Hopwood Hall Colleges joins call to push for government review action

Julia Heap, Hopwood Hall College's Principal and CEO

Julia Heap, Principal & CEO of Hopwood Hall College has joined with other Colleges in a national push for the government to act on the recently published Augar Review.

Every single general further education college in England, including Rochdale and Middleton based Hopwood Hall College has signed a letter addressed to Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Damien Hinds MP, Secretary of State for Education calling for political leaders to act upon and implement the main recommendations of the Augar Review.

The Independent Review of Post 18 Education and Funding concluded that there is a pressing need for the education system to be more balanced.

The report also suggested that the status, stability and sustainability of further education colleges is in the national interest and should be a policy priority. Recent forecasting by the Association of Colleges warns that the country risks widening the skills gap and reducing economic output by £3.3billion a year, if the government isn't swift to act.

The Augar Review called for, amongst other things, an end to the 17.5% cut in education funding for 18-year olds, support so that everybody, regardless of age, to achieve to at least level three, and a re-balancing of the traditional post-18 educational landscape.

Julia Heap, Principal & CEO of Hopwood Hall College, echoed her peers’ sentiments put forward to government: “College leaders across England are pleased that the Augar review understands the importance of a more coherent tertiary system and sets out the compelling need for a fairer society which works for everyone that puts FE as a key vehicle for genuine social equity.

“Many of the recommendations will support our economy by upskilling and reskilling the adult population, but it clearly acknowledges that all this requires real investment.

“The review represents a consensus that further education colleges have been neglected, and that there is now a growing appreciation of their unique role, value and potential. What we now need are decisions and commitments to ensure further education colleges become even stronger and more appreciated pillars of their communities.”