1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
23 March 2012- Issue 111
Feedback from Regional Forum – 13 March
Attendees heard a comprehensive update on recent policy developments from Lesley Davies,
AoC’s Deputy Chief Executive. Lesley spent some time discussing changes to the Ofsted
framework and outlining the support being provided to Colleges preparing for or going
through inspection. She is arranging for a group of Principals to meet new Ofsted Chief
Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, and will come back to us in due course to seek nominations to
be part of the group. Ofsted and inspection will form part of the agenda for the Principals’
Forum on 8 May. Lesley spoke too about a new AoC Portfolio Group for Academies which is
being set and for which a London nomination (at Principal level) will be sought. If you would
be interested in getting involved, please let Rebecca Breen know. If you would like a copy of
Lesley’s slides and/or to find out more about support for inspection, please contact: Rebecca
Breen
Also on the agenda was an input by Katie Mitchell, Head of Higher and Further Education at
Sport England, who provided an update on the funding coming to the sector to develop
student participation in sport over the next five years. The prospectus setting out the
opportunities to apply for one or more of the 150 full-time College Sport Maker posts to drive
this activity or for funding to support existing work through the Sport England Activation
Fund will be published at the end of April and Sport England will be holding pre-application
workshops for Colleges. Watch out for announcements which will also be included in future
editions of the Bulletin.
Michael Farley, Principal of Tower Hamlets College, rounded off the session by telling
attendees about the work being done on behalf of the AoC Marketing Committee to get half a
dozen news stories about London Colleges into regional media. For more information about
the campaign, please contact Judith Smyth
Feedback from Speed Dating Event for London Colleges with London
Work Programme Providers – 16 March
Representatives from London's Colleges and London's Work Programme Providers were
brought together on Friday 16 March in a speed-dating event at Westminster Kingsway
College. The session was facilitated by the Colleges' representative body, the Association of
Colleges, London Region. The event was split into two sessions. The morning offered
Colleges, Prime contractors and their sub-contractors in East London the chance to get to know
each other better and the afternoon did the same for organisations in West London. Twelve
London Colleges attended the morning session, meeting Prime contractors Seetec, CDG and
A4e and sub-contractors active in East London. The afternoon session saw a similar number of
Colleges meeting their opposite numbers, Ingeus, Maximus and REED, in West London.
The Colleges and Work Programme Providers who attended declared the event a big success

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
that could lead to fruitful long term relationships between their respective organisations. Ian
Ashman, Chair of AoC London Region, said: "This was our first major opportunity to engage
directly with most of the Work Programme Providers and their subcontractors. A good turnout
of Colleges demonstrated our commitment to this important relationship. Our experience,
based on some pilot work with Primes, is that such links will help Colleges to fill the available
course places and develop new business opportunities."
Andrew Emerson from Seetec added “We're delighted to be working with London Colleges.
The creation of an individualised plan to support customers back to work is crucial. Skills
development plays a major part in satisfying employer needs, enhancing customer progression
and enables the individual to improve their chances of securing sustainable employment.”
Sport England Workshops
Colleges that are interested in bidding for one of the 150 new Sport Maker posts or funding to
support their existing sports activities should note that Sport England are likely to hold a pre-
application workshop in London on 27 April. We’ll let you have more information as soon as
we get it.
Ending Gang and Youth Violence – Colleges’ involvement
The Home Office publication, Ending Gang and Youth Violence, sets out the Government’s plans
for £10 million of investment in early intervention work in 2012-13 to support the areas most
affected by gangs and youth violence. Nineteen London Boroughs (see table below), plus 11
local authorities in other parts of England, will be supported, based on data on serious youth
violence and local police intelligence on the severity and location of gang activity.
A key element of this support is the offer of a peer review by a group of experts. The process
will involve a desktop review of current partnership problem profiles, data and intelligence,
strategies and delivery plans, followed by a visit. The review visits will identify good practice,
as well as exploring gaps in provision, barriers and risks. The teams of peer reviewers can come
from a range of backgrounds and will have been trained and accredited by the Local
Government Association. Following the peer review, the team will offer ongoing support to
help unblock barriers to progress, and further help can be arranged from advisors in the
network on particular issues. A series of modules is being developed which will help local areas
to identify good practice in key areas, for example commissioning.
The peer review process may include a focus on educational establishments so some Colleges
may be invited to take part, including in any follow-up work.
London Boroughs involved in Ending Gang and Youth Violence initiative
• Brent • Islington • Wandsworth
• Croydon • Lambeth • Westminster
• Ealing • Lewisham
• Enfield • Newham + 3 others to be confirmed
• Greenwich • Southwark
• Hackney • Tower Hamlets
• Haringey • Waltham Forest
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
”This is Abuse”
“This is Abuse” is an initiative that was launched by the Home Office in 2010. It aims to
empower young people to make the decision to avoid violent and controlling relationships.
In a recent study by the NSPCC, 25 per cent of girls and 18 per cent of boys said they’d been hit
or attacked by a partner. But abuse isn't always physical, and many young people don't know
how to spot the signs that something is wrong, either in their own relationships or those of their
friends.
For 2012, AoC is teaming up with the Home Office to promote the campaign. As well as raising
awareness of the issue, the campaign will help teenagers recognise all kinds of relationship
abuse, and put them in touch with organisations that can help. Please support the campaign by
visiting the site to find out more about the issue. The Home Office have also produced posters
and postcards to display on site, along with a ‘Coaches Guide’ which equips the reader with
helpful advice and support on the issue.
To place an order for any of these materials, please contact Charlotte Jackson at
charlotte.jackson@iris-worldwide.com.
For more information about “Teenage Relationship Abuse”, please visit:
www.direct.gov.uk/thisisabuse
WorldSkills update – WorldSkills UK Competitions
NAS is looking internationally to the road to WorldSkills Leipzig 2013. To create a great Team
UK requires great training and NAS are looking for Training Managers. If you think your
College might be able to help either with the immediate or the ongoing request, please get in
touch with Patrick Gormley, Apprenticeships/Skills Competition Development Manager:
patrick.gormley@apprenticeships.gov.uk
Information on opportunities for WorldSkills Performance Development Tutors and Team
Leaders is being sent separately to Principals and Vice Principals (C&Q). If you’re interested in
this, contact Rebecca Breen for a copy of the information.
Some of you may have missed the information sent out previously by NAS about registering
for the Have a Go and Showcase elements of The Skills Show taking place in November in
Birmingham. In recognition of this, the deadline for registration has been extended to 27 April
2012. If you would like to find out more about The Skills Show, please email
JOMalley@theskillsshow.com.
Living and education needs of young blind people in the community
The Ethical Property Foundation (www.ethicalproperty.org.uk) is an independent charity with
the aim of making the best use of property for society and the environment. Established in
2005, it provides a high quality property advice service backed by professional experts to
charities and community groups. With a base in London and Bristol, the Foundation has been
funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to offer services to all the regions in England.
Alongside the advice service, it is developing innovation in property solutions for charities
wanting to develop better services and value with other public bodies by integrating assets. The
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
Ethical Property Foundation is working with the Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB)
to scope and develop the concept of “a life without limits” with a focus on living and learning
needs of young people in the 16 years plus age group. The RLSB has become a major champion
and expert in helping blind people achieve their goals in life through its work in London and
the south east.
The Ethical Property Foundation and the RLSB would like to hear from London Colleges who
would have an interest in exploring options with a view to pilot combined living and education
services for young blind and partially sighted people in order to help them to achieve greater
life opportunities.
Contact: Ian Parker, Ethical Property Foundation. ian.parker@ethicalproperty.org.uk, or
telephone 0207 065 0763.
College News Story of the Fortnight
International Colleges Culinary Competition
welcomed to central London as Westminster
Kingsway College take the gold medal
Five International Colleges specialising in Culinary
Arts and Hospitality from around the world have
gathered in central London to showcase their skills.
The International Colleges’ Culinary Competition
provides a unique opportunity for chef students from
the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, USA, New Zealand
and Australia to demonstrate their abilities. The
competition was held to coincide with the British
Council’s Going Global 2012 London conference.
Photo credit: Westminster Kingsway College
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Feedback
9 Mar Sport England KA Event covered sharing the initial thinking
Active Colleges with the sector about the investment
Consultation Event process, timescales, the role of a College
Sport Maker and the funding criteria,
followed by an open discussion.
9 Mar Meeting with Vic Regular catch up meeting.
Grimes
12 Mar AoC Worldskills KA The agenda included updates on the
Portfolio Group National Skills Show, the Devolved Nations
and Regional Update as well as an update
on current national competition
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
developments, on WorldSkills International
Team Development and a local research on
competition impact on success rates.
12 Mar Meeting with Nick Discussions on the “Higher Apprenticeship
Davy and Hugh Perspectives” Conference.
Joslin, co-author of
Apprentice
Progression
Tracking Research
Project report
13 Mar AoCLR Regional AoCLR See headline
Forum
14 Mar AoC Business JS The agenda included:
Development • Jobcentre Plus – information and up-
Managers’ Network date from Paul Tucker Senior
Meeting Partnership Manager (London and
the Home Counties Group)
• Macleod Associates – Employment
Outcomes and Careers Guidance
Software – showcasing Jobhunt4.me -
a professional recruitment on line job
finder tool – Tor Macleod
• London Skills and Employment
Observatory – the central source of
information, research and data on all
skills and employment issues in
London – Vicky Davies
• Regional Update – round up of
issues and current opportunities
15 Mar Principals' meeting JS, KA The agenda included: An update on the
with Mayoral London Enterprise Partnership (LEP);
Advisers, Sir Peter London Colleges’ Manifesto; Mayor’s
Rogers and Munira Education Inquiry Feedback and IAG; and a
Mirza London-wide Careers Service.
16 Mar London Colleges JS See headlines
and Prime
Contractor “Speed
Dating” event
23 Mar AoCLR CIS/MIS JS The agenda included:
managers' network • Update from Paul Kelman,
meeting Stakeholder Engagement Manager,
Information Authority
• Presentation regarding Active
Dashboards from James Lloyd,
Business Development Executive,
Dynistics
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
3 Apr Meeting with KA Regular catch up meeting
Mary Vine-Morris
16 Apr London Regional KA, JS Agenda tbc
Champions
Meeting
Events and Dates for the Diary
 AoC College Pensions Conference, Tuesday 27 March, London. A link to the website for
more details and the conference programme is found here: AoC Create Pensions
Conference.
 AoC London HE Coordinators meeting, Tuesday 24 April, AoC Offices, London. Please
email Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoC London VP C&Q network meeting, Monday 30 April, AoC Offices, London.
Please email Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoC Equality and Diversity Conference, Wednesday 23 May 2012, Holiday Inn
Bloomsbury, London: www.aoccreateevents.co.uk/equality2012
 AoC London Principals’ Forum, Tuesday 8 May, Hackney Community College. Please
email Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoC London Marketing Managers’ network meeting, Thursday 10 May, Venue tbc.
Please email Judith Smyth for more information.
Policy and other documents
GLA news
Hunt on for musicians to take part in London's biggest street music competition
Mayor of London in new jobs and skills drive
Thousands of school children ‘Get Set’ to take their 2012 seats thanks to Mayor and LOCOG’s
ticket bonanza
Mayor announces new £41m capital fund to drive jobs and economic growth in London
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7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 23 March 2012
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
Due to the Easter Break, the next bulletin will be on Friday 20 April.
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