26/05/12 - Principal and Deputy Principal attend ‘Improve the Business, Cut the Costs’ Workshops

SCOLA’s Principal and Deputy Principal have attended a two day workshop which was designed to provide an insight into the tools and techniques Colleges can use to reduce costs and improve processes. The course is a mixture of theory, discussion and practical exercises, and aims to equip Colleges with the knowledge and understanding to commence improvement activities. The course explained the importance of using a team based approach (getting entire departments on board to achieve savings) and also explained (using recent case studies) how rapid cost reduction can be achieved.. The objectives of the course was for delegates to understand how rapid business improvement can be implemented at a strategic level, how to link these activities to the top level strategy, how to get entire departments on board to achieve savings and what an improvement programme looks like and the associated key roles and responsibilities. Should be interesting!

21 April 2012 - An Historic Southwark Walk

Brothels, Bishops and the Bard - an Historic Southwark walk - Listened to notorious Bankside Stories, discovered 'The Clink', the oldest prison in London, saw Southwark Cathedral with its Shakespearean connections, as well as the reconstruction of Francis Drake's Golden Hinde, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Ended up at the Tate Modern Art Gallery housed in the vast space of the former Bankside Power Station, with St. Paul's Cathedral on the opposite side of the river. What a great way to spend a Saturday morning! Thank you to Brian Cookson (SCOLA tutor) for taking us on this historic walk!

17 April 2012 – AoC Principal’s Policy Forum

SCOLA’s Principal, Saboohi Famili, attended the Association of Colleges (AoC) Principal’s Forum at Prospero House, London on 17/04/12. The forum was led by AoC President, Fiona McMillan and Chief Executive, Martin Doel, and briefed members on the latest issues. Delegates were also given a funding and Ofsted update. There was an opportunity to network over lunch and after lunch table discussions took place, followed by a Q&A session before the forum closed.