News from the Profession: 

BIS

The Government has merged DIUS (Department for Industry, Universities and Skills) which previously covered all aspects of education, with BERR (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) to create the new Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. 

To read the article go to: http://www.bis.gov.uk/bis-announcement

Ministerial responsibilities at BIS were announced on 11 June and education and skills have been split between Ministers.  David Lammy is the Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property and Kevin Brennan is the Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs (jointly with DCSF).  For more information see http://www.bis.gov.uk/ministerial-responsibilities-announced-at-department-for-business-innovation-and-skills

See also the LSIS Brief Guide to the reshuffle at http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/BriefGuidetoreshuffle2009.sflb

Peter Mandelson sets out his view for FE and HE in a speech at Aston University 'Building for Britain's Success'.  Useful to read at:   http://www.berr.gov.uk/aboutus/ministerialteam/Speeches/page51920.html

Technology is very much at the forefront this month with the publication of a review carried out by Estelle Morris 'Independent Review of ICT User Skills' looking at whether the nation's basic computing skills needs are being met.  It finds that an estimated 11.6 million adults lack basic computing skills and can be read at: http://www.dius.gov.uk/~/media/publications/I/ict_user_skills.  The article can be read at: http://www.dius.gov.uk/news_and_speeches/press_releases/basic_computer_skills

14-16 The first Aimhigher week launched on 8 June to motivate young people to consider HE.  See article at  http://www.dius.gov.uk/news_and_speeches/press_releases/aimhigher_week

 The DIUS Newsletter is online at http://dius.createsend.com/t/ViewEmail/r/DAB7BD992A2929D6/C67FD2F38AC4859C/

LSIS (Learning and Skills Improvement Service)

LSIS has appointed David Collins as Chief Executive - see Policy Update 17 below.

There are 3 LSIS Policy Updates covered in this Bulletin, numbers 15, 16 and 17.  They are ordered from most recent.  Acronyms are given in full in the Updates.

Policy Update 17(1-16 June) see http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/LSISpolicyupdatenumber17%20%283%29.sflb

Cabinet reshuffle- the roles of the key players and the Opposition response

Ofqual report on qualifications fees http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/2378.aspx

ALPis challenging and LSC decision which restricts an employment programme to FE colleges http://www.fenews.co.uk/content/view/8292/62/

14-19New Ofsted inspection plan for schools - no more 'light touch' inspections http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/12/ofsted-school-inspections-reforms

14-19Publication of the final report of the Nuffield Review of 14-19 Education and Training http://www.nuffield14-19review.org.uk/files/news63-1.pdf

HEHesa figures released for 2006/7  http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jun/04/drop-out-rate-rises

EO & Diversity- EHRC have published a report 'Staying On' researching career choices found that school culture impedes girls' progress. http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/working-class-girls-fear-failure/

New Chief Executivefor LSIS http://www.lsis.org.uk/nomenu/News150609.aspx

Policy Update 16(19 May-2 June) see http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/LSISpolicyupdatenumber16%20%281%29.sflb

Further delays in FE capital funding programme

Funding allocations- young people, E2E, Apprenticeship places and adult apprenticeships-letter from LSC Chief Executive at http://www.lsc.gov.uk/news/latestnews/news-010609.htm

Ofsted responseto FE inspections consultation.  See http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Consultations/Responses-to-Ofsted-s-consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-further-education-and-skills-inspections-an-evaluation-report

NIACE report calls for greater collaboration between private and public learning providers: http://www.niace.org.uk/two-tier-adult-training-system-needs-urgent-reform

Policy Update 15 (2 May -19 May) can be downloaded from http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/LSISpolicyupdatenumber15%20%281%29.sflb

DIUS financial guidance letter to LSC at http://www.dius.gov.uk/~/media/publications/F/fesg_efficiencies_2010_11_letter

LSIS comments on 'Ambition 2020' - see our May Bulletin for details

3,000 new apprenticeship places to be funded http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/173951

LSC funding for childcarefor low-income families to attend training http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/173692

NIACE 2009 annual survey of adult learningand recommendations and response from DIUS

£2million to improve sexual health servicesat FE colleges http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/173726

14-19 Top-flight universities reluctant to accept Diplomas for many courses http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/may/06/diplomas-top-universities

Exam boardsmake contingency plans for swine flu for GCSE and A-level exams http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/05/swine-flu-exam-boards

AoC elects new President - Pat Bacon, Principal of St Helen's College.

 LLUK (Lifelong Learning UK) and SVUK (Standards Verification UK)

Career guidance joins LLUK, for more details see http://www.lluk.org/career-guidance-joins-lluk-footprint.htm

Changes to youth work apprenticeship approved - see the revised framework at http://www.lluk.org/3072.htm

Workforce strategy for the FE sector in England has been reviewed and new themes added.  See http://www.lluk.org/fe-workforce-strategy.htm and also the May Bulletin

Pass on your skills campaign to encourage people with job-related skills and experience to look at a career in FE - see Catalyst Programme at http://www.catalystprogramme.org/

The LLUK e-bulletin can be accessed via: http://www.lluk.org/emailsig/bulletin/may09.htm

Institute for Learning (IfL)

WMCETT Regional IfL Connector Anne Schofield has a webpage for advice and support at: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/wmcett/resources/pdzone/who/ifl/ 

Anne asked me to remind you that CPD self-declaration is now open and needs to be completed before 31 August.

General Professional Recognition Learning and Skills (GPRLS) B4 now has a deadline of 1 December 2009.

IfL magazine InTuition is going digital and to receive it in future you need to sign up - see http://www.ifl.ac.uk/membership/member-benefits/intuition1-2009.  This issue covers:

Paper on Professionalism and professional bodies http://www.ifl.ac.uk/ourvoice/the-role-of-professionalism-within-professional-bodies or see the full paper at http://www.ifl.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/5981/Professionalism-and-Prof-Bodies.pdf

The changing FE and skills landscape is a useful summary of the responsibilities of different bodies (pre BIS) - not online.
IfL comments on Ofsted's finding on initial teacher training which shows an improvement in ITT from 2004-2008 inspection cycle- see April Bulletin
IfL signs Disability Equality Commitment http://www.lluk.org/disability-equality-commitment.htm
IfL Connections - gives the roles of the different IfL connections including volunteer, CETT and IfL roles and examples of support - not online.

Useful web pages
Professional formation - professional recognition http://www.ifl.ac.uk/qtls-atls
Reflect Mobile - CPD on the move http://www.ifl.ac.uk/cpd/reflect
CPD Guidelines - http://www.ifl.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/5501/J1697-IfL-CPD-Guidelines-02.09-v9fnl-web.pdf

IfL gives evidence to select committee teacher training inquiry.  See the  video of the inquiry at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4231.  It is really interesting so will be our discussion for this month.

Responses to Ofsted's consultation on proposed changes to FE and Skills inspections: an evaluation report - http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Consultations/Responses-to-Ofsted-s-consultation-on-proposed-changes-to-further-education-and-skills-inspections-an-evaluation-report

Ofsted News

Outstanding verdict makes penal history - article on the success of education, training and work opportunities in a women's prison http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/article/472

Breaking the language barrier - report highlighting the best English and modern language provision in colleges at http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Identifying-good-practice-a-survey-of-college-provision-in-English-language-and-literature-and-modern-foreign-languages  and article at http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/article/474

Serving up a recipe for success - article on outstanding provision in hospitality and catering, and in hairdressing at http://ofstednews.ofsted.gov.uk/article/475

Link to Ofsted Inspection toolkit:  
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Forms-and-guidance/Browse-all-by/Education-and-skills/Learning-and-skills

Edexcel Policy Watch

Articles from Policy Watch

Doing the Bis. Understanding the new Dept for Business, Innovation and Skills

Response on SASE (Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England) consultation - http://www.edexcel.com/Policies/Documents/(2)%20Response%20SASE%20consultation.pdf.

The UK Commission sets out its priorities for employment and skills - see http://www.edexcel.com/Policies/Pages/not-09-27.aspx

Conservative Policy Summer 09.  How might Conservatives 'do' education at http://www.edexcel.com/Policies/Pages/not-09-28.aspx

Edexcel Policy Watch is online at http://www.edexcel.com/Policies/Pages/PolicyWatch.aspx

TSNLA - Third Sector News

New Minister for the Third Sector- Angela Smith MP.  See http://www.tsnla.org.uk/content/new-minister-third-sector

Transition to the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People's Learning Agency: identifying key issues for the third sector - identifies successes and failures of the Working Together strategy at http://www.tsnla.org.uk/content/transition-skills-funding-agency-and-young-people%E2%80%99s-learning-agency-identifying-key-issues--0

Sector News

For the latest from the Educational paperseach week see WMCETT Sector News  

Papers/Articles/publications:

LSIS Seminar reports

'The learning and skills sector and the economic crisis - stepping up to the mark' a summary of key ideas from the discussion on 'Responding to the Recession - the national strategy' at http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/FEandtheFinancialCrisis.sflb and a report by the DWP at: http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/DWP_LSSandtheEconomicCrisis.sflb

'Identifying the Contribution of FE Providers to Local Priorities, Partners and Places'  A report on the seminar can be downloaded at: http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/ContributionofFEtoLocalPrioritiesPartnersandPlace.sflb.  and A copy of the report is available from:
http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Policy/FECLGreport.sflb

LSIS Brief Guides

LSIS publish Brief Guides on key policy topics for the further education and skills sector and a list of these, together with links, is available at: http://www.lsis.org.uk/PolicyServices/BriefGuides.aspx

The LSIS Newsletter - Teaching and Learning Programme, Issue 5 Spring 2009 is now published and gives a lot of useful information on the TLP programmes.  It is available online at http://www.subjectlearningcoach.net/files/newsletter%20(2).pdf

LSIS Newsletter - Quality Improvement, Spring 2009 highlights how policymakers and practitioners in the learning and skills sector are engaging with research and evidence to improve practice.  Read it at http://www.lsis.org.uk/Libraries/Documents/Spring%20journal%20PDF.sflb

Latest Discussion Document: 

Video of the Select Committee Teacher Training Inquiry.  Shows the full discussion and comments made on teacher training by Toni Fazaeli, Chief Executive, Institute for Learning; David Hunter, Chief Executive, Lifelong Learning UK; Stella Mbubaegbu CBE, Association of Colleges and Dr Michael Thrower, General Secretary, Principals’ Professional Council.  Makes fascinating viewing and your comments would be welcome.  See the  video of the inquiry at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=4231. 

SWAP SHOP
Your chance to ask others in the COP for Teacher Educator resources, ideas etc for particular projects or share great finds

OUT AND ABOUT
Conferences and Events

Mental Health Awareness in an Education Setting CPD module for practitioners across sectors has been developed by Wmcett.  For more information see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/wmcett/pas/skills/events.  

Three Counties Professional Development Partnership

Skills for Life Annual Conference dates: Shropshire on 26 June and Coventry (limited availability) on 2 July.  Details at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/wmcett/pas/skills/events. 

Showcase Event at The Royal National College for the Blind, Hereford on 7 July from 10.30 to 3.30pm.  Colleagues in the partnership colleges will be exhibiting and presenting new ideas and activities.  For more information contact wmcop@warwick.ac.uk.

Reviews:
Books, journals, websites etc

Gold Dust 2.  There are lots of really good resources and a new website which is much easier to use - do have a look on http://golddust.bdplearning.com/index.php and let us know what you think at wmcop@warwick.ac.uk.