AoC London Members 126 Bulletin 121214

1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
14 December 2012 – Issue 126
Dear Colleagues
AoC London Region would like to wish you a
Merry Christmas and hope you all have happy
and prosperous New Year
This is the last Bulletin before the end of the year
and we will return with more news from the
London Region on Friday 11 January 2013.
UPDATES FROM AoC LONDON OFFICE
Dear Colleagues
London MPs and Principals Reception, 11 December
AoC organised the Christmas Parliamentary Reception for London MPs and College Principals
on the 11 December, which was kindly hosted by Jane Ellison MP. The Secretary of State for
Business, Innovation and Skills, Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable MP, was able to join us for what was a
very positive event.
Jane Ellison MP welcomed people to the event and spoke warmly of her local College, South
Thames College. Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College and AoC London
Chair launched ‘London Colleges Policy and Priorities’ at the event. The Rt. Hon. Dr Vince
Cable MP responded positively with specific reference to London 2012, London Colleges
contribution to the Games and the wider economy, the importance of apprenticeships, skills,
social mobility and a better deal for young people.
Many thanks to all of you who came along to the Reception. Around 80 people attended
including London College Principals, representative Governors, their local MPs and members
of the House of Lords (with an interest in London). Susan Pember, Director of Further
Education and Skills Investment and Performance in the Department of Business Innovation
and Skills, and Kim Thorneywork, Chief Executive of the Skills Funding Agency also joined us.
A number of photographs from the reception will go on the AoC main website, although you
can also view a couple below.

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 14 December 2012
Jane Ellison MP, Rt. Hon. Dr Vince Cable MP and Ian Floristry Team from Lewisham College
Ashman, AoC London Region Chair incorporating Southwark College
High Needs Students: London Implementation
At the last Principals’ Forum there was discussion and debate around the new policy relating to
High Needs Students. In response AoC London has worked alongside London Councils, EFA
and NATSPEC to consider London’s approach and issues in this area. A collaborative event
was held on 8th November.
Further to this, Alan Parnum and Michael Dalton from EFA met with AoC London and a small
group of Principals on Friday 30th November to consider issues from the College perspective.
This will inform the key messages being fed back by AoC to officials and policy makers.
AoC London is currently working with the London Councils to further develop our
collaborative approach to London implementation.
Feedback from the Regional Committee – 6 December 2012
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The Regional Committee met on 6 December at Stedham Place. Members received the final
version of ‘London Colleges Policy and Priorities’ which was due to be launched at the
Parliamentary reception on 11th December. Members also considered the outcomes of the LSIS
Project Pan-London Strategy and Action Plan, and discussed next steps to capitalise on the
lessons and messages coming out of the project for London.
The meeting received updates from the Governors’ Council, AoC Board, AoC London officers
and from the LEP Skills and Employment Working Group.
LSIS Project Updates
As part of the LSIS Pan-London project 2011/12, the three contributory projects have concluded
(Defining the FE Mission, New Models of Engagement, Creating Local Partnerships). High
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level outcomes were shared and discussed at the Marketing Committee on 27 November and
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with Regional Committee on 6 December. The summative report is currently being prepared
and a summary will be disseminated in due course.
AoC London Region submitted two applications to the LSIS Regional Response Fund 2012/13,
‘Building Learner Progression’ (working with Linking London), and ‘London Apprentices Best
Practice’ (working with LWBLA). Notification has come through that we have been successful
on the former, and we await confirmation on the latter.
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 14 December 2012
The Skills Show: Headline Evaluation Summary
We are pleased to share with you some feedback (attached to this bulletin) from the Skills Show
which took place on 15-17 November 2012 in Birmingham. We would like to draw your
attention to the impact section, which demonstrates the direct benefit to visitors as a result of
their experience at the show. We hope you find this information useful.
If you require further information on any of the issues please do no hesitate to contact the
office.
Finally, congratulations to our Regional Coordinator, Evelina, who got married on 6 December.
She will return on 2 January as Evelina Joykutty.
Best wishes
Caroline Neville
CALLS FOR ACTION
AoC London and ACER Procurement Training, 18 December
AoC London and ACER are pleased to offer free of charge procurement training to any
London College staff during the month of December. There are still places available at two
sessions on Tuesday 18 December, to be held at the AoC Stedham Place office, WC1A 1HU. The
topics to be covered and scheduled times can be found in the enclosed leaflets. If you have not
registered yet please contact Emma Harman, ACER Procurement Administrator.
British Colleges Sport: Nominations for a London Region Board Director
British Colleges Sport (BCS) are seeking nominations for a Board Director to represent the
London Region, following the resignation from the BCS Board of Mike Tweedale of Kingston
College. BCS are AoC’s delivery partners for sport, and they take the lead on the extra
curricular elements of the Growing Sport, Growing Colleges national strategy. The role of the
national Board member is to represent the views of London Colleges, link to the London Head
of Sport network and the London BCS operational group, and contribute to the ongoing
corporate development of BCS as a not for profit limited company. BCS are seeking a Principal
or Senior Manager with knowledge of and interest in the further development of College Sport.
Those interested in the position should complete the attached nomination form and / or contact
johnhole@bcsport.org for an informal discussion about the role.
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 14 December 2012
LONDON NEWS
London Colleges news
BSix Sixth Form College wins award for innovation in teaching at the 2012 TES FE Awards
The judges said it was the hardest fought category and that
the College, who won the Outstanding Provider category in
2011, had not rested on its' laurels! BSix's unique
partnership with Pembroke College, Oxford, was one of the
most innovative programmes for widening participation at
top universities that the judges had seen.
Since 2008, the College and its counterpart among the
dreaming spires have collaborated to run a year-long course replicating life and study at a top
university.
Last year saw the arrival of a visiting Oxford don in the East End and the creation of the Red
Room, a replica of an Oxbridge study. Meanwhile, the programme has expanded to include 15
universities and a host of subject areas.
To read the full story please visit London Colleges website.
GLA news
Mayor to develop high-tech institute to drive capital’s 21st century digital revolution
Assembly launches investigation into London careers advice in a bid to tackle unemployment
What future for community safety funding in London?
What has London learnt from riot recovery effort?
Sporting legacy from 2012 Games helps to steer youngsters out of poverty
Assembly examines Mayor's Mentoring programme and education inquiry
Key issues facing London’s health service highlighted by Assembly
UPCOMING EVENTS
AoC London Network Events and Dates for the Diary
• AoC London Region Committee Principals meeting with Mayoral Advisor, 14 January 2013
• AoC London Principals’ Forum, 17 January 2013
• AoC London Heads of Student Services Network meeting, 21 January 2013
• AoC London Marketing Committee meeting, 23 January 2013
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 14 December 2012
AoC Create News
Managing Finance & Resources -The Sector Management College: the management
development programme for FE managers. CMI accredited!
Over 350 delegates have attended Sector Management College (SMC) to date and the next
module ‘Managing Finance & Resources’ will take place from 15 to 16 January. This module has
been newly developed with input from College sector experts. It will enable participants to
appreciate the role of financial management in the context of post 16 education provision, be
able to comprehend and contextualise key financial documents and judgements on financial
performance, understand the financial manager’s approach to planning, and develop an
enhanced capability in budget management and financial decision making.
For more information and to register your attendance please visit AoC Create website.
GET A LINE ON AOC LONDON REGION MEETINGS
Recent meetings
Date Meetings/Events
27 November AoC London Marketing Committee/Strategic Workshop, Eversheds (CN, JS)
28 November AoC London Procurement Managers Network Meeting (CN)
28 November Linking London – LSIS Project meeting (CN)
30 November High Needs Students Policy: Implementation in London meeting (CN)
4 December AoC London Marketing Managers’ Network Meeting
4 December Regular catch up meeting with Vic Grimes, Apprenticeships (CN)
4 December Institute of Education Advisory Group (CN)
5 December Regular catch up meeting with Jill Lowery , SFA (CN)
6 December AoC London Regional Committee meeting (AoC LR)
11 December AoC London Region Principals and MPs’ Reception (CN, JS)
13 December Regular Catchup with JobCentre Plus (CN, JS)
14 December London Skills – the Evolving Role of Further Education – An interactive event
sponsored by Barclays and chaired by AoCLR. (IA, CN)
14 December AoC Directors’ Strategy Meeting (JS)
Future meetings
Date Meetings/Events
17 December GLA 2020 Vision Meeting, City Hall, (CN, JS)
17 December Meeting with Stella Flannery, Principal, St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (CN)
21 December AoC Offices close and reopen on Wednesday 2 January 2013
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 14 December 2012
If you like to get more information about the AoCLR attended recent and future
meetings/events please contact Etha Taylor, AoC London Region Team Administrator.
CONTACTS
If you wish to contact the AoC London office to give feedback on this Bulletin, to request
additional information where we have offered it, or to provide suggested content for future
issues, please email Evelina Bagusyte.
Caroline Neville Judith Smyth
Regional Director Deputy Director
caroline.neville@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
Evelina Bagusyte Etha Taylor
Regional Co-ordinator Team Administrator
evelina.bagusyte@aoc.co.uk etha.taylor@aoc.co.uk
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