16-19 Funding Cuts

Shropshire Colleges are assessing the impact of the recent Funding Statement for 16-19 learners. 

For 2011-12 it will mean cuts of close to 3% in cash terms, and similar cuts are promised for the next 3 years.  For some colleges there will be cash cuts of between 12-14% between now and 2014.

The depth and sustained nature of the cash cuts was unexpected.

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College Principal Martin Ward said “These cuts put at risk the breadth of the learner experience at a time when achievements have been excellent and improving.  The funding cuts have been targeted at the core curriculum including student support, sporting and musical enrichment – but they are of such a scale that it will impact on all areas of our work.

Enrichment opportunities will be put at risk and in recent years there have been many students for whom the sporting, musical experience has provided the inspiration for a range of career routes.  All students have benefitted from individual careers and tutorial support which has made the difference in terms of achieving their short and long term goals.

We will work extremely hard to protect the culture and ethos of the Sixth Form College but there will be changes.”

Telford College of Arts & Technology’s Principal, Jan Ellis said “The funding for vocational education for 14-19 year olds has had a dramatic impact on the employability of young people in Telford & Wrekin.  Reductions in funding will reduce the ability of the College to increase the skill levels of our young people and in turn will reduce their ability to lead productive and prosperous lives in the future.  The reduction in funding is likely to create major issues for the college, but we are determined that the outstanding support given to our students will continue."

Greg Molan Principal of Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology said “These changes take a big chunk out of courses for young people and reverse what has been the approach to post 16 education for more than a decade.  I am especially concerned about the reduction in the time we will have to provide personal tutoring and advice to each of our students as this makes an enormous difference to so many.  The reduction in the funding colleges will receive over the next three years is very significant and presents us all with a major challenge. ‘

Principal of Ludlow College, Jonathan Davies said “There is a particular concern about how these cuts will impact on colleges in rural areas because of the size of some providers, the lack of recognition of rural deprivation, and the costs and practical issues around transport. In addition demographic data in Shropshire shows a decline in post 16 learners which will compound the problems”.

This cut comes only weeks after the announcement that the EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) will be withdrawn, which will affect many students within Shropshire.

Principals have already raised their concerns with Education Minister Michael Gove, local MPs Daniel Kawczynski and David Wright, OFSTED, the local authorities and the funding body concerned (The Young People’s Learning Agency – YPLA). 

Wed 9th Feb 2011