Event report - Linking London HE in FE Practitioner Group Meeting

After a warm welcome and opening remarks from James Ward, the meeting began firstly hearing from Rebecca Mameli, Senior Strategic Lead, Higher Education Qualifications, Pearson who presented to the group an update on Higher Nationals and newly approved HTQs. This was followed by an overview of the upcoming Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), outlining eligibility rules, key rollout dates, and the support Pearson will provide.

A partner round table update then followed where partners could share any updates on HE in FE provision and related issues. Institutions shared updates on their HE provision, including curriculum developments, recruitment numbers and new partnerships.

Following this, we then heard from Maria Gibson, Director of HE at NCG & Connor Herron, Head of HE, NCUC who presented to the group outlining NCG’s HTQ journey, who offer 11 approved programmes. They highlighted the role of employer advisory boards, targeted marketing in raising awareness, while noting ongoing challenges around national visibility and plans to grow provision in Green engineering and Life sciences.

Finally, a group discussion on approaches to the OfS E6 Condition where partner’s could share any updates on action taken and areas for potential collaboration.

Finally, Andrew Jones, Director, Linking London shared an overview of the key findings of Linking London’s latest mapping of level 4 and 5 Provision over 25 London FE Colleges, including comparisons with previous mapping of provision.

The date of the next HE in FE meeting will be in will be in the Autumn term, date and time TBC.