universities as regenerators: kerrie norman, flinders chase

Kerrie Norman Project Director and Client for approx. 40 Schools, Academies, UTCs &

Free Schools in 18 different Local Authorities

Programme Director for over 200 Academies, £1.7bn Primary Capital Programme and Phase 1 UTC programme

Background in European funded Regeneration (Ireland and NW)

Flinders Chase since 2012 delivering UTCs, schools, FE, HE and commercial projects

Technical advisory & client functions for major capital projects

Specialist support and supply chain partner for Contractors & Developers

Advising FE Colleges, Universities, Local Authorities and other providers on funding packages and project/programme scoping

Industrial Advisory Boards at NW Universities and member of Liv WISE

Introduction

How education links to regeneration

Main types of education projects (post-14 to HE)

Understand how projects are currently commissioned

Current capital funding streams

Linking education, regeneration and business/industry needs

Challenges and opportunities for key stakeholders

What we will cover

All young people pass through the education system

Aspiration and showing what is possible

It’s not the Field of Dreams – if you build it, they may not come!

Why?

Improving qualification levels is directly linked to economic prosperity - 40% of 25 to 34 year olds have a degree or higher

2.3 million Higher Education students in UK

3.1 million students in Further Education

30% of students aged under 19 that enter HE through UCAS come from FE Colleges

144,000 students studying Higher Education courses at an FE College

30 University Technical Colleges open and 20 more planned (new 14 to 19 academies)

Context

School/academy, Studio School, UTC, Career College, FE College, Sixth Form College, Apprenticeships, FE University Centres, University, Employment

Fragmented system of education and funding sources

Areas of excellence but where are the linkages through the education system?

LEPs are beginning to fund skills capital projects linked to growth priorities and jobs growth (role is limited and isolated)

Capital funding is via range of different sources and streams

The Challenge

Education (Schools) Capital

Further Education Higher Education (Universities)

Basic Need Skills Capital Funding (LEP administered)

HEFCE

School Condition (responsible bodies)

HEFCE (Higher Education learners)

Reserves/Borrowing/Asset Disposals

Free Schools Reserves/Borrowing/Asset Disposals

European Programmes

UTCs/Studio Schools European Programmes Joint ventures/private sector

Priority Schools Building Programme

Alumni/Charities

Condition Improvement

Capital Funding Streams

New 14 to 19 academies with at least one technical specialism

Sponsored by a university and employers (most also have FE sponsors)

GCSEs, A Levels and technical qualifications

Bid based application process to open one and no organised planning/mapping of provision (EFA funded)

30 currently open, 2 due to close and a further 20 planned

North West – 4 open, 2 in 2015 and 2 in 2016

Collaboration - University Technical Colleges

212 Further Education colleges deliver higher education courses (144,000 students and growing)

Lower tuition fees - £4,000 to £6,000pa

Attract new students that want to stay closer to home

Degrees in more vocational subjects and more tailor made for employment – 83% of HNCs and 55% of Foundation Degrees

Franchise-style models with HE partners and offer student flows into partner institutions

How can we improve and maintain quality?

Competition or opportunity?

Collaboration - FE University Centres

Strict remit of key organisations does not help (e.g. Local Authorities, LEPs, EFA, Universities, Individual FE Colleges, etc.)

LAs responsible for school places but cannot open new schools (must be academies)

Centralised planning (at national level) is not realistic or desirable

Fragmented funding system offers rewards for areas that self-organise and plan sustainable provision

Commissioning bodies with HE, FE, School, LA and LEP representation

All new developments to have outreach strategies upwards and downwards in the age range

Challenges and Opportunities…

Universities and Further Education Colleges to forge stronger links to improve student progression and course quality

FE Colleges to use their employer links to develop HE courses that reflect local employer and industry needs

Agree areas of strength and concentrate specialist provision in these areas

Develop spokes/outreach facilities at an appropriate level to engage schools and provide enhanced careers guidance

Explore opportunities to co-locate and upscale projects –Education Campus Developments with business

Challenges and Opportunities…

Education Capital Funding 2015-2016 = £5bn

HEFCE Capital Funding 2015-2016 = £1.1bn

LEP Skills Capital = £330m +

European Programmes (e.g. ERDF, ESF, etc.) = £5bn+

Local Growth Fund 2015-2016 = £2bn

Match funding, reserves, borrowing, disposals, private sector investment

Funding 2015-2016

UTC@MediaCityUK

Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park

Draft Masterplan – most projects are in design stages

The Future

» Devolution offers further opportunities for self organisation and upscaling

» Strengthening University links with FE Colleges through to schools and up into industry will deliver rewards

» Mapping and planning provision at a regional level

» Employment tenure less secure, so self-employment and microbusinesses will continue to grow (Science parks & flexible space)

» Increase collaboration between commercial developers and universities