Press Notice: 157 Group comments on Higher Education White Paper
30th June 2011
BEGINS
The 157 Group of 28 large and regionally influential colleges has welcomed the government's proposals to open up the higher education market to further education colleges, as set out in the higher education white paper, Students at the Heart of the System.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, "The government's white paper confirms the 157 Group's belief that further education colleges are central to the future of higher education policy. HE provision in FE already makes a distinctive contribution to the work of the sector, and we welcome the government's intention to enable a greater diversity of provision, including more HE in FE colleges.
"Around 250 FE colleges already offer HE provision. Their strengths include combining high‑quality teaching with responsiveness to local employment needs - crucial for a government and nation grappling with high unemployment and the problems associated with a large deficit. The paper also acknowledges FE colleges' strengths in reaching out to non‑traditional HE learners, including mature and part-time students, and in delivering locally relevant, vocational higher-level qualifications.
"We welcome the proposed review of 'non-prescribed' HE provision, much of which is delivered in FE colleges. It is often delivered by flexible learning approaches, such as distance and online learning, and can help students build their study around their work and family responsibilities."
Frank McLoughlin CBE, chair of the 157 Group and principal at City and Islington College, said, "The allowance of 20,000 contested places in 2012/13 for providers offering good quality, value for money and an average annual charge of less than £7,500 will almost certainly give opportunities for FE colleges to expand their HE offer. HE provision in FE colleges is very cost-effective for learners, and typically involves more hours a week of tuition than in universities, which is reflected in very high rates of reported student satisfaction.
"The 157 Group has long argued that funding should follow the learner, and we agree with the paper's emphasis on informed learner choice. All HE providers must be able to compete on a level playing field, and removing regulatory barriers will improve learners' choice, giving them the chance to opt for part-time or accelerated courses, sandwich courses, distance learning and higher-level vocational study.
"We remain, however, concerned about potential conflicts of interest, if colleges are to compete with universities, while still relying on them for validation of degrees and student numbers. We feel that the best solution is to give FE colleges their own degree-awarding powers.
"We are very keen that all learners should have fair access to high-quality careers advice and to higher education, should they choose that route. As outlined in our October 2010 policy paper, Rising to the challenge: How FE colleges are key to the future of HE , we must also make sure that learners know that FE colleges can be a first choice for access to HE, not a second choice."
ENDS
Notes for editors
Rising to the challenge: How FE colleges are key to the future of HE, a paper produced by the 157 Group with the Mixed Economy Group in October 2010, is available to download in PDF format.
About the 157 Group
The 157 Group represents 28 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
Email [email protected]
The 157 Group Limited
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London
SW8 9AF
Website: www.157group.co.uk
