The document provides information about upcoming events for members of the Association of Colleges London Region, including a regional forum on October 12th with speakers from AoC and Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. It also summarizes a meeting regarding the development of an FE Guide by the Greater London Authority and feedback from WorldSkills London 2011 preparations.

1. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin
16 September 2011 Issue 100
AoCLR Regional Forum – Wednesday 12 October 2011
Principals and Chairs are invited to the next AoC London Regional Forum on Wednesday 12
October at Westminster Kingsway College, Kings Cross campus, from 5pm-7pm.
The agenda is currently being finalised but we can confirm the following speakers:
Martin Doel, Chief Executive, AoC
Catherine Vines, International Director, Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
Further information will be circulated shortly.
Register for the event
Feedback from meeting with Mayoral Adviser Munira Mirza and agenda
for Principals’ meeting with GLA on 26 September
Kate Anderson met Munira Mirza, Mayor Adviser for Youth and Culture on 6 September. This
was an introductory meeting and to set the agenda for the meeting between Munira Mirza and
Principals on 26 September at City Hall. The items discussed on the 6th which will form the
agenda on the 26th included: AoC’s and Colleges’ response to the August riots; the FE Guide
(see below); work commissioned by the GLA on young people’s transition at various key points
in their education careers (IPPR are doing the work); the impact of the loss of EMAs on student
enrolments; a GLA feasibility study on ESOL (James Lee who leads on this work will be at the
meeting with Principals on 26 September); an IAG study being carried out by the GLA; and
Colleges’ interest in sponsoring Academies. Munira Mirza is keen to get Principals’ feedback
on all the above.
Update on GLA FE Guide
Earlier this year, AoC Create undertook a project for the London Development Agency to look
at how the Community Scorecard model developed by Leicester College could be extended for
use by London Colleges. The Community Scorecard was an agenda item at the final meeting of
the London Skills and Employment Board, chaired by the Mayor. The Mayor was keen for the
work to be developed further. Responsibility for taking it forward transferred from the LDA to
the GLA.
On 10 June, London Principals attended a meeting with GLA colleagues at City Hall at which
the Community Scorecard was discussed. The concept, now titled FE Guide, had changed
considerably since Principals had seen an earlier presentation on the AoC Create project

2. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
outcomes about which they had been largely positive. Principals expressed concern about the
change in direction which included a proposal that the FE Guide would be a version for
London Colleges of the Times University Guide which ranks universities nationally on the basis
of a number of indicators. AoC London wrote to GLA colleagues in July about Principals’ and
AoC’s reservations about the Guide.
Kate Anderson and Joy Mercer (AoC national director of education policy) met Mark Kleinman
and Michelle Cuomo of the GLA on 5 September to discuss possible ways forward. GLA were
at pains to stress that the presentation shared with Principals in June had been very early
thinking and that nothing is set in stone. They are keen to work with Colleges to develop a
version of the FE Guide that Colleges would value and which would convey clear and simple
information about their performance to potential College users, including students, parents and
employers. The information in the Guide would bring together information that is already
published and there would be no requirement on Colleges to produce additional information.
Agreed points from the meeting were:
AoC London will invite College representatives to work with the GLA in
developing the FE Guide
Development work will be a longer term scheme, with initial piloting not taking
place before the 2012/13 academic year
GLA will bring other types of post-16 providers into the scheme
Work on the FE Guide should be linked to the pilot for developing a framework for
public information for the further education sector
WorldSkills 2011 update
What to do at WorldSkills London 2011
The Worldskills Premiere Experience brochure is now available and can be accessed on line:
www.worldskillspremiere.com. It sets the full programme out very clearly and indicates costs
attached as well as what is free. The full public programme will go on line very shortly on the
WorldSkills site: www.worldskillslondon2011.com. This is also the place to book any visitors’
tickets. Pre-bookings have now reached 119,000 so do book soon if you want to be able to
choose your visiting times. Don’t miss out on all the opportunities available to not only see the
event but to focus on and discuss Vocational Education and Training with high profile national
and international delegates. There will be a huge amount of publicity focused on the sector
through WSL2011.
The National Apprenticeship Service conference programme is invitation only. However, the
Friday event is specifically for London SME employers and we attach the invitation that NAS is
sending out if you have employers you would like to target. If you would like to attend with
them, please contact Seymour Pearman as indicated on the invitation.
The Skills Funding Agency is planning a reception for College Principals at ExCel on Friday, 7
October from midday to 2pm. When full details are available, invitations will be sent out by the
Agency.
Page 2 of 8

3. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
Regional Skills Festival/Have a Go and Colleges Week
Have a Gos run so far in Havering
and by Southgate and Redbridge
Colleges have been very successful,
attracting a lot of interest to
WorldSkills, as well as being fun to
participate in. Please let us know
about any planned activity and send
in any proposals for activities we can
support with funding, including any
‘Have a Go at College’ as part of
Colleges Week. Contact:
Rebecca.Breen@aoc.co.uk
AoC London and WorldSkills have
been given the opportunity to hold
Have a Go activities on the walkway in Photo credit: Redbridge College
front of City Hall from 28-30
September. We are currently finalising the details and a few London Colleges have already
expressed an interest in participating in the event, if this is something you would be interested
in please contact Alan McChleery.
Colleges Week (beginning 26 September) to support WSL2011 is underway. A survey on
participation in skills competitions went out to all Colleges this week and we would encourage
you to complete it. The information will help us to understand what benefits Colleges get from
participating and why some Colleges don’t participate currently. The results of a survey
undertaken with five hundred 15 year olds on their awareness of post-GCSE options will also
be published and supported with publicity in that week. For information on all strands of
activity, please see www.collegesweek
Capital Equipment Fund
Please don’t forget to keep up to date with what equipment is on offer from WorldSkills
following the event. It is an excellent opportunity to get some high quality equipment heavily
discounted with support from the Skills Funding Agency for 50% of the cost.
http://propertyservices.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/capitalfunding/
Olympics 2012
The next LOCOG EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS GROUP meeting has been arranged for
Tuesday 20 September to provide a further detailed briefing and at which overall College
targets can be agreed. Ian Ashman, Principal, Hackney Community College, has written a
paper for the meeting on Colleges and 2012 jobs. If you would like a copy of the paper please
contact Rebecca Breen. Ian has requested that Colleges send him the name of their 2012 jobs
coordinators: please send names and contact details to Ian Ashman.
Page 3 of 8

4. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
London Development Agency: Transition and Closure Update
LDA have completed the transition of a number of their projects to the GLA. This includes the
LDA’s Climate Change, Olympic Skills and Academies, Youth and Volunteering projects which
transferred to the GLA at the end of June 2011. The GLA is now accountable for all of the
programmes and projects that have transferred including delivery of the associated outputs
and outcomes.
Assuming the passage of the Localism Bill, the LDA’s remaining projects and programmes will
transfer to the GLA at the end of March 2012, together with the LDA’s assets and liabilities. A
further number of projects, including our capital and design projects, will transfer between now
and the end of March and details will be included in future updates.
The LDA has continued to make available information on their experience. This month, they
have published on their corporate website details of their approach to helping people into
sustained employment, and how they work with skills providers, including details of the
innovative Employability Performance Ratings framework.
Crisis at Christmas
We thought colleagues would want to see this message from Ian Richards, Buildings &
Logistics Manager at Crisis:
“As autumn begins, Crisis’s attention is turning towards the winter and to setting up our
seasonal centres for homeless and vulnerably housed people. This Christmas we will be
th
running 9 centres across London and in this – our 40 year – we desperately need your help in
securing the donation of 5 buildings that we can use temporarily.”
“A lot has changed since Crisis at Christmas first started in 1972. Nowadays we don’t just
provide food and warmth but dozens of essential services that can help many homeless people
get back on their feet and help them out of homelessness. After Christmas we also work with
other charities to ensure that when the weather is very cold, there is emergency provision for
people who could otherwise die on the streets.”
“Last year alone, over 3000 people used our services over Christmas week accessing essential
services such as housing and employment advice, healthcare, dentists and opticians and ‘feel
good’ services and activities such as hairdressing, clothing and alterations, entertainments and
internet cafes.”
“Crisis can make use of many different types of buildings, from office premises and light
industrial units, to schools and colleges. Ideally donated buildings need to:
Be between 15,000 – 60,000 sq ft
Have working services ( water, electricity, gas)
Have kitchens or an area that can be converted into a kitchen
Be close to public transport links
Have some off street space for parking
Be preferably not in a dense residential area
Crisis will pay rates, (indeed as a charity we can save landlords a great deal in rates costs) and
utility costs.”
Page 4 of 8

5. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
“We also employ a professional buildings and logistics team to ensure that your building is
returned to you in the state in which we found it. We have been using buildings on a temporary
basis for nearly 4 decades and can provide references from previous landlords who include the
BBC, British Land, Wellcome Trust and Ballymore.”
For information and if you can offer to help, please contact Ian Richards:
T: 020 7036 2821 M: 07738 149702 E: ian.richards@crisis.org.uk
Student Success Stories of the Fortnight
West Thames College Students are Big Fans of New Campus!
On Thursday 8 September 2011, a variety of Art &
Design induction projects became the first work to
grace the new studios of West Thames College's
new Sir Joseph Banks Building. BTEC Level 3
students built robots with found materials whilst
the BTEC Level 1 and 2 two students created self-
portraits. Meanwhile, Foundation Diploma,
Photography and Animation students created
giant inflatable sculptures using electric fans,
hairdryers, bin liners and sticky tape. The new
students voted on their favourites with prizes
awarded to the winning teams.
Photo credit: West Thames College
The Sir Joseph Banks Building, the final building in West Thames College's major
redevelopment of their Isleworth Campus, contains state-of-the-art science labs, forensic and
crime scene rooms, IT suites, art and design studios and high-tech classrooms.
Recent meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
5 Sept FE Guide KA, Joy Meeting to discuss the FE Guide
(Community Mercer
Scorecard) follow up
meeting
6 Sept Munira Mirza - KA Introductory meeting with Munira Mirza,
Mayoral Advisor on Mayoral Advisor for Youth and Culture
Culture and Youth
6 Sept Abi Lammas, LSIS KA Regular one to one meeting
13 Sept Local Skills Festivals KA WorldSkills Have a Go review
and HAG Review
Meeting
13 Sept Heads of Student KA, JS AoC London Heads of Student Services
Services network network meeting. For more information contact
meeting Rebecca Breen.
15 Sept Mary Vine-Morris KA Regular one to one meeting
Page 5 of 8

6. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
16 Sept London Councils KA Meeting discussed: ESOL research and
potential for follow up work, Update on the FE
Guide, Outcome Incentive Payments and SFA
expectations of colleges and training providers
Future meetings
Date Event/meeting Attendees Agenda
22 Sept LEST 2012 KA Partner updates; ODA Learning Legacy;
Olympic Park NSAFC report, Construction
Skills
26 Sept London First KA Regular catch up with Mark Hilton
26 Sept Principals’ meeting KA Agenda:
with Munira Mirza Response to the recent civil disturbances
16-18 Bursary & EMA
FE Guide
Careers Service in London
GLA ESOL Feasibility Study
Sponsoring Academies
27 Sept Strategic Group for KA Discuss the Head of Sport network meeting
Sport
27 Sept Head of Sport KA Agenda includes:
network meeting National Strategy Update “Growing Sport,
Growing Colleges”
Sport England funding updates
Working with NGBs and employers –
proposal for the provision of relevant
workforce qualifications
BCS update
Olympics opening ceremony
Developing Tennis in East London
FE and Riots
27 Sept Graeme Atherton KA Catch up meeting regarding Access HE
29 Sept Regional Committee AoCLR Agenda includes discussion of the London
meeting team Manifesto for Mayoral elections and updates
from the AoC Board, Governors’ Council,
Marketing Committee, AoC London, AoC
Procurement Manager and Podium.
29 Sept Principals’ Forum AoCLR The agenda includes: Funding updates from Jill
team Lowery, Skills Funding Agency and Mike
Pettifer, Regional Director, Young Person’s
Learning Agency followed by discusion;
Response to Riots; Enrolment update;
Presentation by Stephen Evans on AoCLR LSIS-
funded project.
Page 6 of 8

7. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
Events and Dates for the Diary
 Wise Up 3 event: Saturday 24 September, 10.20am-5pm at City Hall, London. This
event is to help young people in care/ care leavers between 13 and 19, prepare for their
future career and higher education choices. For more information please download the
flyer. To register go to: www.london.gov.uk/wiseup
 Principals’ meeting with Munira Mirza, Mayoral Advisor – Monday 26 September,
4.30pm-5.30pm at City Hall. Please contact Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoCLR Head of Sport network meeting – Tuesday 27 September, 10.30am-1pm at AoC
offices, Stedham Place. Please contact Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoC London Principals’ Forum – Thursday 29 September, 4.45pm-6.30pm at Ealing,
Hammersmith and West London college. Please contact Rebecca Breen for more
information.
 AoCLR Vice Principals Curriculum & Quality network meeting – Monday 17 October,
3pm-5pm at AoC offices, Stedham Place. Please contact Rebecca Breen for more
information.
 AoCLR Clerks’ network meeting – Friday 7 October, 2pm-5pm at Westminster
Kingsway College. Please contact Judith Smyth for more information.
 AoCLR Business Development Managers’ network – Wednesday 12 October (PM) at
City & Islington College. Please contact Judith Smyth for more information.
 AoC London Regional Forum – Wednesday 12 October, 5pm-7pm at Westminster
Kingsway College, Kings Cross campus. Please contact AoC London Region Events for
more information.
 AoCLR Finance Directors’ network meeting – Thursday 10 November, 9am-1pm, Venue
tbc. Please contact Rebecca Breen for more information.
 AoC’s Annual Conference and Exhibition: 15, 16 and 17 November 2011. Registration is
now open for AoC’s flagship event of the year which takes place between Tuesday 15
and Thursday 17 November 2011 at the ICC in Birmingham.
 AoSEC (Association of South East Colleges) is our sister organisation in the south east
region. AOSEC runs 22 professional development networks which bring together staff
from across the south east to hear and discuss updates on areas relating to the
curriculum or their job role. Colleagues from London Colleges would be welcome to
attend these networks. There is a charge for membership of the networks. Colleagues
can find out more information and book online via
http://aosec.org.uk/page/programme_activities/5. Full details of the network
package for 2011/12 can be seen at
http://aosec.org.uk/page/network_renewal_2011/12/131 For more information please
contact Lisa Mullock: lisamullock@aosec.org.uk
Page 7 of 8

8. AoC London Region Members’ Bulletin, 2 September 2011
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
How will new £70m funds help parts of London hit by violent disorder?
Mayor welcomes appointment of new Met Police Commissioner
Emergency services praised in Assembly debate on riots
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
Page 8 of 8