ADULT EDUCATION IN THE UK A College Perspective Peter Milford, NewNet plc for St Vincent College

Introduction to St Vincent College

A sixth-form College on the South Coast of England Age 16 – 19 plus

on the site of a 19th Century Naval Training Establishment

Gosport:

Gosport: A town with a naval heritage A town surrounded by ‘large’ neighbours – Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham A town with a combination of affluent and significantly deprived neighbourhoods A town with limited infrastructure A town with a relatively low-skilled adult population

What is our mission? We are a dynamic, successful and responsive college providing excellence in education and training to our community and students of all ages and abilities. Our mission is to inspire all our students to achieve their full potential.

Adult Education and Lifelong Learning What is it for? Who is it for? When and where should it happen?

“Traditional” Adult Education in the UK Social interaction – The “Club” dimension To gain qualifications if you “missed out” at school “Traditional” Aims of Adult Education “Leisure” learning – knowledge for fun To learn new skills e.g. music, languages To “enrich” your life (Workers’ Educational Association)

21st Century Imperatives Training a workforce to be flexible and adaptable ‘Upskilling’ – improving and upgrading existing skills ‘Re-training’ - learning new skills Value for money

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19. The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to: Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being

A Hampshire View of Education Education is about developing the capacity for: Happiness Making and sustaining successful relationships Being safe and healthy throughout life Achieving economic independence Creating effective citizens John Clarke – Deputy Director Education and Inclusion, Hampshire Children’s Services

Identifying Priorities at Government Level “We must rebalance taxpayers’ money towards the subjects where there is greatest need – so more plumbing, less pilates; subsidised precision engineering, not over-subsidised flower arranging, except of course where flower arranging is necessary for a vocational purpose. Tai chi ……… is of little value to the economy. There must be a fairer apportionment between those who gain from education and those who pay for it – state, employer or individual.” Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education in 2006

Funding Adult Education Who pays? 1. Government support in two categories: Learner Responsive Employer Responsive 2. Individual students 3. Employers

Our AE Curriculum 1. Gaining ‘academic’ qualifications Single qualifications e.g. a GCSE or A level Access to Higher Education Students join mainstream college courses

Our AE Curriculum 2. Skills for Life Literacy Numeracy English for Speakers of Other Languages

Our AE Curriculum 3. Learning in the Workplace National Vocational Qualifications Train to Gain Short specialist courses

Our AE Curriculum 4. E-Learning Learn Direct (IT, NVQs) e-Business (short courses for employees)

Our AE Curriculum 5. Professional Qualifications Teacher Training Foundation Degree

Our AE Curriculum 6. Gaining Vocational Qualifications Administration Childcare Health & Social Care

Our AE Curriculum 7. Leisure Learning Foreign Languages General Interest Fitness

Challenges Engaging the “hard to reach” Creating and sustaining interest Meeting government targets Meeting the needs of employers

Ačiū