1. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin – 17 December 2010
AoC London Region would like to wish you a
Merry Christmas and hope you all have a very
enjoyable festive break.
This is the last Bulletin before the end of the year
and we will return with more news from the
London Region on Friday 14 January 2011.
London MPs and Principals Reception, 13 December
Many thanks to all of you who came along to the reception for London MPs and Principals.
It was a very positive event, with a good turnout of 24 MPs. Two Government Ministers
attended: Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and
David Willets MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science in BIS.
Meg Hillier MP welcomed people to the event and based her remarks on information in the
latest copy of AoC’s London Key Facts leaflets. Ian Ashman, Chair of AoC London region,
used his five minutes to good effect, welcoming the Government’s proposals to free Colleges
from needless bureaucracy and then setting out very clearly the potential consequences for
London learners and London’s economy of the proposed changes to adult skills funding (no
fee remission for non active benefit claimants, changes to ESOL weighting, no free level 3 for
over 24 year olds) and the loss of the EMA.
Vince Cable responded positively, highlighting the difficult decisions that had had to be
made but arguing that he had sought to protect Colleges as far as possible. He has asked us
to write to him with the points made at last night’s reception by Ian and also by Christina
Conroy whose College is in his constituency. Martin Doel and Ian Ashman will be writing
to him shortly and I will make sure you get a copy of the letter.
AoC President Chris Morecroft also had the opportunity to say a few words to the Secretary
of State on the issue of higher education in further education. Vince Cable is keen to see
useful and productive arrangements between Colleges and universities. Kate was able to
tell him about AoC London Region’s constructive relationship with London Higher. AoC
will be writing to the Secretary of State with our thoughts on how relationships between
Colleges and HE can be developed.
In short, the Secretary of State was in listening mode and presented us with the opportunity
to go back to him on adult skills funding issues and higher education which we will of
course take up.

2. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
A few photographs from the reception are now on the AoC main website, although you can
also view a couple below; Principals who had their photograph taken with their MP are
having the individual jpegs sent to them.
http://www.aoc.co.uk/index.cfm
If any of you who were there felt that you had particularly useful exchanges with your local
MP, we’d be pleased to hear about them. Please email Rebecca Breen
Dr Vince Cable MP, Meg Hillier HP, Ian Dr Vince Cable MP, Ian Ashman, Christina
Ashman, Principal, Hackney Community Conroy, Principal, Richmond Adult
College Community College, Kate Anderson
Perfect Storm meeting
The output from discussions held at the adult funding meeting was sent to all Principals the
next day. Support was provided by Chris Walden and Julian Gravatt on tempering the
argument to ensure the right messages were given to Ministers.
It was also used as an aide memoir for Principals to raise issues with their MPs, stakeholders
and general media, including at the very successful MPs reception on 13 December.
EMAs
Several London Colleges contributed to the EMA campaign this week, using media
opportunities for the EMA media day on 13 December, briefing their local MP for a
Westminster Hall debate and attending a meeting with DfE. Ken Warman, Principal of
Brooke House Sixth Form College, Andy Wilson, Principal of Westminster Kingsway
College, and Eddie Playfair, Principal of Newham Sixth Form College were particularly
involved with the campaign. Bexley College and Greenwich Community College provided
briefings to their respective MPs for the debate, and Eddie Playfair attended the DfE meting
ESOL meeting
The ESOL session convened by Joy Mercer, AoC Director of Policy, was well supported by
London Colleges. Representatives from 19 London Colleges attended the meeting.

3. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
RPG update
Kate Anderson attended the most recent RPG meeting on 22 November as an Observer.
AoC nominees Frank McLoughlin and Jane Overbury attended as did AoC/NATPSEC
nominee Caroline Allen. The key item on the agenda was the review of the RPG. John
Freeman (consultant) presented a report that concluded there was a continuing role for the
RPG and made a number of recommendations. The Group’s future will be dependent on
the decision of the Leaders’ Committee which is due to meet on 14 December. Verbal
feedback will be provided by KA at the Regional Committee and a brief note of the key
points discussed will be placed on the AoCLR website.
The next RPG meeting takes place on 14 February 2011. Principals are advised to contact
AoC nominees on the group (Caroline Allen, Frank McLoughlin and Jane Overbury) and/or
Kate Anderson if they have particular points they wish to raise in connection with the RPG.
WorldSkills Update
January 2011 marks the beginning of the countdown to the WorldSkills London 2011
competition to be held from 5-8 October at Excel. Even if you’re not involved in skills
competitions, you can still participate. Key dates in January are:
10 January: WorldSkills London Educational Experience free activities and teaching
resources to be made available via worldskillslondon2011.com website. These PHSE
resources suitable for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 will help students make informed decisions about
their future careers. They can be used as stand-alone classroom activity, or in conjunction
with visiting the competition.
17 January: the application pack for becoming a showcasing organisation will be made
available. 100 organisations will be given the opportunity to deliver innovative and
entertaining skills performance events to show a huge national and international audience
what your students can do. Information about showcasing is currently available on
press@worldskillslondon2011.com and packs will be available on
showcase@worldskillslondon2011.com from January.
31 January: registration to attend the event opens. If you wish to inspire and motivate your
students about skills, information is on: customerservice@worldskillslondon2011.com
Marketing managers received a briefing about WorldSkills London 2011 on 14 December
and have more information on the 10 ways of being involved.
Student Success Story of the Fortnight
Barking & Dagenham College learner crowned heroine in Best
magazine's Bravest Woman 2010
Raiche, currently in her second year of a BTEC National
Diploma in Media Production at Barking & Dagenham College,
was one of only ten women across the country to receive the
prestigious accolade awarded to women who have shown
bravery in the face of adversity but somehow found the courage
to turn their experiences into something positive.
Raiche was just a toddler when she was left battling for her life
and with 70 per cent burns following a house fire. But, despite

4. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
suffering severe scarring and having to endure multiple skin grafts and operations, defiant
Raiche is studying full-time at College as well as using her experiences to help others. She
volunteers for the charity, The Burned Children's Club, which was founded to help her by
specialist nurse Pat Wade who worked at the Billericay Burns Unit where Raiche was first
admitted as a child. Raiche plays such a major role in the charity, both as a volunteer and
fundraiser, that Pat hopes she will one day take over the running completely.
"Winning this award has really boosted my confidence, but I don’t see myself as a role
model. I just want to tell burns victims to make the most of their lives," said Raiche of her
Best experience.
This recognition follows an earlier triumph for Raiche, after she was awarded a News of the
World Children's Champion Award, to celebrate those people who go further than anyone
else to make a positive difference in the lives of children. The glamorous event was televised
and included a visit to 10 Downing Street, before the star-studded Award Ceremony.
Westminster Kingsway College
International students visit Manchester
United Football Club and meet their
National hero
Westminster Kingsway College
International students from the Republic of
Korea have visited Manchester United
Football Club where they met International
football player, Ji-Sung Park. The Korean
footballer is a national hero and he is the captain of the national team. He is also the only
Korean player to have won the UEFA Champions League and the first Asian to have played
in a final of the tournament.
School Sport Competition
An update from Jacqui Mace, Principal of Stanmore College and Ian Ashman, Principal of
Hackney Community College:
A “School Sports Competition” has been announced jointly by Michael Gove and Jeremy
Hunt. We have ascertained that “Schools” included FE and sixth form colleges. However,
apart from one small mention in a footnote in the paper there is no mention of colleges at all.
This is a new initiative from the government to “create a range of new opportunities for
young people to get involved with competitive sport”. It is part of the plan for a lasting
legacy from the 2012 Olympics. It will not be a single event but a “package of events and
activities” aimed at inspiring young people to get involved in competitive sport by
harnessing the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
There will be four levels:
Intra-school/college competition – has to be at least one per term and a “sports day” once a
year
Inter-school/college competition
A “county” festival of sport
A national event

5. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
It is being piloted in nine areas this year – including central London – but only schools are
involved at the pilot stage.
As the Olympic branding cannot be used it will be called the Schools Sport Competition.
Schools (and presumably colleges) and partners will be encouraged to focus on athletics,
badminton, cricket, golf, netball, rugby union, swimming, tennis, volleyball and five
disability sports.
At level 2 (the inter-school competition) there must be at least two sports – one to be
athletics, swimming or table tennis and one formal disability sport.
Funding – will be from the Lottery. There is a maximum of £45000 for each pilot which has
to be bid for. There is little information about funding after the pilots but the government
has put aside some money for this.
Please could we have your views as soon as possible and before the next meeting of the
principals’ reference group on sport on18 January? Please email them to Rebecca Breen.
Questions:
What do you think of the general idea of a school sports competition that would include FE
and sixth form colleges?
How important is it that college are involved in this?
Would it be possible for your college to meet the requirement of a sports competition each
term and an annual, competitive, “sports day”?
What kind of relationships do you have with local schools which would allow the setting up
of a local inter-organisation event?
What about the sports being suggested?
What sort of resource needs do you have to take this forward?
Please let us have any other comments.
Thank you
Jacqui Mace and Ian Ashman
Partnership for Young London
Progress report – December 2010
Tom Mautner (Chair of Hackney Community College) attended a meeting of the Board of
Trustees of Partnership for Young London, where he represents AoC. A copy of PYL's
quarterly Progress Report for the last quarter has been received by AoC London, and is
available should any member express an interest. Please contact Rebecca Breen.

6. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
Recent meetings
Date Event/Meeting Attendees Agenda
6 Dec Regional Committee AoCLR Discussion items included:
Meeting Planning and funding in London
with Mike Pettifer (YPLA), Mary
Vine-Morris (RPG), Philippa
Langton (SFA) and Vic Grimes
(NAS) contributing to the
discussion.
A presentation from Julian
Gravatt (AoC) and Chris Walden
(AOC) on CSR and the
implications for Colleges.
WorldSkills London 2011
Presentation by Philippa Langton
and Laurence Basco
The committee will also receive updates
from: AoCLR, Podium, Governors
Council, and the AoC Board.
09 Dec Perfect Storm AoCLR See headline.
Meeting
10 Dec CIS managers’ RB, Tracey The meeting included presentations from:
network meeting McIntosh,
 Graciano Soares and Martin
RSC London,
Sepion – JISC Regional Support
John Perks.
Centre London
 John Perks – Head of Information
Authority – Information Update
13 Dec MPs and London Chris See headline
Principals Event Morecroft,
Martin Doel,
Chris
Walden, KA,
JS, RB, SS
14 Dec Marketing JS Theme of Communications in
Managers’ Network Challenging Times, with speakers from
meeting Hackney Council, UEL and AoC; plus an
LSIS workshop and a presentation from
World Skills.
16 Dec WorldSkills London VC Standing items included:
2011 London Brief update on overall ‘event’ and
Management Group ‘Team’ progress
meeting Review London Programme of
Work
Report from each partner on
month’s activity
Risks / Issues

7. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
Future meetings
Date Event/Meeting Attendees Agenda
05 Jan LSIS Regional KA The meeting aims to provide council
Council Strategic members with an opportunity to consult
Meeting with their constituents in the region
07 Jan SFA Investment KA Opportunity to consider how the SFA
Strategy and intends to work with Colleges and
YPLA 16-19 Funding training providers to implement the Skills
Statement for Sustainable Growth. Also an
Regional Provider opportunity to focus on the main funding
Meeting changes and how YPLA will implement
the Funding Statement covering 16-19
education and training alongside new
Statutory Guidance
11 Jan Meeting with Tony KA Meeting to discuss showcasing
Beeching applications.
12 Jan Meeting with Vicky KA,JS Meeting to discuss how they can help
Davies, London Colleges provide for the labour market
Skills Observatory
13 Jan London KA Induction meeting with Helen Elderfield,
Management Group Head of Law and Governance, LDA
13 Jan Meeting Heather KA One to one with Heather Nevin from
Nevin Eversheds
14 Jan Meeting with Mary KA Regular one to one
Vine-Morris
Events and Dates for the Diary
 Regional SIS Provider Briefings by SFA, 7 January, AM session. Westminster
Kingsway College, Kings Cross Campus. Please contact Teresa Martinez Sancho for
further information.
 AoCLR Principals’ forum, Tuesday 18 January from 4.30-6pm. Palestra, London.
Please contact the AoCLR office for more information.
 Are you QCF Ready? A Guidance and Information Conference for Colleges,
Wednesday 19 January 2010. Woburn House Conference Centre, London. Details
can be found at: https://www.aoccreateevents.co.uk/qcf2011
 14-19 Education in Colleges, What does the future hold? Thursday 20 January 2010
Prospero House. The first in a series of AoC 14-19 events for Colleges. Learn the full
impact of what the Education White Paper and the Wolf Review will mean for the
young people who currently attend College. For further information, to book online
or for sponsorship/exhibition opportunities, please visit:
www.aoccreateevents.co.uk/14-19education2010
 Countdown to the Games: The definitive conference about London 2012 for Further
and Higher Education. Podium Conference and Exhibition, Tuesday 8th February
2011, ExCel Centre, London. For more information visit:
www.podium.ac.uk/conferences

8. 17 AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, Issue 85
December
2010
 Improving Public Information in FE Event: Tuesday 1 March, Westminster Kingsway
College, Vincent Square Campus, London. For more information click here.
 AoC College Pensions Conference: 15 March 2011 at the CBI Centre, London. Details
and registration can be found at: www.aoccreateevents.co.uk/pensions2011. There
is an early bird discount for AoC members until the 17 December of 20%
Policy and other documents
The Intelligence e-Group Despatch
If you would like to view the latest issues of the Intelligence e-Group Despatch please follow
this link. The Despatch is produced by Mike Cooper, from Education Development which
works in partnership with AOSEC, LSC South East, LSN and City & Guilds Institute/Centre
for Skills Development to provide a regular free electronic newsletter updating colleagues
on latest developments in post-compulsory learning and skills and much more. For your
free subscription to the Intelligence e-Group Despatch, e-mail Mike Cooper, giving brief
details of your organisation and role.
GLA news
Mayor announces further funding for community sports participation
Mayor secures funding for 125,000 free 2012 tickets for London school children
Will low-skilled and unemployed Londoners get a shot at 2012 jobs?
Mayor hosts inaugural Community Conversation to tackle serious youth violence
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 Simran Sobhraj
Regional Coordinator London Region and FE Procurement Administrator
rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk Simran.sobhrai@aoc.co.uk