Thursday 22 Nov 2007 @ 16:09
Centre for Excellence in Leadership
Centre for Excellence in Leadership
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CEL welcomes DIUS plans for new leadership and quality improvement organisation
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) has welcomed an announcement by the Rt Hon John Denham MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, that a new organisation will take over the work of CEL and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA). In his speech to delegates at the AoC conference, Mr Denham said that the new organisation would belong to the further education sector, and would be formed next year, after a period of consultation with sector leaders.
Lynne Sedgmore, chief executive of CEL, said, “We recognise the need for greater clarity about the role of sector agencies, so that the whole system can focus its efforts and resources on meeting the challenges of a global skills economy and of self-regulation.
"We are excited by the mission for the new organisation, and welcome the significance accorded to leadership and whole-organisation development in its future direction. Without doubt, provider performance, self-improvement and leadership capacity are inextricably linked. CEL has played a significant role in building and supporting leadership capacity across the sector and we welcome the introduction of a new entity to take this mission forward.
"The team at CEL is proud of what has been achieved, and we are extremely grateful for the high level of engagement that the sector has afforded us. Since our formation in 2003, we have worked with over 1,160 different organisations and more than 31,000 individual participants.
"An independent review of CEL, undertaken by Oakleigh Consulting, found a very high level of correlation between CEL engagement and improved provider inspection performance, particularly in leadership and management. Inspection reports highlighted other key areas of improvement too: higher levels of attainment and achievement, and increased motivation amongst middle and senior management staff.
"Having enjoyed an excellent relationship with the sector, we would like to see the new organisation playing an even stronger role. I would urge all sector leaders to participate in the forthcoming consultation, to ensure that the voice of the sector is robustly represented. In the meantime, it will be business as usual as we continue to work closely with sector organisations and leaders at all levels.”
Dr Elaine McMahon, chair of the 157 Group, said, “We welcome today’s announcement of the proposed merger of QIA and CEL. The new limited company will bring together the most effective services from each organisation, creating a simplified provision for the FE sector. This coherent approach, strategically led by a board of FE professionals will further assist in improving the quality and leadership of education and training. We understand that the new organisation will also play a leading role in the journey toward self-regulation; this too is welcomed, and the 157 Group will offer continued support for positive review and change.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About CEL
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) was launched in October 2003, as a key national agency within the Success for All initiative.
CEL has a crucial role to play in developing organisational leadership in the further education system to anticipate, influence and respond to government policy initiatives, including, for example, the 2006 white paper, "Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances".
CEL's remit is to foster and support leadership improvement, reform, transformation, sustainability and quality improvement. It serves the existing and future leaders of all providers within the further education system, including FE colleges, training and work-based learning providers, adult and community providers, offender learning, specialist colleges and voluntary organisations.
Following the publication of the white paper, CEL is involved in the introduction of a mandatory principal's qualification and the development of the quality improvement strategy for further education.
The white paper also heralded an expansion of CEL's diversity and equality remit.
CEL now operates through a charitable trust formed by its operating company on 1 April 2006.
To date, more than 1,160 different organisations and 31,000 individual participants have engaged with CEL.
CONTACT
Lindsay Baugh: (07736) 246 697 or (01707) 392 552
Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk
Facsimile: (020) 7222 3081
Website: www.centreforexcellence.org.uk
Lynne Sedgmore, chief executive of CEL, said, “We recognise the need for greater clarity about the role of sector agencies, so that the whole system can focus its efforts and resources on meeting the challenges of a global skills economy and of self-regulation.
"We are excited by the mission for the new organisation, and welcome the significance accorded to leadership and whole-organisation development in its future direction. Without doubt, provider performance, self-improvement and leadership capacity are inextricably linked. CEL has played a significant role in building and supporting leadership capacity across the sector and we welcome the introduction of a new entity to take this mission forward.
"The team at CEL is proud of what has been achieved, and we are extremely grateful for the high level of engagement that the sector has afforded us. Since our formation in 2003, we have worked with over 1,160 different organisations and more than 31,000 individual participants.
"An independent review of CEL, undertaken by Oakleigh Consulting, found a very high level of correlation between CEL engagement and improved provider inspection performance, particularly in leadership and management. Inspection reports highlighted other key areas of improvement too: higher levels of attainment and achievement, and increased motivation amongst middle and senior management staff.
"Having enjoyed an excellent relationship with the sector, we would like to see the new organisation playing an even stronger role. I would urge all sector leaders to participate in the forthcoming consultation, to ensure that the voice of the sector is robustly represented. In the meantime, it will be business as usual as we continue to work closely with sector organisations and leaders at all levels.”
Dr Elaine McMahon, chair of the 157 Group, said, “We welcome today’s announcement of the proposed merger of QIA and CEL. The new limited company will bring together the most effective services from each organisation, creating a simplified provision for the FE sector. This coherent approach, strategically led by a board of FE professionals will further assist in improving the quality and leadership of education and training. We understand that the new organisation will also play a leading role in the journey toward self-regulation; this too is welcomed, and the 157 Group will offer continued support for positive review and change.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About CEL
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) was launched in October 2003, as a key national agency within the Success for All initiative.
CEL has a crucial role to play in developing organisational leadership in the further education system to anticipate, influence and respond to government policy initiatives, including, for example, the 2006 white paper, "Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances".
CEL's remit is to foster and support leadership improvement, reform, transformation, sustainability and quality improvement. It serves the existing and future leaders of all providers within the further education system, including FE colleges, training and work-based learning providers, adult and community providers, offender learning, specialist colleges and voluntary organisations.
Following the publication of the white paper, CEL is involved in the introduction of a mandatory principal's qualification and the development of the quality improvement strategy for further education.
The white paper also heralded an expansion of CEL's diversity and equality remit.
CEL now operates through a charitable trust formed by its operating company on 1 April 2006.
To date, more than 1,160 different organisations and 31,000 individual participants have engaged with CEL.
CONTACT
Lindsay Baugh: (07736) 246 697 or (01707) 392 552
Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk
Telephone: (020) 7960 6035
Facsimile: (020) 7222 3081
Website: www.centreforexcellence.org.uk
