An FE college in London figured among 38 bids to have won government approval to open a free school.

Richmond upon Thames College, the only general FE college applicant, was a partner in its bid to open an 11 to 16 free school in 2017 focusing on creative arts, digital technology, enterprise, engineering and sports training.

Employer partners for the school, which will offer sixth form provision through the college, include Haymarket Media Group and Harlequins Rugby Club.

Free schools are academy-type state-funded schools, from primary to 16, operating outside of local authority control, which anyone can apply to set up.

Graham Willett (pictured), Richmond council’s assistant director for education and children’s services, who will be a trustee, told FE Week the free school would be built as part of a redevelopment of the college, sharing a new site to be known as the Richmond Enterprise Education Campus.

“We know we will have a shortage of secondary school places in that area from 2017 onwards so we’re taking an opportunity to find a placement for the free school in that redevelopment,” he said.

“The college is a major partner in the project — it will provide trustees into the governance of the school, but also there’ll be the day to day ongoing engagement and they’ll be located side by side so there’ll be opportunities for working across the boundaries between those two operationally, with lots of sharing.”

A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson said: “Richmond upon Thames College Free School will bring together the worlds of education, business and sport. The Haymarket Media Group will work with the Harlequins rugby club to provide both academic and vocational opportunities for 750 pupils.”

It joins Staffordshire College, whose 14 to 16 Rural Enterprise Academy has been open since 2012, and Hadlow College, which opened the 11 to 16 Hadlow Rural Community Free School last year, in having won DfE approval.

With free schools hitting the headlines in the last few years over poor Ofsted results and accusations that they were ideologically driven, principal of South Staffordshire College Graham Morley warned that colleges should be sure the free school model was right for them.

“We endured some opposition but it tended to be from people who were opposed to free schools come what may without finding out what we were about or what we were trying to do,” he said.

The Rural Enterprise Academy, which had 83 students when it was rated as good by Ofsted in April, was born out of concerns that the land-based sector which South Staffordshire College catered to could be facing a skills shortage, said Mr Morley.

“I spent a lot of my time talking with industry leaders in the land-based sector and out of these discussions as coming a need in the industry for young people to consider it as a career,” he said.

“And we realised we had a building that was surplus to requirements. It wasn’t an ideological idea it was simply the best and easiest model for us to do what we wanted it to do, and it has been very successful.”

To other principals considering the same route, he said: “First of all determine what need it is that you are looking to meet, and then decide on which vehicle enables you to best meet that need.

“I’m not an advocate for free schools or University Technical Colleges or any other kind of academy, but I do recognise their value in help college to serve needs they previously haven’t been able to.”

No one from Hadlow College was available for comment.

The Institute for Learning (IfL) has hit back at criticisms it failed to consult rank-and-file members over the decision to close and transfer assets to the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).

A number of IfL members complained that they were not involved in the decision, which was made by a vote of the membership body’s advisory council on Thursday last week (July 17) following recommendation by the non-executive board.

The move was triggered by fears the 33,500-member IfL did not have enough cash to keep going. It has seen huge numbers of members desert in the face of increasing membership fees in response to government funding being withdrawn.

But among those to have expressed concern about a lack of consultation on the move was former IfL deputy chief executive Lee Davies, who remains an IfL member. He tweeted: “Am left wondering why @IFL_Members did not consult its membership, makes no sense to me and such a tragic waste.”

Jayne Stigger, head of maths and science (HE) at North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot), also wrote on Twitter, posting: “IFL members not consulted. No indications of any benefits to change or new conditions.”

However, IfL elected chair Sue Crowley (pictured) defended the process, saying members, who generally pay £63 annual fees, were democratically represented by the advisory board members who took the vote.

“IfL’s governance structure, which has been in place since 2010, was developed in consultation with members,” she told FE Week.

“The final decision to close IfL and transfer its legacy to the ETF was the culmination of a democratic process as determined by IfL’s constitution.

“This meant that the board’s recommendation was subject to ratification by a majority of representatives on IfL’s advisory council. It was the membership who decided on the future of IfL and its legacy, through their elected representatives.

“Before coming to this difficult decision, IfL’s non-executive board had explored every possible avenue to resolve IfL’s financial issues. This included consultation in the form of a member value research project in autumn 2013, which found that the percentage of teachers and trainers willing to renew their IfL membership would decrease substantially if the annual fee were increased to £65 or more.

“Quite simply, the numbers did not add up. Although IfL’s fee is significantly lower than that of other professional bodies, the number of individuals willing to pay the fee is not high enough to enable IfL to be financially sustainable in the long term.”

This, she said, was why the non-executive board had made the recommendation to join the ETF.

“Rather than allowing IfL to decline, the board felt it would be better to take action while there were still sufficient reserves to allow its legacy to be preserved.  With the benefit of the foundation’s resources, that legacy will be able to flourish, for the benefit of members and their professional status,” she said.

“As part of a democratic member process, last week’s vote by the advisory council signalled the beginning of a process that we envisage will take several months. It will of course include discussions about the future of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and consultations about likely IfL staff redundancies.

“As we have already said, the process will be conducted thoroughly and diligently, with the best interests of members at heart, and we will continue to support and communicate with members as we prepare for the handover.”

Sixth form college finances will come under a closer watch from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) as “the financial climate gets tougher,” the Sixth Form College Commissioner Peter Mucklow (pictured) has told principals and governors.

In a letter to sixth form colleges (pictured below right), Mr Mucklow said a “challenging” year lay ahead for the sector and that  it would therefore be facing a “greater degree of scrutiny” from the EFA.

He said: “Next year will be challenging for many colleges as the financial climate gets tougher.

“This will call for difficult decisions to be made by leaders and managers to ensure that institutions remain in good financial health for 2015/16 and beyond. It will require strong, confident challenge and support from governors on financial matters.”

He added: “Your financial plans, due by July 31, are starting to arrive. The EFA will be reviewing them more swiftly and with a greater degree of scrutiny, in line with its responsibilities outlined in Rigour and Responsiveness in Skills. I will be paying close personal attention to these.

“Many sixth form colleges are in strong financial health and have plans to ensure they remain so, or to return to that position. Where, however, you have concerns about future viability you will wish to consider and discuss with your governors different possible future structures or delivery models.”

Mr Mucklow, who started in the new post a year ago, said sixth form colleges had had “a year of improved overall inspection performance against higher standards”, and added that he had only had to intervene at one college — Yorkshire’s Prior Pursglove College after it was branded inadequate by Ofsted.

His comments come as sixth form colleges prepare for a 17.5 per cent cut to the funding rate for full-time 18-year-old learners from September. Under the plan, which is supposed to save the government £150m, colleges will get £4,000 for every 16 and 17-year-old and £3,300 for 18-year-olds.

And the sixth form college sector has long been calling for it to be offered the same VAT rebate available to schools and academies. A London Economics report went as far as to conclude that sixth form colleges were forced to spend up to 35 per cent less per student than academies.

The report, Assessing the value for money in sixth form education, found that on average, academies were able to spend an average of £1,598 more per student than sixth from colleges, due to increased government funding and subsidies.

David Igoe (pictured left), Sixth Form Colleges’ Association chief executive, told FE Week: “School, academy and college performance is a matter for the public record and we all have to live with that.

“It’s important to remember though that providers are funded differently and the recent London Economics report highlights just how large that funding gap, in terms of available resource per student, really is.  It’s a pity Mr Mucklow’s letter wasn’t able to acknowledge that salient fact.”

Mark Bramwell (pictured right), associate director of sixth form colleges for the AoC, said: “I am glad to see the sixth form college commissioner recognises the improvements these institutions have made in the past year.

“He notes that next year will be tougher as the budget cuts start to bite and difficult decisions will have to be made.

“It is important that sixth form colleges’ financial plans are strong to help them continue with the important work they do. Added scrutiny and support from the EFA will help colleges to maintain their strong position or to improve where this is necessary.

“AoC’s role will be to work with the Commissioner to discuss the information sixth form colleges may need to support governing bodies in further developing realistic financial plans.”

 

Lowestoft College principal Simon Summers (pictured) is to step down — just a fortnight after it was revealed he took a leave of absence with a report having said his grade three college was not improving fast enough.

Vice principal for curriculum and standards Phillip Belden and vice principal for corporate services Teresa Miller both also took leaves of absence, where they remain to allow a “confidential internal process” to be undertaken, a college spokesperson told FE Week.

Assistant principal Jo Pretty (pictured above right) will take on the role as interim principal at the 4,000-learner East Anglia college until the end of next academic year.

Mr Summers said: “I am proud over the past four years to have led Lowestoft College. During that time we have continued to ensure that students at the college were successful and gained the skills they needed to make a significant difference to their lives.

“I would like to thank all of the staff of Lowestoft College for all of their hard work, professionalism and comradeship during my time at the college; it has really been appreciated.

“I am sure that the skills and dedication of the college staff will ensure that Lowestoft College will get through the challenges posed by the funding and curriculum changes and will continue to deliver excellence.”

The college spokesperson declined to comment on how the confidential internal process related to the two vice principals. Mr Summers’s leave was also said to have been triggered by the process and it also remained unclear how it related to his position.

The college spokesperson said: “Mr Summers was appointed principal in July 2010 and has led Lowestoft College through a challenging time for FE.

“This period has seen a dramatic reduction in public funding, coupled with significant curriculum change. During this period, Lowestoft College has responded to these challenges.

“The campus has been significantly refurbished and now has the facilities needed to deliver quality education and training. Delivery of maritime, offshore and energy courses has expanded in the college’s quest to be a world wide centre of excellence in this field and to support this important sector of the regional economy.

“Through all of this change, Mr Summers has ensured that the students come first at Lowestoft College and that their success is celebrated.”

The change in college leadership follows an Ofsted-style review by a consultant who warned improvements at the 350-worker college, rated as requires improvement by the education watchdog in July last year, might not be taking place fast enough for it to move up to a good, or grade two, result from its next Ofsted inspection.

Richard Perkins, chair of the Lowestoft College corporation, said: “A report by an Her Majesties Inspectorate consultant employed by the college to observe improvements since our last inspection in June 2013 indicated that recommended improvements were not being made fast enough for the college to achieve its goal of good, grade two, in its next inspection.

“We are undertaking a process to address these issues and bring about the positive changes in the quality of teaching, learning, leadership and management we need to ensure the long-term future of the college.”

Dozens of high-achieving apprentices from West Nottinghamshire College Group were handed awards at a House of Lords ceremony to celebrate their efforts.

Principal Dame Asha Khemka OBE hosted the ‘Celebration of Apprenticeships’ event in the Cholmondeley Room, overlooking the River Thames, along with cross-bench peer Baroness Prashar CBE.

The 27 apprentices were handed engraved glass trophies and certificates by Skills Funding Agency director of apprenticeships Sue Husband and Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley Gordon Birtwistle, who is the government’s apprenticeship ambassador to business.

Dame Asha said: “It was a privilege to celebrate our star apprentices in the inspirational surroundings of the House of Lords and recognise their individual achievements and contribution to their workplace.

“The event was also an important opportunity for us to thank their employers for investing in new talent.”

The winners were selected from the college group’s crop of more than 10,400 apprentices in recognition of their talent, dedication and contribution to their workplace.

The event, on Wednesday (July 16), was also attended by the apprentices’ families and employers.

Ms Husband said: “This event is powerful evidence that a whole new generation is seeing apprenticeships as a route to a brighter future. The 27 apprentices are part of this skills revolution.”

Main pic above: Apprentices on the terrace of the Cholmondely Room at the
House of Lords

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) said it was still working out the details of a move to take on members of the Institute for Learning (IfL) after the transfer was approved last night.

The IfL’s 33,500 members look set to join the ETF after the vote in favour of closure. The IfL advisory council said yes to the move, and transfer of its assets and legacy to the ETF, yesterday.

An ETF spokesperson told FE Week today that it was still working out how the transfer of IfL members would work, but added: “IfL members will become members of the ETF’s practitioner body and continue to receive access to broadly comparable continuing professional development opportunities and professional membership benefits to support them in their professional practice.”

The proposal to move to the ETF was announced at the beginning of the month and was triggered by fears the IfL did not have enough cash to keep going. It has seen huge numbers of members desert in the face of increasing membership fees in response to government funding being withdrawn.

Several IfL members expressed concern about what the change could mean for them, including Jayne Stigger, head of maths and science (HE) at North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot), who wrote on Twitter: “Will IfL continue as before? Same staff, ideals etc? Will there be changes?”

Niamh Sweeney, Association of Teaching and Learning executive member for Cambridgeshire also tweeted about the move, posting: “Can this fit with ‘corporate membership’ @E_T_Foundation doesn’t offer individual membership?”

David Russell (pictured), ETF chief executive, said: “We know that professional status is important to IfL members. Through their association with the ETF in future, IfL members can play a key role in our organisation, in line with our mission to enhance the performance and professionalism of the education and training system.

“But the process is just beginning, following last night’s vote, and we are still at the very early stages, so there is nothing else we can say at this stage.”

Other Twitter users asked what would happen to members who were currently training towards their qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) and who still needed access to IfL’s online learning space REfLECT.

A Q&A post on the IfL website said: “IfL and the ETF have made a commitment to minimise the disruption to any existing cohort on the pathway to professional formation.

“This means that you will be able to complete and share your professional formation workbook with IfL by the October 31 deadline with notification of the outcome being released by December 31, 2014.”

It also said that REfLECT and other online resources would continue to be available, although their online location could change.

The handover of IfL’s resources is expected to be complete by the autumn.

Mr Russell said: “We know last night’s decision was not taken lightly. We will work closely with IfL who have made clear that their priority is to conduct the closure thoroughly and diligently with the interest of their members at heart.

“When the IfL initially suggested this intention on July 1, the ETF started to receive phone calls and emails straight away. It was clear from these early conversations how important professional status is to the IfL members. It underpins their professional identify, informs their career planning and is integral to their effectiveness as practitioners.

“The aims of the ETF are complementary to those of the IfL, and my board and I warmly welcome this opportunity as an excellent strategic fit.  Nor is it a one-way opportunity; taking on the IfL’s legacy will help the ETF evolve positively as an organisation in the ways we would like to develop.

“We believe that teaching and training in our sector should be seen as a high status profession, its reputation flowing from high quality outcomes.  Teachers and trainers should be encouraged to exercise professional autonomy and take ownership of their own CPD, in the interests of improved teaching and learning and for the benefit of learners.

“Through their association with the ETF in future, IfL members can play a key role in our organisation, in line with our mission to enhance the performance and professionalism of the education and training system.”