The Association of Colleges’ Annual Conference is a chance for leading think tanks to launch their latest reports in front of a huge education audience.
The findings of the Independent Commission of Colleges in their Communities was led by Baroness Sharp of Guildford, the Chair of the Inquiry, when she was interviewed on centre stage during the first morning of the conference.

Her message couldn’t have been clearer; colleges need to engage with their learners and local communities if they are to prosper in the economic downturn, and continue to call for the simplification of what is currently an ‘unduly’ and ‘prescriptive’ funding regime.

The report, titled ‘A dynamic nucleus: Colleges at the heart of local communities’, was launched on the first day of the AoC Annual Conference, and says the Government needs to cut additional ‘red-tape’ if colleges are to respond to the needs of employers and their local area.

Baroness Sharp of Guildford said: “If government could give greater flexibility to the over-rigorous funding regime and relax other ‘red-tape’, then colleges could and would deliver more in terms of community leadership. But they cannot do this alone.

“It requires more co-investment by individuals and employers; better information for the public and greater local accountability. “We have received a great deal of support for this shared agenda of reform, with colleges, their support bodies, and local and central government stepping up to the plate.”

Change is always a challenge and for some people too hard to face”

Recommendations in the report include establishing a community curriculum within colleges that can respond to local needs, the creation of an ‘innovation’ code’ that would allow greater funding flexibility, and a review of the Qualifications and Credit framework.

The Commission, which has been supported by NIACE, the AoC and the 157 Group, is also calling for a new generation of entrepreneurial leaders who can work closely with employers in a new community curriculum.

The report adds that a dedicated leadership centre should be constructed, focusing solely on improving the leadership and management within further education colleges. Joy Mercer, AoC Director of Education Policy, said: “The recommendations will, if implemented, recognise the pivotal role that Colleges play at the centre of their communities.

“AoC believes that the funding freedoms advocated in the report will allow Colleges to really respond to need; the accountability outwards to employers, community groups and individuals and the focus on leaders and managers with the right skills to work towards the social and economic well-being of their communities are vital.”

By and large both John Hayes on the one hand and Vince Cable on the other are very much behind this vision of colleges actually being the players who can help to promote community cohesion”

The inquiry used a range of data to sources to draw up their findings, including two calls for evidence, a number of visits to further education colleges and regular discussions with staff and learners.

Baroness Sharp said the report had received very positive feedback so far, and she was confident the sector would take their recommendations on board. “They’re optimistic time frames, but if you don’t try, you don’t get. We’ve been surprised actually by the open door we seem to be pushing at in relation to the government,” Baroness Sharp said.

“By and large both John Hayes on the one hand and Vince Cable on the other are very much behind this vision of colleges actually being the players who can help to promote community cohesion.”
It’s unclear whether this report will have aany direct implications both on government policy and the strategy of colleges in the further education sector.

Community cohesion is a term frequently thrown around at the AoC Conference, but here it has been packaged into a report with context and practical, realistic recommendations.
John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, seems to have taken notice anyway – so perhaps it’s only a matter of time before the Commission’s findings become the ‘nucleus’ of current debate.

AoC president Fiona McMillan, during her opening address to the conference, used the platform to discuss community. She said: “There is much that is done which is truly impressive in terms of colleges’ engagement with their communities. But the expectations and the potential outcomes could be so much greater.

“On our part as colleges we need to be responsive and flexible and open to new opportunities. From the Business community we need a willingness to engage, to look for partnerships with colleges and the opportunity together to solve skills needs. I would say to any employer, ‘give us the opportunity to show what we can do, and we will surprise you by our responsiveness and our capabilities’.”

Visitors to the Annual Association of Colleges (AoC) Conference spent their first night raising money for charity by bidding in a special celebrity auction.

The event, organised by FE Week and sponsored by Tribal and NCFE, raised exactly £10,000 for the Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF), by auctioning luxury items such as tickets to a Premiership football game, a two night tree house experience and premium Apple gadget collection.

Shane Mann, one of the event organisers, and Nick Linford, Managing Editor of FE Week, opened the doors at Birmingham Town Hall and opened the proceedings in high spirits.
Guests arrived in stunning outfits including tuxedos, cocktail dresses and bow ties.

After a beautiful drinks reception visitors were led into the main dinner hall, where they were greeted by an acoustic set performed by FE Week Graphic Designer Daniel Duke.

Congratulations to everybody who is in the room here to support the HKF ”

Daniel performed a series of famous covers throughout the night including ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz, ‘Bare Necessities’ from The Jungle Book and ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey.
The traditional room décor was lit up by sparking tables, artistic flower arrangements and an elaborate stage featuring a large slideshow projection.

Dr Ann Limb OBE, Chair of HKF, gave a formal introduction and described how the Foundation was launched at the AoC Conference in 1998: “We did so of course because we desperately wanted to ensure that further education got its place in the limelight.

“It’s not been a particularly easy journey for this foundation. It’s had its ups and downs. But I had a dream, and I had a friend in Helena, who wanted to support the idea. And of course, I had massive support from many of you and your predecessors in this room as FE college leaders.”

Ann Limb then announced the winner of the very first HKF Ambassadors Award, Carole Stott. “We’ve been supported by many people, but principally by a group of trustees who have given their time freely, and endlessly to act as ambassadors for the foundation,” Ann Limb said.

“We wanted to make a special award tonight, the first ever HKF Ambassadors Award, to somebody who I count as a friend. You will know her as someone who has championed a very creative way of looking at the awarding of credit to students throughout their learning journey. She’s done so much for further education that she ought to be honoured in all sorts of ways.”

The charity auction had various forms of entertainment throughout the evening. This included a professional magician, capable of sealing a written, five letter word within an envelope without anyone’s knowledge, as well as a number of advanced card tricks.

As well as doing what you’re [FE] supposed to do, in terms of helping young people, you also make up for what other people don’t do.”

A portrait artist was also doing the rounds, creating quick caricatures that were both humorous and realistic. Attendees were able to take their picture home once they gave a small donation to the Foundation.

Guests also had the chance to have their photograph taken with a Polaroid camera.

Barry Brookes, Director for Education and Skills Strategy at Tribal Group, said: “Congratulations to everybody who is in the room here to support the HKF, rather than going to the groovy KPMG dinner somewhere over the way.”

“From a personal point of view but also from a travelled point of view, the work that Ann, Helena and I guess you guys do for young people is absolutely critical. This is a challenging time – I don’t need to tell you about that. But what I don’t think is said enough, and it’s certainly not said enough in Whitehall or to ministers, is that actually as well as doing what you’re supposed to do, in terms of helping young people, you also make up for what other people don’t do when they’re supposed to be helping young people.

“The sector really deserves a fantastic recognition of that. The work that Helena does in terms of enabling people to have those opportunities which they may not necessarily get, and the development work you do as a sector in terms of switching people on not just to learning, but becoming who they really should be.”

Guests were served a three course meal which included a salmon and prawn starter, beef and vegetables for the main course and hot sticky chocolate pudding for dessert. This then made way for the highlight of the evening – the auction itself. Simon Fanshawe, world respected comedian, broadcaster and education consultant, managed the bidding with comic wit and enticed all of the guests into raising their paddles and giving some dosh to a worthwhile course.

Bidders were thrilled to walk away with digital cameras, gift vouchers and holidays at the charity auction. And of course, raising money for a great cause didn’t hurt either!
The evening was rounded off by two duet performances; freelance journalist Janet Murray and Daniel Duke performing ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues, as well as Nick Linford and Daniel Duke performing ‘I wish I knew how it would feel to be free’ by Nina Simone.

FE Week was thrilled to be able to hold an event which not only brought all the AoC Conference visitors in Birmingham together, but also raised a fantastic amount of money for charity.
The team at FE Week would like to thank everyone that attended the auction and helped raise £10,000 for the Helena Kennedy Foundation.