Blog posts for tags:Colleges, teachers

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has voiced his support for lifelong learning and the vital role that Further Education colleges play in this. Speaking at the University and College Union’s (UCU) Cradle to Grave conference, Mr Corbyn highlighted the necessity of access to education at any age, in a time when the UK faces a troubling skills gap crisis.

The National Union of Students launched its #FEunplugged campaign on 29 January, with the aim of making sure that the learner’s voice is heard in the area review process. This builds on growing concerns in the sector that the area review process is being pushed through without due consideration for the institutions it will affect.

It’s quite timely that the National Union of Students has launched its ‘#FEunplugged’ campaign today, making sure that the learner’s voice is heard at the heart of the Area Review process. This builds on growing concerns in the sector that the Area Review process is being pushed through without due consideration for the institutions it will affect.

Labour came out swinging early in the new year with a press release on teacher recruitment, pointing to what they see as “the Government’s failure on this extremely basic issue.” Shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell seems to be stepping up the rhetoric at a time when the government seems determined that there is no crisis. Schools Minister Nick Gibb said in December that “the profession is in very good shape” and accused those who use the word ‘crisis’ of “talking down the profession.” This is the latest in a long running battle of words on the issue. The government seems determined that there is no crisis, and claims that “the number and quality of teachers in our classrooms is at an all-time high”. Labour points out that the government has changed the way it presents figures in the initial teacher training census, taking out figures from undergraduates and adding those who come through Teach First. This makes it difficult to compare against data from previous years, and to understand whether enough teachers are being recruited.

The teacher recruitment crisis in schools has featured prominently in education headlines recently, but another study has revealed that 85% of Further Education (FE) employees have considered quitting their job due to an unmanageable workload. The study, carried out by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), revealed that schoolteachers aren’t the only educators to feel heavy pressure, but that this extends to their FE colleagues. The survey was carried out by ATL as part of its ‘It’s About Time’ campaign, dedicated to helping educators finding a work-life balance.

Every year, Ofsted releases an annual report looking at the key findings and emerging themes from “over 5,000 inspections of schools, colleges and providers of further education and skills.” We've pulled together the key highlights for Further Education from the report for you. Adult Learning

A recent report by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has highlighted the positive impact Further Education (FE) has on helping the unemployed find work. The report, entitled “Impact of Skills and Training Intervention on the Unemployed”, comes shortly after BIS suffered a 17% cut in the wake of the Autumn Statement. Although this was less severe than many in the sector were expecting and therefore has been viewed positively, it’s still a substantial cut and one that could damage the Further Education sector.

It was great to hear the news that a record £360,000 grant has been awarded to a team of academics for research on improving teaching standards in FE, showing a real commitment to improving vocational education. Awarded by the Gatsby Charitable Trust to a research team at the University of Huddersfield, the grant will be used to investigate how to improve both teaching and teacher training in FE colleges. The aim is to develop a sector-wide “intervention” designed to raise standards in technology, engineering, and vocational science subjects.

New research has shown that teachers work more unpaid overtime, and suffer more workload-based stress than any other profession. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) found that in secondary schools, 57.5% of teaching staff worked unpaid overtime, averaging 12.5 hours per week. The figures are similar for primary school teachers, as 61.4% worked overtime for an average of 12.9 hours a week.

As the new academic year begins, you’ll have a new influx of fresh-faced school leavers embarking on the next stage not only of their education, but also of their life. College is going to be completely new to these learners, so how can you support them in making the successful transition from school to Further Education? Whether your new learners are taking A Levels, a Traineeship, an Apprenticeship, or another vocational option, it’s important to understand what their aims and ambitions are. However, many young people are still confused about what they want to do after leaving education, and it’s vital they’re supported with making that choice throughout their education.