Sue Pember | FE Week

Ofsted’s report shows community learning providers need more funding

The high quality of adult education provision highlighted in the inspectorate’s annual report is a strong argument for rebalancing funding in their favour, says Sue Pember This year’s Ofsted chief inspector’s report highlights how successful our community learning and skills providers are. They are the hidden gems of the adult education system and are leading […]

The London skills strategy is a devolution game-changer

Dr Sue Pember hails Sadiq Khan’s bold and far-reaching new skills and adult education plan for the capital The launch of the mayor’s ‘Skills for Londoners’ strategy is an exciting new development. It is a momentous opportunity for the capital, and it will better meet the needs of Londoners and its economy. Last week the […]

Should a college principal have multiple jobs?

Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills. Question One: Exceptions to exceptional support I keep hearing about failing colleges that merged in the area reviews and […]

Should college principals be involved in governance?

Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills Question One: Supporting the chair My principal seems to think he should not be involved in the running of […]

Do new college principals really need sector experience?

Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills Question One: Do new principals need sector experience? We are just starting work to replace our retiring principal, and […]

Will college governors have to justify high executive salaries?

Dr Sue Pember, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills Question One: Executive pay Academy governors and trustees have received a letter from the DfE asking them to justify […]

How can college governors impact government policy?

Dr Sue, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills. Question One: Devolution What can governors do to reassure staff about their jobs as we move to funding devolution? Answer: Although […]

Is it wrong to make GCSE grade 4 our college entry requirement?

Dr Sue, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions on college governance, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills. Question One: GCSE grade 5 You have previously urged colleges to set the new GCSE grade 5 as their entry […]

Should we focus on our college merger or Ofsted?

Once a month, Dr Sue, director of policy and external relations at Holex, answers your questions, backed by her experience as principal of Canterbury College and in senior civil service posts in education and skills. Question One: Area review intervention I have just spent 18 months in area review meetings. Although we had already managed […]