9 OCT 2015
Our Take on the Area Reviews
The Area Reviews are definitely the hottest topic of conversation in FE staff rooms across the country at the moment
The Area Reviews are definitely the hottest topic of conversation in FE staff rooms across the country at the moment. Whilst they inspire fear in some FE professionals, others are hopeful they will bring the change the sector needs to progress, so here's our take on the situation!
Whats going on?
The government has set in motion a series of Area Reviews for Colleges across the country which are intended to result in “fewer, larger, more resilient and efficient providers”. They will look at the post-16 provision on offer in each area, and make recommendations about structural changes to the sector. So the plan is for Colleges to merge and close to increase productivity while maintaining the tight fiscal discipline necessary to survive under the Conservatives. Trials of the reviews can be seen as a success after five FE and sixth form colleges facing “significant financial challenges” announced on July 21 that they are “actively considering” collaboration plans, following a review of post-16 provision in North East Norfolk and North Suffolk that was overseen by Dr Collins and Mr Mucklow at the beginning of the year.
Turbulent Times
With the recent cuts to FE funding and sector wide changes hinted at in the Conservative's Budget, most FE Institutions are far from comfortable. Worrying numbers of Colleges were already struggling to cope, as demonstrated earlier in the summer when a report by the National Audit Office revealed that the number of colleges rated “financially inadequate” had risen to 29 in 2013-14, and was likely to hit 70 by 2015-2016.
Rattling Cages and Nerves
The Area Reviews have caused a lot of angst in the FE sector, in most cases due to how quickly they have been organised, making them appear rushed and ill-conceived, and the general the lack of information available about them to those involved. The Sixth Form Colleges’ Association (SFCA) reportedly even considered proposing a policy of “sector-wide non-compliance” with the process, but decided that this “would not be in the best interests of the majority of colleges”. Concern was also raised over the lack of information available to student organisations and the students themselves about the consequences of the reviews, with commentators pointing out the proposed structural changes in the sector would effect students hugely. Some also worried that the distraction caused by the reviews would negatively impact the quality of education delivered to students studying now. James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the SFCA, asserted the process "is fundamentally flawed as it only focuses on FE and sixth form colleges," Adding "It feels very much like ministers do not want to address under-performance in schools and academies.” Kewin mirrored the views of many in the sector in his determination not to “stand by and watch sixth-form colleges be bullied into mergers with other colleges while the expansion of school, academy and free school sixth forms continues apace.”
A Scary Start
The Area Reviews got underway last month in Sheffield and Manchester and created more angst as FE commissioner David Collins told representatives from Sheffield colleges that further cuts to FE anticipated in November’s spending review were expected to put 200 colleges into major financial difficulties!
The down low
At the beginning of September, the Government had finally published its guidance on the review process. As FE Week explain; each review starts with an assessment of the economic and educational needs of the area, and the implications for post-16 education and training provision, also including school sixth forms and independent learning providers (ILPs). A BIS and DfE spokesperson said: “The reviews will focus on the current structure of FE colleges and SFCs... designed to achieve ... more effective collaboration across institution types. A critical aspect will be to create greater specialisation, with the establishment of institutions that are genuine centres of expertise, able to support sustained progression in professional and technical disciplines, alongside excellence in other fundamental areas — such as English and maths.” The reviews will be led by steering groups consisting of college chairs of governors, local enterprise partnerships, local authorities, regional schools commissioners, SFC Commissioner Peter Mucklow and FE Commissioner Dr David Collins.
The need for change
Dr Collins stressed that Institutions should show a “willingness to change for the greater good, irrespective of vested interests and personal preferences” and “seek best value in the use of resources, especially those arising from public funding, for the benefit of learners and employers,” it added. The government has claimed it retains a “strong interest” in the sector’s success, saying “It is critical to our ambitions on productivity, and 16+ providers receive substantial levels of public funding. The government has responsibility for protecting the interests of students when Colleges fail."
A chance to shine?
There are many in the FE sector who think of the reviews in a positive light, such as Deputy Principle of Milton Keynes College Nick Isles. Nick asserts the reviews offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to begin the construction of a better vocational training and education system in which FE can really shine. The possible mergers, acquisitions, rationalisation into fewer, bigger colleges or college groups and sales could save money through better shared services and should help to release extra cash into the cash strapped sector.
What do you think?
We see the Area Reviews in a positive light, as the need for change that helps increase productivity and efficiency in FE is apparent. However, the uncertainty the reviews have created is not productive, so we hope the Government are working on ways to support institutions as best they can during and after the process. Has your College been affected yet? What's your view of the Area Reviews?