Decision details

5.1  The chair introduced the purpose of the review and then invited Robert Rees, Vice Principal Quality & Curriculum (interim),  to give an overview of the work of Lewisham Southwark College and address the review questions, which asked how the college:

• ensure as many young people as possible attain 5 good GSCEs
• enable school leavers to access education, employment or training
• provide a diversity of educational programmes so all young people can maximise their achievement & progress - including young people with special educational needs or who might have a range of aptitudes

5.2  The Vice Principal explained he came in as part of the recovery team in February and will remain until the new principal is settled in. Last November Ofsted graded the college "inadequate”, after a moderation process. The vice principal said the college is moving away from inadequate and they are expecting a new inspection in the spring  .There is a new emphasis on English and Maths teaching; several colleges have recently been down graded by Ofsted because of this new focus in their assessment process.  He reported that there has been a root and branch review of the place of English and Maths in the curriculum. He explained that many students come to the college after 11 years of failing at English and Maths and want to concentrate on vocational subjects so our task is about re-engaging then in a more practical context to ensure they have these crucial skills for employability. He organised a conference on teaching English & Maths, and introduced higher level teachers who train and mentor.

5.3  The Waterloo campus is the main hub in Southwark. Lambeth Southwark College is a vocational college – and does not do A levels. Students are preparing for employment or further education and the college do entry level provision up to higher levels. The college caters for about 9,000 adult students, from introductory return to learn programmes up Foundation Degrees and HND, as well as full and part time learning for ESOL. Half the college’s students are mature students, often over 30 years old, and for ESOL a significant number are over 40.

5.4  The chair commented that there is a strategic link between the college courses and the council administration’s manifesto commitment to guarantee education, employment or training for every school leaver in Southwark.

5.5   The Vice Principal responded that since he came into post the college have been developing a strategic plan with both boroughs. Stephan Gaskell leads on economic development for Southwark Council and he regularly visits the college - there is a focus on construction, tourism, health and creative arts, which the college is borderline “Outstanding” on. Hee reported that these are all growth areas for the college.

5.6  He explained the college provide a pre GCSE education and students supported include those who are disengaged, school phobic,  and some of the brightest young people.  

5.7  A member asked about links with local secondary schools and the Vice Principal responded the college do not have as many relationships in Southwark as the college do with Lewisham schools, and this may be to do with the history of provision and less ties with the local authority; Southwark has many more Academies. It was suggested that the college linked with Southwark Headteachers Executive.

5.8  A member commented that she had contacted the college and tried to get advice and support for her autistic child, but she found the college completely unapproachable as a parent and she had to go elsewhere.  The Vice Principal responded that one of the areas he has focused on was recruitment and selection at the introductory day so that students could be supported and given additional learning support. The member emphasised the importance of a named person and the importance of this as a parent of an autistic child. The vice principal said that the college does much better with this cohort, though he did not discount her experience. He said if she came to the day now she would get a named support member of staff.

5.9  The Vice Principal was asked about the Bermondsey site and he explained that this had been sold to and this helped fund the Waterloo site.

5.10  A member then asked about ESOL provision and the Vice Principal explained this was delivered at the Camberwell site during the day, Waterloo site in the evening, Lewisham had mixed provision. He explained the college support students from entry level up to level 2; people frequently come and study English with the college  for a couple of years and then progress to vocational courses .

5.11  The Vice Principal was asked about apprentices and he explained the college had over 1300 last year, and this increased recently to 1,500 or 1,600; the college are doing much better than most places. He was asked about success rates and he responded this was not great, however this was showing an improvement. A member asked about apprenticeship quality and the Vice Principal explained that there has been a forensic analysis of people on programmes - for example counting the number of  teaching assistants, training and progression . Concerns about poor pay were raised and he agreed that given apprentices can be paid £95 per week the college do want to see investment and commitment in their learning and development. On going support was discussed and the Vice Principal explained that apprentices can return to college for continued learning and employment support, however if the apprentice does not secure a job at the end it is considered a failure. A member asked about current numbers and the Vice Principal said he would get back with this information.

5.12  The chair thanked him for his contribution and requested the college fill out the online survey to assist the Attainment gap review.

RESOLVED

The college will fill out the scrutiny survey and provide more details on the number of pupils:

·  with a learning disability

·  in supported employment

Scrutiny will provide an introduction to Head-teachers’ Executive to improve links with secondary schools.