North West College MIS user group 10-11am Friday 9 October Nick Linford Top five data and funding issues for college MIS staff in 2009/10

Contents > Pressures on MIS staff 1. Demand-led funding audit 2. The ILR field A51a iceberg 3. ER instalment profiles 4. QCF rates and rules 5. Success rates and MLPs

Demand-led funding audit Ofsted suspicious of FE success rates rises (53 to 80%) Seven colleges investigated for LSC by KPMG Focus was on changes between ILR F04 and F05 for 07/08 Found ‘inconsistent and sometimes inappropriate reporting’ Inappropriate:> Enrolments excluded from ILR > Enrolments switched to non-funding > Changes to planned end dates > Transfers from something to nothing Geoff Russell: “there will be more thorough audit which may trigger appropriate sanctions”

The ILR field A51a iceberg Proportion of funding remaining (A51a) ILR spec fails to mention how critical field is for QCF, with 24 references to A51a in the 09/10 LSC funding guide “To allow correct calculation of funding for learners who are not entitled to full on-programme funding” ILR spec says to be used for: > Breaks in learning > Transfers from another provider > Significant prior learning > 25+ Apprenticeships SLN x NFR x PF x (A51a / 100) = funding I think this funding formula will be unmanageable:

ER instalment profiles AprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMar Financial year Grant Letter (government budgets) Academic year provider contracts (MCVs) AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul About half of Train to Gain financial year spent on last four months of 08/09 academic year. The eight months (67%) left of financial year only covers 47% of 09/10 academic year commitments This will get very messy: with on-off, on-off, on-off off off Can you reliably profile instalments? Because LSC can’t!

QCF rates and rules > Rules of Combination (RoC) > Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) > Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Diploma in Housing (NVQ) (QCF) Level 3, SLN (as recommended glh) Programme weighting A Not full level 3 (yet 37 credits) Only fundable for 19+ ALR NVQ in Housing Level 3, SLN or part-time unlisted Programme weighting D Full level 3 Fundable for all The LAD is struggling, and who at college is clear about Switching from NQF to QCF will impact on planning now Qual rates and other elements can be very different Hospitality Apprenticeship is SLN in NQF and SLN in QCF

Success rates and MLPs Demand-led funding SR methodology change for 08/09, which also applies to Minimum Levels of Performance Programme/qualification type2008/09 MLP2009/10 MLP FE long quals (below Level 4 and excl A-levels)55%60% A-levels75% FE long qualifications Level 4 or higher55%58% FE short qualifications (all levels)62% Apprenticeships (full framework)45%50% Train to Gain65% > Functional skills in SRs, but LSC revisiting decision for MLPs > Possible moderating of A-levels issue for good colleges > LSC looking at geography issue for ER contracts > Draft guidance now with AoC, final guidance planned for November

Pressures on MIS staff Success rates must continue to go up Quality Governors At all times be ready for funding audit MIS Finance Forecast and increase my cash-flow Curriculum New QCF with CAT and RPL required The toughest job?

Funding guide and training 2009/10 edition with new chapters (160 pages) Find out more at Now working in partnership with The Data Service on The hands-on guide to post-16 performance and data Find out more at The hands-on guide to post-16 funding Funding masterclasses and free resources Training events around the country Sign-up online for access to a variety of free resources Find out more at

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