DfE appoints first FE student support champion

The role has been created to improve student success and progress

The role has been created to improve student success and progress

14 Nov 2023, 16:37

More from this author

An assistant principal has been chosen by the government as the first further education student support champion. 

Skills minister Robert Halfon announced the appointment of Polly Harrow, assistant principal for safeguarding and inclusion at Kirklees College, to the new role in his keynote speech at the Association of Colleges’ annual conference today.

It follows the appointment of a student support champion for higher education, Nottingham Trent University vice chancellor Edward Peck, last year.

Halfon said: “Further education students need as much support to complete their studies and make a success of their efforts as undergraduates. In fact, they often need more, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

“For social justice and helping these students to succeed is a key pillar of the ladder of opportunity and an absolute priority for me. 

“That is why I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Polly Harrow as the first further education student support champion.”

A recent FE Week investigation found that demand for student support services has soared in the wake of the cost of living crisis.

DfE told FE Week that the new role will include advising the minister on student mental health and well-being, SEND support and careers and will work closely with Peck and FE Commissioner Shelagh Legrave.

Harrow will “act as a channel between the sector and the government, driving a strategic approach to informing and improving the experience of students at colleges”, Halfon said.

The department expects the role to “improve colleges’ ability to give learners the full opportunity to succeed and progress”.

The role is a two-year appointment, requiring around 25 days per year, DfE said. The funding for the role is £40,000 per year over two years. 

Harrow is well-known in the student support sector, having chaired the National Association of Managers of Student Service (NAMSS) for ten years.

Her college career has included spells at Dewsbury College in the early 2000s as head of additional learning support and Barnsley College as head of personal and social development. She joined Kirklees College as head of progress and inclusion in 2012 and was promoted to assistant principal in May 2019. 

Harrow told FE Week: “I feel terribly honoured to have this role.”

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Reshaping the New Green Skills Landscape

The UK government is embarking on a transformative journey to reshape its skills landscape, placing a significant emphasis on...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Safe to speak, ready to act: SaferSpace targets harassment and misconduct in education 

In an era where safeguarding and compliance are firmly in the spotlight, education providers face a growing responsibility: to...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Screening for the cognitive needs of apprentices is essential – does it matter if the process is engaging?

Engagement should be the first priority in cognitive assessment. An engaging assessment is an inclusive assessment — when cognitive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Skills Bootcamps Are Changing – What FE Colleges Must Know 

Skills Bootcamps are evolving as funding moves to local control and digital skills trends shift. Code Institute, an Ofsted...

Code Institute

More from this theme

Colleges

WCG sells contentious campus after High Court win 

The proceeds will be used to pay off debts from an ongoing government funding audit

Josh Mellor
Colleges

DfE appoints three new FE national leaders

Principals of 'outstanding' colleges have been enlisted to help other colleges improve

FE Week Reporter
Colleges

Sixth form strike looms over pay ‘harmonisation’

The union calls the proposed pay freeze ‘levelling down’

Josh Mellor
Colleges

Exam picket line over cuts at ‘second chances’ sixth form

The sixth form’s new management say cutting A-Levels will improve its ‘inadequate’ achievement rate

Josh Mellor

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *