157 Group is pleased to announce the outcomes from the bids for the 157 Group element of the Collaboration and Shared Services Grant
27th September 2011
Tuesday 27 September 2011
157 Group is pleased to announce the outcomes from the bids for the 157 Group element of the Collaboration and Shared Services Grant
BEGINS
The overall aim of the grant is to develop and implement significant and fundamental changes to the business model within the FE sector to drive innovation and secure significant efficiency savings. The 157 Group and Association of Colleges (AoC) produced a joint prospectus and evaluation process to manage bids on behalf of the Collaboration and Shared Services Grant, received from the Skills Funding Agency. The grant programme prospectus was launched on the 15th June and covered the aims, scope and objectives of the programme alongside clarity on the application response content and format, evaluation criteria and minimum requirements. Applications were required by the 15th July.
69 applications were received from 64 different lead organisations and a total bidding request of over £20m. The evaluation was agreed by senior level representation from the Skills Funding Agency, the Learning and Skills Improvement Service, (LSIS), the AoC and 157 Group, along with two independent evaluators, who were recruited by open advert. Each application was assessed for compliance and then marked against the criteria which can be found in more detail on our website here: http://www.157group.co.uk/publications/collaboration-and-shared-services
The following projects have been accepted for funding under the grant:
• Sunderland College, City of Sunderland College, Hartlepool 6th Form College, South Tyneside College and Tyne Metropolitan College working together as a North East Shared Services Project Limited to build on a joint venture company model for shared services and collaboration.
• Central Sussex College, Northbrook College Sussex, Chichester College, Brooklands College, Guildford College, City College Brighton, Sussex Downs College, Sussex Coast College Hastings working together for services in Sussex / Surrey Colleges to develop 'share ready' services collaboration between geographically connected colleges.
• Highbury College, 4 non-157 Group colleges and any 157 Group colleges who wish to take part in collaborative curriculum development and delivery enabling colleges to work together to develop and share learning resources to deliver an effective curriculum.
There is one additional college project which is under discussion.
Additionally, 157 Group has agreed to award the Third Sector National Learning Alliance a sum to support the development of collaboration and shared services across third sector providers.
Christine Doubleday, director of delivery models and innovation for the 157 Group said, "It is crucial that the lessons learned from these projects are disseminated within the sector in a meaningful and dynamic way. 157 Group proposes the development of a Framework for Collaboration and Innovation to support "capacity building" across the FE sector as well as a strategic forum, an innovative and creative "think" space through which the FE sector can come together to debate, influence and lobby on the evolving shape of business models and the FE market place."
Marilyn Hawkins, treasurer and director of the 157 Group and principal of Barnet College added, "The innovative projects put forward in these bids is testament to the quality of FE and the willingness to be adaptable and flexible in an ever-changing sector. We hope the legacy to come out of these bids is a powerful new precedent for collaboration and innovation within the sector."
ENDS
Notes for editors
About the 157 Group
The 157 Group represents 27 of the most influential colleges in the FE sector. It was formed in 2006 in response to paragraph 157 of Sir Andrew Foster's report on the future of further education colleges, in which he argued that principals of large successful colleges should play a greater role in policymaking.
CONTACT
Gemma Knott 07581 354 750 (For press-related enquiries)
Email [email protected]
If you would like to know more about the projects and / or the capacity building aspects, please contact:
Christine Doubleday 07740284423
Email [email protected]
For more information regarding these bids please click on http://www.157group.co.uk/publications/collaboration-and-shared-services
The 157 Group Limited P O Box 58147 London SW8 9AF Website: www.157group.co.uk
