Scope of the Review
The Department for Education and Skills’ Five Year Strategy sets out a vision which will have significant implications for the future role and status of the further education college sector.
To support this, Sir Andrew Foster has been asked, by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, and the Chair of the Learning and Skills Council for England, to carry out a review of the future role of the FE college sector. This review will be in an open and consultative way, and will consider issues raised by the reform agenda for the sector.
Purpose of the Review
In particular, the Government’s reform plans for 14-19 and skills will require colleges in every community to examine their mission and relationship with other providers and learners / employers.
The review aims to identify:
- the distinctive contribution colleges make to the learning and skills market;
- their long-term contribution to economic development and social inclusion; and
- anything else that needs to happen to transform the sector.
This links to the 14-19 and Skills Strategies.
To support this, Sir Andrew Foster has been asked to carry out a review of the college sector and consider issues, raised by the reform agenda, for the college sector.
These will include:
- Ethos, mission and structure
- Workforce, leadership and governance
- Relationships with early year providers, schools and universities
- Employer engagement
- Business Planning and Income generation
- Systems to disseminate best practice and enhance the reputation of the sector.
April 2005