Bulletin –January 2009 Dear colleagues, A belated happy new year – it seems quite old already! Still nothing final on MoG, although a great deal of activity, so I thought this was a good opportunity to update you on a range of other Natspec activities. Elsewhere in the bulletin you will find dates of a number of forthcoming events, including governance seminars, finance officers meeting and of course the annual conference. Please do check these out and get them into your diary. ISCs are busy piloting the Framework for Excellence (FfE), the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) and the Staff individual Record (SIR), trying to make sure that all these initiatives will be fit for purpose when they are required in our colleges. With regard to the FfE, Natspec has led a piece of work to develop protocols that will enable learners with LDD to complete the survey with support if required. I will shortly be sending out a briefing on the work of the Natspec FfE focus group to keep you informed about our activities. Natspec and TechDis have set up a small working group to explore issues around the use of the internet in ISCs. We know that technology has played an important role in giving many of our learners increased communication and independence skills; we also need to ensure that they learn to understand and manage the risks associated with using the web. As well as thinking about curriculum materials for learners, the group will consider policies and guidance for colleges, and staff training needs. Do please contact me if you have materials or ideas to contribute. The publicity working group is hard at it, putting together the new directory; this is a key marketing tool for member colleges, so if you haven’t sent your college entry through to Allison Heward at Derwen College - [email protected] , you had better move fast! The material you provide also updates the web-site, so it is really important that you send current details and information. The new look directory will be launched at annual conference. Natspec is also beginning a push on E&D, to make sure all colleges are compliant with the legislation but also to extend that into ensuring meaningful activities for learners. You will know from the Ofsted consultation that this work is being given even greater priority in inspection, so this is an important focus. Association of National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC), a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England number 5908897. Registered office: Derwen College, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 3JA 1
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Bulletin –January 2009
Dear colleagues,A belated happy new year – it seems quite old already!Still nothing final on MoG, although a great deal of activity, so I thought this was a good opportunity to update you on a range of other Natspec activities. Elsewhere in the bulletin you will find dates of a number of forthcoming events, including governance seminars, finance officers meeting and of
course the annual conference. Please do check these out and get them into your diary.ISCs are busy piloting the Framework for Excellence (FfE), the Individualised Learner Record (ILR) and the Staff individual Record (SIR), trying to make sure that all these initiatives will be fit for purpose when they are required in our colleges. With regard to the FfE, Natspec has led a piece of work to develop protocols that will enable learners with LDD to complete the survey with support if required. I will shortly be sending out a briefing on the work of the Natspec FfE focus group to keep you informed about our activities.Natspec and TechDis have set up a small working group to explore issues around the use of the internet in ISCs. We know that technology has played an important role in giving many of our learners increased communication and independence skills; we also need to ensure that they learn to understand and manage the risks associated with using the web. As well as thinking about curriculum materials for learners, the group will consider policies and guidance for colleges, and staff training needs. Do please contact me if you have materials or ideas to contribute.The publicity working group is hard at it, putting together the new directory; this is a key marketing tool for member colleges, so if you haven’t sent your college entry through to Allison Heward at Derwen College - [email protected], you had better move fast! The material you provide also updates the web-site, so it is really important that you send current details and information. The new look directory will be launched at annual conference.Natspec is also beginning a push on E&D, to make sure all colleges are compliant with the legislation but also to extend that into ensuring meaningful activities for learners. You will know from the Ofsted consultation that this work is being given even greater priority in inspection, so this is an important focus.MoG and LSC are inevitably top of the ‘to do’ list just now, but this is just a taste of some of the other activities and issues that are around.Best wishes,[email protected]
CongratulationsCongratulations to two Natspec colleagues: Maureen Tyler Moore, Foxes Academy, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List.
As reported in the December bulletin:LSIS Star awards, announced at the awards event on November 25th:Lifetime Achievement category sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)Winner: Helen Sexton, Principal of National Star College (Cheltenham). Picture, left of Helen receiving her award from Dame Ruth Silver, Chair of Learning and Skills Improvement Service
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Natspec events:Governance seminarsTuesday 24th March, Queen Alexander College, BirminghamMonday 30th March, Henshaws College, HarrogateWednesday 1st April, Green Park, ReadingBooking information available shortlyNatspec Finance officers meetingMonday March 2nd, QAC, Birmingham Please contact Alison Boulton, [email protected] for further informationNatspec annual conference & AGMMay 19th & 20th, Aston Business School, BirminghamBooking details available end March
NiaceNIACE's Spring 2009 Publications Catalogues containing their latest and key publications:
http://www.niace.org.uk/sites/default/files/Niace-Catalogue-spring09_0.pdf
Valuing People Now – Delivery PlanPlease see below the link to the Valuing People Now Delivery Plan launched on Monday this week. This sets out the Governments strategy for services for people with learning disabilities for the next three years.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_093378
CETT for inclusive learning conferenceThe CETT for Inclusive learning, based in the NE, is holding its second year conference on Saturday 28th March. Three of the morning workshops are being run by Natspec member colleges, so it would be great to have some support from other Natspec members. Please see the links for conference information and booking form.
Supporting Disabled Staff SeminarsPlease find links to information from LLUK about a series of Skill regional seminars on supporting disabled staff. These seminars are in response to the recommendations of the report of the Commission for Disabled Staff in Lifelong Learning, and will provide the opportunity for senior staff to review their understanding of the issues and barriers for disabled staff and hear about best practice examples. They are free, but places are limited to 20 per event.
Webby talentsWebbytalents is a new website sharing for films made by or for people with disabilities across the world. It is also a new kink of platform at the crossroads between a social site and a site media designed to break down barriers for the world's disabled.On Webbytalents you’ll be able to share and discover videos from around the world.Nonprofits and organizations, Webbytalents helps you publicize activities and events. It is also a good way to learn about disability from different countries.
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Thinking of posting a job or a Video Resume on Webbytalents ? Is free of charge. No matter who you are, artists, filmmakers, performers, athletes, heroes or spectators sitting at home. Use Webbytalents to share your talents. Everyone can participate and become an agent of change for better integration of disability. Join Webbytalents to learn, share experiences, stories and testimonies. Upload and share videos and links. Webbytalents guarantees your video to be put forward and not be drowned in the mass as is the case with enormous sites. Discover or encourage talents and events from the other side of the world on www.webbytalents.com.
Nominations wanted:STAR Awards 2009 – nominations now open Do you work with one of the unsung heroes of the further education and skills sector? Then nominate them now for an LSIS STAR Award. (See page 1 for Helen Sexton’s 2008 award)The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) holds the annual STAR Awards to recognise and reward the unsung heroes of the further education (FE) and skills sector. So far over 11,500 people working in FE have been recognised for their commitment, dedication and successful approaches.Since the launch of the awards in 2003, over £150,000 in professional and personal development funding and prize money has been given to winners and highly commended nominees. With a wide range of categories for individuals and teams, the STAR Awards cover all aspects of FE provision and are open to those in teaching and non-teaching roles. Anyone can nominate including learners, colleagues and managers. So if you know someone special who works in a further education, tertiary or sixth form college, a work-based learning organisation, an adult and community learning centre, or a specialist residential provider, you can nominate them now online, by phone or by returning a paper nomination form.For more information on making a nomination or to request your nomination pack, which includes nomination forms and promotional material, visit the STAR Awards website: www.staraward.lsis.org.uk
LSIS CouncilAs you will be aware the recent formation of LSIS from the unification of CEL and QIA has formally taken place and their aim is to be an organisation which is sector directed and one that will be dedicated to supporting excellence, leadership development and self regulation. To this end, LSIS has created a Council whose members (30 in total) represent the FE and skills sector and who will advise LSIS on its work. I have been appointed by the Single Voice to represent Independent Specialist Colleges and will be attending for the first year. The Council met for an Induction meeting on 27 th
November 2008 and will have two subsequent meetings planned for March and July 2009.The aim of the Council is to enable LSIS to establish rigorous and regular methods of engaging in genuine dialogue with the sector and partners, and to ensure it has the information it needs to represent sector views accurately. Significantly, Council members will be expected to advise on strategic intentions and consult on the National Improvement Strategy Principals that are currently being circulated. In order that I fulfil my role as a sole representative of Independent Specialist colleges on this Council I am keen to work closely with Natspec, using it as the premier communication channel. It should be noted, however, that I am representing the sector not individual organisations. Other work will include consenting to the Corporate Plan, agree to Annual Financial Statements, advice on the work of LSIS, approve the appointment of Trustees (in future) and appoint a Performance Review Panel. I believe there is potential for providers from this Council, with very little Government control or influence but in order for our sector to be heard, shouting will have to take place! I welcome the challenge of this new role and look forward to your input and support in the near future.Karen Grist, Deputy Principal, NCYPE [email protected].
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LSIS Principals Qualifying ProgrammeLSIS is pleased to announce the names of 16 more further education principals who have successfully completed the Principals Qualifying Programme. They join the first ten principals who graduated earlier in 2008. More than 120 principals have embarked on the Principals Qualifying Programme to date.This reflective and highly personalised executive leadership development programme is sponsored by the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) for principals of FE colleges. One of the key outcomes of the Further Education and Training Bill 2007, the programme has been designed to support new and practising principals in their leadership of complex change and in shaping a new sector.
The 16 successful candidates to receive their certificates are:Keith Bate, Halesowen College Alison Birkinshaw, York College Derek Branton, East Riding College Anthony Bravo, Crossways Academy Michael Frosch, Ruskin Mill College Ali Hadawi, Southend Adult Community College David Henley, Kingston Maurward College Jonathan James, Lufton College of FE Sunaina Mann, North East Surrey College Anne Murdoch, Newbury College Jane Overbury, Christ the King Sixth form College Ian Peake, Herefordshire College of Technology Mike Potter, Wirral Metropolitan College George Trow, Rotherham College of Arts and Technology Paul Wakeling, Havering Sixth Form College.
Principals undertake a personalised programme using a variety of learning techniques including 360 degree feedback, self-study units, leadership coaching, mentoring or work shadowing, and other experiential groups. The programme is mapped against the LLUK role specifications for principals and allows participants to work at their own pace. The programme content emphasises professional practice and experience as a principal, with a focus on current debates about leadership.
Congratulations to Michael and Jonathan.
LSIS National improvement strategy consultation:
LSIS is holding three half-day consultation events in February 2009:
* 2 February 2009 – Grange Holborn Hotel, London (12.30 to 16.00) * 6 February 2009 - Park Plaza Hotel, Leeds (09.30 to 13.00) * 17 February 2009 – Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol (09.30 to13.00)
You can register to attend any of these events by clicking on the following link:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nhbj2rhszavtbD3kzMRIlQ_3d_3d
You can find out more about the NIS by clicking on the presentation below.
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More information and photos are available in the following link:http://www.bettawards.com/Welcome.aspPunam Khosla (pictured above - second on left) heads up the ISC Toolkit which Natspec has been producing together with LSIS (formerly CEL). Congratulations to Punam and her team – it is intended to nominate the ISC Toolkit for next year’s BETT award.
Natspec websiteIn December’s bulletin I mentioned that we were planning to give member Colleges the opportunity to advertise staff vacancies on the Natspec website – we can now offer this facility so if you have any staff vacancies that you would like to be advertised to fellow Natspec Colleges and the World please send them to Alison or me and we will get them put on the website.
Natspec DirectoryTo request a Natspec directory please contact:Queen Alexandra College0121 428 5050 [email protected]
Homefield College01509 814827 [email protected]
Derwen College01691 661234 [email protected]
Contactsemail Alison Boulton [email protected]
Bulletin info: [email protected]
Andrew Harris January 2009
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LSIS wins 2009 BETT Award for WBL Leadership ToolkitThe Work-Based Learning Leadership Toolkit won the 2009 BETT Award for ‘Supporting Institutional Learning and Management Solutions’. The judges described the toolkit as an innovative, high-quality learning interface with easy-to-use tools.
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