On Thursday this week it’ll be A-level results time. I got my A-level results last year while I was on summer training, nearly a couple of months into my first term on the NEC. I was really pleased with my results; they were what felt like the end of a two year balancing act: working hard on my studies, whilst getting involved in other activities both in and outside of college. But for me the best bit of the day was getting to do a load of radio interviews giving a big shout out to all those out of touch stiff upper lips who year on year keep going on about how exams are getting easier. SO annoying! Alan Johnston recently pre-empted the typical backlash against rising standards by calling on people to celebrate the achievements of our young people- I went on about this last year but there is one thing I feel even more strongly about a year on- getting rid of them!

In the Tomlinson Review which was published in 2004, Mike Tomlinson proposed the introduction of a diploma framework which would have meant GCSE’s and A-levels would go and students would have the chance to merge both academic and vocational work and progress through the diplomas at their own pace. To the disappointment of NUS and many people across the education system the Government rejected Tomlinson’s proposals and have instead watered them down in the shape of 14 new diplomas which are being prepared for 2008. As someone remarked to me the other day, it’s like having a Porsche without the engine.

The good thing about the diplomas however is that it’s a step in the right direction to demystifying the qualifications available for both students and employers. But for me there are two big reasons why a Tomlinson style curriculum should be implemented. We are never going to get to a point where there is parity of esteem between vocational learning and academic subjects, if we still have this academic “gold standard” of GCSE’s and A-levels. That’s shameful given that vocational courses are skilling up people of all ages to drive us forward as a progressive society and a nation in the position to compete with economic powers like India and China (something the Government is constantly talking about). And the main reason for me- ending the 5 A*-C GCSE’s cliff face at 16. There is a desperate need for a stage not age approach to learning, because those required grades, coupled with a significant lack of appropriate advise and guidance for students at all stages of the education system are resulting in a complete lack of choice and over 40% of students being failed by the education system at the most crucial point.

Issues surrounding the curriculum and advice and guidance for students are likely to be among the many the topics that the National Learner Panel will take up and its something that the FE campaign will continue to push in our lobbying work.

Apart from ranting about A-levels this is what I’ve up to over the last couple of weeks:

Monday 31st- I was in HQ having internal meetings in the morning and attending the Higher Education Quality steering group meeting in the afternoon to talk about HE students in FE colleges and plans for future campaigning work on these collaborations between universities and colleges.

Tuesday 1st- first thing Gemma and I had a really useful meeting with the Chief Executive Mark Haysom and senior representatives from the Learning and Skills Council to discuss learner voice in colleges, the National learner panel, the potential for regional learner panels, the changes to the London learning and skill council and our concerns about the direct affect that the cutting of A-level provision and adult education courses is having on students.

I then had a meeting with a representative form the examining body OCR to discuss how they can improve their involvement of students in the design and reviewing of their programmes.

In the afternoon I had a meeting with UCU to discuss their Race Equality in FE campaign and joint work we can do on the campaign.

Wednesday 2nd- Bubble and I were at Derby College for FE Essentials Plus- this is the first time we have fun this event and it was aimed at staff and student officers to help them plan for the start of term and provide them with a chance to network with other unions- we covered NUS Extra, elections, freshers fayres, publicity of the students’ union and building an effective course rep system. The feedback from the day was great and we’ll be running lots more one day events like this throughout the year.

Thursday 3rd- was the second NEC meeting of the year. I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about this meeting- their not fun at the best of times but with a number of contentious motions coming I think we were all expecting a long and emotionally charged meeting. However we got through the agenda items leaving plenty of time to discuss motions, which never happens! I was really happy that a motion myself and Stephen submitted mandating the strong and active unions zone to campaign against hate crime and intolerance on FE campuses passed unanimously. I was satisfied with most of the content of the motion we passed on the terrible crisis in the Middle East. It’s an incredibly emotive issue and with events changing on a daily basis it wasn’t a discussion that the NEC took lightly. I’m glad that, at least in the meeting, we managed to keep the debate respectful and about the content of the motion rather than the people debating it. Gemma’s blog clearly explains the position the NEC has taken and has a copy of our exact policy. I had to leave the NEC meeting half way through the motions debate to do a presentation on the FE campaign at a staff induction event.

Friday 4th- I had a day in the office to complete some work and answer e-mails

Mon 7th-Thursday 8th- I took annual leave to go on holiday to Cornwall for a few days and sign the contracts on a flat in London!

Friday 11th- Spent the day at Media Training in HQ- it was brilliant!

GOOD LUCK to everyone getting their results! If you want advise on what to do next once you get your results a good place to visit is here

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