Association of Colleges (AoC)
@AoC_info
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Following
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Statuses
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The national voice for further education, sixth form, tertiary & specialist colleges. Our members educate and train 1.6m people each year. #LoveOurColleges
England, United Kingdom
Joined March 2009
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Today we have published 14 policy papers which follow on from our 100% opportunity report and set out in detail the reforms any future government needs to make in all areas of the FE and skills system.
Read more here:
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135,000 students are set to take BTEC exams over the next three weeks. They should now be cancelled immediately. Read our statement here:
#btecexams
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135,000 students are set to take BTec exams over the next three weeks. They should now be cancelled immediately. Read our statement in full here:
16
121
453
This morning
@AoCDavidH
has written to
@GillianKeegan
, Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills, calling on government to rethink the decision on
#VTQ
exams immediately, recognising difficulties for students, parents and colleges and to announce a cancellation as soon as possible.
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Colleges educate and train 2.2 million people in England every year. This Colleges Week (15-19 October) we're calling on Government to support our colleges with real investment for the first time in over a decade to make sure they can keep transforming lives.
#LoveOurColleges
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#LoveOurColleges
Colleges Week (15-19 Oct) starts today!. An opportunity to shine a light on the brilliant work that goes on in colleges every day. We are also calling on Govt to support our colleges with better investment, & fair pay for college staff.
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A petition has been put forward calling for the government to allow
#BTEC
students to achieve teacher predicted grades rather than using a system that is downgrading. You can find out more and sign here.
#btec2021
#btecexams
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On
@Channel4News
this evening,
@AoCDavidH
made clear that young people in colleges deserve the same funding for catch up that their peers in schools. 700,000 of the million 16 to 18 year olds study in college... any scheme that ignores them is doomed to fail.
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It's Colleges Week (14-18 October).
Did you go to a college? Share this and tell us which one, when, what you studied, and what you loved most about your college. We want to celebrate everything colleges this week. Don't forget to add in
#LoveOurColleges
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176
Thank you
@AnneMilton
for asking the PM today if he is going to make sure that both apprenticeships and further education have the cash that they desperately need".
#LoveOurColleges
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Colleges Week is going to be a celebration of the brilliant work that goes on in colleges every day. We are also calling on Government to support our colleges with better investment, & fair pay for college staff.
#LoveOurColleges
Find out more here
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135,000 students are set to take
#btec
exams over the next 3 weeks but, with a petition calling for students to receive predicted grades already reaching 100,000, they have made their views clear.
#JanuaryExams
should be cancelled immediately.
#btec2021
5
41
156
"Colleges have been overlooked and underfunded for far too long. Today’s announcement of an additional £400 million marks the first meaningful investment in further education for 16 to 19 year olds for more than ten years."
@AoCDavidH
#LoveOurColleges
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BREAKING: We have just received the following from
@educationgovuk
: ‘Schools and colleges can continue with the vocational and technical exams that are due to take place in January, where they judge it right to do so.'
We are preparing our response at AoC now.
#btecexams
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To all of those college staff working hard to support vulnerable students and the children of key workers, and to all of those colleges that have worked so hard to find ways of delivering learning in new and inventive ways at speed:
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Government's decision to not completely cancel vocational exams 'leads to more uncertainty' and causes more problems than it solves. Read our full response here:
#btec2021
#btecexams
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135
How can
@BorisJohnson
expect college staff to invigilate January exams, or students to feel safe enough to sit them? We cannot see any reason strong enough for them to go ahead. Read our full statement here:
#btecexams
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132
Delighted to announce that our CEO,
@AoCDavidH
has won a national UK Business Award which recognises people who have gone above and beyond in these extraordinary times. We'd like to thank
@DrPhillipsCBE
, Principal at
@westoncollege
for the nomination.
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'The reason why I’m an MP is because of FE. I left school with hardly any qualifications, but I was given a second chance when I took a sign language course at a local college.'
@AngelaRayner
#LoveOurColleges
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Good luck to all students receiving their GCSE results today - and all of the college staff who have worked so hard to help them to achieve. We wish you all the best for your next steps.
#GCSEResultsDay
#LoveOurColleges
1
41
129
January exams should be cancelled. 🚫 This morning
@AoCDavidH
wrote a letter to
@GillianKeegan
setting out the reasons why and recognising the difficulties for students, parents and colleges.
The full letter is available here:
#btecexams
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40
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The petition calling for the government to allow
#BTEC
students to achieve teacher predicted grades has now reached 99,000 signatures. ✍️ Can you help it reach 100,000? Sign here.
#btecexams
#btec2021
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"If you work at a college shout about what you do, and be proud of what you do, because that's what
#CollegesWeek
is all about." -
@AoCDavidH
on the importance of Colleges Week. Find out how you can help us shout loudly and proudly:
#LoveOurColleges
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114
We know that education can transform lives, and keep society moving forwards. That is why we all have a responsibility - to our students and staff, colleagues and friends, and to ourselves - to continue to learn, no matter how uncomfortable it might make us. [Thread]
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BREAKING NEWS: The Prime Minister has announced £200 million of funding for colleges to improve their estates and digital infrastructure.
#skillsledrecovery
#loveourcolleges
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“BTecs should be cancelled - it is not safe for them to go ahead and it is not fair for students nor for staff.” -
@AoCDavidH
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25
99
"People only talk about A Levels when more are taking quals like
#BTECs
. They have a practical focus on getting people into work but are also used to go onto Higher Education. There is a definitely snobbery we need to overcome in this country" -
@AoCDavidH
live on
@thismorning
.
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The petition calling for the government to allow
#BTEC
students to achieve teacher predicted grades is currently at 118,000 signatures. You can still sign via the link below.
#btecexams
#btec2021
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This valentine’s day, will you
@hmtreasury
/
@philiphammondUK
join us in sharing the love - and commit to fair funding for colleges?
#LoveOurColleges
#valentinesday
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This week you’ve sung, danced, signed, spray painted, pledged, & so much more. Thank you to everybody who has shown their support this Colleges Week, & thank you to all of those who make colleges the life-changing places they are.
#LoveOurColleges
today, tomorrow, & always.
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“What we do the FE sector does is amazing. The impact it has and the talent we help to nurture is incredible but we tend to be much too humble. We must never stop shouting about what we do and the impact we have.”
@AoCDavidH
AoCDavidH
#AoCBeacons
#TesFEAwards
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Today is the start of National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March)! We are looking forward to a week of colleges showcasing the brilliant apprenticeship opportunities up and down the country.
#NAW2019
#LoveOurColleges
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Over 100 leaders representing colleges, training providers, and other further education sector leaders gathered in Parliament today as part of the
#MindtheSkillsGap
campaign.
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What can you do to support
#LoveOurColleges
for Colleges Week? If you haven't already, please sign the petition put together by college students calling on govt to increase college funding. Please keep tweeting & sharing. We need 100,000 signatures.
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Happy
#WorldTeachersDay
to all the brilliant teachers, lecturers and tutors from colleges up and down the country that are supporting and encouraging students day in day out.
#LoveOurColleges
#WorldTeachersDay
#proudtoteach
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To everybody who marched, tweeted, wrote, met, sang, signed, and made their voices heard; thank you!
#LoveOurColleges
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AoC Chief Executive
@AoCDavidH
has responded to
@educationgovuk
's decision not to cancel this month's VTQ exam series, but leave it up to colleges to decide whether to go ahead:
#btec2021
#btecexams
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ICYMI - This morning
@AoCDavidH
wrote
@GillianKeegan
calling on government to rethink the decision on
#VTQ
exams immediately, recognising difficulties for students, parents and colleges, and to announce a cancellation as soon as possible.
#btec2021
#btecexams
4
22
84
In the
@guardian
this morning, the Chancellor announces £400m for FE in next week’s
#SpendingRound
. “Young people will need further education more than ever when we leave the EU. Next week I’ll invest another £400m in them”
@sajidjavid
#LoveOurColleges
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Today
@AoC_info
President, Steve Frampton joined leaders from across the
#LoveOurColleges
coalition to present a large heart-shaped card to the
@hmtreasury
calling for them to properly invest in colleges.
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87
.
@AoCDavidH
, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, told
@FEWeek
: “I think
#JanuaryExams
should be cancelled – it is not safe for them to go ahead and it is not fair for students nor for staff."
#btec2021
#btec
@theipaper
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203 leaders, responsible for institutions that educate & train 2 million people each year & employing 180,000 staff, have joined forces to write an open letter urging the Chancellor & Secretary of State for Education for urgent investment
#LoveOurColleges
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We have hit 50,000 signatures for the petition calling on government to increase college funding to sustainable levels! We are at the halfway point. Let's keep this going.
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Today we launch
#CollegesWeek
with a focus on the economic importance of colleges locally, regionally, and nationally. We've already seen many colleges up and down the country shine a spotlight on their relationships with employers. Tweet us your story using
#LoveOurColleges
.
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"It is patently not safe for them and their families, even with the best mitigations a college can put in place. To go ahead with this exam series now would also be unfair on students." -
@AoCDavidH
.
#btec2021
#btec
#btecexams
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IMPORTANT: This evening
@educationgovuk
updated their reopening guidance for colleges to help staff and students return to face to face teaching and training in a managed and phased way. [Thread] 👇
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Great turn out In Parliament Square today. Everyone braving the weather to show support for college staff and students - calling on government for better investment in colleges, and fair pay for college staff.
#LoveOurColleges
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It's finally here. Happy
#CollegesWeek
2020!
Colleges Week is a chance to celebrate and shout about the brilliant work that goes on in colleges day in day out. Did you go to a college? Retweet and tell us where, when, what you studied, and what you loved most.
#LoveOurColleges
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Vocational exams start *this week*. They should not go ahead right now. “Is not safe, it is not fair and attendance will be very low.”
@AoCDavidH
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'AoC has complained to government that it's "unfair" that students on vocational courses will have the stress of preparing for exams during the pandemic, while those taking GCSEs and A-levels will have other ways of deciding grades.'
#btec2021
#btecexams
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14
77
Chair of the APPG
@Peter_Aldous
has written a piece for
@FEWeek
this week calling for a review of Universal Conditionality rules, which can be a barrier to people seeking retraining and upskilling for meaningful employment:
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25
76
We're still waiting for news from
@educationgovuk
in relation to VTQ exams and have called for them to be cancelled immediately.
#btecexams
#btec2021
Follow us
@AoC_info
for the latest updates as they come in. You can read our most recent statement here:
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15
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"This month’s
#LoveOurColleges
campaign showed widespread cross-party support for more and better investment in people and in colleges. It is a real shame that
@PhilipHammondUK
still does not appear to be listening." Read our full
#Budget2018
response:
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73
Great to see
@Morrisons
extending their teachers’ discount to include colleges. 🛒
#LoveOurColleges
To say thank you to our nation's teachers, from Monday our 10% Teacher discount will include all employed staff at nurseries and colleges. T&Cs apply. Valid photo ID required. Includes all school employed staff who work with children under 18. See
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1K
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FYI -
@AoCDavidH
has written to
@GillianKeegan
, Minister for Apprenticeships & Skills, calling on government to rethink the decision on
#VTQ
exams immediately, recognising difficulties for students, parents and colleges, and announce a cancellation as soon as possible.
#btecexams
5
14
73
Why are colleges, staff and students heading to London to lobby today? Over the last ten years, colleges have had to deal with an average funding cut of 30% whilst at the same time, costs have increased dramatically (including pensions).
#LoveOurColleges
1
80
73
“I can say without any hesitation that the future is further education.”
Education Secretary of State
@GavinWilliamson
is giving his keynote address at
#AoCConf
followed by a live Q&A [A THREAD].
@educationgovuk
13
31
72
This morning
@AoCDavidH
wrote a letter to Skills Minister
@GillianKeegan
setting out the reasons why
#JanuaryExams
should be cancelled and the difficulties for students, parents and colleges.
Read the full letter here:
#btecexams
#btec2021
0
16
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On
@BBCRadio4
this morning, Chris Patten interview ends with - if I was PM my great reform would be "What I'd really do is something about FE.. one of the jewels in the crown.. underfunded spectacularly, year after year"
(from 40:00)
#LoveOurColleges
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It's DAY ONE of the
#LoveOurColleges
week of local activity! To find out more about the week, the campaign or if you need resources to help your own campaigning - visit the Love Our Colleges website:
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Calling all young songwriters -
@songacademyUK
Young Songwriter 2021 competition is open until 31 Mar. Prizes include a recording session + £1,000 worth of equipment. Enter here:
Judges:
@FraserTSmith
@tompeterodell
@calumscott
@Tom_Grennan
@missescoffery
4
11
64
Tune into
@LBC
at 2:45pm to hear Chief Executive
@AoCDavidH
discussing vocational exams with
@ShelaghFogarty
and why the government must cancel this month's exams without delay in the best interest of students, staff and colleges
2
9
67
It's
#CollegesWeek
2021! Our activities will be focused around ‘Get in, go further’, showcasing the brilliance of colleges. Find out how you and your college can get involved here:
#LoveOurColleges
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66
Government has announced another national lockdown until mid-February, as well as the cancellation of summer GCSE and A Level exams.
135,000 students have just been told that they should still sit their BTec exams, starting this week. Do you think they should now be cancelled?
Yes
2337
No
161
15
44
65
Congratulations,
@sajidjavid
. In the leadership election, you promised to prioritise further education if PM. As Chancellor, you are now in a position to make real, meaningful change and investment - we look forward to working with you to help make it a reality.
#LoveOurColleges
I went to a Further Education college so know just how vital they are. Different views being expressed on
#AugarReview
but we should all agree it’s right it emphasises Lifelong Learning and importance of FE. It was a huge priority for me as Business Sec and would be if I were PM
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35
67
It's not just students nervously anticipating
#ALevelResults2019
today. This is always a huge day for all of the staff in colleges too. To all of those who give their all to train, teach and support students, who shape futures and transform lives...
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We believe that vocational exams should now be cancelled. Read our statement here:
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63
We welcome the
#Budget2018
commitment to investing in mental health services but would remind
@PhilipHammondUK
that two thirds of 16-19 year olds study in colleges. If you're serious about supporting young people, colleges have to be supported to do it.
2
49
64
A huge thank you to all the
#NHS
staff and all key workers from everyone at
@AoC_info
. 👏
#ClapForCarers
0
15
65
It is officially
#CollegesWeek2023
! Please join us in shouting about the great work colleges do everyday. We look forward to seeing how you celebrate.
We have exciting plans including competitions, themed days, and webinars. Make sure to get involved:
0
32
64
Whether you’re delighted, disappointed, confused or concerned, speak to your local college. They’ll help you find the right path for you to begin your next steps.
#LoveOurColleges
#GCSEResults2020
#BTECs
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"Let's try and give people a broader, more rounded education, and particularly support those who have not done very well by the age of 16."
@AoCDavidH
, AoC Chief Executive, on
@bbcbreakfast
this morning discussing the Prime Minister's announcement on technical education.
3
16
60
“There are a million 16 to 18 year olds in England, and almost 700,000 of them study in colleges. They deserve as much support to overcome the challenges thrown up by COVID19 as every other age group, including their peers in schools.”
@AoCDavidH
3
32
61
We are nearly going to hit 60,000 signatures on the petition. 40,000 away from the 100,000 mark to have a parliamentary debate. We need to think how to push the last 40,000. We know there are many more that support colleges! It's just how to reach them?
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59
Save the date! Colleges Week 2020 will take place 19-23 October 2020. Red heart A chance to celebrate and shout about the brilliant things colleges do, day in and day out to build communities, boost businesses, and support individuals.
#LoveOurColleges
1
26
61
Today is
#WorldMentalHealthDay
! We are proud to announce 100 colleges from across the country have signed up to
@AoC_info
’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter.
#loveourcolleges
0
34
61
Well this hurts...
AOCs, ranked:
1. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
2. Archbishop of Canterbury (the office in the abstract)
3. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
4. Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée
5. Archbishop of Canterbury (current incumbent)
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170
1K
5
14
59
Earlier this morning
@AoCDavidH
was interviewed by
@skynewsniall
in relation to
#btecexams
.
@SkyNews
#btec2021
0
11
60
It's
#CollegesWeek
2022! Our activities will be focused around ‘Staff, Students, Skills’ and showcasing the brilliance of colleges.
#LoveOurColleges
Find out how you and your college can get involved here:
2
26
59
Today marks another opportunity to thank the inspirational college staff who have done an incredible job to support their students and ensure they received the best learning experience. 👏
#LoveOurColleges
#ResultsDay
0
27
60
The recommendation to make first full level 2 and 3 qualifications fully funded regardless of age is “fantastic news because for many it will do away with advanced learning loans that have not been successful".
@AoCDavidH
0
28
60
#LoveOurColleges
is currently one of the top trending Twitter topics. Bearing in mind that 6 of the 10 are actually about the royal baby announcement, this means colleges are the third most talked about topic in the UK this morning. Let's keep it going!
1
25
59
A real shame. Staff in colleges go above and beyond every day to educate and train more than 2 million people a year - even more so during the
#COVID19
pandemic. You should reconsider your no to colleges,
@Morrisons
.
#AndColleges
#LoveOurColleges
All of us at Morrisons would like to say thank you to the nation's school teachers. We're offering a 10% discount on your shopping in store, from this Monday until after Christmas.
Ts&Cs apply. Valid school photo ID required. See for details.
504
936
3K
1
15
59
"Students life chances have been put to question because of an algorithm. We're saying let's override that algorithm. Let's put some human judgement into it." -
@AoCDavidH
interviewed live on
@SkyNews
in relation to the A Level grading process.
#alevels2020
4
22
57
The 42nd
@AoC_sport
National Championships have started tonight in Nottingham, where nearly 2,000 of the country’s most talented young people will compete across 13 sports. Good luck to everyone participating this weekend.
#AoCChamps
0
17
57
Thank you
@SadiqKhan
for your support of the
#LoveOurColleges
campaign on today's march and rally.
The Government must put an end to its cuts for our colleges, and invest in a sector that gives Londoners from all backgrounds the opportunity to thrive.
#LoveOurColleges
.
50
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211
2
19
57
Great photo of the
@AoC_info
Yorkshire and Humber Principals and Chairs showing their support for
#LoveOurColleges
before meeting to discuss Colleges Week, fair funding and fair pay.
#LoveOurColleges
.
0
33
56
The 120,000 people taking English and Maths GCSE resits in colleges are amongst the most disadvantaged in the country. We've seen the issues with results algorithms and think that their teacher assessments should determine their grades. Here's why:
2
32
57
Boris Johnson used his first
#PMQs
back to praise the vital role that colleges will play in the post
#COVID19
recovery, after a question from
@BBradley_Mans
.
#LoveOurColleges
#SeptemberPromise
2
34
56
Big congratulations to
@WestonCollege
for winning The
@Jisc
Award for Effective Use of Digital Technology in Further Education in this year’s Beacon Awards.
#AoCBeacons
#LoveOurColleges
5
7
57
“Today’s announcement of £400m is the first meaningful investment in FE for 16-19 year olds for more than a decade. It’s not enough to reverse the decade of cuts, nor to properly stabilise the sector for the future, but it is a good start"
#LoveOurColleges
1
24
56
Great attendance today at the FE funding debate in Westminster Hall. The speaker has set a limit of just 3 mins per speaker, and even then not all MPs in attendance will get to speak. Phenomenal levels of support for increased FE funding.
#LoveOurColleges
1
15
55
The petition is nearly has 50,000 signatures. 50,000 is the half way mark so need to double our efforts next week to get to 100,000. We need this to be debated in parliament.
#LoveOurColleges
0
75
52
Colleges are brilliant all the time. Colleges are extra brilliant during the toughest of times.
#LoveOurColleges
0
13
55
Amazing seeing everyone out today for the march and rally in Parliament Square today. We are calling on government for better investment, and fair pay for college staff.
#LoveOurColleges
1
27
54
Important update! MPs will be debating college funding this coming Monday 21 Jan. More info about debate here: . Please tweet your local MP(s) to ask them to turn up for the debate and support colleges.
#LoveOurColleges
9
41
52
Congratulations to
@gifhe
on winning this year’s
@BritishCouncil
International Award - celebrating outstanding examples of international work in FE.
#AoCBeacons
#LoveOurColleges
3
16
54
.
@KateGreenSU
responding to
@GavinWilliamson
's statement: “He had nothing to say on VTQ exams this summer, and is frankly failing to show leadership on exams in Jan. Can he tell me what will happen this summer to exams other than GCSEs and A-levels?"
#btec2021
#btecexams
4
15
54
“We need to invest in making sure that schools and, in particular, further education colleges and apprenticeships are provided for people who need them.” -
@michaelgove
on
@BBCBreakfast
this morning. 💬
#LoveOurColleges
4
28
54