BIS FE and Skills e-Newsletter

The BIS Skills Investment Strategy issued in November sets out the investment in and priorities for post-19 education and skills for 2010-11. Lord Mandelson has now written to Chris Banks, Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), on behalf of both BIS and DCSF, confirming the work that the LSC will need to do on behalf of its successor bodies in preparation for the forthcoming academic year, including working with colleges and providers to agree their funding allocations for 14-19 and post-19 provision by the end of March 2010.

DCSF announced the overall investment for 16-19 year olds for 2010-11 on 14 December. The LSC has begun preliminary discussions to ensure that allocations are made to schools and colleges before the end of March 2010 and to deliver the new January Guarantee in 2010, which will ensure that 16 and 17 year olds who have dropped out of learning or have become unemployed are able to re-engage quickly.
 

Audience: All

The Pre Budget Report on 9 November outlined budget savings to be implemented from 2012. Although circumstances will be difficult right across the post-16 education landscape, there has been a welcome increase in funding at 16-19. More information about the PBR can be found at http://prebudget.treasury.gov.uk/

On Tuesday 15 December, Government published two important strategy documents: Building Britain’s Recovery: Achieving Full Employment; and Investing in Potential – our strategy to increase the proportion of 16-24 year olds in education, employment and training.
 

Both strategies have important roles for the FE sector, including preparing young people for their post-16 choices; supporting the Backing Young Britain campaign and the September Guarantee; and ensuring the right information and opportunities are available to help individuals acquire the skills so they can get a job, stay in work and progress in their career. Both documents are available on the following websites http://www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfare-reform/legislation-and-key-documents/building-britains-recovery/

http://prebudget.treasury.gov.uk/
 

Audience: All

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls has accepted all of Sir Roger Singleton’s recommendations to make sure that the Government’s Vetting and Barring scheme draws the line in the right place and protects children and vulnerable adults. Ed Balls has pledged to make the necessary adjustments to the rules of the scheme to ensure it strikes the right balance between protecting children and vulnerable adults without being unnecessarily burdensome.
Sir Roger's proposals for revising the scope of the scheme and the clarity it should bring are to be welcomed. The review of controlled activity with its particular relevance for FE colleges is sensible however the Government's commitment to ensuring the safety of young learners in colleges remains paramount.

Link to the DCSF new page
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/news/content.cfm?landing=vetting_and_barring_scheme_two_million_fewer_adults_required_to_register&type=1

Link to Sir Roger Singleton's report
Drawing the line – A report on the Government’s Vetting and Barring Scheme and the Government’s response can be found on the DCSF's publications site
 

Audience: All

Vocational qualifications are changing, they will be: easier to understand; flexible; more relevant; and lead to better employability.

Do you want to know more about these changes? Why not have a look at what’s now available to help you understand the benefits these changes are bringing and how the changes will provide the skills and qualifications for success:

• BIS has published leaflets about the changes for learners, learning providers, employers and awarding organisations – please email if you would like some hard copies.
• Information about the changes is available at www.bis.gov.uk/vqreform
• A new QCF animation gives a simple explanation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
• Other guidance materials about the QCF are also available
• For general enquiries about the QCF email for information
• Look out for new leaflets planned for the new year – the LSC are producing leaflets which clearly set out steps which will help learning providers make the most of the changes. BIS and QCDA are also working together on new material aimed at learners. We will tell you more about these new leaflets in the next newsletter.

 

Audience: all

Regional contacts from the LSIS QCF Readiness Provider Support Programme are visiting providers to help them to action plan for QCF implementation.
Whether you’re just starting out on your QCF journey, or are further along with implementation, action planning provides a valuable opportunity to review how prepared you are and to plan your next steps. Your QCF regional contact will work with the key person responsible for implementation of the QCF within your organisation to review progress using our action planning tool. If support for staff development is identified as one of the areas for further development we will work with you individually or as part of a group of providers, to prepare bespoke training tailored to your needs.
Action planning and bespoke training are available to all LSC funded providers. For further details contact the helpline on 0845 609 9001 or e-mail: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com
 

Following the announcement on 11 November in the White Paper, Skills for Growth, of a fifth competitive round of National Skills Academies, the Learning and Skills Council has now published the 2009 Prospectus. The Prospectus is available to download from the National Skills Academy website

The closing date for submissions of Expressions of Interest is 17:00 on the 25 January 2010.

Audience: All

LSIS has worked with BIS and a number of exemplar colleges across England to produce new, web-based guidance to support a whole organisational approach to tackling issues surrounding Guns, Gangs and Knives. The guidance includes: a self-assessment tool to help providers consider the issues within their college and community; guidance about what colleges should consider as effective practice and what action they might take. It also includes case studies from a number of colleges illustrating how they have tackled these issues and links to useful information, research and resources.
The guidance is structured around a number of key strands including: effective multi-agency working; positive engagement strategies; a relevant curriculum; creation of a safe environment for all learners; values-led leadership and a trained and confident workforce.
Safe Colleges – Safe Communities: www.excellencegateway.org.uk/safecolleges

 

Audience: All

There are limited places remaining on the QCF and Foundation Learning champions’ training programmes. From December onwards there are four start dates and aspiring champions should register quickly to secure a place. Champions will be required to complete self-directed activities before the first of three training days, held at intervals across a three month period. Please note that eligibility criteria applies and that champions must be supported by a senior manager within their organisation. Full details are available for QCF at: www.excellencegateway.org.uk/qcfprovidersupport and for Foundation Learning at: www.excellencegateway.org.uk/foundationlearning . Or contact the Programme helplines on 0845 609 9001 or Foundation Learning – 0845 604 5321 or e-mail: qcfprovidersupport@nordanglia.com or foundationlearning@nordanglia.com 

 

Audience: All

Advanced Learning Coach (ALC) training sessions are free, regional, two-day residential events arranged by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) to help improve the quality of teaching and learning within the learning and skills sector.
Are you are in a strategic position to:
• train others in your organisation to become Subject Learning Coaches?
• contribute to your organisation's quality improvement?
• work with your senior managers to conduct a Professional Project?
If so, ALC training will not only benefit your organisation, but will also contribute towards your own continuing professional development.
To attend this event you should be in one of the following roles.
• Subject Learning Coach • Advanced practitioner • Teacher educator • Curriculum manager • Staff development manager • Head of department or faculty • eCPD e-guide • eCPD professional development adviser
• Any other role where professional development of staff is significant.
 

ALC training is free to practitioners in LSC funded organisations in the learning and skills sector. To register, click here or contact us on 0845 602 9154 or email for further information.
 

Audience: All

The Government has strengthened Children's Trusts to help deliver improved outcomes for children and young people, as described in "Every Child Matters". The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 requires each area to establish a statutory Children’s Trust Board, to be in place by April 2010. The Board will have statutory responsibility for preparing the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), and monitoring its implementation locally. Children’s Trusts have also been strengthened by including FE institutions as statutory 'relevant partners', with a place on the Children’s Board, which enables them to have a strong voice in local decisions about the use of resources and service commissioning.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is currently consulting on the new Children’s Trust statutory guidance and CYPP regulations and would welcome comment from FE sector interests. The consultation which closes on 29 January 2010 can be accessed at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/

 

Audience: All

Congratulations to City College Norwich and City of Sunderland College for their success in the 2009 Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Further and Higher Education.
Set up in 1993 by The Royal Anniversary Trust it is unique in the field of education and the prizes sit within the national honours system. They recognise and honour outstanding achievement and excellence in UK universities and colleges. The Queen's Anniversary Prizes scheme highlights high-quality work taking place in higher and further education, promoting excellence in UK universities and colleges through its awards. Prize winner must be able to demonstrate outstanding work at world-class level in order to receive a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher & Further Education.
City College Norwich was recognised for a radical new approach in support of learners with Asperger Syndrome. City of Sunderland College was recognised for delivering essential skills in maths and English to the local community.

 

and best wishes for a prosperous New Year.

The FE team at BIS send warmest congratulations to this year's X Factor winner, Joe McElderry.

The Newcastle College student, who is studying for a National Diploma in Performing Arts, has benefited from the use of their £21 million Performance Academy.

More than 19 million viewers watched Joe beat Olly Murs in the live final on Sunday. He is now battling for the Christmas number one spot with his single 'The Climb'.

College Principal Bev Robinson, speaking in The Mirror, said: "Congratulations and well done Joe. Everyone at Newcastle College is thrilled and very proud of what you have achieved. You are a fantastic ambassador for the college and the North East."