Lakes College was extremely proud to be support Colleges Week. Colleges Week took place from Monday 15 October to Friday 19 October 2018 and is part of the ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign, which sees colleges across the country hosting events to showcase the brilliant stuff they do, day in and day out, as well as national lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 17 October.
Lakes College supported Colleges Week with a variety of engagement activities, lead by the Lakes College Students Union including: a promotional stand to advertise and inform students about Colleges Week, how they can get involved and ‘love their college’.
Chris Nattress, Principal at Lakes College visited London on Wednesday 17 October, joining the lobby on behalf of the college and students.
Chris stated: “In my 25 plus years in FE Colleges, I never seen such a unified force of staff, students, associations, unions and senior leaders gathering to share one voice. Our FE college system needs sensible investment to continue providing the amazing service we provide for our communities and economies.
“We heard some very powerful voices supporting our call for action. I was able to speak to both of our local MPs, who recognised the challenging financial situation we face.
“I hope that the Love Our Colleges week and the week’s day of action prompts those with influence to secure the increased investment FE needs to continue delivering a high class skills system, supports adults to upskill and retrain, and provide a funded pay award for all of our hardworking staff. We do an amazing job which should be recognised.”
The ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign is a partnership between Association of Colleges (AoC), National Union of Students (NUS), Association of College and School Leaders (ASCL), University and Colleges Union (UCU), Unison, GMB, TUC and National Education Union (NEU).
Whether it’s through top-class technical education, basic skills or lifelong learning, colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds to make the most of their talents and ambitions. Rooted in local communities, they are crucial in driving social mobility and providing the skills to boost local and regional economies.
However, there is currently a reduction in education funding once a student turns 16 – whether they are in a school sixth form or a college. ‘Love Our Colleges’ is calling on government to increase 16-19 funding by 5% a year for 5 years. It is also asking Department for Education to provide exceptional funding, ring-fenced for teacher pay.
David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said: “Every single day colleges like Lakes College provide a world class education and transform the lives of millions of people”.
Colleges Week is an opportunity to celebrate the brilliant things that go on and a chance to showcase the brilliant staff that make it possible. It is simple, if we want a world-class education system then we need to properly invest in it.”
Brockenhurst College have launched a parliamentary petition for increased college funding.
100,000 signatures are needed to get a debate in Westminster, please help by signing the following: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/229744
