1. Spring Conference Tertiary Colleges Group Gill Clipson, Deputy Chief Executive

2. Overview of Presentation Politics and policy : where we are now Funding -the challenges ahead Curriculum change: Apprenticeships – the only growth in town? Devolution Autonomy and accountability Politics – the emerging priorities

3. Politics and policy - where we are now

4. Politics – where we are now Uncertainty 57 days until the 2015 General Election Coalition governing parties in open disagreement SNP, UKIP, Greens both doing well enough in polls to gain more MPs Electoral system efficient at converting Labour votes into seats Results currently difficult to call Timetable Budget, 18 March 2015 Dissolution of Parliament, 30 March 2015 Easter, 7 April 2015 General Election, 7 May 2015 Coalition negotiations, May 2015 Queen’s Speech & Spending Review, Summer/Autumn 2015

5. Connecting politics to policy affecting colleges Education and skills policy Schools, apprenticeships and university fees all big political issues Current consolidation of reforms Implementation of curriculum changes Academy reform programme unfinished and unstable Fair amount of consensus on skills & HE AoC manifesto designed to secure helpful and feasible proposals Public spending Decisions on 2015-16 allocations made before the election 2015 spending review (by November 2015?) sets budgets after 2016 National insurance increase already scheduled for April 2016 Public spending reductions inevitable in 2016-17 and afterwards

6. Funding - the challenges ahead

7. Funding 16-18: 2016-17 and beyond Big question whether 16-18 is protected or not Forecast that 16-18 population will fall by 8% from 2015 to 2020 Savings from end of Formula Protection & start of funding condition Further cuts either to rates, numbers or factors Plausible to anticipate 2% (c£150 mil/year). Could be worse SFA: 2016-17 and beyond What happens to SFA funding depends partly on HE Contradictory policies (devolution to cities vs employer ownership) Extension of FE loans may reduce SFA funding further Decisions may be made fairly quickly after the election The bigger the reform, the less things change in the short-term!

8. Loans and HE 24+ Advanced Learner Loans: 2016-17 and beyond Proposal in June 2014 to extend FE loans in 2016-17 Proposal to make loans available for all those over age of 19 Entitlements (100% funding) would stay for basic skills, first L2 & L3 Higher Education: 2016-17 and beyond If there’s a Labour Government - £6000 fees If there’s a Conservative Government… More deregulation at top end It takes time for things to change in higher education Employment-focused, locally recruited HE is where to focus on New HE quality assessments to secure funding (end of QAA?)

9. Curriculum Change: Apprenticeships – the only growth in town?

11. Apprenticeships In 2015-16 Apprenticeships remain a priority but note political positioning Budget for 16-18 and 19+ apprenticeships is ring-fenced Tighter quality regulations in place from 2013 (eg 1 year minimum) Concern that college apprenticeships are reliant on sub-contracting Trailblazers involve testing new apprenticeship standards In 2016-17 and beyond Reforms initiated in 2013 could transform apprenticeships Complete overhaul of the qualifications (more L3 and L4) Proposal to route the entire £1.5 billion budget via employers Cameron and Miliband both promised many more apprentices Traineeships likely to be an important model

12. Devolution

13. Devolving power and control National system delivered at a local level or local ‘rules’ National entitlements Apprenticeships delivery and funding ‘Control’ of local budgets – maintain spending levels Skills, employment and education Structural change – specialisation

14. Autonomy and accountability

15. Inspection Inspecting what the Government purchases: Study Programmes Work Experience Maths and English Safeguarding- Prevent Inspection outcomes to date: Teaching and learning – challenge for the most able and support for the least Curriculum planning – study programmes, meeting the needs of employers and the locality Leadership - stability

16. Inspection September 2015 Types of provision e.g. Study Programmes, Apprenticeships Observation of lessons will not be graded Personal development – separate grade Financial ‘sustainability’ Monitoring of ‘good’ colleges

17. Accountability Measures 16-18 Accountability Tables – January 2017 Progress Attainment English and maths Retention Destinations 19+ Outcome Based Success Measures Learner Destinations (sustained learning/employment) Learner Progression (to a higher level qualification) Earnings

18.  Shift remaining schools out of council control Allow profit making in education More free schools Teachers don’t need to be qualified Loans extension to 19+ New role for local authorities –’middle tier Focus on raising vocational standards Institutes of technical Education, technical degrees HE fees £6k Return to AS Levels All teachers (school & college) to be qualified CONSERVATIVES LIB DEM Greater employer control of skills (including ££) Increase apprenticeships Literacy/numeracy until 18 Devolution LABOUR Discounted transport for young people aged 16-21 Protect education budget to 19 Increase higher apprenticeships Introduce lifelong learning accounts Careers advice Politics