Colleges Confer on Strategies and Developments at Conference

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35 further education colleges from the South West gathered together for the first time recently to attend a conference focused on communicating best practice.

The day-long conference ““ jointly hosted by the Government Office for the South West and partners such as the Learning and Skills Council and Association of Colleges -was held on Monday the 10th of October at Dillington House, near Ilminster in Somerset.

Sharing Best Practice

The event marked the first ever gathering of this kind between the colleges, who met to collectively discuss strategies for improvement, development and success. Peter Cloke, Director of Children and Learners at the government office, stated the conference was for senior and middle managers of all the colleges in the region and highlighted its main aim to “share, celebrate and learn from each others” best practice.”

Peter Cloke expressed hope that this event has paved the way for a continual collaboration effort amongst colleges in the region, perceiving it as a valuable method for raising standards, extending opportunities for students and striving for excellence overall.

The programme for the day included speeches from witnesses discussing their work covering the14-19 curriculum reform, the issue of engaging more closely with employers, improving basic skills and changing college culture from centres. Several regional colleges took part including Bridgwater College, Circenster College and Kingston Maurward College. Other guest speakers attending the conference included Jon Coles the Director of Qualifications and Young People at DFES, and Chief Executive of the new national Quality Improvement Agency (QIA), Andrew Thompson.

Sara Hashash

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