HE in FE, and curriculum developments

We have been aware for some time of the momentum gathering in this area and, following consultation with partners, have now decided to develop it into a work strand in its own right.  As partners will remember, we ran a very well supported event, Preparing an HE strategy for HEFCE, in September 2009 which was designed to bring together FEC partners and other interested colleagues to discuss the requirement for HE in FE strategies to be submitted to HEFCE by January 2010.   A previous event included the HEFCE Widening Participation Strategic Assessment Workshop and, taken together, both highlighted just how much partners can benefit from meeting to share experiences and discuss emerging sectoral policy needs.

Our aim now will be to build on this, in particular working to achieve the objectives of the work strand as outlined in the Business Plan for 2011/12, which are listed below -

Key objectives of the work strand

• Develop an HE in FE support service for FE partners on HE strategy development and support development of new curricula and methodologies with HE partners.
• Network and enhance relationships between FE and HE partners and key stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Create new progression agreements, as needed and enhance/amend the workability and effectiveness of existing ones.
• Advise on the changing and emerging post-14 agenda, including vocational learning, post Wolf, with particular emphasis on Apprenticeships, Access to HE and Foundation Degree developments.
• Support partners in the development of more flexible, learner-centred provision through the use of APEL and accreditation services.