1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
9 December 2011 Issue 105
Feedback from Skills Funding Agency meeting with Geoff Russell
Kate Anderson and an eclectic mix of other regional stakeholders attended a meeting with
Geoff Russell on 28 November. Geoff Russell expanded on his comments at last month's
national conference about greater freedoms for Colleges being accompanied by a loss of
security as regards future funding. He said several times that it would be impossible in future
to distinguish between how Colleges and independent training organisations were treated in
funding terms. Thanks to everyone who sent in issues to raise at the meeting. The nature of
the group meant it was not appropriate to deal with them in that forum; instead they are being
followed up with Jill Lowery and her colleagues.
Feedback from Regional Committee – 1 December
The Regional Committee meeting received funding updates from Jill Lowery, Director, Area
Relationship Team, Skills Funding Agency; Mike Pettifer, Regional Director, YPLA and Sue
Samson, Director of Academies - South East and London from YPLA.
Caroline Allen, Principal of Orchard Hill College gave a briefing on her College and the
implications of the SEN Green Paper. (Caroline was also co-opted onto the Regional
Committee.)
Paul Butler, Chair of Leyton Sixth Form College was proposed and confirmed as the Vice-Chair
of the Regional Committee.
The meeting discussed further amendments to the London Colleges’ Manifesto for the Mayoral
and Assembly elections in 2012. Work will continue on this over the next few weeks. The
Committee agreed to take a number of project recommendations forward from AoC London
Region’s project report “Skills for London: Meeting the Challenge.” They agreed the AoCLR
Business Plan 2011/12 and Associated Risk Register subject to a slight amendment. The
meeting also received updates from the Governors’ Council, Marketing Committee, AoC
London officers and a 2012 update.
Full minutes will be produced before the end of this month. If you require any further
information on any of the issues, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Feedback from AoC London College Checklist review meeting – 5
December
A range of College colleagues, including Heads of Student Services and Assistant Principals
attended the College Checklist review meeting on 5 December. The checklist was launched in
June this year and Colleges were asked to review the checklist in advance, ticking the box of
each intervention to give AoC London a picture of where each College was up to. These were

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
submitted to Peter Smith, the consultant who worked on the project and he produced an
analysis of the results at the meeting. The presentation and results will be circulated to the
Heads of Student Services network.
There are a number of actions following the meeting, including starting a working group with
AoC London Region to develop a framework for a data-sharing protocol. Further information
will follow in future bulletins.
Feedback from Marketing Managers’ network meeting 8 December
The theme of this term’s Marketing Managers’ meeting was Colleges in their Communities and
the meeting was kindly hosted by City of Westminster College, Paddington Campus. 23
Marketing Managers attended the meeting and were treated to a tour of the building after
lunch.
Chris Morecroft, formerly AoC President 2010/11 and now an Independent Management
Consultant gave a great presentation on the work of the commission, his involvement in it and
what it means for marketing in Colleges. This was followed by an excellent example from
South Thames College, on their “Pride in your College” initiative, putting Colleges in their
Communities into practice.
The meeting also had an update from Mary Vine-Morris from London Councils on what the
new careers guidance for schools- transition to the new responsibilities will mean for Colleges.
Ben Verinder from AoC National gave a general comms update and useful advice. Ben and
Michael Farley, Principal of Tower Hamlets College and Chair of the AoC London Marketing
Committee also updated the network on the latest AoC London Region Marketing and Comms
campaign. The intention is use a freelance PR/journalist for 3 months initially to get a regular
number of positive College stories in the media – such as the Evening Standard, Metro and
local BBC and ITV London news programmes. If you know of any good PR contacts with good
links in London, please let Judith Smyth know.
Colleagues also had the opportunity to network and share good practice. The presentations
from the meeting will be circulated to the Marketing Managers’ network separately but if you
would like a copy please do not hesitate to contact our office.
We are keen to expand this network and it is open to all Marketing professionals in Colleges –
from Directors of Comms to marketing assistants. To join the mailing list please send your
details through to our office.
WorldSkills UK 2012
Competition entries for 2012
Competitions are now branded as WorldSkillsUK (WSUK) as
opposed to UK Skills with the new logo shown above. Entries for
the next round of competitions will close on 15 March, 2012 but
you should keep an eye on the worldskillsuk.org web site to
check details. You can also phone 0800 612 0742 or e-mail
enquiries@worldskillsuk.org
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
2012 Jobs Briefing
A further briefing is being held for colleges on how to get students into 2012 summer jobs in
catering, cleaning and retail. It takes place at Hackney Community College from 11.30 to 1.30
on Thursday 15th December.
This briefing is mainly aimed at colleges close to the Home Counties venues at Eton Manor,
Broxbourne and Hadley Farm but it will also cover the general information on vacancies and
recruitment processes for all venues. To attend, please email sstanton@hackney.ac.uk or phone
020 7613 9227.
The Mayor’s Low Carbon Prize
Can your students reduce carbon from London's buildings?
The Mayor's Low Carbon Prize is your students' opportunity to make a real contribution to
London become a leading low carbon city.
A total of £20,000 is up for grabs to be awarded to the best student ideas for low carbon living,
courtesy of our sponsor, Berkeley Homes. Prize money must be used to further develop the
idea and prepare it for market - closing date 19 Feb 2012.
Please find a poster attached and full details here:
http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/mayors-low-carbon-prize.
Skills London 2012
Following on from the enormous success of the 2008 and 2010 events as well as the
recent WorldSkills London 2011 event , Skills London returns to the capital for the 3rd time on
the 16 – 17 November 2012 presented by London First and Prospects.
ExCel will again be the setting for London’s biggest careers and skills event. London faces the
challenge to ensure its young people are equipped to compete effectively in the job market.
Making good decisions about future career routes is vital. Skills London 2012 aims to inspire
and help direct young people, offering a wide and varied mix of exhibitors, interactive skills
demonstrations, Have a Go’s and advice and guidance.
What’s new?
2 days rather than 3
Key focus on attracting London schools
Age range has changed from 14 – 19 to 15 – 24
‘Who’s in the Room’ seminar programme
Have a Go’s
Exhibit:
Use Skills London to target prospective students from your communities and from
across all London boroughs.
Visitors will be aged 15 – 24, all groups are accompanied by teaching staff and of course
Saturday brings you parents & carers (13,000 attended the Saturday of Skills London
2010).
A variety of stand sizes are available starting at £1,650 + VAT
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
Increase your exposure and consider hosting a Have a Go and or a stage performance.
Please call Jen Delderfield on 01823 362817 to discuss further or email
jenny.delderfield@prospects.co.uk
Help your students, visit Skills London 2012
Give your students a head start in their careers by visiting Skills London 2012. At Skills London
2012 you’ll be inspired and motivated with over 150 organisations providing interactive
features from every major career sector imaginable.
Your students can:
Try their hands at new and interactive skills
Talk to real people doing real jobs
Find out what they need to succeed in a chosen career
Get information from experts on work based learning, education, training and
employment.
To help with the transport costs there is a travel bursary of £1 per learner for groups of 30 or
more. A £15 fixed bursary for groups between 11 and 29 learners is also offered.
Visit http://www.skillslondon2012.co.uk/site/1/Video.html and see live action from the event
in 2010.
Please can Theo Bruckner on 01823 362800 to discuss further or email
theo.bruckner@prospects.co.uk
Student Success Stories of the Fortnight
Hackney Community College wins prestigious Queen’s
Anniversary Prize for outstanding mental health support service
Hackney Community College has been awarded the most
prestigious accolade available in the FE sector – recognising the
exceptional work it does to help people with mental health needs
in education.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a National honour, approved by
Her Majesty, which acknowledges excellence in higher and further
education across the country.
HCC was the sole London College and one of only three FE
institutions in the UK to receive the special award this year. The
prize was in recognition of the dedicated support scheme created
to assist those with mental health support needs in making a
smooth transition back into education and employment.
The College was officially announced as a winner at a ceremony held in St James’s Palace on
Thursday (24 November). A formal presentation of the awards will be held in February 2012 at
Buckingham Palace.
Principal Ian Ashman said: “Hackney Community College is extremely proud of the work that
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
we do to support people with mental health needs to succeed through education. We are
thrilled that our efforts have been recognised by Her Majesty; it is a huge honour and is a great
tribute to all our staff who work with people with mental health needs.”
The Mental Health Education and Employment Service was established in 1997 to address
concerns around the lack of provision for supporting mental health service users to access
education and training; and to provide support with study and progression. From supporting
approximately 50 learners in its first year, the service has evolved into a multi-faceted network
delivering a range of interventions, opportunities and activities to over 4,000 learners and
prospective learners with mental health support needs.
The service, which is funded by the East London Foundation Trust and City and Hackney’s
Primary Care Trust, also provides professional support to teachers and support staff.
Earlier this year, HCC’s outstanding Mental Health team helped the College pick up an
Association of Colleges Beacon Award for Widening Participation in Education, for the
excellent service it delivers to individuals with mental health support needs, plus its significant
outreach partnership work with other community organisations.
John McClean, Mental Health Adviser added: “Having this support service is extremely
valuable to our learners with mental health issues. Seeing them progress into confident
individuals, who go on to further study, or into jobs is very rewarding. To be acknowledged
with this fantastic award really does mean an awful lot and we are extremely proud of our
achievements.”
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Feedback
28 Nov Meeting with Skills KA Geoff Russell visited each of the Skills
Funding Agency Funding Agency’s offices to meet a small
Chief Executive and number of key stakeholders and discuss
key London issues of interest and concern in the region.
stakeholders
28 Nov Meeting with Joy KA, JS Discussions on ESOL and potential
Mercer and Chris DCLG/UKBA funding.
Hedges, Home
Office
29 Nov Meeting with KA First meeting with new Principal at Hillcroft
Michael Wheeler at College.
Hillcroft College
1 Dec AoCLR Regional AoCLR See Headlines
Committee meeting
5 Dec Meeting with Rod KA, JS Discussion about sponsored event for
Baker, Barclays London Colleges in February 2012
5 Dec AoC London College AoCLR Review of the checklist for dealing with
Checklist review serious youth violence and gangs, issued
meeting Summer 2011 led by consultant Peter Smith
6 Dec Meeting with Steve KA Meeting with Steve Dowbiggin, Principal,
Dowbiggin, Capel Capel Manor College
Manor College
6 Dec AoC WS Portfolio KA Discussions on WorldSkills London 2011
Group and legacy activities for the sector
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
8 Dec Marketing JS Agenda included:
Managers’ network Chris Morecroft speaking about Colleges in
meeting their Communities; a presentation from
Jade Watson, South Thames College;
new careers guidance for schools- transition
to the new responsibilities from Mary Vine-
Morris, London Councils Young People’s
Education and Skills and a general AoC
comms update from Ben Verinder.
9 Dec AoCLR CIS/MIS RB Items for discussion included: Update from
managers' network the Information Authority, Data
meeting Implications of the proposed Funding
Methodology (Paul Kelman, The
Information Authority); Strategic
Replatforming of data collection systems
(Rich Williams, Head of the Data Service)
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
12 Dec Principals meeting JS Agenda includes discussion of:
with Munira Mirza, Youth Unemployment Patterns
GLA London Colleges manifesto
Higher Education in FE
International Recruitment & FE
London Enterprise Panel update
13 Dec Meeting with Mark KA Regular catch up meeting
Hilton, London First
15 Dec Meeting with Sue KA Regular catch up meeting
Betts, Linking London
15 Dec Meeting with Mary KA Regular catch up meeting
Vine-Morris, London
Councils
5 Jan Meeting with Joy KA AoC/GLA meeting to discuss ESOL
Mercer, Ian Ashman,
Hackney Community
College and James
Lee, GLA
Events and Dates for the Diary
 AoC London Principals’ Forum: Thursday 12 January, 3-5pm, Hackney Community
College. For more information please contact Rebecca Breen: Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
 AoC London Clerks’ network meeting: Friday 3 February, 2pm-5pm, Venue tbc. Please
contact Judith Smyth for more information about this meeting: judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
 AoC London Heads of Student Services network meeting: Tuesday 7 February, 10am-
1pm, AoC Offices, Stedham Place. For more information please contact Rebecca Breen:
Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
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7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 December 2011
 AoC London International meeting: Tuesday 21 February, 3-5pm, Ealing, Hammersmith
and West London College. For more information please contact Rebecca Breen:
Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
 AoC London Head of Sport network meeting: Thursday 23 February, 2.30-5pm, AoC
Offices, Stedham Place. For more information please contact Rebecca Breen:
Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
 AoC London Finance Directors’ network meeting: Tuesday 6 March, 9am-1pm, Venue
tbc. For more information please contact Rebecca Breen: Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
 AoC London Regional Forum: Tuesday 13 March, 4-6pm, Venue tbc. For more
information please contact Rebecca Breen: Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
Policy and other documents
GLA news
Mayor welcomes National Plan for Music Education
Can east London become the new Silicon Valley?
Mayor calls on London's schools to make one last push and 'Get Set for the Games'
Mayor of London launches Team London 'Love Libraries' scheme
Please note that the next AoC London Members’ Bulletin will be sent out after the Christmas
break on Friday 6 January. I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
If you wish to contact the AoC London office to give feedback on this bulletin, to request
additional information where we have offered it, or to provide suggested content for future
issues, please email Rebecca Breen.
Kate Anderson Judith Smyth
Regional Director ` Executive Manager
kate.anderson@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
Rebecca Breen Cyheme Bilouta
Regional Coordinator Team Administrator (part-time)
rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk cyheme.bilouta@aoc.co.uk
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