The 2nd February saw the routine bi-annual FEHEPG meeting with the Mayor and some of his senior advisors. Discussions took place on London Governance as well as on the preparations being made by London and London's colleges for the Olympic Games and forming bonds with the Beijing city region.

The Regional Director signed a MoU with eight London colleges in mid January as they lined up to be twinned with counterpart vocational schools (colleges) in Beijing. Since then the number has risen to approximately a dozen, with more expected to follow. The Mayor has shown keen interest in the initiative which aims to share curriculum ideas and to collaborate on leadership and management projects, involving both staff and students. There is much to be learnt from each other leading into the preparations for 2008 and 2012. Our Beijing partners are due to come to London in mid May.

A Chinese New Year event at the Royal Academy was attended by the Regional Director in February as the Mayor's Office, the GLA and Think London embarked on a major initiative to strengthen business and cultural links between London and China.

AoC London, London Higher and their members are active on all fronts looking ahead to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The joint report commissioned from PA Consulting reveals that London FE colleges anticipate increased student aspirations, widening participation and progression to be generated by the Games and its legacy. As a result of the report's proposed Model 1 response (a focused London-led response), a joint Heads of FEHE group supported by AoC London and London Higher, is set to take things forward. Linked with it will be the new London FEHE 2012 Forum, to be chaired by Richard Sumray. The Forum will be a dedicated regional subgroup affiliated to the LOCOG London 2012 Forum. There will also be specialist task force groups comprising FECs and HEIs nationally and regionally.

Paul Head (CoNEL) and Geoff Pine (Greenwich) represent AoC London at LEST (London Employment Skills Taskforce) and the LDA RSP research group. Jenny Lo, Regional Director, represents the AoC London on three key committees: the GLA 2012 Coordination Group, the DfES 2012 Olympic/Paralympic Strategy Group and the GLA 2012 Education Subgroup.

Thirty floors up the glorious Barclays building in Canary Wharf, overlooking London and the Thames, was the setting for the Barclays FE Principals Briefing. The seminar opened with the delivery of 'Facing Change and Breeding Success - A Changing World, Challenges and Opportunities' by Mike Stone, UK Director of Barclays Charities, Housing and Education Team. Principals enjoyed further presentations including 'Assessing risk in the FE Market from a bankers perspective' from Chris Hearn, Barclays Education Industry Group Leader (also a member of a local LSC council), and 'Making the most of regulation' an entertaining talk by Robert Tiley, Barclays Head of Risk and Controls.

The successful learning partnership of Lewisham College Trade Union Studies Centre, HMP Belmarsh and the Prison Officers Association was awarded the AoC/OCR Beacon Award for Partnerships in Basic Skills. Excellent news!

Meanwhile DfES Learning and Skills Beacon status has been awarded to Tower Hamlets and City and Islington Colleges.

Outstanding results for Christ the King College emerged from the first batch of OFSTED college inspections reports. Congratulations.

Merton and Kingston colleges have received a joint CoVE in Automative Engineering. Success also for Croydon College, awarded a CoVE award in Construction Services, and the College of North West London for a CoVE in Retail.

The LSC London Senior Management termly liaison meeting with the AoC London was held on 7th April. Funding allocations; the review of the Mayor's powers; and the LSC role in 14-19 were all topics on the agenda. Follow-up meetings will be arranged to discuss the implications of Agenda for Change. AoC London members were also invited by London LSC to a discussion of the FE White Paper.

An extremely well attended and successful Financial Directors meeting took place on 14th March, covering current topics of procurement, shared services, and LSC funding for 2006-7.

This term welcomes the arrival of new Principals: Kim Clifford at Sir George Monoux College, Joanna Gaukroger at Tower Hamlets College and Kevin Finnigan at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. Sadly it is goodbye to Angela O'Donoghue, we wish her well as she moves back north to Sunderland.

We look forward to welcoming Chairs and Principals to the AGM and the 46th Regional Meeting taking place on the afternoon and evening of Thursday 22nd June 2006.

Members, stakeholders and partners will enjoy the opportunity to network and unwind in the wonderful surroundings of the New London Architecture building at the Summer party, co-hosted by DTZ, following the meeting.

DTZ

New London Architecture