Positioning WCT during ‘challenging times’

Executive Team

WCT – where are we now?

• Positive feel – students are largely content. Constructive relationships.

• Relatively big = £26-£30m in a small H&W F.E. sector....but bigger players will travel.

• Partnership working is a core competence :- H&W Consortium (opportunities with MCV’s) Positive relationships in Communities (eg)PTT) Seen as being a reliable lead organisation (MIS & Finance) by those with the funding.

WCT – where are we now?

• Investment in learning infrastructure – Study Centres & VLE. Moving along learning curve but need to optimise impact on students. (Shared Services)

• Financial position has been relatively strong. Good relationship with Banks... but issues around estate investment needs and future funding.

WCT – where are we now?

• Quality picture is mixed – overall just satisfactory. Distance travelled measures similarly an issue. Mission : ‘Outstanding Learning for Successful Lives’ ....... some good signs in year ..... Proachieve & other MIS reporting.

• Curriculum Offer/New Students/Progression – issues with 16-18 numbers.

WCT – In the New FE World

• Funding pressures =

F(Adult , 16-18 , HE , Apprenticeships, Other)• Competition :

Academies : funding changes will make this harder to achieve ..at least on their own. Private Providers : The growth of bigger players

• Mergers/Federations : How do we sit?

Right Student, Right Support, Right Challenge, Right Programme

14-16 Provision

+• Constantly high success

rates-09-10=92%, 08-09=96%, 07-08=94%.

• Acknowledged as the provider of choice, we are flexible, supportive, enhance school league tables

• Students do good by us, they thrive in our environment

• Possibly a resurgence of MFL provision because of Ebacc

• RPA – 17 by 2013, 18 by 2015

-• ‘Academies’ the new core

secondary sector. Sixth form provision will grow at our expense.

• Funding for second specialist status, harnessing technology gone. AWPU being cut by 0.5%, levelling the funding playing field post 16. However the Pupil Premium rate increasing

• Subsidies for transport removed

14-16 Provision in the future

No new Diploma students, school budgets cut, no transport budget, less likely to look to providers.

Estimate a decline of 15-20% in pupils being taught by WCT.

Will still deliver vocational courses for the hard to reach students.

2013 may see more demand with RPA

The 16-19 student cohort

+• The Defined Model. PAL Pack

pilot last year-enables GLH to reduce. SLN stays high, reducing cut backs.

• Highly developed ILT and IT infrastructure enables the College to move more freely to the blended learning model.

• Study Centre model enables flexible learning, small group work, individual learner/study.

• Broad inclusive curriculum offer

_• End of EMA’s, C.C. infrastructure

cuts, Connexions going-this will all result in less demand (=less £).

• Right course right student many taking subsidiary Diplomas (lower GLH) rather than the full Dip’s-drops the SLN ratio.

• Entitlement cut from 114 to 30 hrs• Core funding per student cut• Demograhics negative did not

recruit to target• Small group size

16-19 Provision in the future

Demand reducing, far more complex models of delivery to improve quality and maintain funding. Must achieve larger formal taught class size, less

curriculum choice and significant use of PAL delivery

Higher Education provision

+• HEFCE budget of £5.5m• Bumper 2011

recruitment predicted• From 2012 students

have no upfront payments they take out loans

• Close partnerships with HEI’S

• 2012 no HEFCE funding for first year students except for STEM subjects-however weighting reduces.

• Fees will have to go to circa £6300 per year. Will students study?

• Numbers cap remains

HE provision in the future

Business as usual for 2011, maximise recruitment. 2012 will students pay?

Where have we been?Where are we now?Where are we going?How are we going to get there?

TABLE 4: Overall Framework Success Rates - 3 year trend

2 0 0 7 /0 8 2 0 0 8 /0 9 2 0 0 9 /1 0O vera l l Fra m ework Suc c es s 6 5 .3 7 3 .8 7 7 .3Na ti ona l ra te (2 0 0 9 /1 0 ) 7 3 .8 7 3 .8 7 3 .8

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

FWK

Succ

ess

(%)

O vera l l Fra m eworkSuc c es s

6 5 .3 7 3 .8 7 7 .3

Na ti ona l ra te(2 0 0 9 /1 0 )

7 3 .8 7 3 .8 7 3 .8

2 0 0 7 /0 8 2 0 0 8 /0 9 2 0 0 9 /1 0

Key strengths

• External partnership and employer links• Learner voice and educational inclusion• Equality and Diversity• Financial Management and Governance• Apprenticeships• 14-16 learners

Key areas for improvement

• Retention• Target setting for learners• Functional Skills success rates • Curriculum management in some areas• 16-18 tutorials• Responsive curriculum portfolio

Future Opportunities?

What do we need to do?

Right curriculum offerRight studentRight levelRight course

Beauty on the inside

• Accommodation needs to facilitate our learning direction and the needs of learners.

• Strong investment in the estate in recent years.• Good learning spaces facilitating the use of PAL

packs• Excellent IT & IT infrastructure• Quality student space is key

Challenging times

• Comprehensive spending review• Focus on unit costs and efficiencies• Staff utilisation and space utilisation is key

The Adult Learner

• Reductions to SFA Adult funding rates• Push for individuals and employers to contribute

more to the cost of their education• Changes to benefit entitlements fewer eligible• Student loans for aged 25+ from 2012/13• Aged 24+ to lose free level 2 entitlement• HE fees

16-19 Learners

• YPLA commitment to full participation amongst 16 and 17 year olds by 2015

• Increase in national FE College funding to this group

• Continued push for increased apprenticeships • Cuts to entitlement (down from 114 hrs to 30)• EMA’s

A changing market

• Increased competition from schools and academies

• Introduction of minimum contract values• Private providers

Opportunities

• Strong financial base – good banking relationships, and links with funding bodies.

• Proven consortium working – strong links/future opportunities.

• Partnership opportunities• Shared Services