibly the original intent, its itself, but a means to realising a consequences are not new in the continued growth is testament to political vision. It isn’t a silver bullet, English further education sector. something else entirely. Today, NCG and as far as evidence is concerned, Between 2015 and 2018, a period stretches from Carlisle to Southwark, it is at best neutral, and at worst shaped by a DfE post-16 area via Kidderminster. entirely unknown. review that encouraged colleges to countenance mergers, the Association Stronger together? What regions, exactly? of Colleges reports that 52 college-to- college mergers took place , peaking This month, the DfE published its At the most basic level, Scotland’s at 29 in 2017. Ten further such mergers report The Impact of College Mergers educational map has been re- have taken place this year, and more in Further Education. Its headline drawn, and that is the kind of policy are planned for 2019-20. finding was that, “on average, the Karen Spencer might appreciate. Karen Spencer In itself, this is simply an effect of merging is statistically In response to Ian Diamond’s 18 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK News

Sector bodies align with call for DfE to switch funding for 16-18s

BILLY CAMDEN been campaigning for this change. He added that removing 16 to choosing more expensive standards at to few or no new starts for degree [email protected] “It is to say the least a little odd that 18-year-old apprentices from the levy higher levels than was expected”. apprenticeships and the universities the state pays through general taxation would allow employers to focus on I’m talking to increasingly recognise for A-level, T-level and applied general using it to fund programmes “that are “Something this.” Exclusive provision for 16 to 18-year-olds, but needed to raise productivity, as was Deputy chief executive of the employers are expected to pay through the point of the levy when originally AoC have been Association of Colleges, Julian Gravatt, Three leading associations from across the levy for apprenticeship provision introduced”. said it was “great to see UVAC calling the university, private provider and for this cohort. Why?” UVAC chief AELP chief executive Mark Dawe campaigning on for a consistent form of 16 to 18 funding college sectors have united to call on executive Adrian Anderson told FE said that the levy “should never have for a while” that is accessible to all young people the government to fund 16 to 18-year- Week. been used as an excuse to exempt 16 to regardless of the route they choose”. old apprentices through general 18 apprentices from the government’s After this, in March, the AELP called “It’s something AoC have been taxation. “Employers guarantee to fund all learners in this for all level 6 and 7 apprenticeships, campaigning on for a while,” he added. The membership organisations, who age group”. including those with integrated “The wider point to make clear often hold divergent views, agree that shouldn’t be However, he warned that even if degrees, to be removed from the scope however is that 16 to 18 apprentices the apprenticeship levy should not be the right to full funding is restored, “it of levy funding to relieve pressure on should feel confident of guaranteed used to subsidise this age group. forced to pay for still won’t relieve, by a long chalk, the the budget. money through DfE ring-fencing of They say that this cohort should pressures on the levy that the demand A month later, Anderson said it funds. AoC would support a shift from instead be guaranteed government this ‘guarantee for higher and degree apprenticeships is “entirely unacceptable” to expect the government that placed consistent funding just like A-levels and the group’” is exerting”. public sector employers to subsidise priority on the funding of training for incoming T-levels. Previously, the AELP and UVAC low-level apprenticeships for chefs and young people, new to work.” The University Vocational Awards “Secondly, employers, through a clashed over what the levy should fund hairdressers, and called on government A Department for Education Council (UVAC) has pleaded the productivity tax, the apprenticeship after the Institute for Apprenticeships to better support levels 6 and 7 instead. spokesperson said: “The apprenticeship case in a recent letter to education levy, shouldn’t be forced to pay for warned in December 2018 that the Dawe believes the higher education levy was introduced to tackle employer secretary Gavin Williamson, while programmes for this ‘guarantee group’, apprenticeship budget could soon be loans system should be used to fund underinvestment in skills. the Association of Employment and tackle the NEET (Not in Education, overspent. these levels, which would free up an “We want to make sure that the levy Learning Providers (AELP) made the Employment, or Training) problem or The National Audit Office later estimated “£600 million a year for level continues to help develop the skilled call in a policy paper they published indeed pay the price of the failure of said there is a “clear risk” that the 2 to 5 apprenticeships based on the workforce businesses need to grow last week. schools system to ensure individuals apprenticeship programme is not starts this year alone”. and have sought views from a range of Leaders at the Association of after 11 years of compulsory education financially sustainable after finding He added: “A decision not to tackle employers on the operation of the levy Colleges (AoC) say they’ve also recently gain a full level 2 qualification.” levy-payers are “developing and the pressures would ultimately lead after 2020.” JO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 EDITION 291 BS

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ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL – STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

£65,000 per annum • Give strategic direction for Special you are ambitious, and get out of bed every Educational Needs provision morning ready to change lives, this could be 37 hours per week the opportunity for you. 52 weeks per annum • Develop partnership work in support of the above, especially with the County Council If you are interested in applying for Based at the Abingdon Campus, but expected to work at all campuses and local schools this opportunity, then please email [email protected] for Permanent Together with other members of the senior an information pack which will provide further team, the postholder will share corporate application details. Applications are invited for the post of responsibility for decisions affecting the Assistant Principal (Student Engagement), college and you will play your part in the wider If you wish to have an informal conversation a senior team role reporting directly to the leadership of a complex organisation. about the role, please contact the Principal, Principal. In the first instance, the post holder Di Batchelor, on 01235 216221. will This is an ideal role for an aspiring senior manager who is passionate about students • Lead and develop fantastic services to and in particular about including the most Closing date: 6th October 2019 (midnight) students disadvantaged in our community. You will be able to develop interests and expertise in new Interview date: 14th October 2019 • Oversee a range of initiatives to re-engage areas, working closely with colleagues and young people in education and training governors to deliver the college strategy. If

Chief Executive Officer Competitive salary

Head of Department – Childcare and Health College Management Team £49,317 STANDARDS SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Barnsley College is an exciting Interviews will take place on Friday At East Sussex College Group, we are firmly focused on the future, and place to be. We are looking for a 18th October 2019. highly driven, creative, inspirational everything we do is centred around our three strategic priorities of manager to join our team The closing date for applications is standards, sustainability and strategic partnerships. As a relatively new Sunday 6 October 2019. organisation, we are able to respond on a broader canvas to the education We are looking for an outstanding leader to take responsibility for Barnsley College is committed to and skills needs of the businesses and communities of East Sussex. driving forward this curriculum area. creating a dynamic and diverse The successful candidate will take workforce and welcomes applications responsibility for the delivery of FE, HE, from all candidates regardless of their We have a number of exciting forward -looking plans in place and are Apprenticeships and full cost provision gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual seeking a new CEO to provide us with the vision and leadership to realise across the Childcare and Health & orientation or faith. Disabled applicants Social Care curriculum areas. who meet the minimum essential our ambitions whilst positioning us as one of the leading lights of the FE criteria will be guaranteed an interview. and skills sector.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic management team and be The College is committed to able to coach, mentor and influence safeguarding and promoting the We have appointed FE Associates to support us with this critical colleagues at all levels across the welfare of young people and vulnerable appointment. Interested parties are invited to have an initial discussion department ensuring an outstanding adults and expects all staff and experience for all our students and volunteers to share this commitment. with our Lead Advisor, Matt Atkinson, ahead of the closing date and prior other stakeholders. High levels of The successful candidate will be to submitting an application. This can be arranged by emailing management experience are essential required to undertake an Enhanced to this role as is excellent budget Disclosure from the DBS. [email protected]. control. To apply, please visit: https://www. We expect staff to have a flexible barnsley.ac.uk/about-us/vacancies/ For further details and a candidate pack visit: www.fea.co.uk/escg-ceo/ approach to working in line with the strategic demands of the college. Closing date for applications: Noon on Friday 11th October 2019 Interview dates: Thursday 7th and Friday 8th November 2019 JO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK BS

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Learning Quality Manager, Tutors and Recruitment Consultants

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

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

Closing Date: Friday 25th October

Management Information Officer £26,552 to £32,359 p.a. (Starting salary dependent on skills and previous experience)

Nescot College is set in an attractive green campus outside Epsom, Officer. This is a role, which will give the successful candidate an next to a mainline station. The College has recently undergone opportunity to develop as a management information professional extensive redevelopment and we are able to offer staff free car creating business reports, reporting systems and dashboards to provide parking and other on campus benefits together with generous holiday, management information to support the College in meeting its strategic Christmas closure and substantial employer contributions to the Local aims and facilitating the cycle of continuous improvement. Government Pension Scheme. We are looking for a bright self-starter who is enthusiastic, proactive Do you enjoy working with data and presenting information in different and solution focused. We seek an individual committed to self- formats for diverse audiences? An exciting opportunity has arisen within improvement who has an interest in developing their skills in a our Information Services team for the role of Management Information supportive academic environment.

To apply, please visit https://www.nescot.ac.uk/about-nescot/careers/ Closing date for applications is Monday 30 September 2019 Interviews will be held on Thursday 3 October 2019 JO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 EDITION 291 BS

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Management Apprenticeship Specialist (Assessor/Tutor)

Salary - Up to £33,000 (FTE) plus car/allowance Location - Home based, with national travel and mileage plus Veolia benefits *listed below Hours - Full time, 40 hours per week, Grade - 5.2 Monday to Friday This role is being offered as a fixed term contract until May 2020.

What you’ll do You will also have an award in Education & Training (Level • Free eye testing and money towards glasses if required Our Management Apprenticeship Specialist (Assessor/ 3) or equivalent and the ability to deliver English and for work purposes Tutor) is required to deliver an outstanding learner Maths functional skills. • 25 days annual leave + statutory bank holidays experience on the Management apprenticeship through effective and engaging teaching - but it doesn’t stop You will also have proven experience of outstanding Where you’ll work there! You will enable our learners to maximise their teaching, learning and assessment, with the ability to People Development is a national function centred at our potential through delivering classroom/group based work flexibly to meet the needs of the business with your dedicated learning facility in the heart of the Midlands. training, field based visits and learning through digital friendly and supportive attitude You’ll work with a network of creative people across the platforms. Using a variety of engaging and interesting UK to are dedicated to partnering with the business and teaching and learning strategies, you will give learners Strong IT skills to include experience at using e-portfolio providing rewarding and stimulating development to all access to a full range of high quality resources. systems would also be advantageous. our employees.

The experience you will need Benefits you will receive within this role are This role is home based, but will require regular travel to You will already have apprenticeship delivery experience • Eligible for Company Car or Company Car Allowance key sites around the UK, including but not exhaustive to with a training provider/college or levy paying employer • The option to join the Veolia Pension Scheme Wolverhampton, Warrington, Reading and London. provider, with an A1 Assessing Qualification or equivalent. • Access to Veolia Rewards, benefits and discounts

Who is Veolia? communities and protecting the environment are right at employer. All applicants meeting the minimum criteria We are the UK leader in Environmental Solutions. We the heart of our business. for the role will receive consideration for employment offer services and expertise in waste, water and energy without regard to age, gender or gender expression, management helping to build a more sustainable It takes more than just words and ambition to achieve disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual future. As a global organisation, our work focuses on this, it takes the daily efforts of thousands of people orientation, or veteran status. delivering simple but innovative solutions to preserving across the UK to bring it to life. Together our employees natural resources, reducing pollution and protecting our make our communities better. They are the resourcers, environment. behind the resources. How to apply Please send a CV and supporting statement to uki.veolia. We live in a world that needs to take care of its resources, Veolia is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive [email protected] and our mission is to ‘Resource the World’. Improving environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity

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Principal’s £150k expenses My old college had an accountant by the glow of righteous state revealed… finally as the principal - during his education, the government saves tenure he took the college out of millions of pounds per year on Seems expenses were the red, found the funding for lots not paying fees to inspectors. authorised... would love to of investment and left the college Fantastic. Reply of the week see their scheme of financial well in the black. Top man and a delegation. Education sector great leader who also improved Ms Rayner does not have to does not have enough focus morale. carry out a 10 year PhD to tackle on importance of effective the ‘fine minutae’ ( a touch of governance. Laurie Kenny tautology here), because the brave new world of education will First provider spills the beans on Raj Unsworth Rayner refuses to rule out scrapping be perfect. ‘very different’ Ofsted regime Ofsted under proposed National The government must take steps to Education Service Philip Gorst reform the apprenticeship levy Absolutely delighted to learn that Ofsted has Let’s take Ms Rayner’s hypothesis ESFA ignored whistleblower nearly two stepped up yet another notch and that this Some interesting ideas in there a little further forward: Labour years before FE Week exposé provider was not found wanting. Too many from @CBItweets and it certainly becomes the new government, echoes what we're hearing from Ofsted is scrapped. Members of the sector seem institutions in FE have based their expectation many of the 400+ employers we surprised at such revelations, in the past, seemingly not noticing work with. If it is a National Service, and all especially when so many are downgraded outcomes, even closures. When private, public and faith schools public knowledge. One of the all they had to do was to have someone take Laura Burley are done away with, then why best ones I’ve ever seen was should anyone need to be the Facebook ad for a one-day an impartial look inward at their practices Cash-strapped college appoints audited, as all teachers and tutors Traineeship. Spoke to a learner and listen to the learners and their own accountant as interim principal who said they went to enrol, will be managed by a School staff as this inspection described. Rock on Commissar, embedded in each had their passport copied, given All the very best @ place of learning, who will ensure £50 cash and told they would Woodspeen Training, Level 3 clearly in sight. dianedimonduk you did a that all aspects of learning to be contacted… and of course fantastic job at Petroc and I am the State Curriculum are met never were. I’m sure we all have Colin Gallacher sure you will do the same again by completing an audit report such examples! More ESFA staff, in this new role. They are lucky to each month for submission to a perhaps from the delivery end of have you. centralised committee. the sector, to police the issues that So, the Utopian world that Ms they are often more able to find… Chris Williams Rayner paints where all children and adult learners are warmed David Armory 20 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK Experts Laura MARTIN Burley VINCENT Apprenticeships Ambassador, Head of education at national law The Open University firm Weightmans LLP

Access to apprenticeships: Educational administration opening up opportunities - the new normal for for people with disabilities struggling colleges?

Only diverse, flexible and highly skilled Department statistics show that in 2018- After a new report has revealed that demonstrable effects. workforces will help businesses to overcome 19, 12.3 per cent of individuals starting an government-backed mergers haven’t been a However, if it becomes less common for the economic and political challenges, says Laura apprenticeship in England declared a Learning silver bullet for colleges in financial distress, DfE to incentivise mergers, it doesn’t mean Burley. While there are encouraging signs, Difficulty or Disability (LDD). Although the further education leaders need to focus further education leaders shouldn’t consider the there is work to be done to realise our potential proportion has increased slightly each year on student attainment in order to avoid route as a viable way to improve their financial for a fully inclusive labour market from 7.7 per cent in 2011-12, this only represents educational administration position. Mergers usually referred to as Type A just over half of the total proportion of people (when a college merges with another, similar- Our Access to Apprenticeships report published with disabilities in the UK – almost one in five For some time now, the perceived wisdom sized institution) can have benefits, creating a today explores access to, and availability of, (19.5 per cent) of the working age population. has been that a struggling college’s financial leaner and generally more financially efficient apprenticeships for people with declared So, while progress has been made in supporting performance can be improved if it merges with operation. disabilities in England. It is based on the people with an LDD into work and long-term a more successful institution. Now, a new report results of a survey of over 700 large and small meaningful careers, a lot more can be done. from the Department for Education (DfE) looking employers across the country. In some key respects, our report makes at the impact of college mergers is challenging “Difficulties arise Employers have started to change their for encouraging reading. Over two thirds of this assumption. approaches to solving skills shortages and employers said that hiring apprentices or The study found that, on average, government- when problems at preparing themselves for the future. More than graduates with a disability was a priority for backed college mergers resulted in no half are increasing investment in training and a them, and over a third had started to recruit significant change to financial performance one college are third now employ apprentices, according to our individuals with a disability proactively over the and, perhaps more insidiously, can lead to lower recent UK-wide skills study, The Open University past three years. levels of student attainment. The findings will transferred to another” Business Barometer. However, many employers reported undoubtedly inform the DfE’s position, and They have also recognised that building challenges in knowing where to turn for further education leaders must realise that the Difficulties arise when problems unique diverse workforces is a powerful way to unlock information and advice, how to seek additional option is less likely to be offered as a lifeline if to one institution are transferred to another, creativity and fresh thinking. At the heart of funding or resources required, or indeed they find themselves in financial difficulty. a reality underlined by the DfE’s report. This creating a diverse, skilled workforce is having an securing the internal resource needed to support Until the publication of this report, it’s means due diligence needs to be comprehensive apprenticeship system that supports everybody’s apprentices with declared disabilities. The report reasonable to say the DfE viewed mergers as – factoring in financials, but also placing potential to thrive and develop no matter what also found an increase in apprentices reporting a preferred rescue measure for colleges in greater importance on student attainment background they come from or what barriers mental health conditions. precarious financial positions. Now, with clear and experience. By giving each of these equal they face. With this in mind, the report makes four evidence this isn’t as effective as thought, the weight, colleges looking to pursue a merger to This growing consensus about the value key recommendations to the government DfE is likely to be more willing to wind down strengthen their financial position will cultivate of inclusion is reflected by the government, about apprenticeships in England, to provide struggling colleges, declaring them insolvent and an attractive environment for successful which set a goal of increasing the proportion of employers with better opportunities to diversify placing them into educational administration. partnerships. apprentices in England with a declared disability and strengthen their workforce: Educational administration carries significant The shadow of the government’s Augar by 20 per cent by next year. personal risk to the institution’s leadership. In Review also looms large in this context. It 1. Enhance recruitment support. August, West Kent and Ashford College became recommended that the Office for Students 2. Provide more transparent information, advice the second college to fall under the DfE’s should become the national regulator for non- “Many employers and guidance. insolvency regime. The Insolvency Service is apprenticeship education provision at levels four 3. Simplify the funding and clarify the eligibility now set to determine whether governors and and above. This means colleges could soon be reported challenges and assessment processes. members of the college’s board are liable for subject to the same league tables as universities. in knowing where to 4. Improve education and training for employers. financial mismanagement or guilty of additional If this happens, a college that ranks poorly in statutory offences, which could lead to criminal areas such as student satisfaction and attainment turn for information The Open University’s mission is to be open to charges. While this is an exceptional case, is not likely to be judged as an appealing people, places, methods and ideas. It means we it highlights the stark reality of insolvency proposition for a merger. and advice” want to be at the forefront of providing support proceedings. Colleges continue to operate amid challenging to apprentices from all backgrounds, and we Another recent report from the DfE conditions. Last week, a report from the Institute To support this goal, the Department for hope this report sparks further debate between evaluating area reviews (a far-reaching for Fiscal Studies found further education Education has created the Apprenticeship the government, training providers, employers programme that led to many colleges being spending per student remains lower than in 2010 Diversity Champions Network (ADCN) to and charities. consolidated to improve further education in real terms. While this must be treated with promote best practice in diversity recruitment But there is no need to wait for the provision regionally) could compound a change the seriousness it deserves, there is a danger among employers and encourage them to government to act. Communication across the in approach from the department. It found that that sector leaders get distracted. As with any target under-represented groups. Yet a recent sector’s agencies is key to better supporting £433 million had been made available to make other sector, the important thing is to get the NAO report said that targets for widening apprentices with declared disabilities and action bespoke and often protracted mergers work. It core business right. Following this will put participation among under-represented groups is possible now. Our report sheds an important wouldn’t be surprising if the DfE now judged colleges in a strong position and make mergers, lacked ambition. light on where that action might be directed. this money better spent elsewhere with more if progressed, more likely to be successful. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 291 @FEWEEK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 21 Experts

Ofsted was right to chastise us for poor student Although we promoted this from the outset, retention, says Len Tildsley, but our learning Len we also understood that students who were journey since shows unlocking success requires wobbling needed intensive guidance and more than resilience. So what do you need, and support, and opportunities to act. We paired what happens when you apply that to young Tildsley the campaign with what we called Right Choice people? Week. Scheduled for the fourth week of term, we Principal, Buxton set aside timetabled periods when students could Four years ago, we had a particular problem with and Leek College try out other pathways. We threw in careers retention of young students. We simply lost too guidance sessions and drop-in opportunities many, including a significant drop-out during for students to discuss their options with the first 42 days. Messages about ‘early losses not independent specialists and their progress coach. counting in the stats’ had been mis-interpreted as ‘get the more challenging students out quickly’. High expectations are key “Students who We were also losing too many during the year and this quite rightly helped to trigger an Ofsted are wobbling inspection in September 2016. We deserved to student retention and the ‘requires improvement’ grades, but we need guidance, had already taken steps to change the culture, support, and practice and processes that had led us into this transforming opportunity position. opportunities to act” We hadn’t been paying enough attention to the support of those at risk of early drop-out. We All of these initiatives and structures hadn’t fully considered the reasoning that leads Our first change was to appoint a team of People and their relationships are vital, but combined have paid off. There is still work to a young person to leave after only a short period, progress coaches, who form a core part of our processes are also important to bring focus do, but our 42-day withdrawal rate has fallen despite the fact that they had chosen to come learner journey team. They are advocates for on and remove the stigma from any doubts a steadily from 5.2 per cent in 2017, to 3.4 per cent to us in the first instance and had progressed the student, and keep an eye on attendance and student might be feeling, especially in the early in 2018. It currently sits at 1.5, and looks set to through all of the challenges of application, progress. They look for warning signs and can weeks of a new programme. remain below two per cent. interview and induction. mobilise a range of other staff and resources We introduced the Swap Don’t Drop initiative It’s all too easy to find reasons or factors When we did look back at some of the should an individual student need extra help and in September 2017, a cross-college approach to blame for young people not accessing withdrawal reasons recorded on our system, support. They are a proxy for their parent and to encourage students to consider alternative or rejecting education, but if you keep your we had far too many stating simply ‘course not the front line for intervention and safeguarding. programmes if the one that they had chosen expectations high, and take responsibility for suitable’. The only conclusion was that either They really are like a sports coach – keeping wasn’t meeting their expectations, or they had your part in their journey, you can transform their personal circumstances had changed them motivated and on track, picking them up simply decided that their future career needed opportunity. After all, they came this far, and or that we had failed to provide the quality of and helping them if they are struggling, and to take a different direction. We had a poster they came to us. Offering them support and experience that we had promised. We had to do cheering them to the finish line of achievement campaign supported by teaching staff, progress opportunities to change their minds seems the something to reverse this perpetual failure. and progression. coaches and the Student Union. least we can do. 22 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 @FEWEEK EDITION 291 FEWEEK.CO.UK Bulletin

Sheila Fraser Whyte Ben Owen

Executive director of business Deputy principal, development and innovation, Barnsley College Richmond-upon-Thames College

Start date September 2019 Start date September 2019

Previous job Previous job Management consultant, FEA Executive director of learner services, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education Interesting fact She was in the Territorial Army for 16 years, training recruits for Interesting fact the Royal Logistic Corps Movers & He was a Sheffield Eagles Rugby League junior team and toured Paris to promote the Super League in France Shakers Simon Welch Mark Bolton

Principal, Your weekly guide to who’s Principal, National Star College new and who’s leaving Yeovil College

Start date September 2019 Start date August 2019

Previous Job Previous Job Head of learning support, National Star College Vice principal, Yeovil College

Interesting fact Interesting fact He is a trailbike trials champion He was a sponsored Category 1 pro elite cyclist (highest level of non-professional cyclist)

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]

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

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

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

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

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

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

Difficulty: 7 3 6 1 4 Easy Easy Difficulty:

4 3 9 2

1 9 4 2 7 3 6 8

5 9 5

2 6 7 8 9 5 3 4 1

5 3 8 4 6 1 2 7

2 9 5 4 9

3 2 1 6 8 4 5 9 7

7 8 9 1 5 2 4 6

5 3

6 4 5 9 3 7 8 1 2

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

6

8 5 2 7 1 6 9 3

9 1 4

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

2 3 6 4 Difficulty: Medium Medium Difficulty:

6 8

7 3 8 2 5 4 9 6

4 5 3 6 2 1

4 6 1 7 9 3 5 2 8

9 5 2 8 6 1 4 7

5 6 4 3

6 2 5 9 4 8 1 3 7

8 9 7 3 1 5 2 4

6 1 8 6

3 1 4 6 2 7 8 9 5

1 8 6

2 8 6 1 3 9 7 5 4

5 7 3 4 8 2 6 1

3 4 6 5 9 9

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

Solutions: See right Last Edition’s winner: Mo Dixon