1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
25 January 2013 – Issue 128
Dear Colleagues
AoC London networks scheduled over the next two weeks include the AoC London Regional
Committee (7th February), and the AoC London Regional Clerk’s network meeting (8th
February). For further information please get in touch with Evelina.
Since our last AoC London Bulletin key events have included:
AoC London Region Committee Principals’ meeting with Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor of
London for Business and Enterprise, 14 January 2013
Our meeting was a timely opportunity to update on the work around GLA Vision 2020 and
London Colleges Policy and Priorities, the Apprenticeship campaign, and the work of the
London Enterprise Panel within the context of London Colleges role and contribution across the
capital. For further information contact Caroline.
AoC London Principals’ Forum, January 17 2013
Maggie Galliers, President of the AOC led a discussion on current key topics including funding
and participation, inspection, curriculum reform, workforce development and FE Guild and
Chartered Status. Maggie, in her role as President, was able to take away a number of points
raised by Principals to feed into her meetings with Ministers and senior officials. Funding
agency policy was also on the agenda and included Jill Lowery (Skills Funding Agency) and
Alan Parnum (Education Funding Agency) sharing their latest updates, followed by feedback
and discussion from Principals. For further information contact Caroline or Judith.
AoC London Heads of Student Services Network meeting, 21 January 2013
Key topics for this meeting, led by Joy Mercer (AoC National Director of Policy), included an
update and opportunity to discuss policy issues with impact on student services including
Careers and IAG, traineeships, study programmes work placements, Chartered Status, and the
FE Guild. 24+ Advanced Learning Loans formed a major part of the meeting, and Heads
welcomed an update from Andrew King, Loans Programme Manager, Department of Business,
Innovation and Skills and the opportunity for discussion and Q & A this opportunity presented
to members.
AoC London Marketing Committee meeting, 23 January 2013
The AoC Marketing Committee met on Wednesday 23 January. Danny Ridgeway, Principal of
Bexley College chaired the meeting on this occasion. The meeting received updates from AoC
Region and AoC National. The committee also agreed a few improvements to our website:
www.londoncolleges.com. They reviewed the previous Marketing Managers’ Network event
in December, which received very positive feedback, and started planning the next event on 14
May. This event aims to cover Loans, Social Media and Study Programmes. If you have any
further suggestions, please get in touch with Judith.
2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 25 January 2013
Michael Farley will be moving on from Tower Hamlets College in the Spring. We would like to
take this opportunity to thank him for all his hard work as Chair and his ideas on the
committee over the last few years and, of course, we wish him well in his new ventures.
Best wishes
Caroline Neville
LONDON NEWS
London Colleges news
Putting the App into Apprenticeships
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock MP launched an innovative
mobile app with students at South Thames College today. The
app aims to get more young people interested in
Apprenticeships, which are of growing importance in
developing the skills needed for employment.
South Thames College picture
Developed by publishers Barker Brooks Communications, the free app incorporates many of
the features of their market-leading Apprenticeship Guide. With information on the whole
range of available schemes as well as employers and learning providers, the Apprenticeship
Guide app brings invaluable knowledge to the fingertips of anyone interested in vocational
training.
To read the full story please visit London Colleges website.
GLA news
Experts recommend greater devolution for London to achieve fair funding for the capital
Making London safer? – Assembly to review Mayor’s draft Police and Crime Plan
UPCOMING EVENTS
AoC London Network Events and Dates for the Diary
• AoC London Regional Committee meeting, 7 February
• AoC London Regional Clerks’ network meeting, 8 February
• AoC London MIS Managers’ Network meeting. 15 February
• AoC London HE Coordinators Network meeting, 26 February
• AoC London Strategic Group for Sport meeting, 28 February
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 25 January 2013
AoC Create News
Observing Teaching and Learning; the new Common Inspection Framework, 28 February,
London
The newly revised Common Inspection Framework focuses much more on teaching, learning
and assessment. To help colleges plan their arrangements for monitoring the quality of, and
improving these aspects, AoC Create has developed an Observing Teaching and Learning
workshop. The day will be led by experienced additional inspector Alastair Taylor and will be
taking place in London, Tuesday 28 February.
To register your attendance and find out more about the conference please visit the AoC Create
website.
Other events
Linking London Event: Higher Level Skills Needs, 30 January 2013, Birkbeck, University of
London
This event will focus on the specific higher level skills needs of the London region, both current
and future, with Alison Morris a member of UKCES providing the backdrop. It will also be
looked at how higher level skills data can inform curriculum development in both HE and FE.
The event will also include the launch of the AOC Building Learner Progression Project, funded
by LSIS, of which Linking London is a key partner. This project will identify gaps in key sectors
which are critical to London’s economy and aims to develop and promote the identity and
value of London Higher Vocational Education.
Note that event is free to members of Linking London. For non members there is a fee of £80 to
cover event costs.
To book a place or if you have any queries please email or call 020 7380 3226.
FREE Adult Learners' Week workshops in February and March 2013
All workshops will help you with your planning for Adult Learners' Week events, and you will
come away with loads of new ideas. Workshops run across London and the South-East and are
available on a first come first served basis.
Get some information, tips and pointers at one of the FREE workshops on “How to Run an
Adult Learners’ Week Taster on a Budget”
• Ideas for events and tasters that really work
• Tips for planning a trouble-free event
• Lots of free and subsidised resources for you to check out
• Make the most of Adult Learners’ Week/Learning at Work Day branding and publicity
• Use evaluations to keep hold of your new learners
• Raise your profile and make the most of what you do through celebrations
• Make new friends and save money with partnerships
For more information about the dates, venues and to book your attendance please contact
Amanda Pavon-Lopez on 07812 159689.
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 25 January 2013
GET A LINE ON AOC LONDON REGION MEETINGS
Recent meetings
Date Meetings/Events
14 January AoC and Principals meeting with Kit Malthouse, Deputy Mayor, GLA (CN, JS)
14 January LSIS HE Progression Project:Task Group meeting with Linking London (CN, JS)
14 January Meeting with London Voluntary Service Council (CN)
15 January Meeting with Jacqui Mace, Principal, Stanmore College (CN)
15 January Meeting with PIXL8 – London Colleges website (JS, EJ)
15 January Higher Vocational Learning Seminar, Birkbeck College (CN)
17 January AoC London Principals’ Forum and Principals’ Professional Council event (AoCLR)
18 January Meeting with NAS andand Skills Funding Agency: World Skills (CN, JS)
21 January AoC London Heads of Student Services Network Meeting (CN)
21 January Meeting with JP Marks, Director of JCP, London and Home Counties (CN/IA)
22 January Joint LSIS Project meeting with LWBLA – London Apprenticeships (CN, JS)
23 January AoC London Region Marketing Committee meeting (CN, JS)
23 January LSIS Progression Project Advisory Group – AoC and Linking London Project (CN, JS)
Future meetings
Date Meetings/Events
28 January Meeting with Dr Caroline Allen Principal, Orchard Hill College (CN)
30 January Higher Level Skills Event, Birkbeck, University of London (CN)
31 January Talent Match Steering Group meeting (JS)
4 February Catch up meeting with Davide Persechino and Rod Baker, Barclays (CN)
4 February London Apprentice Travel Concession – Provider Focus Group meeting (JS)
4 February Skills London 2013: meeting with Mark Hilton, London First and Jen Delderfield,
Prospects (CN, JS)
4 February Quarterly meeting with Mark Hilton London First (CN)
4 February Quarterly meeting with Mary Vine-Morris, London Councils (CN)
6 February Beacon Awards – National Presentation (CN, JS)
7 February Meeting with Andrew Parkin, Principal, St Dominic’s Sixth Form College (CN)
7 February AoC London Regional Committee meeting (AoCLR)
8 February London Councils Operational Sub Group Meeting (OSG) (JS)
8 February AoC London Clerks’ Network meeting, South Thames College (CN)
If you like to get more information about the AoCLR attended recent and future
meetings/events please contact AoC London Region office.
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 25 January 2013
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 Joykutty.
Caroline Neville Judith Smyth Evelina Joykutty
Regional Director Deputy Director Regional Co-ordinator
caroline.neville@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk evelina.bagusyte@aoc.co.uk
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