18th – 24th October

• Tomlinson was published. First piece of presswork meant getting up at 4.30am. The Tomlinson Review is the biggest shake up of education in 60 years. Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that NUS was offered the chance for formal representation in the group but we ‘declined to take up the opportunity’. It offers flexible and vocational routes for 14 plus year olds based on a stage not age approach to education. Generally it’s an excellent move forward however we have two main concerns. Firstly there is no current funding been made available from government in order for it to be successful, and secondly whilst 14plus year olds should be given the chance to study a variety of courses, it’s vital that the adult orientated environment in FE colleges is maintained. This is going to be a major lobbying point over the next few weeks.

• Launch of The HE academy, which Hannah Essex VP Education is a director of. It has to be said we weren’t all that happy with some of the speakers comments see Hannah’s blog for more info.

• Launch of Tomlinson, followed by G&T’s with the VP Education, not that brilliantly an idea when you’ve been up since half four!

• Priority Campaign Meeting, all too often campaign convenors get criticised for not involving the NEC enough in the campaigns. So this year was having regular meetings open to all NEC, do they bother to turn up? Do they heck! Although I’m sure they’ll still criticise later on in the year.

• Office day – hurrah

• Herts AGM

• NUSSL Board Meeting

• Visit to Liverpool Uni. (HI Dave!)

• Gemma Tumelty’s Birthday weekend, chilled out, had lunch in baby cream, bought boots, danced the night away in Liverpool Union’s venue. Great gals weekend.

• Management team away day

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