AoC London Member's Bulletin - Issue 132

1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
22 March 2013 – Issue 132
Dear Colleagues,
Please note that today is the final day for the World Skills UK National Competition
registrations. I know we are all keen to ensure London has the greatest opportunity to
demonstrate its skills and talents this year. Please visit UK National Competition
registrations website.
Since our last bulletin both the AoC London Procurement and Business Development Managers
Networks have taken place here at Stedham Place.
The AoC London Regional Forum convened on 12th March which was an excellent opportunity
for Andy Wilson, Principal of Westminster Kingsway College to give a brief update in his
capacity as AoC Board Member. Please find attached the AoC Board meeting’s summary and
Policy Spring 2013 update. The keynote presentations came from Eversheds Education Team
on the Freedoms introduced by the Education Act 2011 and this prompted a very useful
question and answer session from the floor. This was, of course, Michael Farley’s last formal
meeting with AoC as Principal of Tower Hamlets and so this was a great opportunity to thank
him for his enormous contribution to London in recent years, and to pass on our very best
wishes for the future.
The quarterly Young People’s Education and Skills Board, convened by London Councils, also
held it spring meeting this week. The meeting was hosted by Frank McLoughlin, Principal of
City and Islington College commencing with a tour of the Centre for Applied Sciences and the
Sixth Form Centre, including the opportunity to speak with students and staff. Key issues for
the meeting included participation information for London’s boroughs, and recent research on
partnership and collaboration in the current environment and the 16-18 Apprenticeship
Recruitment Action Plan. The papers are available online. For further information contact
Caroline.
From the AoC London team please accept our very best wishes for the Easter break. Our next
bulletin will be published on 12 April.
Best wishes
Caroline
LONDON NEWS
London Colleges news
Capel Manor College Students Win Gold
It was a smashing start to the weekend as Capel Manor College 'Reclaiming London' show
garden took the gold medal at the Ideal Home Young Gardener of the Year 2013 competition.
The show garden was designed exclusively for the Ideal Home Show competition by the
garden design and horticulture students from the Capel Manor's centres in Regent's Park and

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 22 March 2013
Enfield. It tells the story of a small urban garden that has been transformed into an ecologically
friendly sanctuary for the family.
It has a low carbon footprint, having been built using
sustainable and recycled materials. When awarding the gold
medal the judges commented: 'The team have made great use
of materials and the space. Great care has been given to the
smallest of details; they have successfully created an outdoor
room.' The garden also features a water rill, a pond, flowering
plants to attract wildlife and a space to grow herbs, and edible
plants; blackcurrant, blueberry, rhubarb, onions and salads.
Capel Manor College picture
To read the full story please visit London Colleges website.
GLA news
What could City Hall do to help improve careers services for Londoners?
Assembly to examine the impact of welfare reforms on London
News from Jenny Jones AM: Only one in five of Mayor’s apprenticeships went to young people
Mayor helps London apprentices on their way with cheaper travel
UPCOMING EVENTS
AoC London Network Events and Dates for the Diary
• Marketing Committee meeting, 9 April
• Regional Committee meeting 18 April
• Principals’ Forum, 24 April
• AoC London Region Committee Principals meeting with Mayoral Advisor, 25 April
• Vice Principals’ C&Q Network meeting, 29 April
• Marketing Committee meeting, 1 May
• Strategic Group for Sport meeting, 13 May
• Marketing Managers’ Network meeting, 14 May
• Business Development Managers’ Network meeting, 15 May
• Heads of MIS Network meeting, 17 May
• Clerks’ Network meeting, 17 May
• Heads of Sport Network meeting, 20 May
• Heads of Student Services Network meeting, 21 May
• Regional Committee meeting, 23 May
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3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 22 March 2013
AoC Create News
AoC Create’s Sector Management College programme re-launches in May 2013. Designed to
support junior and middle managers, delegates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills
they need to become highly effective members of your College's management team. Three
residential modules with work based assignments and coaching support lead to a Level 5
Diploma in Leadership and Management, and can be continued to a Level 7 (Masters)
qualification. Non accredited routes can also be followed. To find out more, and to book, please
visit www.aoc-create.co.uk/smc or call 020 7034 2640
Upcoming AoC Create London workshops include Performance Management, Strategy and
Culture, presented by David Collins on Wednesday 17 April and Managing Change,
Restructures and Redundancy, run by Darren Newman on Thursday 18 April.
AoC Create Conferences
Teaching and Learning: Governors’ role in an Ofsted inspection, 5 June, Birmingham
This conference aims to equip delegates with an understanding of what is now required of the
governance community in respect of teaching and learning. It will provide an opportunity to
listen to practitioners share practical examples of how they have managed these
responsibilities, whilst respecting the difference between governance and management.
To register your attendance to find out more please visit AoC Create website.
AoC Equality & Diversity Conference, 19 June, London
Following the success of the previous conferences on equality and diversity, AoC will be
hosting its fifth conference in the summer of 2013. This conference offers the tools to stay at the
forefront of good practice in equality. With a focus on sector-specific issues and opportunities
to engage with colleagues and experts both within and outside of the FE sector, this is the
essential event to inform your work in progressing equality and diversity in the College
workplace and learning environment.
To register your attendance to find out more please visit AoC Create website.
AoC Shaping College Higher Education Conference, 28 June, Birmingham
As the Coalition Government’s HE policies bed in, how can Colleges maintain their quality,
seek expansion and shape the HE system to benefit its learners? How can Colleges improve
their student engagement with HE learners, understand the learning journeys of vocational
learners, improve internal progression and shape local tertiary systems within tight funding
constraints? This Conference will provide you with an opportunity to engage with the Labour
Party’s Shadow HE Spokesperson, Shabana Mahmood MP and discuss ideas and share best
practice
To register your attendance to find out more please visit AoC Create website.
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4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 22 March 2013
GET A LINE ON AOC LONDON REGION MEETINGS
Recent meetings
Date Meetings/Events
11 March Inspiration 2013 event at Barking and Dagenham College (EJ)
11 March College Principals’ visit from Kazakhstan and Georgia (JS)
12 March The Railway Apprentices 'Crossover' Breakfast at Waltham Forest College (JS)
12 March AoC London Regional Forum (AoCLR)
13 March Meeting with Graciano Soares, Manager, JISC RSC London (CN)
13 March LEP Skills and Employment Working Group meeting (CN)
14 March Meeting with Ken Warman, Principal, BSix Sixth Form College (CN)
14 March AoC London Procurement Managers’ Network meeting (CN)
19 March Young People's Education and Skills Board meeting (CN)
19 March Meeting with Vic Farlie, London Work Based Learning Alliance regarding LSIS project
(CN, JS)
20 March AoC London Business Development Managers’ Network meeting (AoCLR)
21 March Meeting with Jane Overbury, Principal, Christ the King Sixth Form College (CN)
Future meetings
Date Meetings/Events
25 March Task Group LSIS Building Progression project meeting (CN, JS)
25 March Common Accord Workshop (CN)
26 March AoC London pre-meeting with Michelle Cuomo and Andrew Gates (IA,CN, JS)
26 March Meeting with Andrew Parkin, Principal, St. Dominic’s Sixth Form College (CN)
27 Mach Meeting with Kat Cooper, Prevent (CN,JS)
27 March Meeting with Anthony Lawton, Principal, Mary Ward Centre (CN)
4 April ESOL Workshop planning meeting with GLA and JCP (JS)
8 April Meeting with Gabe Flint, Principal, Richmond Adult Community College (CN)
8 April Meeting with Ben Nicholls, Head of Policy, Newham FE College (CN)
8 April Regular catch up meeting with Mary Vine-Morris, London Councils (CN)
If you like to get more information about the AoCLR attended recent and future
meetings/events please contact Eva Taumer, AoC London Team Administrator.
CONTACTS
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 Evelina Joykutty.
Caroline Neville Judith Smyth Evelina Joykutty
Regional Director Deputy Director Regional Co-ordinator
caroline.neville@aoc.co.uk judith.smyth@aoc.co.uk evelina.joykutty@aoc.co.uk
Eva Taumer
Team Administrator
eva.taumer@aoc.co.uk
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