REVIEW OF SCOTLAND 'S COLLEGES
To download a pdf version click here
RoSCo e-Bulletin Issue 10 - June 2007
In this issue:
Welcome
Minutes of Meetings and Associated Papers
Launch of the Review of Scotland's Colleges reports
Next Steps
Further & Adult Education Division
Feedback
Contacts
Welcome
Welcome to the tenth edition of the Review of Scotland's Colleges (RoSCo) e-bulletin, which provides an update on the progress of the Review.
We would be grateful if you could draw attention to the RoSCo e-Bulletin through your own internal and external newsletters and websites. We are also keen to ensure that the e-bulletin is circulated more widely by building up a more comprehensive distribution list. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please let us know by e-mailing rosco@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Minutes of Meetings and Associated Papers
Information about the Review can be found on the Executive's revised website address at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/17135/RSC
Minutes and papers of the working groups and Core Group are available on the website.
Launch of the Review of Scotland's Colleges
The Core Group is delighted to announce the launch of the Review of Scotland's Colleges reports. This marks the culmination of two years of activity, during which everyone involved in the Review invested a great deal of time, energy and effort.
The Review's Core Group and four workstreams have produced a total of seven reports. Please find a short description and a link to the full text for each of the reports below for your information.
Core Group
Transforming Lives, Transforming Scotland - this is the Core Group's overview report. In it the Core Group provides its commentary on the work undertaken by the Review of Scotland's Colleges and reflects on the work completed by each four of the workstreams. In addition it contains all the recommendations made by the Review of Scotland's Colleges.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/27151710/0
Equalities Issues Report - the consideration of equalities issues was an integral part of the Review and was embedded within all of the workstreams. This report brings together in one place the varied work of the Review's four working groups to identify and address equalities issues.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/27103903/0
Differences Colleges Make Working Group
Unlocking Opportunity - launched in October 2006 this report was produced in order to help others gain a better understanding of the breadth of colleges' activities and the difference that they make to learners, the economy and wider society.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/10/02110410/0
Delivering a Smarter Scotland - this report presents 12 outcomes toward which Scotland's colleges, working with key partners, can make a decisive contribution to a smarter Scotland. These are all areas in which colleges can build upon existing activity and expertise.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/25161256/0
Accountability and Governance Working Group
Supporting Successful, Accountable Governance - following on from independent research that described and evaluated practice within colleges in the areas identified in the Good Governance Standard for Public Services, this report contains recommendations to support clear and strong lines of accountability and to enhance the capacity of board members.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/27104734/0
Staffing, Learners and Learning Environments Working Group
Inspiring Achievement - there are really three key elements to successful learning:
- the people who learn, i.e. the learners;
- the people who teach, and support learning and teaching, i.e. the staff; and
- the places where learning occurs, i.e. the learning environments.
This report looks at all of these elements both individually and collectively.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/27154841/0
Strategic Futures Working Group
Developing Capability -this report makes a number of recommendations in five key areas for strategic action following consideration of scenarios the Working Group developed for Scotland in 2021. The key areas are: positioning and role; leadership; collaboration and partnership; responsiveness to learners and employers; and modernising learning and teaching.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/25170608/0
Next Steps
It is now the turn of Ministers to consider the reports' findings and recommendations. The reports will help inform the delivery of the Executive's strategic priorities and the forthcoming Spending Review.
It is envisaged that the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning will respond to the Review in the autumn.
We will continue to keep you informed of the progress of the post-Review work.
Information About Other Work of Further & Adult Education Division
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop, delivered the keynote address at the Association of Scotland's Colleges Annual Conference on the 15 June. A copy of the speech is attached as a pdf file for your information.
Please click here to view a pdf version of this speech
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, John Swinney, delivered the keynote address at the recent Edinburgh Lothian's College's Group Gala Dinner held at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh an event at which Fiona Hyslop was also guest. The overall message of the address was the important role that the college sector will play in the delivery of a wealthier and fairer Scotland.
We will shortly be managing the next round of public appointments for the Scottish Funding Council. An advert for 3 vacancies on the Council will appear in the press shortly.
Decisions regarding the £5 million funding allocated to support the adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Strategy, which were deferred due to Scottish parliamentary elections in May, are expected to be announced shortly.
Feedback
We would welcome ongoing feedback on any aspect of the Review. Please send your comments to rosco@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Contacts
RoSCo Project Leader - Col Baird
Tel 0141 242 0237
Email colin.baird@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
RoSCo Secretariat - Margaret McLachlan
Tel 0141 242 0102
Email margaret.mclachlan@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Address Further and Adult Education Division
Europa Building
450 Argyle Street
Glasgow, G2 8LG