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Tag Archives: Colleges and Universities
Snatching hope from the jaws of despair
What we say and do about post-16 education, like everything else, has to be seen in the context of the outcome of the recent general election. Elections are the great democratic moment when the people ‘speak’ and all our individual choices … Continue reading
Careers guidance: failing to inspire
This month has seen the publication of new guidance to FE and sixth form colleges on careers. This aims to help us implement the requirement to provide independent careers guidance. There’s nothing in here which good colleges aren’t already doing. In … Continue reading
Meeting the widening participation challenge
My contribution to the Westminster Higher Education Forum seminar on 1st July 2014. Thank you very much for inviting me and I’m going to keep it short. I think my take home message is probably the same as Les Ebdon’s … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Education policy, NewVIc
Tagged Aim Higher, aspiration, Cambridge university, Colleges, Colleges and Universities, competition, Hannah Uzor, Les Ebdon, Newham Sixth Form College, Peter Claus, Queen Mary University of London, Russell group, Samina Khan, Universities, University and college union (UCU), university progression, widening participation
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The Oxbridge challenge
Having successfully increased the number and proportion of our students progressing to the most selective universities, why is it that we have not seen a similar increase in the numbers progressing to Oxford and Cambridge? In a recent post I … Continue reading
Posted in Education, NewVIc
Tagged Cambridge university, Colleges, Colleges and Universities, England, Fitzwilliam college Cambridge, London, Mansfield House, Newham Sixth Form College, NewVIc, Oxford university, Russell group, university progression, university settlements, Wadham College Oxford
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College success with disadvantaged students
Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) in East London sent more disadvantaged students to university than any other sixth form in the country in 2011. Overall, England’s 338 colleges sent more disadvantaged students to university than its 1,839 school sixth forms: … Continue reading
Culture, tradition and values in education
Eric Robinson, who died in 2011, was an outstanding and progressive college principal and polytechnic director. He was appointed deputy director of North East London Polytechnic (now the University of East London) in 1970, led Bradford College from 1973 to … Continue reading
The comprehensive college
Why do we persist in describing our sixth form college as comprehensive when the term has been unfashionable for some time and there is no requirement to have an inclusive admissions policy? We’re proud to be comprehensive and, for us, … Continue reading
College sport matters: the legacy of an incredible summer
College sport does matter but there is no universal entitlement and the opportunities available to students often depend on where they happen to study. It’s time for the commitment shown by colleges to be matched by a joined-up strategy from … Continue reading
Targeted by the “aspiration tax”
The government’s proposed 17.5% cut to funding for 18 year olds in full-time education has caused outrage across the sixth form and college sector. In a previous post I describe this as an “aspiration tax” which will target those very … Continue reading
Colleges are real engines of social mobility
Just 10 London colleges account for 10% of the most disadvantaged students who progress to university from the whole of England. These are among the greatest engines of social mobility for young people. National data on progression to higher education in 2010 show that … Continue reading
Drop the aspiration tax
The government has announced that funding for 18 year olds studying in colleges and sixth forms in England is to be cut by 17.5% per student next academic year. Among those affected will be a large number of students currently … Continue reading
Eddie Playfair 