1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
9 March 2012- Issue 110
SPEED DATING EVENT FOR LONDON COLLEGES WITH LONDON
WORK PROGRAMME PROVIDERS – DON’T MISS OUT!
Ian Ashman, Chair of AoC London Region, says: "This is our first major opportunity to engage
directly with most of the Work Programme Providers and their subcontractors - a good turnout
of Colleges will demonstrate our commitment to this important relationship. Our experience,
based on some pilot work with Primes, is that such links will help your college fill the JCP
course places and develop new business opportunities."
This event, originally open to Principals and Business Development Managers from London
Colleges, is now open to members from ALL AoC London networks – Finance Directors,
Marketing Managers, Vice Principals, Heads of Student Services, Heads of Sport, CIS/MIS
Managers, Clerks. It’s vital that we get a good attendance at this event if London Colleges
individually and collectively are to forge productive links with London Prime contractors.
The event takes place on Friday 16 March at Westminster Kingsway College, Soho Centre, Peter
Street, London W1F 0HS (Map) with the morning session targeted at Colleges in London East
and the afternoon session targeted at Colleges in London West. To find out more about it,
please contact Judith Smyth or Rebecca Breen.
Please make sure that your College is represented at this event by signing up NOW at
aoclondonregionevents@aoc.co.uk
Launch of London’s Learning: A Manifesto for the Mayor from the
Capital’s Colleges
The Mayoral and Assembly Elections Roundtable event took place on Tuesday 28 February,
8am-9.30am at City of Westminster College. The event saw the launch of London’s Learning: A
Manifesto for the Mayor from the Capital’s Colleges. The document details five asks of the
new Mayor by London’s Colleges. Five copies of the Manifesto have been sent to each College
for you to use in your discussions with Mayoral or Assembly candidates. You may also find it
on the AoC London website at this link.
Ian Ashman chaired the event and the speakers were:
• Caroline Russell, Green candidate for the London Assembly
• Merlene Emerson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith
• David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham
• James Cleverly, London Assembly Conservative Member for Bexley and Bromley
One of the asks in the Manifesto is about making study affordable for the young unemployed.
Within that, London Colleges ask that a Mayor’s Bursary Scheme be established with Colleges,

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
set at £900 a year, specifically targeted at the 28,000 16-18 year-olds who are not in education,
employment or training, to encourage them to return to study and complete their course.
Two days after our roundtable event, Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone announced his
pledge to restore a London-wide £30 per week allowance if he is elected as Mayor in May. AoC
responded to this announcement with the following press statement:
“AoC is concerned about the evidence of the impact that the removal of the EMA has had on
the ability of London’s 16-year-olds to access the right courses. In our recent study of
enrolment of 16 to18-year-olds to Colleges across England this year, Greater London has the
steepest decline of any region, with a drop of just under 3.5%. AoC London would certainly be
interested in a discussion [with the successful Mayoral candidate] about a bursary scheme for
London.”
Mayor's Education Inquiry Panel Symposium, Friday 24 February and
Consultation Request
In November 2011, the Mayor of London launched an Education Inquiry, which will run until
September 2012, to explore the critical challenges facing London’s educational establishments.
The Inquiry, led by an independent Chair and Panel, will examine key challenges for education
in London and make recommendations for practical action with key partners.
Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College is on the Panel and AoC attended the Symposium
on Friday 24 February, which launched the First Report:
http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/young-people/education-training/mayors-education-
inquiry.
Colleagues are encouraged to respond to the consultation, using the call for evidence template
on the GLA’s website and attached. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 24 April 2012. AoC
London will also making a response so please send us your comments for inclusion.
Regional Forum 13 March - Reminder
Principals and Chairs are reminded that the next Regional Forum takes place this Tuesday 13
March at 4.00-6.00pm at Working Men’s College, 44 Crowndale Road, London, NW1 1TR
(nearest tube is Mornington Crescent) Please click here for map.
The main speaker for this event is Lesley Davies, Assistant Chief Executive and Director of
Policy, AoC, who will be providing an AoC Policy update. There will also be an update
regarding Sport England/DCMS funding for the College sector and a Marketing Committee
update from Michael Farley, Principal, Tower Hamlets College.
If you haven’t already done so please register for the event here. If you require any further
details please do not hesitate to contact either Judith Smyth or Rebecca Breen.
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
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
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.
For further details please contact: Ian Parker, Ethical Property Foundation.
ian.parker@ethicalproperty.org.uk, or telephone 0207 065 0763.
Podium/2012 Update
Podium is delighted to be working with Proctor & Gamble to promote the fantastic opportunity
for eight Hair and Beauty Students to work on the Olympic Park at Games Time. Full details
can be found in the following link: http://www.podium.ac.uk/news/view/663/competition-
launched-to-find-olympic-park-salon-juniors
Now is also the last chance to submit your London 2012 related projects for one of the eight
prestigious Podium Awards. The deadline for all nominations is 5pm on Monday 12 March.
Winners will attend a glittering Ceremony with London 2012 CEO Paul Deighton and lots of
other benefits including grant funding.
Full details can be found at http://www.podiumawards2012.com/
WorldSkills update – WorldSkills UK Competitions
Competitors entering the 2012 Competitions could be on the start of the journey to WorldSkills
Madrid 2015. The process for Team Selection for WorldSkills Leipzig 2013 will be looking for
exceptional talent with capacity to improve.
The registrations for the 2012 Competitions are steadily climbing but London Colleges are
asked to give one final push to enter candidates. The closing date for most competitions is 15
March 2012. The exceptions are Welding, which has already closed, and Skill Build, for which
the closing date is 23 March 2012.
If you need help with entries, here’s the step-by-step guide or please call the WorldSkills UK
contact centre on 0800 612 0742.
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
College News Story of the Fortnight
Mayoral candidate Ken Livingstone makes education pledge at City of Westminster
College
Making the announcement to an audience
of students and local and national press,
Ken Livingstone said that he was
committed to anything that encourages
young people to attend college and fulfill
their potential.
Other speakers included City of
Westminster College Principal Keith
Cowell, MP for Westminster North Karen
Buck, EMA student campaigner Zakariya
Ahmed and National Union of Students representative Estelle Hart.
College Principal Keith Cowell said: "London faces specific challenges with many low-income
households and high costs for essentials such as travel. Therefore, as a College, we welcome
any initiatives and all debate about how we can provide more support to young people in
education and training."
Student Danielle Williams, who is studying A-levels in Politics, Law and Drama and Theatre
Studies at City of Westminster College, said: "I enjoyed the event and I really welcome this
pledge because when they stopped EMA it caused real hardship for many students. And
speaking personally, I had to rely on the kindness of my family because of the high cost of my
daily journey to college."
The EMA, which was abolished at the start of 2011, provided funds to assist students aged 16-
19 meet expenses such as travel and books. It was replaced by a bursary scheme that provides
more limited funds to fewer students.
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Feedback
27 Feb Meeting Mary Vine- KA Regular catch up meeting
Morris, London
Councils and
Caroline Boswell,
Greater London
Authority
28 Feb The Mayoral and KA, JS, See Headlines
Assembly Elections: RB, CB
Roundtable event
and Launch of
London Colleges’
Manifesto
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5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
29 Feb AoC Governance JS The agenda included:
Summit • Governors’ development needs,
development of the foundation code
• Using the freedoms of the new
Instrument and Articles,
Accountability to communities
• Developing innovative
organisational models.
5 Mar Youth Transitions to KA The main discussions items were:
Adulthood Scenario • An introduction to the economic
Planning Event, by context
the Greater London • Scenarios and discussions
Authority with • Action planning.
London Councils
and the Association
of London Directors
of Children’s
Services.
6 Mar London Councils: JS The agenda included:
YPES Board • Policy update
• Careers guidance: Paul Chubb,
Careers England and Tim Riley,
Inclusion.
• Apprenticeships
• Participation Report (Allocations
2012/13 and Performance)
• Vision and Strategy Consultation
• Work Plan 2012/2013
6 Mar AoCLR Finance RB The agenda included:
Directors' meeting • An open forum and feedback from
national committee, Update from
David McIntyre, Head of Business
Risk Services (North), PKF (UK) LLP-
PFK/CFDG Risk
• Management guidance
• Update from Aidan Pettitt, Senior
Advisor, YPLA
• Update from Chris Birt, Head of
Provider Financial Intervention and
Support, SFA
• Update from Estelle Coughtrey,
Public Sector Client Account
Manager, Syscap - funding for
technology and working with the FE
sector
8 Mar Principals Meeting: KA, JS Meeting prior to Principals' meeting with
Pre-meeting with Munira Mirza Advisor on Culture and
Ian Ashman, Youth, Greater London Authority on 15
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6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
Michelle Cuomo March 2012.
(GLA) and Andrew
Gates (GLA)
8 Mar Safer Learners JS The agenda included:
Partnership Board • Recap on Terms of Reference and
Business Plan (Munira Mirza)
• Sharing Data, data presentation
(Richard Walker)
• Development of the Framework,
Website development update
(Nathan Winch)
• Framework consultation: young
people, practitioners and other
findings, Q&A – (Jacqui Newvell and
Luke Roberts, National Children’s
Bureau and Graham Robb, YJB)
9 Mar Catch up meeting KA Regular catch up meeting
with Vic Grimes,
NAS
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.
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
12 Mar AoC Worldskills KA The agenda includes updates on the National
Portfolio Group Skills Show, the Devolved Nations and
Regional Update as well as an update on
current national competition developments, on
WorldSkills International Team Development
and a local research on competition impact on
success rates.
13 Mar Mark Hilton, KA Regular catch up meeting
London First
13 Mar AoCLR Regional AoCLR The agenda includes:
Forum • AoC Policy update from Lesley Davies,
AoC Deputy Chief Executive
• Sport England/DCMS funding for
College sector
• Marketing Committee update
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7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
14 Mar AoC Business JS The agenda includes:
Development • Job Centre 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 Agenda will include: An update on the London
with Sir Peter Enterprise Partnership (LEP); London Colleges’
Rogers, Mayor’s Manifesto; Education Inquiry Feedback and
Advisor on IAG and a London wide Careers Service.
Regeneration,
Growth and
Enterprise, GLA.
16 Mar Prime Contractor KA See headlines and contact the office for
Speed Dating event information about the agenda
23 Mar AoCLR CIS/MIS JS Agenda to be confirmed
managers' network
meeting
30 Mar Operational Sub JS Agenda to be confirmed
Group Meeting,
London Councils
3 April Mary Vine-Morris, KA Regular catch up meeting
London Councils
Events and Dates for the Diary
 AoC Annual Human Resources Conference and Exhibition 2012: Tuesday 13 March 2012
International Convention Centre, Birmingham
 AoC 14-19 Delivery Structures Conference 2012: Tuesday 13 March 2012, etc venues
Paddington, London
 AoC London Regional Forum: Tuesday 13 March, 4-6pm, Working Mens College. For
more information please contact Rebecca Breen: Rebecca.breen@aoc.co.uk
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8. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 9 March 2012
 AoC Annual Communications Conference 2012: Wednesday 14 March, etc. venues
Victoria, London
 AoC London Business Development Managers’ Network meeting: Wednesday 14
March, 1.30pm-4pm at AoC Offices, Stedham Place. This meeting will focus on
Employability Issues. Please contact Judith Smyth for more information about this
meeting: judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk
 AoC Annual Communications Conference: Wednesday 14 March, London. A link to the
website for more details and the conference programme is found here:
www.aoccreateevents.co.uk/comms2012
 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.
 Next Step Adult Skills London are running a series of events on the 12, 13, 14 and 19
March in London aimed directly at recruitment and skills to enable adults to upgrade their
career prospects. Please see link for more details.
Policy and other documents
GLA news
Mayor urged to tackle unemployment level head-on
Let’s show London at its best – Mayor issues rallying cry for Olympic clean up
2012 Games focus at the London Assembly
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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