Click to edit Master title style Introduction to the Association of Colleges and The Post 16 Landscape in the UK Issues, Aspirations and Good Practice.

Click to edit Master title style

Introduction to the Association of Colleges and

The Post 16 Landscape in the UK

Issues, Aspirations and Good Practice

Presentation by John BinghamChairman

Association of Colleges, UK

Click to edit Master title styleThe Association of

Colleges• National representational body

for Further Education Colleges

• Established in 1996 by Colleges - 98% of 351 Colleges in England are members

• Work closely with Welsh Colleges in Wales and Colleges Northern Ireland and with Scotland’s Colleges through the UK College Council

• Working with EU associations through EUproVET – Annual Conference 12th June in London

Click to edit Master title styleThe Association of

CollegesWorking with Colleges:• Work for and behalf of FE

Colleges

• representation and lobbying role to Government

• Serves as a channel for communication, dissemination of information and consultation with the FE sector

• Provides professional support and services to colleges: Curriculum and Quality, International activity, Funding, Governance, Public Relations, Employment; Estates

• Celebrates Excellence in Teaching and Learning ‘Beacon’ Award Scheme

• Quality Mark for International work – the AoC’s International Charter

• Provides a consultancy, events and conference service for members

Click to edit Master title styleOur Colleges provide:

Educate and train over 3.3 million people per annum

Train over 2.4 million adults Work with employers to deliver bespoke skills training

Provide 80% of adult ‘Skills for Life’- literacy, numeracy, language and employability training

35% of entrants to university

81% of Higher National certificates (HNC ) and 59% of Higher National Diplomas (HND) delivered by Colleges

67% of Colleges delivery Higher Education and Foundation Degrees


5

THE ENGLISH EDUCATION SYSTEM:

Nu

rsery

Age on the 1st September

Infant School

Primary School

Junior SchoolSecondary School

With Sixth Form

Sixth Form

College

Further Education & Community Colleges

University

Secondary SchoolWithout

Sixth Form

Apprenticeships

19+ students

165 1811


Skills Forecasting

UK Employment and Skills

Commission

Regulating the offer

Ofqual

Policy Investment strategy

BIS

Determiningthe qualifications on offer

Sector Skills Councils

Funding and

Settlement

Skills Funding Agency

ProvidingLearningProgrammes for Students

Colleges and

Providers

Supporting colleges and providers

Learning and Skills

Improvement Service

Inspection

Ofsted

Advice

Funding

Via DFE

Data

Demand-side focus

Regulatory focus

Supply-side focus

Assess performance Operate Set regulatory framework Set objectivesUnderstand market

FURTHER EDUCATION & SKILLS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3

Click to edit Master title styleNational Context

• Recession – the ‘lost generation’ : 16-24 unemployment now over 1 million

• Reduction in funding for education and training

• Low aspirations: the development of a social underclass

• Academic versus vocational divide• Who pays? Students/employers/state?• Competition – national/international?

Click to edit Master title styleThe InternationalChallenge• 2020 Ambition: to be in the top 8 countries

for skills, jobs and productivityHow are we doing? • Employment 10th

• Productivity 11th

Skills 2010 2020 (predictions)

High 12 11

Intermediate 18 21

Low 17 20

Click to edit Master title styleThe Way Forward?

Values:

• Every student counts• Broadening out from the ‘academic gold

standard’• The importance of progression as a key

performance indicator• Vocational provision that is fit for purpose• Valuing entrepreneurship and enterprise

Click to edit Master title styleThe Way Forward?

Aspirations:

• A joined up education system: schools, colleges, higher education

• Developing employability skills and behaviours

• Engaging employers through partnership in education/training

• The apprenticeship model: from technical training to higher vocational skills

Click to edit Master title styleStrategies to improve Performance

The Student Experience

• Impartial Advice and Guidance

• Personalised learning: student as an individual

• Setting targets and monitoring achievement: at student, programme and institutional level

• The end goal: progression and employability


Staff / Institution Performance

• High expectations• Teaching which is passionate and

engages learners• A culture of continuous improvement


Curriculum Policy

• Recognition of alternative curriculum pathways

• Prioritisation of English / Maths as critical skills for life and work

• Incentivising of apprenticeship route• Opening out of Higher Education options


Click to edit Master title style Introduction to the Association of Colleges and The Post 16 Landscape in the UK Issues, Aspirations and Good Practice.

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