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Aoc consult on how to avoid £1m shortfall p10 college hires new finance chief under £338k fraud investigation ALIX ROBERTSON @ALIXROBERTSON4 exclusive on page 4

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FE WEEK team DfE silent over intervention reports Editor: Nick Linford Head designer: Nicky Phillips Richard Atkins, who took over as FE interventions since 2013, and that there were Jude burke Designer: Matthew Willsone commissioner in November, told delegates around 20 colleges with which he and his @Judeburke77 Features editor: Cath Murray at last year’s AoC annual conference that team were currently involved. Deputy editor: Paul Offord he and his team were “still finding the same A total of 46 reports have been published, Sub editor: Tom Mendelsohn stop appears to have been put on things now that we found in 2013 [during based on interventions at 40 colleges and six Reporters: Alix Robertson publication of FE commissioner interventions]”. adult and community learning providers. Billy Camden A intervention reports, despite growing Intervention is triggered in one of three Annual reports by Mr Atkins’ predecessor Jude Burke numbers of failing colleges. ways: an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating, a Sir David Collins, in 2013/14 and 2014/15, Sam King What’s more, there is no sign of the FE financial notice of concern from the Skills included a recap of the previous year’s Photographer: Ellis O’Brien commissioner’s 2015/16 annual report, even Funding Agency, or a failure to meet the interventions, and a summary of lessons Financials: Helen Neilly though previous reports have been published SFA’s minimum standards. learned and common issues. Sales manager: Vikrant Bassi in November or December. Since the publication of the last The 2013/14 report was published in Sales executive: Bridget Stockdale The last intervention report, into City of intervention report, 10 colleges have been November 2014, while the 2014/15 report was Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell Liverpool College, was published in October, given Ofsted’s worst rating, while eight have issued in December 2015. PA to managing director: Victoria Boyle although the document itself was dated been issued with financial notices. The FE commissioner role was August 2016. Of the 10 grade-four colleges, seven have created in 2013 with the aim of tackling Contributors: Lucy Hunte FE Week believes that up to 18 colleges previously been subject to intervention – underperformance in failing colleges through Garry Phillips should have been subject to intervention by though it’s not clear whether any of those the intervention process. Ruth Spellman the FE commissioner and his team since then. processes had completed, and therefore It was later expanded to include leading But when we asked about the missing whether a new intervention had been on the area reviews of post-16 education and Managing director: Shane Mann reports, the Department for Education was triggered. training, which began in September 2015. unable to give any reason for the hold-up, and City of Liverpool College became the first Sir David held the post for three years until And tweet us your thoughts @feweek insisted they would be available college to return to the FE commissioner’s his retirement in November, when he was in due course. oversight in early 2016. replaced by former Exeter College principal Contact the editor Julian Gravatt, AoC’s The DfE refused to say whether any of Mr Atkins. assistant chief executive, these seven colleges had joined City of A Freedom of Information request by FE Please inform the FE Week editor of any errors or issues of concern regarding this suggested the delay was Liverpool in returning to involvement by Week in December revealed that Sir David publication. related to the recent Mr Atkins and his team. had been involved in 49 interventions and publication of 18 area Instead FE Week was told that the details 22 area reviews between 2013 and 2016, and Email [email protected] with Error/ review reports – which were would be in the reports when they had worked twice as many days as had been Concern in the subject line. also overdue – because “this were published. originally planned. Please include the page number and story headline, and explain what the problem is. may be where the Mr Atkins said at Mr Atkins said at the AoC conference that government’s the AoC conference he hoped his workload would be “lighter after focus currently that there had March” when the area reviews are due to Subscribe lies”. Richard Atkins been around 50 complete. For an annual subscription to FE Week for just £75 visit www.feweek.co.uk and click on ‘subscribe’ at the top of the page. www.feweek.co.uk Adult education budget procurement launched

2017 to 2018’, reveals the funding and explains that a failure to tender would result Paul Offord ADVERTISE WITH US timetable arrangements. in less cash. @Paulofford If you are interested in placing a product or The key section in the new guide states: It said: “In our October letter, we job advert in a future edition please click on “The minimum funding that is available referred to the part of the Public Contract the ‘advertise’ link at the top of the page on he first ever procurement process for is £110 million, for the funding year 2017 to Regulations 2015 that allows us to directly feweek.co.uk or contact: adult education budget contracts has 2018. award contracts up to a predetermined [email protected] T finally been launched. “The funding year covers the 12-month threshold level of £589,148 for one year. T: 020 81234 778 The education secretary Justine Greening delivery period from August 1, 2017, to July “If you are unsuccessful in securing a greenlit the process two weeks ago, and FE 31, 2018.” new contract through the procurement, or Disclaimer Week understands the first letters and rubric A further note confirms that responses you choose not to tender, we will offer you a

FE Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views have now been sent out. must be submitted through the SFA’s new contract up to the value of your current expressed within the publication are those of the authors The Skills Funding Agency first wrote to e-tendering portal before 5pm on February 2016 to 2017 AEB allocation or this threshold named, and are not necessarily those of FE Week, Lsect training providers in October and told them 27. value, whichever is the lower.” Ltd or any of its employees. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and that their current AEB contracts would come The results will be announced on May 19, The new guide document stated that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. to an end this July, and that they would not while applicants must be ready to deliver on applicants must be able to “demonstrate The design of the printed newspaper and of the website is be automatically renewed as before. the contract start date, August 1. their readiness to deliver the service copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you A new guidance document, called Any provider that has already prequalified immediately when the contract starts”, and wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper ‘Invitation to tender for education and for AEB funding can apply via tendering that “delivery must not be delayed in any or the website, both the article’s author and FE Week must training services – Adult Education Budget site – and the letter sent out to providers way, such as by not having the appropriate be referenced (to not do so would be an infringement on copyright). staff, processes, premises or relationships Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external TASK DEADLINE that need to be established”. internet sites linked to. Providers must also “have a track record Please address any complaints to the editor. Publication of ITT 27 January 2017 in delivering high-quality education and fe week is proud skills provision for those targeted by the ITT closes 27 February 2017 to be a member of AEB”, while “an applicant must only Notification of tender results 19 May 2017 contact the SFA by using the online message board attached to this specific ITT on the Learning & Skills Events, Mandatory 10 Day Standstill period 30 May 2017 e-tendering portal. Consultancy and Training Ltd “This is to ensure that the SFA can Contracts issued Contracts to be issued in June 2017 161-165 Greenwich High Road maintain the integrity and robustness London SE10 8JA Delivery Commences 1 August 2017 of the tendering process, and guarantee T: 020 8123 4778 that answers provided to questions are E: [email protected] Source: Invitation to tender for education and training services – Adult Education Budget 2017 to 2018 consistent.” FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 3 NEWS The UK urgently needs a coherent national ESOL strategy

Robert Halfon in an answer to a written four years by the DCLG, were unlikely to teaching. Alix Robertson parliamentary question submitted in reach enough of the people who need them, “If we are to meet the government’s stated @alixrobertson4 January. particularly while college programmes aims on integration, we really need an A DCLG spokesperson told FE Week these continue to suffer. English language policy for England,” she wo of the country’s most senior educators projects are generally delivered by unpaid “Unfortunately, DCLG-funded projects, said. Recent announcements about new funds have called on the government to produce “small voluntary and community groups” – as which are short-term and targeted at certain for refugees are welcomed but these seem to Ta coherent national strategy for teaching the department fears learners may otherwise groups, do not provide the sustainable be done in isolation from the main body of English to immigrants, and put a stop to “be deterred from attending classes delivered funding which ESOL badly needs,” she said. activity.” wasteful competition between different by local colleges in larger, more formal “The systematic reduction in ESOL funding In December 2016, a report on social ministries and departments. settings”. from the Skills Funding Agency since 2009 integration authored by Dame Louise Casey At present, responsibility for English Around 39,800 adults have received has left providers struggling to provide even found that English skills are “fundamental” as a second language is split between teaching so far, and the focus is on people a basic service, with some closing down their to improving community cohesion and the Department for Education and the with “the lowest levels of English” rather provision completely. opportunities for immigrants, but identified Department for Communities and Local than those “seeking work”. “We believe that ESOL learners deserve “a significant gap in funding for pre-entry Government. Meanwhile, funding for the DfE’s ESOL better than this; what is needed is a strategy and entry-level English language courses”. Jenny Roden, the co-chair of the National classes, which the FE sector has been for ESOL, as exists in Wales and Scotland.” This isn’t the first time senior figures Association of Teaching English and delivering for decades, has significantly Dr Pember, who was formerly the top in the sector have called for better ESOL Community Languages, and Sue Pember, declined since 2009. skills civil servant, told FE Week that she too provision. Martin Doel, the former boss of the director of policy at adult learning provider Ms Roden warned that the six projects, believes there is an urgent need to establish AoC, pointed out in January last year that membership body Holex and former senior funded to the tune of £8.45 million over a coherent strategy for English language there had been a 50 per cent drop in funding civil servant responsible for FE funding, available for ESOL courses between 2008 and have said that the situation is failing tens of 2015 – a massive fall of £160 million. thousands of learners who desperately want He made the observation in the wake of to learn the language. a controversial decision by the-then prime The DCLG provides funds for a selection minister David Cameron to provide £20 of short-term English language projects for million for English language tuition geared non-native speakers, and the DfE provides towards helping Muslim women integrate separate funding for ESOL classes in FE – into British society. which has been heavily cut alongside the Meanwhile in October, hundreds of college adult education budget. staff and students expressed their frustration Between the 2012/13 academic year over ESOL cuts at the Houses of Parliament. and 2015/16, the DCLG handed out almost NATECLA will carry out a survey with the £8.5 million for projects designed to charity Refugee Action to assess the effect of “engage isolated adults”, according to cuts to ESOL funding nationally, with results ESOL protestors outside the Houses of Parliament the apprenticeships and skills minister expected in September.

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Visit feweek.co.uk/subscribe or email [email protected] 4 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 News New job for finance director despite £338k IT scandal

Alix Robertson @alixrobertson4 exclusive FROM FRONT

he deputy chief executive of a major London college who abruptly left his post Tlast summer over financial irregularities was recently appointed the finance director of another college in the capital, which insists it had full knowledge of his situation when it hired him. May ‘Dare (pictured) left his job at Hackney Community College in August after he allegedly spent £338,000 of its money on IT supplies from a company which he secretly owned. Some of his ex-colleagues have even accused his former employer of attempting a cover-up, though the college said the irregularities were discovered during an audit a few days after its merger with Tower Hamlets College last summer, and one day after he had gone on annual leave. Gerry McDonald, the current group principal and chief executive officer of New City College Corporation (which now incorporates Hackney Community College, new college had tried to suppress news of the Forest College, though a spokesperson told FE agreement was or is in place”, adding: “We Tower Hamlets College and Redbridge scandal. Week that he had made staff there aware of have referred the matter to the police who College) told FE Week he left after “routine One complained to FE Week that it was the dispute with his former employer “at the are dealing with it as an alleged fraud and desk-based checks” found that the huge “almost as if the people who have taken us point of interview and before appointment”. possible abuse of public office.” sum had been spent on equipment from his over feel no compunction to respect the need Mr McDonald strenuously denied any FE Week asked the Skills Funding Agency company, Newton Rachel Limited. to keep things in the public domain”, while cover up concerning Mr ‘Dare’s departure, on what action they had taken in response Mr McDonald said he “used his own another said that “if Mr ‘Dare has sidestepped which was first reported in Private Eye. to the scandal, and the impact on Hackney company to purchase IT equipment on behalf procedures in the use of public funds, and He told FE Week that Mr ‘Dare, who Community College, but a spokesperson said of the college”, but “did not declare this to the been allowed to avoid answering allegations sometimes goes by the name Kunle the agency had not intervened. then principal or the board”. that he personally benefitted, it’s just wrong”. Oluwadare, “went on pre-arranged leave on She said: “An independent investigation Despite this, some of Mr ‘Dare’s former Last month, he accepted a job as the August 5, before we had the opportunity to commissioned by Hackney Community Hackney colleagues told FE Week that the director of finance and operations at Epping put the allegations to him. He then resigned, College was conducted last year. while on leave during the following week”. “The SFA is satisfied that the college FE Week also asked Ian Ashman, Hackney implemented the recommendations and that Hackney Community College comments Community College’s former principal, up no further action is required from the college to the merger in August 2016 and current at this stage.” president of the Association of Colleges, about FE Week contacted Mr ‘Dare’s new place The email sent to Hackney Community “there were not sufficient checks in place the allegations. of work, Epping Forest College, to find out College staff by principal and chief to ensure that financial regulations were He said: “The college has properly if managers had been aware of his previous executive Gerry McDonald informed staff followed”. reported the situation to the authorities dealings when he was appointed director of that the incident involved May ‘Dare Mr McDonald’s email concluded and undertaken an investigation. It would finance and operations on January 3, 2017. working alone. that financial regulations at Hackney therefore be inappropriate for me to make A spokesperson told FE Week that “at the It said there was “no evidence or reason Community College had subsequently further comment.” time of the appointment” the interview panel to suspect that any other staff member/s “been reviewed, to include more specific FE Week understands Newton Rachel had known he was involved in an ongoing were involved in this breach”. separation of duties and tighter processes Limited was set up in October 2013, with Mr employment tribunal case with Hackney It also acknowledged faults on the part across purchasing and procurement”, ‘Dare and his wife as the sole directors and Community College. of the college, saying that “processes and which would be “supported by systematic shareholders. On January 6, FE Week reported that procedures in relation to procurement audits, management and governance He was employed by Hackney Community Epping Forest College had been rated had been applied inconsistently”, and checks”. College for almost 24 years from its inception ‘inadequate’ across the board, in an Ofsted in 1992, and was made deputy chief executive report that warned of safeguarding failings. of corporate services in April 2016. Mr ‘Dare told FE Week that he did not wish An employee told FE Week that staff at to comment ahead of his tribunal. Epping Forest College comments Hackney Community College had been A University and College Union informed of Mr ‘Dare’s abrupt resignation spokesperson said: “The episode involving in August, and were told that “financial May ‘Dare and computer supply contracts A spokesperson for Epping Forest College “We felt the case between Hackney irregularities’” had occurred. exposes the need for rigorous checks in our told FE Week that an incomplete employment Community College and Mr ‘Dare had not They were sent a subsequent email by Mr colleges. tribunal called by May ‘Dare against Hackney yet been satisfactorily concluded, and not McDonald, seen by FE Week, which said that “Concentrating so much power in so Community College had influenced the wishing to prejudge the outcome, the college the college had concluded an investigation few hands is not healthy and we are also decision about his employment at the college. agreed to appoint him on a temporary basis into the matter and found “financial unconvinced that outsourcing these types of FE Week understands from Hackney until his employment tribunal case was regulations were breached in relation to the roles is always necessary.” Community College that this tribunal resolved,” he said. procurement of IT equipment between 2013 FE Week also contacted the college’s was called on the grounds of constructive He added that Epping Forest College also and 2016”. auditors, TIAA, but was told: “We do not dismissal, which is when an employee is received a letter from Mr ‘Dare’s solicitor, Mr McDonald said that the college had not comment on work undertaken on behalf of forced to leave their job against their will due which confirmed the tribunal is scheduled for sought to recover the £338,000, because the our clients”. to their employer’s conduct. March 2017. goods it was used for had been received. The Metropolitan Police was unable to He also stressed that “no settlement comment. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 5 News Two principals on IfA’s board – but what happens to their £15k paycheques?

Agency, Dame Asha was the third highest- Jude burke paid college principal in 2014/15, with a @judeburke77 salary of £245,000 – a sum that increased to £254,000 in 2016/17, according to her employer. ne of the two college principals who She is principal and chief executive of the will sit on the board at the Institute for West Nottinghamshire College Group, which O Apprenticeships has refused to say what is made up of eight organisations including will happen to the salary she will receive the college itself. The Department for Education at long last West Nottinghamshire College was rated named the eight people who will sit on the ‘good’ by Ofsted at its most recent inspection IfA’s board on January 27. The roles – which in June 2012, and has around 26,000 learners. first were advertised last June – attract an Meanwhile, Ms Robinson’s salary of annual salary of up to £15,000, which the DfE £150,000 made her joint-50th highest-paid out confirmed would be paid to individual board of 330 college principals.

members rather than their employers. Dame Asha Khemka Blackpool and the Fylde College has around The new board includes the principals 18,000 learners, and was rated ‘outstanding’ of West Nottinghamshire College, Dame strategic and governance issues”. which will help develop new technical by Ofsted in October 2013. Asha Khemka, and Blackpool and the Fylde The adverts called for applications from qualifications, comes with a paycheque of The first deputy director for the new body, College, Bev Robinson. “senior figures with expertise in business, £1,000 a quarter, according to adverts posted which will police apprenticeships, has also A spokesperson for Blackpool and the employer representatives, academics, and on behalf of the DfE last month, while panel been appointed. Fylde College told FE Week that Ms Robinson other senior representatives with expertise chairs will earn £2,000 a quarter. Ana Osbourne, who used to work for would not be keeping the cash, and that “any in particular aspects of apprenticeships and Crucially though, that cash will go BIS’ enterprise directorate, will be additional remuneration received in relation skills”. to the chairs’ or panel members’ the IfA’s new deputy director of to this role will go to the college”. A BIS spokesperson told FE Week last June employers rather than the approvals, with responsibility However, West Nottinghamshire College that the £15,000 salary was higher than the individuals themselves. for overseeing the approvals refused to say whether Dame Asha would be £4,000 currently paid to board members of the In return, chairs and panel process for standards. doing the same. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, members will be expected to meet Meanwhile, the long-awaited According to the job adverts, which which will cease its work when the IfA is up every four to six weeks, and take on draft operational plan for were posted on the Cabinet Office’s public and running. up to one day of additional work a the IfA is currently out for appointments site by the former Department It’s not clear why the IfA remuneration month. consultation, until for Business, Innovation and Skills, the roles package is so much bigger. According to the most recent February 27. involve a commitment of two days per month Membership of one of the DfE’s new college accounts published to “contribute across a range of the Institute’s technical education panels of professionals, by the Skills Funding Bev Robinson

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Innovative Solutions for Education Management Tel 01756 797211 Email [email protected] www.drakelane.co.uk Broughton Hall Business Park, Skipton, BD23 3AE 6 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 News Ofsted deny going soft on employers despite IfA notes

was humiliated with an ‘inadequate’ rating Paul Offord following an inspection. @paulofford exclusive The watchdog’s damning verdict on the car manufacturer meant that a quarter of fsted has been forced to deny it would employers inspected under the new common reduce its inspections of apprenticeships inspection framework launched the previous O employer-providers to “samples”, despite September had been awarded the lowest the secret release of new guidance suggesting possible rating. otherwise. The news provoked AELP boss Mark Dawe According to briefing notes leaked to FE into a dire warning. Week from a recent stakeholder event for the “Those organisations engaging with the Institute of Apprenticeships, Ofsted is slated apprenticeship programme for the first time to “continue to inspect training providers and under the [apprenticeship] levy may be better sample inspection of employers”. off sticking to their core business and instead Confronted with our findings, a red-faced using the services of an experienced training spokesperson for the inspectorate insisted provider,” he said. that it “is not planning to change how we It soon emerged that Jaguar Land Rover, inspect training providers and employers”. the British car manufacturer and employer- They said: “We will continue to observe provider often lauded by ministers for its on-the-job as well as off-the-job apprenticeship apprenticeship scheme, had itself been hit The briefing notes shown to FE Week training to judge overall quality of training, with a shock grade three rating after its own learning and experience. Ofsted inspection. “Our inspectors visit some employers’ Concern remains among colleges and ITPs Ofsted will continue to inspect training providers and sample inspection of employers. premises as part of the inspection process to that the government wants Ofsted to go easier observe and speak to apprentices and trainers on employer-providers, for example in terms treatment for employers that become A DfE spokesperson told FE Week at the in their place of work.” of performance monitoring and inspection, providers in order to use their apprenticeship time that Mr Joyce’s comments on not having The Department for Education however because ministers are understood to want levy funding, after the new system goes live a two-tier approach “are correct” and said the declined to comment, and told us to refer all more firms with apprentices running their from April this year. government “will be inviting feedback on the our enquiries back to Ofsted. own training. He told delegates that inspections would administrative process”. FE Week reported last June that firms Paul Joyce, Ofsted’s deputy director for FE carry on “regardless of where that provision She added that ministers and civil servants taking on apprentices had been advised by and skills, attempted to allay such fears at the is delivered”. “continue to work closely with Ofsted who the AELP to stick “to their core business” and AELP’s annual conference last June. “I can assure you we will not have a two- welcome feedback to ensure that their use experienced providers – after Citroën UK He insisted there would be no special tier inspection system,” he added. inspection approaches are appropriate.” Work ‘til you drop: Government pushes apprenticeships for over-60s

57,700” – or 11.3 per cent – of those starting an Before 2007 government-funded The Fuller Working Lives report now says Paul Offord apprenticeship in 2015/16 were aged between apprenticeships were only available to people that older workers can often be overlooked @paulofford 45 and 59, while some 3,500 were aged 60 years under the age of 25. when it comes to new training opportunities. and over – representing just under one per However, the new industrial strategy green “Someone in their early 50s, however, can he over-60s are to be encouraged to start cent. paper published last week committed the potentially stay with their employer for 15 to on apprenticeships, in a new government The release of the document reflects the government to exploring “ambitious new 20 years or longer,” it added. T report on ways to boost employment government’s recent change in focus of skills approaches to encouraging lifelong learning”. “There is a clear case for investing in their prospects in later life. policy away from exclusively targeting the This “could include assessing changes future and, in so doing, that of the business. The report, from the Department for under-19s, towards adult education. to the costs people face to make them less “Some employers are already recognising Work and Pensions refers to retraining However, any moves to drive up the daunting, improving outreach to people the importance of retraining, with Barclays opportunities for people aged over 45, and numbers of older people in apprenticeships where industries are changing, and providing and Whitbread among those running even mentions those approaching or past the would need to buck the trend of the last five better information”. apprenticeship schemes for older people, conventional retirement age. years, which has seen start-levels remaining Apprenticeships and skills minster Robert [while] other employers have schemes in Apprenticeships are referred to as an “all- relatively stable. Halfon told FE Week that the government was development.” age programme”, and it claims “older people For example, in 2011/12 there were 62,200 firmly committed to boosting training for It stressed that recent DWP research can and do access apprenticeships”. 45- to 59-year-old starts, and 3,680 for over-60s. older people, saying: “We wouldn’t have put showed that only 15 per cent of respondents The report, entitled ‘Fuller Working Lives: There were just over 57,000 45- to 59-year-old this in the industrial strategy if we weren’t not currently retired and under 60 years old A Partnership Approach’, suggests that “over starts in 2015/16, and 3,560 over-60s. serious about it”. would like to stop work altogether and retire between the ages of 60 and 65. 201112 201213 201314 201415 201516 201617 It also referred to work being done by Age and starts business communities, through local Full ear Full ear Full ear Full ear Full ear Full ear enterprise partnerships. nder 16 “DWP is working with a number of 16 employers and LEPs who have recognised the importance of the ageing demographic to 17 productivity and growth. 18 “For example, Enterprise M3 and Coast to Capital LEPs have launched an apprenticeship 1-24 scheme for older apprentices in Surrey which 25-34 aims to help older claimants into work. 35-44 “In 2014/15, only a minority of LEPs had identified older workers as an important 45-5 group within the workforce. Now almost all 60 LEPs recognise that older workers are crucial Total 520,600 100.0 510,200 100.0 440,400 100.0 4,00 100.0 50,400 100.0 155,600 100.0 to filling skills gaps and are planning projects to support older workers.” Government statistics showing all-age apprenticeship starts FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 7 News Carlisle College becomes NCG fifth FE college member

involving five institutions moving forward. and governors see the merger with NCG partnership between Barnet and Southgate Carlisle College is to become the fifth FE as the best solution to securing the future College, and Waltham Forest College. college member of NCG, when it joins the success of Carlisle College and we are keen The consultation runs until March 1, with group in April. to benefit from the support, expertise, the aim of merging by August 1. The college emerged from the Cumbria area investment and resources of NCG.” The two colleges had been in discussion review with a recommendation to merge with Joe Docherty, NCG’s chief executive, said about a possible three-way merger involving Jude burke Lakes College, but this move was rejected in the group shared the college’s “focus on the College of Haringey, Enfield and North @judeburke77 favour of a return to talks with its previously providing what employers and students in East London, but this was “shelved by mooted merger partner NCG. Carlisle need to develop skills for their local agreement” in October. The prospect of a merger between Carlisle economy”, and that he was “pleased to be able The sticking point in the three-way link up he nation’s largest college is getting even College and Newcastle-based NCG was to back that with the expertise and capacity of was differing approaches to governance and bigger. first raised last March, and came after the a major national group”. management, according to a statement put out T NCG has confirmed it will absorb Cumbria-based college turned to its county Down south, meanwhile, Tower Hamlets by CONEL at the time. yet another provider in the north following council for a £700,000 loan in January 2016 to College and Hackney Community College The principal-designate of the merged months of talks. help address a “need for short-term cash-flow will be joined by Redbridge College from college is David Byrne, who currently leads Further consolidation is also on the cards support”. April 1, after the merger was signed off by the Barnet and Southgate. for London’s colleges, with two mergers Its chair David Carter said: “The principal colleges’ governing bodies. Ann Zinkin, the college’s chair, described The group also has a new name – New the partnership as a “strategic merger of City College – following approval by the equals”. Department for Education. “Our ambition is to create a new and The latest link-up, which follows an earlier vibrant college that is better able to meet the merger between Tower Hamlets and Hackney economic and social challenges that London, colleges in August, means the group is our local boroughs and the wider country now the capital’s third largest FE college, face,” she said. according to a statement from the group. Paul Butler, who chairs Waltham Forest, Group principal Gerry McDonald described said the merged colleges’ vision was “to be an the merger approval as “very good news”. exciting place to learn”. “It will lead to an even more robust All five London colleges were involved in organisation which allows flexibility for the recent area reviews of post-16 education local innovation and the tailored support and training in the capital. for students that our communities need and The London reviews are understood to have

Carlisle College Joe Docherty expect,” he said. ended in November, but the final reports have Consultation has also opened on a yet to be published. APPRENTICESHIP REFORMS 165X262_Layout 1 30/01/2017 13:39 Page 1

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FE WEEK ANNUAL KIRSTY WARK APPRENTICESHIP CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2017 ICC, BIRMINGHAM | WED 22 - FRI 24 MARCH MAKING THE MOST OF THE LEVY | THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR EMPLOYERS AND APPRENTICESHIP PROVIDERS 2017 ANGELA • OVER 70 WORKSHOPS RAYNER • UNRIVALLED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS • 50 EXHIBTIORS • 1,200 DELEGATES BOOK NOW • THE FLAGSHIP APPRENTICESHIP ROBERT HALFON CONFERENCE OF THE YEAR PETER • MORE SPEAKERS TO BE LAUENER ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY

RegistRation sponsoR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES CAN ConfeRenCe sponsoRs BE FOUND AT FEWEEKAAC.COM OR BY EMAILING [email protected] 10 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 Editorial

Leave ESOL to the experts

We are morally compelled as a nation to do our absolute best to help immigrants who struggle with speaking English, to integrate smoothly into our rich melting pot of a society. It’s such an important policy area, in terms of helping secure jobs and preventing significant numbers of people from feeling isolated. That’s why I feel just as frustrated as Jenny Roden and Sue Pember that provision is being undermined by competing government departments. DCLG seems to think it should be delivered by unpaid “small voluntary AoC: fees overhaul to avoid £1m overspend and community groups”. I’m inclined to think they should leave the rebate for the largest colleges “as Paul Offord Proposals for membership fees mergers reduce college numbers”. it to the professionals at FE colleges, @Paulofford The AoC wants a new membership who have taught ESOL for decades. I • Set income at £5.5m for three years (17/18, 18/19 and 19/20) fee-structure “of a single fee per college • One fee per college – incorporating regional & national fee, hope and suspect ministers at the DfE based on audited income in 2015/16 for all three years he Association of Colleges has set out set at 0.1 per cent of turnover, with a • Set fee level at 0.1% of turnover agree with this. plans to overhaul its membership fees, to reduced rebate for the largest colleges”. • Maintain 25% reduction for SFCs and Landex members • Reduce rebate from (current) largest 25% (by turnover) to Everything needs to be pulled T help prevent a £1 million overspend on its It concedes that the organisation is largest 15% over three years – to be set at fixed amount 2017/18 budget. “not affordable” on its current fee levels, • Need to adjust the current cap for largest colleges to avoid too together and made the sole significant a reduction as mergers take place responsibility of the department The consultation document was released and says that “rolling forward as we this week as its chief executive David Hughes are” will lead to a £1 million overspend dedicated to education. admitted to FE Week that it needs to reform on £6 million budget in 2017/18. projects around.” It’s hard to understand why there to balance the books – in part because A fee cap of £38,500 would achieve overall He said it would be “interesting” to see how isn’t a national strategy already in membership numbers are dropping as more income of £5.53 million. people will respond to the consultation. place. Drawing one up and increasing colleges begin to merge. Under the proposals, 89 colleges would see a AoC is also looking at rationalising its funding should be a key priority. The AoC currently has just over 300 fee increase of more than 10 per cent, while 68 regional structure. members, but despite a significant projected colleges would enjoy a reduction of more than It currently has nine regional offices, which fall, he insisted there were no plans to scale five per cent. Mr Hughes explained will be reduced to “five Paul Offord, sub editor back its operations. However, the AoC wants “to limit increases maybe six”, with a new person possibly in [email protected] “I have actually been overwhelmed with and decreases to five per cent”, a move that place nationally to lead regional teams. responses from members,” he said. “Lots and would decrease overall income to £5.25m in Three of the current regional arms – lots have said they think it’s really good value 17/18. EMFEC, ACER, AoSEC – are external, Fuller Working Lives for money and want us to carry on. Mr Hughes told FE Week that any decision contracted partners. “We represent almost 100 per cent of the on future fees would be made by the board, Mr Hughes insisted that the AoC was “not report tweets: eligible colleges, who deal with three million giving consideration to the responses to the trying to cut them loose or undermine them” learners and what they want is a professional consultation. but trying to see “how can we make this Susan Pember @SusanPember organisation to represent their interests, and “If we did nothing we would probably work”. Excellent @halfon4harlowMP that DWP provide them with support. overspend by £1 million,” he said. “It is down “There might be some compromises to be recognises the value of lifelong learning. “The membership side of the business feels to a combination of things. The number of made. One thing that members want us to do Good to see joined by thinking about the right size. I think we are about the mergers that will happen will mean that our is to continue the networks regionally.” right size, but we need to see what we want income will go down considerably over the The organisation will also be “consulting Mandy Glover @Mandy_Cohesion them to do over the next three years.” next three years. but not quite as formally” on its commercial #AndyBriggs it’s attitude not age that The consultation will be held amongst “The dividend we get from AoC Create arm AoC Create, and its other subsidiaries counts, we need to be prepared to recruit, the AoC’s members, and proposes reducing has also gone down because there are fewer over the next year. retrain & retain our older workforce #fullerworkinglives Comments Shane Chowen @LWShane Fantastic to see @LearnWorkUK Mid Life Institutes of technology £170m windfall going SFA in dock after hundreds of learners struggle Large drop in number of standards lacking Career Reviews highlighted in @DWP new to existing providers to recover loans cash when provider collapses end-point assessors strategy for older workers Many of these colleges will take the money but run Its an interesting test case. If a company goes into It is good news that new EPA organisations are coming technical courses exactly as they do now, the extra liquidation having received money from the Student on line and being approved. I have to wonder how many DWP @DWP money for being a “prestigious institutes of technology” Loans Company for education and training that it failed of them are ready and have the capability to deliver Many businesses are already taking positive will simply get used to support the college budget and to deliver, who is considered a creditor: the SLC, which however. If the volume of calls to my college from AO’s steps to retain older workers. Is yours? waste money on non-jobs that maintain bureacracy. paid the money; or the students, who failed to receive who want us to do the actual work is representative, I The end result will be no change for the students or their education (and who appear still to owe the SLC)? would say that a good proportion of the accredited EPA #FullerWorkingLives industry. Even further complicated if the students were at a organisations don’t even plan to deliver, but intend to FE lecturer sub-contractor of the company in liquidation! You can take a brokerage/management fee for developing the Yvonne Sonsino @YvonneSonsino see why sub-contracting of loans-funded provision has assessments, referring learners, and overseeing the #fullerworkinglives Malcolm Boswell @ Halfon: Careers advice at colleges ‘state of the been banned quality of assessment done by a network of training acasorguk reports majority employers know art’ but schools not good enough Mike Farmer providers. I wonder how many will fail to secure they have problem with age management. Finally, we have a Minister who really does understand agreements which will offer sufficient capacity, Time to fix it!! what we do. Bravo Mr Halfon. availability and geographical coverage. Bob Smith Mark Andrews MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 EDITION 198 JO BS

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WCG (Warwickshire College Group) is one of the largest groups ‘Exciting Opportunities at of Further Education Colleges in the UK, operating from 7 college sites, and covering a diverse range of curriculum areas. It has Warwickshire College Group’ 15,000 students studying 1,000 courses across all Subject Sector Areas from entry level to higher education as well as significant work-based learning activity. We have a number of exciting opportunities available which would be suited to enthusiastic individuals who have a passion for driving success in education.

Group Vice Principal – FE

The postholder will be accountable for financial management, portfolio across the Group, and support the Principal and curriculum management, resource management including, Group deputy Principals in the production and evaluation of where appropriate, commercial operations, quality assurance the College’s Strategic Plans. The successful candidate will and improvement. The main duties and responsibilities will have excellent knowledge of further education and must be include meeting the WCG ambitious targets for growth in able to demonstrate understanding of the purposes of effective learner numbers, to lead on the further education curriculum strategic and operational planning.

Head of Workbased Learning - Commercial Courses Manager Construction and Motor Vehicle

The Head of Workbased Learning is responsible for the This is an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to leadership and management of the Motor Vehicle and develop and grow the offer in the Subject Sector Areas from Construction Workbased Learning curriculum area. Main entry level to higher education as well as significant work- responsibilities will include developing and helping to grow based learning activity, and to develop an important revenue the apprenticeship provision, as well as the planning and stream for the college. You must hold a degree or equivalent management of staff in the specialist area. and have experience of operational management at a senior level in a complex and target focused environment.

Head of Department for Head of Department for Motor Vehicle - Warwickshire Construction (Including HE)

We are seeking a Head of Department for Motor Vehicle to The Head of Construction (Including HE) is responsible for the be responsible for the management of the curriculum area. management of the curriculum area, with direct accountability Through effective deployment of resources and College for the success and positive progression of the student systems and procedures, the postholder will ensure that each cohort. The postholder will ensure that each student has student has access to and receives an outstanding experience. access to and receives an outstanding experience including Whilst working within the core values and through continuous high quality teaching, learning and assessment that will ensure improvement, the post holder will develop the curriculum our students develop the Warwickshire College ‘T-shaped’ area to meet or exceed the College’s KPIs. employability skills to gain a competitive advantage as they progress towards and along their chosen careers.

Please visit our jobs page at https://www.warwickshire.ac.uk/ to apply Closing Date: 10/02/17 MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 @FEWEEK JO BS

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‘Help us shape the governance of the largest further education business in the country’

Clerk to the Corporation

Newcastle upon Tyne Competitive package, Full time Permanent Closing Date: 23:02:17

NCG is seeking to recruit a full-time Clerk to the Corporation to help shape an outstanding standard of governance and management across NCG, its colleges and trading subsidiaries.

NCG is one of the largest and growing FE providers This is a great opportunity for an experienced and forward in the country, currently comprising four Colleges – with thinking Clerk / Company Secretary to join NCG at a pivotal more seeking to join us – and two training providers, and time and to help shape the organisation’s future operation. has been rated as Good in a recent OFSTED inspection. NCG is currently introducing College Boards for each of This is a permanent position which offers an excellent its constituent colleges to provide improved oversight, benefits package including competitive salary, career especially around quality and curriculum, at a local level. average pension scheme, and generous holiday entitlement. NCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the The successful candidate will oversee and coordinate welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. activity of the newly implemented College Boards, We expect all staff to share this commitment. act as Company Secretary for trading subsidiary boards ensuring that they operate effectively, and provide advice, To view the Job Description, Person Specification, guidance and support to the NCG Corporation and its NCG Values Pack and to apply please visit committees on powers, procedural matters, and the https://www.networxrecruitment.com/Jobs/Advert/566966 conduct of business and matters of Governance practice. No agency applications will be accepted MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 EDITION 198 JO BS

CALL 02081234778 OR EMAIL [email protected] LOOKING AT OUR DIGITAL EDITION? CLICK ON EACH ADVERT FOR MORE INFORMATION Finance Director Salary within the range: £65,000 - £75,000 per annum

For an informal discussion, please contact Jeremy Plumpton College is a medium sized organisation with over 3000 Kerswell, the College Principal on 01273 890454 students, a turnover of nearly £18m and a rich and diverse business portfolio aligned to the needs of employers and communities For further details and an application form, across the South East. please contact: HR at: Plumpton College, Ditchling Road, With good financial health, excellent state of the art resources and Plumpton, a drive for continuous quality improvement, the College is well East Sussex, positioned to achieve its ambitious future growth targets. BN7 3AE.

We are looking for an experienced finance professional with Tel: 01273 890454 Email: [email protected] outstanding leadership skills and a drive for strong performance and quality to play a pivotal role in our development and future. Closing date for applications: With sound knowledge of financial legislation and accounting Tuesday 14th February practices you will have recent proven experience of developing and Selection centre will be held: implementing financial strategy. Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd March 2017

GCSE Maths and English Curriculum Leader (Maths Specialism) Salary: Competitive (subject to qualifications and experience) Hours: Full time, 37 per week

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational and talented Maths Lecturer to join our In addition to our state-of-the-art facilities and friendly, supportive working friendly and professional teaching team as a Curriculum Leader for GCSE Maths and environment we can offer you excellent training opportunities, mentoring scheme, English. generous annual leave entitlement, childcare vouchers, pension scheme, on-site gym and free parking. This exciting post involves: • Motivating and engaging teaching staff Please note that ESC is a smoke-free zone, with no smoking permitted anywhere on • The chance to share your knowledge & skills with learners to help them achieve at campus. the highest level. • Helping to drive quality improvement initiatives • Creating an inspiring environment for our Students to produce outstanding Outstanding Facilities – Outstanding Opportunities achievement Judged Good with a series of Outstanding areas by Ofsted in January 2015, we Successful candidates will be highly motivated, possess exceptional organisational are committed to achieving excellence for all our students. Inspirational teaching skills, work well with colleagues and have a creative and innovative approach to and the dedication of all our staff supports the continuing growth of our student enthuse our students to succeed. Candidates must have experience of delivering on success. We are seeking dynamic and highly motivated individuals to join our team GCSE Maths with a good understanding of general GCSE qualifications, and hold a to work in an exciting and diverse learning environment. UK recognised teaching qualification such as a PGCE, DET/DTLLS or Cert ED or be working towards them. Closing Date: 12:00, 13th February 2017

At East Surrey College we are committed to Equal Opportunities, encouraging applications from all sectors of the community to reflect our diverse student population. We are also committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

For full vacancy details and to apply visit our website https://careers.esc.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources department on 01737 772611 (option 3). UPGRADE COMPLETE. New jobs board. New approach. More choice for you...

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JO BS

Email [email protected] for more information. UPGRADE COMPLETE. New jobs board. New approach. More choice for you...

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Email [email protected] for more information. MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 @FEWEEK JO BS

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Maths & English

Lecturers

Location: Wigan Hours: Full & Part time hours Contract Type: Permanent Salary up to: Up to £33,753

Join Wigan & Leigh College on our journey to outstanding.

Proud to be a Grade 2 College, Wigan & Leigh College is now embarking on its journey to become Outstanding. With over 6,500 students, the College is in a strong Functional Skills English Tutor Vacancy position to continue to move forward and grow. The College has distinct ambitions to expand its choice of programmes and services to meet the needs of the local community. The College has created a community that encourages all students to Skills Training UK is a leading independent Apprenticeships and enhance their learning through wider opportunities and support services; to maximise Traineeships provider at the forefront of thinking and policy in their achievements and secure progression onto further study and employment. skills, education and employability. Each year we empower The Department is vital to the development of our learners and integral to our drive toward outstanding We are seeking outstanding practitioners who can motivate, thousands of young people and adults to improve their lives by enthuse and engage learners in English/maths and who have a proven track record developing the skills and self-belief to progress, including of helping leaners to succeed. The maths and English team work from a dedicated learning zone which brings together the resources and lecturers to ensure that through the Study Programme. learners have the best possible experience. Applicants will be expected to deliver on a range of courses including GCSEs, Functional Skills, Adult Awards and Level 3 We are currently looking for an experienced Functional Skills Progression. English Tutor for our Dudley Centre to work with our 16-24 year Candidates will have: old Traineeship learners. The right candidate will be qualified to at least PTTLs level and will have experience of delivering • Excellent maths and/or English qualifications • Proven track record of impact Functional Skills to young people. An enhanced DBS check will • Possess outstanding subject knowledge and passion for your subject • We will also consider recent Cert Ed/PGCE graduates be undertaken as part of the application process. To find out more, or to apply for the post please submit your CV Apply here: http://bit.ly/2iX4Q1Q to [email protected]. Closing Date: 16/02/2017

#TopCollege Proud to be a Grade 2 College - join us on our journey to Outstanding www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/ofsted-success MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 EDITION 198 JO BS

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Lecturer in GCSE and Lecturer in GCSE and Functional Skills English Functional Skills Maths £24,262 - £30,239 per annum, £24,262 - £30,329 per annum 37 hours per week. (37 hours per week)

Loughborough College is a successful college where more than Loughborough College is a successful college where more than 2,350 full-time 16-19 year old students thrive in this supportive 2,350 full-time 16-19 year old students thrive in a supportive environ- environment, as we help them to develop as positive and confident ment, as we help them to develop as positive and confident individ- individuals who can achieve their true potential. uals who can achieve their true potential.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated and We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated and inspirational Lecturer with the experience and skills to deliver GCSE inspirational lLecturer with the experience and skills to deliver GCSE and Functional Skills English to a range of learners across college. and Functional Skills Maths to a range of learners across the college.

You must be keen to inspire our students to improve their Eng- You must be keen to inspire our students to improve their maths lish skills and have the commitment and ability to teach GCSE and skills and have a willingness and ability to teach both GCSE and Functional Skills English. A relevant degree is essential and you must Functional Skills Maths. A relevant degree is essential and you must already have a teaching qualification. We welcome applications from already have a teaching qualification. We welcome applications from NQTs. NQT’s.

Apply here: https://apply.loucollcareers.co.uk/53117FEW Apply here: https://apply.loucollcareers.co.uk/53121FEW

Closing date for applications: 7th February 2017 Closing date for applications: 7th February 2017

OUTSTANDING English and maths staff WANTED!

Location: Huddersfield and Dewsbury The purpose of this rewarding role is to make a significant contribution to the effective delivery of the curriculum, in Salary: Up to £23.89 per hour plus opportunity of scarce line with the College’s Quality Improvement Strategy and skills allowance (up to £30.09 per hour depending on to ensure a high quality and relevant learning experience current salary, industrial skills and specialist skills) for all students on the courses.

Hours: Variable The main responsibilities of the role will be to teach English and maths related subjects at any of the College Do you want to begin a truly rewarding career centres and to develop programmes of study to meet the particular needs of client groups served by the and make a real difference by training a new College. The successful candidate will also be required to generation? Then this is the career for you! assess students in accordance with the requirements of the programme and to contribute to systems of quality Kirklees College is one of the biggest colleges in the and advice and assist in the effective organisation of country and we offer a vast range of courses and study the department by the proper establishment of such options for applicants to choose from. Based in the heart syllabuses, schemes of work and records as may be of Yorkshire we have multiple learning centres across necessary from time to time. Kirklees, serving the local population, communities and businesses. Ideally the successful candidate will already have an English or maths qualification at Level 3 or above. The Nationally there is a challenge to improve young people’s candidate will also need to have a teaching qualification at numeracy and literacy skills. Considering recent changes Level 5 or above. to the funding methodology, this is also a challenge for the Further Education colleges. All students who have Please visit www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/jobs and search not received a grade A to C in maths and English when under our latest vacancies page for more information and leaving school now have to continue to study alongside how to apply for this role. their vocational qualification. If you have any queries, you can contact the HR This is an exciting opportunity for a bright, committed department by telephone on 01484 437009 or by email and innovative individual who has the ability to work with at [email protected]. both mature and 16-19 year old learners as part of a large, dynamic and successful team within a well-established Kirklees College is committed to Equality & Diversity and Further Education college. welcomes applications from all sections of the community MONDAY, FEB 06 2017 @FEWEEK JO BS

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I’m here to make recruitment that bit easier investment cannot be used for any of the following.

67.1. Enrolment, induction, prior assessment, initial diagnostic testing or similar activity.

67.2. Accommodation costs where the apprentice is resident away from their home base, because of the requirements of their day-to-day work or because this is convenient for the employer. 82.10. Repeating the same regulated qualification where the apprentice has 67.3. Travel costs for apprentices under any circumstances. previously achieved it unless it is a requirement of the apprenticeship or for any GCSE where the apprentice has not achieved grade C, or 4, or 67.4. Apprentices’ wages. higher. point assessment needed 67.5. Personal protective clothing and safety equipment required by the 82.11. Re-sits for mandatory qualifications or the end- arning is required. apprentice to carry out their day-to-day work. for the apprenticeship where no additional le (including certification) costs for non- 67.6. Capital purchases. 82.12. Registration and examination mandatory qualifications (qualifications that are not specifically listed in 67.7. Any training or optional modules in excess of those required, educational the standard). trips or trips to professional events not specified in the apprenticeship standard or needed to achieve the apprenticeship framework. 82.13. Accommodation costs where the apprentice is resident away from their FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 home base, because of theMONDAY, requirements ofFEBRUARY their day-to-day 06,work 2017or 11 because this is convenient for the employer or provider. Residential costs 67.8. Re-sits for qualifications or end-point assessment needed for the associated with non-mandatory qualifications are also excluded. apprenticeship where no additional learning is required. news 82.14. Capital purchases including lease agreements. Capital purchases are 67.9. Time spent by employees / managers supporting apprentices, mentoring long-term assets which would have a lifespan beyond the apprenticeship or the time of other employed staff arranging training support, except being funded, such as land, buildings, machinery and ICT equipment. where this is directly linked to the training, education and end-point assessment for an employer-provider. For example, we would not expect 82.15. Maintenance of capital purchases. This includes vehicle parts and labour, pent by the apprentice’s line manager for any of to pay for any time s insurance and MOT. FE Week victory:these activities.apprenticeship rules ban ‘brokerage’ 82.16. Time spent by employees/managers supporting or mentoring apprentices, 67.10. Training assessment, exams or tests in any skills and knowledge solely or the time of other employed staff arranging training support, except and specifically required to acquire licences to practice, or the certification billy camden Draft Final versionwhere this is directly linked to the trainingand assessment, including end- of any licence to practice, where these are a legal requirement that must point assessment. For example, we would not expect to pay for any time @billycamden be obtained by practitioners to confirm that the licence holder meets spent by the apprentice’s line manager for any of these activities. prescribed standards of competence for that sector or industry. 82.17. Specific services not related to the delivery and administration of the 67.11. Specific services not related to the delivery and administration of the This includes the recruitment and continuing professional ublic funds cannot be used to pay apprenticeship. apprenticeship; including company induction, bespoke or additional development of staff involved in apprenticeships, company inductions, brokers’ fees, the Skills Funding Agency training or assessment not needed to meet the apprenticeship managing agents and those providing a brokerage service to an requirements. P has officially ruled. employer. In its final rules for apprenticeship funding 67.12. Off-the-job training delivered only by distance learning, although you P83.can You can only use funds in the employer’s digital account to pay for apprenticeship include online and other blended learning activity as part of the delivery of published this week, the SFA has at last training and assessment for apprentices employed by that employer or a connected an apprenticeship. company or charity. clamped down on the sorts of shady dealings managing agents and those providing a our support free of charge to the point of funding agreements originally said: which have seen private bodies and brokers brokerage67.13. Repeating service the sameto an regulatedemployer”. qualification where thecontracting.” apprentice hasP84. Where an apprentice is employed by“Funds a non-levy in-paying an employer’s ATA, the ATA digital will be account able to previously achieved it unless it is a requirement of the apprenticeship or access support for training and assessment through government and employer co- cream off millions of pounds via commission Ourfor initial any GCSE investigation where the apprenticeback in April has not achieved Ingrade response C, or 4, or to ourinvestment. investigation, in its first or government-employer co-investment fees. found higher.numerous brokers advertising bid to “limit the use of brokers”, the SFA said cannot be used for specific services not The decision represents a big win for subcontracting opportunities through closed last April thatAdditional it would16 “review” payments funding related to the delivery and administration FE Week, after we exposed the dodgy way groups on LinkedIn. agreements – butP85. thenYou it and fell the silent. employer will receive a ofpayment the apprenticeship; towards the additional including cost associated company with training if, at the start of the apprenticeship, the apprentice is: brokers have been charging up to five per In one of those most alarming examples, It wasn’t until FE Week deputy editor Paul induction, bespoke or additional training cent of every deal to match subcontractors FE Week found an advert with Essex-based Offord’s investigation went85.1. onaged to win between the 16 and 18or years assessment old (or 15 notyears needed of age ifto the meet apprentice the s’ 16th birthday is between the last Friday of June and 31 August) with government-funded providers. consultants EEVT Ltd, attributed to a prestigious CIPR award for Outstanding apprenticeship requirements.” The rules now state that “funds in an company called The Funding Brokers Ltd. Further and Vocational Education85.2. aged between 19 and 24 yearsThe promiseold and has of either tougher an EHC stance plan providedwas warmly by 15 employer’s digital account or government- It read “we have been providing this Journalism in November, that we heard welcomed by sector leaders in November,

employer co-investment must not be service for over three years, securing in anything new, after we pressed the SFA to shortly after FE Week first learned the used for… specific services not related excess of £100 million in the process for explain what had officially been done to change was going ahead. to the delivery and administration of the our clients” – meaning that at five per cent address the issue. Mark Dawe, the boss of the AELP, said: apprenticeship”. Provisions explicitly commission, the brokers could have earned The agency eventually revealed it would be “With the levy’s arrival and the new cover the recruitment and continuing up to £5 million. “strengthening” its rules so that government subcontracting rules, no one should complain professional development of staff involved The ad continued: “We work on a no- money could no longer be used to pay if brokerage fees become a thing of the past.” in apprenticeships, company inductions, win no-fee basis, whereby we will provide brokers’ fees from May 1 this year. It also David Hughes, his counterpart at the warned it would “take action” against any AoC, agreed, saying it was “good to see them provider found breaking these rules. delivering” on the initial pledge the SFA had Dear Dr Sue The government’s apprenticeship made to FE Week 10 months ago.

Once a month, Dr Sue, Holex’s director of policy and external relations, answers your questions, backed by the experience of almost a decade as principal of Canterbury College, in addition to time served in senior civil service posts at central government departments covering education and skills.

Q1: NEW PRINCIPAL Q2: ALIENATING STAFF I AM A NEW PRINCIPAL WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE OF GOVERNANCE. I I TOOK ON THE CHAIR’S ROLE OF A FAILING COLLEGE TWO YEARS AGO AND HAVE READ THE CODE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR ENGLISH COLLEGES MY FIRST TASK WAS TO APPOINT A NEW PRINCIPAL. THE TRANSFORMATION AND TALKED TO THE CLERK; WHAT MORE DO I NEED TO DO TO HAS BEEN FIRST CLASS AND OUR INSPECTION REPORT WAS FULL OF PRAISE. FACILITATE A PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP? HOWEVER, SENIOR STAFF ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF STRESS. I WOULDN’T SAY THE PRINCIPAL OFFENDS PEOPLE, BUT HE IS NOT MAKING FRIENDS OR Answer: First you need to go into this with the right of your actions. Don’t spin because it will ALLOWING STAFF TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. HOW DO I TACKLE THIS? frame of mind, which you seem to have. inevitably unwind, share the bad bits as Answer: Governors will rely on you to be their lead well as the good. Leadership and college ethos start with the staff will use this newfound success of the advisor as well as the accountable officer. governors. You brought in someone to turn college as a springboard to move on. Second you need to put time into this side round the college and they have done that. of the job. Good relationships are built on It is not unusual when an organisation the ability to work openly and cooperatively Don’t spin as needs to be turned round quickly for a with your governors from the beginning. Staff will use chief executive to take on an ‘I know best’ Work with them on deciding what’s it will inevitably management style. important to them, what type of paperwork Having a centrally imposed framework and the success as is needed and how you can help them make unwind standards gives staff the clarity they need, sense of data and college performance especially after a period of uncertainly, but it a springboard to information. And thirdly, go out and shadow other only works for a short time. It’s a governor’s role to challenge, so executives at their boards. See how others It’s now time to modify behaviour and get move on don’t be defensive. Proactively pre-empt do it. It doesn’t have to be a college – it could your principal to move from an instructional difficult questions by raising them yourself be a university, a large health authority or leadership to one of shared collaborative One way for your principal to consider and assuring governors you have the right housing association. The main attributes of ownership where he offers as much praise as new leadership styles is to attend one of mitigating action in place. That way, they good board and executive relationships are criticism and shares the success with others the thought leadership sessions run by the will gain confidence and can be supportive the same whatever the sector. around him. If you don’t do that the most able leadership foundations. 12 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 experts lucy garry hunte phillips Apprenticeship lead, CEO of Ealing, Hammersmith and Health Education England West London College NHS will spend levy on bespoke training Reversing a deficit budget

The NHS will build strong partnerships We are planning a pan-London procurement Garry Phillips describes how his college We also introduced a more robust student with colleges and training providers, exercise in the coming months, to allocate pulled itself back from financial difficulty advice and guidance process to ensure that as long as they are honest about their contracts to a core bank of trusted providers. and an Ofsted ‘inadequate’ rating, the right student is on the right course, at capacity, says Lucy Hunte Given the demand for a large volume and following an intervention from the the right level, to enable them to achieve. variety of required standards and frameworks, deputy FE commissioner None of this was easy, and possibly the ith the imminent introduction of multiple partnerships will be required. hardest part was having to reduce staff a public sector target which will Colleges and training providers will need to aling Hammersmith and West London’s numbers. However, we refocused on CPD W require all public sector organisations be realistic and honest about their capacity College has appeared in FE Week several and a cultural change programme that to have 2.3 per cent of their workforce on in order to avoid over-promising and under- E times over the last few years – and not we named the ‘West London Way’, which apprenticeships, the NHS will have an delivering, resulting in being removed from always for the best reasons. enabled staff to tell us what they needed to estimated target of 28,000 apprenticeship starts the preferred suppliers list. The college found itself in financial succeed – and we listened. As a result, we in 2017/18 – a 75 per cent increase on 2016/17. While many NHS trusts already deliver part difficulty in 2013, receiving a notice to have some state-of-the-art technology, new With such a rapid ramp-up, capacity and of their apprenticeship programmes such as improve for financial health, after suffering facilities and the chance for staff to update quality of delivery from training providers is a the Care Certificate, we are recommending from a deficit budget for several years, their own skills. key concern. that trusts now look to do this on a formal which rose into the millions of pounds. The annual NHS levy spend will be £27 basis and get paid for this delivery. Moreover, the quality of outcomes for million across London and £200 million For those looking at the employer- students were not up to standard; a fact nationally. With this money effectively being provider route, they will still be interested that was highlighted by a grade four We had to taken away from frontline services there is a in partnerships with training providers who Ofsted inspection in 2015. That inspection huge focus across all NHS trusts on planning could support the MIS and administration sparked an intervention from the deputy FE stop any to maximise levy spend and ensure funds do functions as well as compliance and Ofsted commissioner, just when the area reviews not expire. requirements. also started. Oh, and should I mention the financial bleeds Realistically trusts will not have the These partnerships would then f-word (funding)? vacancies or budget for salaries to spend the enable trusts to deliver the parts of the It is safe to say that the college hit some levy solely on training new recruits, although apprenticeship programmes in which they rough seas, in a perfect storm of events that Staff costs previously represented 83 per this is a key focus, so a large percentage of have the expertise, but without the added left one route: change had to happen. cent of our income. They are now at a more funds will be used on training and upskilling pressure of becoming fully-fledged training The challenge was to make the acceptable 63 per cent and we are predicting existing employees. providers. transformation quickly and sustainably, another year of financial surplus. Staff Many hospitals already deliver elements so the most important stakeholders – the sickness has dropped from four per cent to of their apprenticeship programmes in students – received positive outcomes. 2.7 per cent and 89 per cent have told us they partnership with chosen training providers, It was around this time that I joined the enjoy the work that they do, which is pretty and have applied to the new register of There will be college and, along with the board, I felt the good when you bear in mind the journey we apprenticeship training providers to formalise best place to start was with a basic ‘why, have been on. these arrangements on either the employer- no hiding place what and how’ approach. The ‘why’, for any There are also ambitious plans to build provider route or the supporting route. college, could only be about the students; the new accommodation on one of our sites. This is an attractive option for many trusts for poor quality ‘what’ examined what we were good at as But all this means nothing if we are as they can be paid for their expertise, and a college; and the ‘how’ considered how we not having a positive impact on student funds that come back into the trusts via these providers could deliver on our overall reason for being outcomes. Signs there are more than partnerships will be incremental revenue. – our commitment to students. encouraging. The interim visits from Hospitals recognise that their expertise is Once we had laid out the answers to these Ofsted have recognised the improvement in the clinical domain, and for non-clinical The beauty of many of the new questions clearly, we knew what to change. in this area and the impact of the Quality of apprenticeships;most NHS trusts will apprenticeship standards is that they do not Firstly, we needed to save £20 million in Teaching, Learning and Assessment is at 85 continue to depend on partnerships with have a mandatory qualification. This gives costs, so we had to stop any financial bleeds. per cent good or better. In November Ofsted colleges and training providers. The focus will trusts the flexibility to work with a training One example was late enrolments. As a concluded that we had made ‘significant therefore be on building effective partnerships provider to match their existing training college it was custom for us to accept over progress’ in the improvement of learner with training providers. Our priority is programmes to the standards – for example a 750 late enrolments. Not as January starts outcomes. quality training and added value – we are not trust’s existing leadership and development or part of any NEET intervention strategy – For the first time in several years, student interested in a race to the bottom on price. programme might map across to the new L5 just for the numbers. I am sure readers will outcomes are above the last known national Due to some negative experiences in the management standard. understand the impact of this on the group rate at 85.4 per cent. English and maths past, the dedicated regional apprenticeship Large public sector organisations face dynamics, learning and student outcomes, achievement for functional skills is 17 per leads have started to share best practice significant challenges in implementing the not to mention the issue of delayed funding cent above the national average and the around apprenticeship delivery between new legislation, including delayed government on our bank balance. So this stopped. college overall attendance rate now stands at trusts. We are rating training providers based guidance and a lack of clarity around how We also rationalised our own internal 89 per cent. on factors such as success rates, FE Choices honorary contracts will affect workforce duplicate provision. This meant removing There is still a lot of work to do in building employer feedback scores, complaints and count. Despite this, the overall picture looks underperforming provision and that on the green shoots of our growing success, quality management and learner progress. very positive, and there are substantial which did not lead to further or higher but we are managing change effectively This data will be shared centrally with other opportunities for training providers if they education or employment – including some and feel that we now have a learning NHS trusts to ensure quality provision, which can offer high-quality provision and bespoke apprenticeships, as these additional courses organisation that students and staff are truly means no hiding place for poor providers. training packages, and adapt to trusts’ needs. did not correspond to ‘why’ we did this. proud to be a part of. FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 13 experts

Compulsory under 19 education alone to gathering evidence on the full impact of cannot address the UK’s growing skills adult education. shortages; we must take the opportunity • Encourage employers to provide to work with government to develop a ruth educational opportunities for employees. national lifelong learning strategy, says 2. Deliver funding for those most in need, Ruth Spellman but who are not ready for a degree course or spellman apprenticeship, and consider introducing an n an interview last week, skills and entitlement in English, maths and digital. apprenticeships minister Robert Halfon Chief executive of the Workers’ 3. Raise standards in HE and FE and I reassured us that “lifelong learning is Educational Association create plural pathways back into learning firmly back on the government’s agenda”. for all learners irrespective of age or current The Secretary of State for Education had qualifications. also recently set out in a speech earlier It’s time for a national adult learning strategy None of this is beyond our capability. In this month how standards can be improved the academic year 2015/16, the WEA engaged still further by strengthening vocational catastrophic decline in adult participation in – concerns which were echoed by Sir Vince over 60,000 students in England and Scotland education and expanding apprenticeships HE (a 40+ per cent drop since 2010) . Cable’s 2017 WEA annual lecture last month. – 23 per cent had no academic qualifications to create a world-class further education Meanwhile the overwhelming focus of It has been encouraging to hear recent when they began their course, 42 per cent system. government policy and funding continues to repeated statements from the prime minister were claiming means-tested benefits and 38 But reform of the FE system is only one be the under 19s. and Justine Greening on the need for a per cent were living in a disadvantaged area. of the changes that are needed. If we are shared society and greater social mobility Compulsory under-19 education alone really to improve social mobility and address and I believe that we now have a real cannot address the UK’s growing skills barriers to learning, we need a national opportunity to work with government to shortages. It cannot anticipate the way in lifelong-learning strategy that allows us The make this a reality. which technological advancements will to build pathways and opportunities for To achieve these desired end points – our require new skillsets. It doesn’t tackle one of all adults, particularly those furthest from overwhelming policies, strategies and delivery need to be the major forces shaping our society today: the labour market, who are educationally aligned as follows: an ageing population. disadvantaged or who are in low-paid or focus continues 1. We want the government to act on the A national lifelong learning strategy could unskilled work. five key recommendations of the APPG for do these things and help future-proof our According to the Learning and Work to be the under adult education report: society and our economy. Over a lifetime, Institute, the proportion of unemployed • Establish a national strategy for adult we will need to upskill and reskill. The adults taking part in learning has decreased 19s education. government’s industrial strategy green since 2014, falling from 41 per cent to the • Rebuild and rebalance resources fairly for paper promises ‘ambitious new approaches previous level of 35 per cent found in 2013. adults. to encouraging lifelong learning’ and we The AOC has highlighted a 35 per cent drop The recent Commons debate on adult • Provide careers information advice and intend to contribute to it. We need more than in adult skills funding between 2009/10 and education called by David Lammy voiced guidance in local communities. an approach – we urgently need long-term 2015/16. And furthermore, there has been a concerns we have been raising for some time • Ensure that we have a systematic approach commitment and a plan of action.

END POINT ASSESSMENT As an Approved End Point Assessment Centre IMI already have apprentices signed up on the new apprenticeship standards. SME’s Manufacturers Training Providers

APPRENTICESHIP Find out more at: www.theimi.org.uk/apprenticeships REFORM: IMI CAN HELP Or contact our dedicated team on: Access our devoted team to help [email protected] E: guide you through the changes to T: 01992 511 521 vocational training and the demands of the new levy.

IMI Apprenticeship x2 165x262 (JAN 2017).indd 1 31/01/2017 17:39 14 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 CAMPUS ROUND-UP London’s new basketball course is a slam dunk

The Cable guy: Sir Vince leads a discussion with students Dr Cable tied at student discussion

he former minister for business, from across a range of course areas who Ballers: The college’s 2016/17 elite squad innovation and skills, Sir Vince Cable, shared their day-to-day experiences of he College of Haringey, Enfield and North from its sports centre in Enfield with the LSB, T has paid a visit to Dudley College as further education. East London will become the first college and there are plans to integrate aspects of this part of a national research programme Students shared their thoughts on T in London to offer a course in basketball. with the new course. exploring how changes to the education what changes they wanted to see during The London-based college will launch In order to raise the profile of the system can impact upon learners. a discussion with the former minister, its BTEC level three diploma in basketball academy – which recently appointed former Headed up by Dr Cable, the programme is proposing the idea of work experience from September this year, developing it Team GB coach Jay Williams as head coach being carried out on behalf of the National A-level programmes, and more support for in partnership with the London School of – the college has launched a tournament Union of Students (NUS) – for which Cable learners with mental health problems. Basketball. for year 10 and 11 pupils at schools across is an ambassador – and will look at how the Commenting on Dr Cable’s involvement The new course will offer a basketball Enfield, hoping to scout new players for the introduction of the post-16 skills plan and in the project NUS vice-principal Shakira curriculum aimed at those interested in the start of the next academic year. other substantial changes to the curriculum Martin said: “Dr Cable and I come from sport both practically and theoretically, with Nhamo Shire, director of the London affects students. very different backgrounds and we usually topics including sport-specific coaching, School of Basketball, said: “The performance During his visit to the west Midlands- speak to two very different audiences. I’m physical education theory, sports psychology of the academy so far this year has been based college, he met with senior staff about delighted that through his support for this and physical application. remarkable. All the players have improved how they’re working to meet the needs of work we can create one voice speaking about CONEL already runs a basketball academy dramatically in a very short space of time.” employers, and spoke with over 40 students the future of further education.”

Students fight crime with poster campaign

our students from Blackpool and The Fylde susceptible to being victims or perpetrators college have produced a poster campaign of violent crime so we wanted to engage with F to help tackle violent crime in the area. people in that age group to come up with Angel Page, 17, Jonathan Woodhead, 31, ideas which would raise awareness of the Mitchell Gibson, 16 and Daniel Fraser, 31, consequences.” who are art and design students at the college, Sue Crosbie, employability team manager have produced the posters in partnership at the college, said: “The students drove the with Blackpool council and Lancashire project forward and came up with the designs Constabulary. themselves, which had to be hard-hitting to The series of posters aim to remind people really drive the messages home. to stay safe – particularly when drinking – and “It was good for them to get the opportunity have been placed in various locations around to get first-hand experience of a professional Blackpool, including licensed premises, the campaign, with an extremely important local hospital and around the college itself. message attached to it.” Cllr Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of There are plans to roll out more of the From tiny acorns: The first of the 90th birthday trees planted 1920s style Blackpool council, said: “Our research posters across Blackpool throughout the year. highlighted that 16- to 24-year-olds were more College plants a tree a month to mark 90th year

erwen college is marking its 90th walk down, with a different group of anniversary year by planting trees students getting involved with the planting D every month throughout 2017. each month. The first tree of the year – an Acer davidii Peter Evans, programme manager for land George Forrest, commonly known as based studies at the college said: “The idea Snakebark Maple due to its patterned trunk is that we will plant a tree that represents – was planted on January 19 by the land- that particular month, for example flowers, based studies team, who came up with the coloured leaves or bark – and the planting quirky idea to mark the milestone. will form an avenue of trees. The specialist college, based in “The students thought this would be just Shropshire, was founded in 1927 by Dame one way to continue the legacy of Dame Hunt Agnes Hunt, so the team dressed in into the future.” traditional 1920s attire as they planted the The college will be marking its 90th year tree as a nod to the era. with a series of events including a 1920s ball It is hoped that the trees will eventually and a week of further celebrations in June – form an avenue that future students can for its official birthday week. Hard-hitting: Posters produced for the campaign FEWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 198 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017 15

FEATURED CAMPUS West Nottinghamshire College flies the flag for diversity ROUND-UP

A Nottinghamshire college has been More than 430 recognised by equality charity Stonewall employers from as a top employer for promoting lesbian, across the public, private and third sectors gay, bi and trans diversity amongst its submitted their entries for consideration; the staff. Samantha King reports college was one of only two FE institutions that made it onto the list, with Newham his year, West Nottinghamshire college college of Further Education in east London was voted as the 60th best employer on placing 72nd. T Stonewall’s list of 100 LGBT-friendly Duncan Bradshaw, Stonewall’s director organisations, rising 33 places from last year, of membership programmes, said “West where it placed 93rd. Nottinghamshire college and all those who The college, which is based in Mansfield, have made this year’s Top 100 Employers has climbed the top 100 list rapidly since list have done a fantastic job, and really do it first took part in the charity’s voluntary put equality and inclusion at the forefront of audit in 2015 and came 143rd. their work. Louise Knott, its vice-principal and “With continued efforts and hard work, chair of its equality and we will continue to work towards a world diversity where all lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff are steering (L-R) Louise Knott, Alex Belcher, chair of student LGBT network , and Jane Hawksford, chair of staff LGBT group welcomed and accepted without exception in group, said: Jacub Sabo-Dutton, a trans activist, speaks at the college 2016 their workplaces.” “As a college, to college to come out. confident in reporting homophobic, biphobic Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a equality and “Therefore providing a safe and and transphobic bullying. group who campaigned against a piece diversity welcoming space for them to do this “We have invested a significant amount of government legislation – Section 28 – is deeply is essential.” of time not only in terms of our support for preventing the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality embedded Now in its 13th year, Stonewall’s students, but also in creating an environment in schools. It achieved charitable status in within our Workplace Equality Index celebrates the where our staff feel comfortable being 2003 and has since helped in equalising the culture and ethos, and over the last three efforts of employers to create inclusive themselves and are role models to our age of consent and allowing same-sex couples years we have really focussed on LGBT+ workplaces, and is compiled through an student body,” Knott added. to adopt. equality. Our result this year is a clear annual audit of workplace culture. “We have found that our clear focus indication that the hard work has paid There is also a confidential staff survey on LGBT+ equality has moved our Do you want to be in Campus Round-up? dividends. as part of the process, asking employees organisational culture on significantly, and “For many of our students, coming to whether they were comfortable disclosing in fact has helped with many of our other Send your stories with pictures to campus@ feweek.co.uk including names, ages and college at the age of 16 serves as a bit of a their sexual orientation at work, if they saw equality and diversity strands. Our work will course details of students where applicable watershed, where they feel they can start to visible LGBT role models in the organisation, continue and we hope to move up the Top 100 be themselves. Many choose their transition felt supported by their managers and were ranking even further next year.”

Kirklees college in Huddersfield. “Employer engagement and responsiveness Ms Gilluley brings 30 years of experience to has been a theme throughout my career in FE Your weekly guide the role, most recently as principal at Bolton and something I have always believed in.” college – a position she had held for the past Speaking of the challenges she will face in MOVERS to who’s new and five years. the role, she said: “There will be continued As chair of the Greater Manchester change in our sector and I believe I am who’s leaving Colleges Group she helped develop significant someone that can quickly get their feet on SHAKERS collaboration between the 10 FE colleges to the ground within the communities I serve. & improve curriculum quality. I’m able to work constructively alongside Her first job in FE was as a lecturer in colleagues to build relationships and hirley Brookes-Mills has been overseeing. computer-aided engineering at Central influence decision-makers.” appointed the new academic head for She said “This is an incredibly exciting Manchester college, something she says got Truro and Penwith college’s sport lecturer, S two sites with the Newcastle and Stafford time to come to the organisation and deliver her “hooked on FE and its power to change Matt George has been appointed goalkeeping College Group. a new vision across both sites. I’m looking lives”. Prior to this she had a brief stint as a coach for the English Schools’ Football NSCG is the result of a merger between forward to the launch of A-level and combined plant engineer in County Durham, where she Association under-18s. Newcastle-under-Lyme college and Stafford courses along with the new Science and was responsible for training apprentices. The association is the national governing college, which took place in November Technology Centre at Stafford College whilst Ms Gilluley says it was Kirklees college’s body of school and college football, with 2016. The group is now one of the largest also building on NULC’s high pass rates.” “responsibility for industrial liaison” previous ESFA players including Michael educational providers in Staffordshire. Marie Gilluley is now principal of that first attracted her to the role, adding: Owen, Wayne Rooney, Leon Osman, Ben Ms Brookes-Mills has more than 26 years’ Amos and Chris Smalling. experience in the further education sector, Mr George will take up the new role and was most recently vice-principal at alongside his position at the college, where Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form he teaches on the BTEC level three coaching, College, which currently holds an Ofsted development and fitness course. rating of outstanding. He hopes the appointment will inspire his She began her career as a trainee chartered students, saying: “Having worked towards accountant in 1986 before taking up her and achieved my UEFA B licence and FA first teaching position in 1989 as a teacher goalkeeping B license, to coach goalkeeping of English and KS4 coordinator at Malet and training as a teacher, will mean students Lambert school in Hull. have a positive example of where success, Her appointment follows the college’s commitment and dedication can take them.” recent announcement that A-levels will be Martin Tucker, the director of Penwith returning to the campus in September 2017, College said: “To have an international coach alongside a launch of combined courses, working with our sport students is an asset to SHIRLEY BROOKES-MILLS MARIE GILLULEY MATT GEORGE both of which she will be responsible for their education and development.”

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] 16 @FEWEEK FE WEEK MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2017

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Difficulty: 9 2 1 4 5 7 3 8 6 6 9 5 8 4 MEDIUM 5 3 6 8 2 1 4 7 9 8 4 7 7 4 8 3 6 9 2 5 1 1 2 8 5 4 1 7 2 6 9 3 1 6 9 5 8 3 7 4 2 3 8 2 7 3 6 9 4 5 1 8 5 7 8 6 9 3 4 1 5 2 3 8 9 6 7 7 8 3 8 7 9 4 6 1 2 5 6 9 2 7 1 5 8 3 4 6 2 Difficulty: 3 9 4 Spot five differences. First correct entry wins an FE Week mug. Solutions: MEDIUM Email your name and picture of your completed spot the difference to: [email protected]. 1 6 5 3 8 Next edition Last Edition’s winner: Cheryl Pountney, City College Coventry