What a Difference a Word Makes

Posted by: Graeme Hall Aug 5, 10:11 am Comment on this articlePermlink

In yesterday’s Guardian (4th August 2009), David Willetts, the Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, suggested that the recent publication of Alan Milburn’s report on Fair Access to the Professions and Peter Mandelson’s speech at Birkbeck had “propelled the issue of access to higher education on to the front pages”.

What a relief – it’s about time we had some serious debate on this subject!

These two heavy hitters might have been arguing over the difference between aspiration and expectation but both Willetts and Mandelson underlined the difficulties around trying to make sense of the complicated qualifications framework and pathways into higher education – a real problem for individuals and families for whom higher education is new and still very, very intimidating.

The answer is not more information, advice and guidance but better quality, more universally understood and co-ordinated information, advice and guidance.

The total spend in this area is huge and in real need of a national strategy which transcends government departments, funding bodies and individual institutions – the waste and duplication is massive.

The Lifelong Learning Networks are very successful initiatives that have built local and regional partnerships.

We clarify pathways and provide the unbiased neutrality which allows competing further and higher education institutions to co-operate and collaborate to support the aspirations and expectations of the learners needing most help.

The Lifelong Learning Networks were funded for three years and that funding is now running out across England – the challenge is to sustain our activities without central funding.

I suppose it would be too much to ask for politicians and their advisors to look at what works and provide continuity rather than the constant change which blights proper planning and development across education?

Graeme Hall, Executive Director of the West London Lifelong Learning Network.

Your Comments

I hope you sent this to the Guardian Editor for publication. I sent a similar comment in an email so it will be interesting to see which , if any, responses are published next week. LLNs need to have a higher profile in educational papers.

Posted by: Jan Wise · Credit and Progression Manager Hampshire and IOW LLN Aug 6, 09:47 am
very much true I do support you on this subject 100% all the way Graeme

Posted by: kevinbangera · clinical support worker nhs Aug 5, 11:01 pm
I must say Graeme that I agree in all but one point. Total spend in this area of IAG is not huge, relative to other eduation budgets, but yes, it is piecemeal and unco-ordinated and frustrating for professionals and for the public

Posted by: Lois thorn · IAG&LS strand leader SWLLN Aug 5, 05:07 pm