Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the National Union of Students (NUS)
1. Further to our original written submission
and our meeting on 25 May, NUS would like to update you on progress
on Recommendation 25 of the White Paper, namely that "the
Government will extend the national programme of training for
learners' representatives, (to ensure that they are equipped to
participate effectively)". NUS has lobbied hard for this
and we were delighted that this recommendation was included in
the White Paper. As we have previously argued, this is the absolute
foundation for embedding the learner voice in further education.
2. However, we have some concerns about
how this recommendation is being implemented. NUS has always understood
that England would acquire a similar scheme to Scotland's SPARQS
scheme, which would create a systematic process to train course
reps across the FE sector in England—see paragraph 30 of
our submission. The need for this is supported by research commissioned
by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA), conducted
by P Davies (Involving Learners in Quality Improvement—June
2006), which includes the recommendation to "commission the
establishment and operation of a development programme for learner
involvement in quality improvement in the English learning and
skills sector. It should take full account of the experience of
SPARQS in Scotland".
3. NUS has already made some initial calculations
and projections about how to run such a scheme, based on good
practice cited in the LSDA report and the experience of SPARQS.
We believe that, in order to make a significant impact on the
quality process within colleges, organisations have to train at
least 50% of the new cohort of incoming course representatives.
In a large general FE college, this would mean that a provider
would have to allow at least five days for training (although
this should be split over two weeks, to allow for work placements).
In order to best fit the needs of learners, the programme would
have to be delivered from the last week of September until the
first week of November. This time line would also assist colleges
in electing students to be in place for the emerging National
Learner Panel structure.
4. The programme should also allow for repeat
training for elected representatives in January and March. Learners
would also welcome the opportunity to enhance their skills in
advanced sessions run throughout the year. This would be particularly
relevant for students who were undertaking representative duties
at a higher level, such as faculty representatives or area representatives.
NUS estimates that a programme like this could be delivered for
around £750,000.
5. As you can see, NUS can clearly see how
this recommendation could be implemented and we are frustrated
that no movement is being made on this. There is currently no
provision in any of the action plans arising from the FE White
Paper for the extension of "the national programme of training
for learner representatives".
6. NUS is concerned that without this key
element, the other recommendations concerning the learner voice
will be rendered impotent. Course reps structures within colleges
are the only coherent mechanism to provide an effective learner
voice. Without the resources, the FE White Paper's efforts to
change the culture of further education will founder for lack
of learner input.
5 June 2006
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