Sir Andrew Foster

1
Sir Andrew Foster
REALISING THE POTENTIAL A review of the
future role of further education colleges
2
Introduction

• Background to the review
• What we did
• What we found
• What we concluded
• The main recommendations
• Next steps

3
Background to the Review

• Announced at AoC in November 2004
• Jointly commissioned by DFES and LSC
• Terms of Reference
• Why I wanted to do it

4
Review Objectives
5
How we approached the review
15 Think pieces other research
Around 450 written submissions
Over 100 Stakeholder meetings
Learner Perspective Study Including
interviews with 100 learners
12 College visits
Advisory Group Consultative Forums
Several International Comparisons including
3 visits
MORI Public Perceptions Poll
17 Stakeholder workshops
6
What we found

• Current strengths
• Major weaknesses
• Opportunities and challenges
• Overall a sense that FE colleges were not fully
  Realising Potential

7
Broad Approach

• Looked at systemic issues
• Want to build constructively on strengths
• Evolutionary not revolutionary change

8
Strengths

• Over 3 million learners
• Rich diversity of provision
• Strong commitment to social inclusion
• Skills for business
• Flexible and adaptable
• Professional and committed workforce

9
After a ruined first attempt at education,
Norwich City College quite literally saved me
from disaster. It gave me a second chance, an
opportunity to go forward with learning in an
atmosphere that suited me in a way that school
never could. Further Education of this kind is
one of the great unsung achievements of our
society - Stephen Fry
Further Education gave me the confidence to
believe I could go into the workplace and be a
success Darren Campbell
10
Weaknesses

• Still major problems with Education Skills
  levels
• Lack of clarity of purpose
• Quality
• Image and reputation
• Insufficient local integration
• Poor information esp on VFM
• Workforce and leadership concerns
• Oversight and regulation

11
Galaxy of Stars
LSC
ALI
HEFCE
Ofsted
QCA
RDAs
LLUK
SSCs
Institute for Learning
DfES Standards Unit
Local Authorities
CEL
LLSCs
Job Centre Plus
Awarding Bodies
QAA
LSDA
12
Reform Imperatives

• and improvements to overall management funding
  system and college infrastructure.

13
Top Recommendations
Global Challenge Distinctive role in education
and skill market
Employability and skills purpose
Drive to improve quality
Listening to learners and employers
14
Top Recommendations
More specialisms
Capital Investment and Technology
Infrastructure improved
Regulatory and management
15
Next Steps

• Recommendations addressed to each part of FE
• Need for a concerted effort by all colleges,
  Government and LSC
• Steering Group and user panel to oversee
  implementation.