1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
01 July 2011 Issue 97
AoC London Region AGM, Regional Forum and Summer Party 21 June
Principals and Chairs and key stakeholders attended the AoC London Region AGM, Regional
Forum and Summer Party on 21 June 2011 at City of Westminster College.
This event was kindly sponsored by Barclays and Eversheds and took place at City of
Westminster College’s new Paddington Green Campus, which The Royal Institute of British
Architects (RIBA) had recently announced as among the winners of the 2011 RIBA Awards.
The weather allowed colleagues to network on the 5th floor Roof Terrace.
Regional Committee 2011/12:
The AGM confirmed the new Regional Committee for 2011/12 as per the report attached to this
bulletin and Ian Ashman, Principal of Hackney Community College was confirmed as the
London Regional Committee Chair. Godfrey Allen, Chair of South Thames College, was
nominated as the additional GFE Chair on the Committee and his appointment was approved
by members present. The meeting agreed to delegate the election of Vice-Chair to the Regional
Committee, to take place at their next meeting on 29 September.
The meeting passed on their thanks to Regional Committee members who were standing down
this year: Richard Chambers, Principal, Lambeth College; Dr Jane Overbury OBE, Principal,
Christ the King SFC and Tony Alderman, ex-Chair of Barnet College.
Regional Forum:
PowerPoint presentations from the Regional Forum, from Ian Ashman, Malcolm Gillies, Chair
of London Higher and Vice Chancellor, London Metropolitan University, and Nick Davy, AoC
HE Manager will be available on our website shortly.
What you need to know leaflet
Copies of the new AOC London Region and London Colleges publication What you need to
know (updating the information in the previous Key Facts publication) were given out at the
AGM/Regional Forum. Five copies of the publication will be sent to each College for your
information and use with external partners. If you require further copies of the leaflet, please
get in touch with Rebecca Breen.
Alternatively an online version of the publication can be found on our website for you to share
and download: http://www.aoc.co.uk/en/aoc_regions/AoC_London/

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
ESOL update
Greenwich Community College are currently running an awareness campaign for local
politicians and the media regarding the proposed cuts to ESOL funding.
Please find attached to this bulletin an overview of the campaign so far at Greenwich
Community College for information. It contains a diary of events so far and how they can help
support the campaign.
Please also find attached letter from Gary Chin, Principal of Greenwich Community College
and Joy Mercer, AoC National on behalf of the London Principals to the Evening Standard in
support of their current literacy campaign and asking them to support our campaign.
Principals are asked to view and lend their support. For further information on their campaign
and to sign the letter please contact: Alec Brand, Head of Marketing.
AoC London Student Safety and Gangs checklist
Kate Anderson attended a meeting on 27 June of the London Heads of the Youth Offending
Service, chaired by John Anthony of the Youth Justice Board. She told the group about the
checklist and the work being done by London Colleges to tackle serious youth violence and
gangs issues. She made a plea for YOT colleagues to develop closer working links with their
local College, if they did not already exist. It would be helpful if Colleges could follow this up
with their local YOT contacts. A copy of the College checklist for dealing with serious youth
violence and gangs can be found on the AoC London Region web page.
WorldSkills 2011 update
Team UK Announced !
The 86 members of Squad UK took part in the Team Selection Events in three Colleges in the
Midlands from 14-18 June. The results were announced yesterday as part of the
Apprenticeships Awards ceremony and the Team then attended a reception at Buckingham
Palace hosted by the Duke of York. Of the 43 competitors selected to represent the UK, 3 are
from London. Darren Lewis and Puja Varsani from Middlesex University will take part in the
Mobile Robotics international final, while Ben Murphy will compete in the Cooking
competition. Ben works for Koffman’s and is a Westminster Kingsway College student who has
already won a Medallion of Excellence at Euroskills 2010. We would like to wish them all the
best of luck and would encourage you to follow their progress and support them by
encouraging students and their families to visit the WorldSkills London event in October. If you
want to find out more about the Team, follow this link:
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?EID=d3465b82-5f9c-4b2c-96af-
bf7fb885ef77
Volunteering
Julia Bowditch, Head of Volunteering for WSL2011, is delighted that they have reached their
numbers target for volunteers. However, they are currently analysing all the applications and
may still need additional volunteers to fill gaps and cover particular activities, so it is still worth
making contact with Julia via worldskillslondon2011.com if you want to volunteer.
Capital Funding Support
Just a reminder about the capital funding for equipment being used at the event in October. The
first two offers for specialist equipment have been published and will be followed by others.
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
The guidance note and application form can be found on the Agency’s property services site at:
http://propertyservices.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/capitalfunding/
Study Visits
We hope that those of you interested in hosting study visits will respond to AoC Create’s
request by 8 July. We may still need to make specific requests after that date to meet the needs
of visitors and will be in contact if we have gaps in the visits programme that we think you
might be able to fill.
Conference
WSL2011 will be reviewing the submissions they have received for seminars for the Global
Skills Marketplace section of conference over the next week. Following that, they will identify
any gaps before firming up the conference programme. As well as this event on Friday 7
October, BiTC are running ‘The Big Conversation’ on Wednesday 5 October and Vince Cable
will headline the Leaders’ Forum along with a number of major employers on Thursday 6
October. We will share full details of the whole programme from 5-8 October as soon as we can.
Regional Skills Festival and Have a Go Campaign
AoC London Region has appointed Alan McChleery to work with us part time from next week
to support WSL2011 activities and the competitions legacy after October. Alan worked for the
LSC and Skills Funding Agency in London on skills for many years and is well placed to
undertake this work. One of the first things he will concentrate on is the Have a Go campaign.
He and Rebecca Breen will work together to review proposals for Have a Go activities
proposals from London Colleges , and will liaise closely with the London Work Based Learning
Alliance, as they are managing proposals from independent providers and their partner
organisations. Have a Go activities can take place at any time up to February 2012. If you
haven’t seen the information and would like an application form, please contact:
Rebecca.Breen@aoc.co.uk
Lambeth College London Programme
Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham is a patron of the Lambeth College London
Programme and presented graduation awards at its official launch event in April – where this
video was made.
http://www.chuka.org.uk/2011/06/video-lambeth-college-london-programme-launch/
The programme gives young people opportunities to develop their skills and increase their
employability working with a number of partner firms. Students take part in challenges to help
them translate college based learning into performance, and all students attending the College’s
Sixth Form Centre are eligible to take part.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Research Report
Tom Toolan, member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) has been asked to
undertake some research on their behalf. The research is to inform their Educational Policy
Statement and concerns Engineering and Manufacturing Technology Apprenticeships, which
are seen by the Institution as a critical success factor for the UK, its economic recovery and
future growth. Tom intends to provide a link to an on-line survey. The survey should take no
longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is confidential. Please contact Tom directly if you
would be interested in taking part in his research project: Tom Toolan: Mobile: 07782250558, e
mail: t_toolan@imeche.org
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
Student Success Stories of the Fortnight
Barking and Dagenham College Legal Eagles
Three Business, Management and Financial Services learners from Barking & Dagenham
College have beaten over 90 applicants to win coveted positions at the London office of top
international legal practice, Norton Rose LLP.
Antonetta Joannou, Lauren Deeble and Emma
Boylan, who will complete their City & Guilds
Legal Secretarial Diplomas Level 3 in July 2011,
were talent-spotted while on work experience
with the firm as part of their course.
Each year their City office in London offers 10
training contracts to legal secretaries – five in
January and five in July, and with over 90
applicants for each intake the competition is
tough. After six months, training and personal
development most trainees are offered permanent Left to right: Students Antonetta Joannou, Lauren or
fixed term contracts. Deeble and Emma Boylan were a hit with law
firm Norton Rose.
Emma Collins, HR Manager for Secretaries at Norton Rose LLP, explained why Antonette,
Lauren and Emma caught their eye:
“All had been on work experience with us for two weeks and we invited them to be
interviewed and tested for a place on our training contract. Their enthusiasm, positive attitude
and skills really impressed the teams here and we got lots of good feedback. We look for
employees who are going to have a long career with us, so our recruitment process is rigorous
and we only take on the best.”
Hackney Colleges success at the London Education Partnership Awards
Hackney’s education is once again in the limelight, after both the borough’s colleges were
recognised at the London Education Partnership awards. Nine awards were presented to
inspirational projects and initiatives involving schools, colleges and universities across London.
Two of those nine were collected by Hackney Colleges.
Hackney Community College’s innovative Sports Academy Programme won the “Supporting
Journeys” award, in recognition of the work of HCC staff and partners in supporting young
sports men and women to achieve their dreams on the sports field or court – as well as
succeeding in the classroom. The award recognises excellent professional practice in student
support.
BSix Sixth Form College’s “Raising Aspirations” University partnership programme won the
“Building Bridges” award, which recognises cross-organisational partnership and impact.
Students involved take a year-long course consisting of visits, lectures and seminars delivered
by university academics and culminating in a summer school at the University of their choice.
The programme is paying handsome dividends for BSix students. Three graduates of the
programme have been offered places to study at Oxford and Cambridge.
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
John Hall, Chair of the London Education
Partnership Awards explained: “These
awards highlight organisations working
together to raise the aspirations and
achievements of young Londoners”
Principal of Hackney Community College
Ian Ashman added: “It’s great to see
Hackney in the spotlight for all the right
reasons. These awards are well-deserved
recognition for the staff in Hackney’s
colleges and the organisations they work
with – and the inspirational achievements
of our students.”
Principal of BSix, Ken Warman, said on receiving the award "We are so pleased to receive this
acknowledgement for such an innovative and ground-breaking programme. Above all, it is an
award for all our partners on the scheme. I want to thank all the university staff and the
students involved for making our award and the programme possible."
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attend Agenda
ees
21 June AoCLR AGM, AoCLR The AGM and Regional Forum programme
Regional Forum and team included discussions on:
Summer Party
Regional Committee election
Annual Report (including finances)
Higher Education in London Colleges: the
current picture
Higher Education: White Paper and what
it means for Colleges
The implications of the new Higher
Education funding and policy
environment for Higher Education and
Further Education relations in London.
The Summer Party followed the Regional Forum
from 7pm-9pm.
23 June Vic Grimes and KA Regular meeting
Karen Powell
23 June Michael Farley KA, JS Follow up discussion on Marketing priorities for
London Region
23 June Richard Chambers KA Regular meeting
and Susan Percy
23 June Stephen Evans KA Regular one to one and update on the Regional
Response Fund project.
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
23 June Safer Learners JS An opportunity for local partners to understand
Workshop, the problems and issues with a view to creating a
Westminster Safer Learner environment, facilitated by the
Kingsway College, Youth Justice Board.
Grays Inn Road
27 June SHELL Summer JS Speakers included: Malcolm Gillies, Vice
Seminar Chancellor, London Metropolitan University;
John Hall, Head of the SHELL Division, London
Higher and Dr Graeme Atherton, Executive
Director, Aimhigher, WECAN.
28 June Ian Ashman, Jacqui KA Discussions on Sport in Colleges (investing in
Mace and Simon sport facilities and programmes)
Cooper
28 June Paul Tucker and Liz KA Discussion/planning meeting for the forthcoming
Cierebiej from JCP AoC/ALP event on 8 July.
30 June Meeting with Vic KA Discussion/planning meeting for the forthcoming
Farlie, Clare Arnold, AoC/ALP event on 8 July.
Jon Thorn
30 June Graeme Atherton KA Regular one to one
01 July Michael Wheeler, KA Regular one to one
Bromley Adult
Education College
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
4 July Heads of Student KA Agenda to be confirmed
Services working
group
4 July London First Annual KA
General Meeting
with Sir Edward
Lister (Deputy
Mayor and Chief of
Staff, GLA)
5 July London KA Regular meeting
Management Group,
WordSkills London
5 July AoC Summer KA Opportunity to introduce our new President,
Reception at the Fiona McMillan and launch a publication which
House of Commons will set out how the education system, local
authorities and Government can ensure all 16 –
18 year olds are participating in education or
training.
5 July BSix Sixth form JS Evening event to share the College’s successes
College Partners & with all who have supported and contributed to
Community Open BSix and their students.
Evening
6 July Business JS Business Development Managers Network
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7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
Development Meeting, 2.00– 4.00 pm, South Thames College,
Managers Network Wandsworth High Street, SW18 2PP.
Meeting
Agenda includes: Adults Single Budget – guest
Keith Smith, Director of Funding Policy, Skills
Funding Agency; Update from AOC Skills
Policy Advisor, Teresa Frith and Free2Learn –
presentation - Mr Gabriel Gherscovic, Director
and Ms Gabriella Koppel, Business
Development Manager.
8 July AoC/JCP event at KA, JS Agenda to be confirmed
Westminster
Kingsway College
12 July Pre LSIS Regional KA Pre meeting to discuss Regional
Conversation Conversation Meeting with Sue Rimmer, Paul
meeting Head and Paula Whittle
12 July LSIS Regional KA Discussions include:
Conversation Communication between partners
Meeting /stakeholders and the sector
LSIS programmes and the proposed
changes in our strategy into 11/12
LSIS projects and programmes in the
region/ sharing and disseminating the
good practice
LSIS events in region / sub region – in
partnership with stakeholders
LSIS accounts
Events and Dates for the Diary
 AoC’s Annual Conference and Exhibition: 15, 16 and 17 November 2011. Registration is
now open for AoC’s flagship event of the year which takes place between Tuesday 15
and Thursday 17 November 2011 at the ICC in Birmingham.
 Enterprising Colleges one day Conference, 14 July, Oxford Brookes University. The one
day free conference will allow you to:
o experience the workshops that have been such a hit with college managers in the
south-east
o understand the state of the art from practitioners, as enterprise gathers pace
across further education
o take away tools, ideas and contacts to support your enterprise journey
Please register your interest at enterprisingcolleges@brookes.ac.uk or telephone
Michelle Hicks on 01865 485727.
 NIACE Informal Adult and Community Learning Summer Policy Seminar. 19 July
2011, Leicester, NIACE Renaissance House, 20 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP.
Fees: £85 (includes sandwich lunch, tea/coffee and a copy of the materials). This
seminar aims to:
o brief participants on the content and implications of the BIS adult and
community learning consultation
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8. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 01 July 2011
o provide an opportunity for providers to identify and share potential
opportunities and problematic areas in the proposals and to formulate responses
o introduce materials developed to encourage and support citizens to take part in
this consultation.
Contact: NIACE Events Team (events@niace.org.uk) Tel: 0116 2042833 Ref: C3013/0711
HEIFES11 introductory seminar – overview and guidance on completing the return.
Wednesday 10 August 2011, Filton College, Bristol BS34 8LP (map and directions). You
are invited to a HEFCE introductory seminar on the 2011-12 Higher Education in
Further Education: Students Survey (HEIFES11). This seminar is aimed at people who
are new to the HEIFES return. For further information please contact Paresh Prema (tel.
0117 931 7314, p.prema@hefce.ac.uk); for administrative queries about the event contact
Kathryn Mills (tel: 0117 931 7035, e-mail: events@hefce.ac.uk)
Policy and other documents
The Intelligence e-Group Despatch
If you would like to view the latest issues of the Intelligence e-Group Despatch please follow
this link. The Despatch is produced by Mike Cooper, from Education Development which
works in partnership with AOSEC, LSC South East, LSN and City & Guilds Institute/Centre for
Skills Development to provide a regular free electronic newsletter updating colleagues on latest
developments in post-compulsory learning and skills and much more. For your free
subscription to the Intelligence e-Group Despatch, e-mail Mike Cooper, giving brief details of
your organisation and role.
GLA news
Top firms sign up to get London teaming with volunteers
Mayor urges London schools to ‘Get Set’ for 2012 tickets
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 Rebecca Breen.
The next issue will be circulated on Friday 15 July and it will be the last Bulletin before the
Summer Break, returning on 2 September. If there is any information you need circulating
during this period, please let us know and we will forward directly to Members as appropriate.
Kate Anderson Judith Smyth
Regional Director Executive Manager
kate.anderson@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
Rebecca Breen Cyheme Bilouta
Regional Coordinator Team Administrator (part-time)
rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk cyheme.bilouta@aoc.co.uk
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