Tuesday, 1 December 2015
The Esher College Success Story ...
Last week, I visited Dan Dean (Principal) and Terry Price (Chair of Governors) at Esher College. After really feeling the pinch of the public financial pressures in recent years, it was good to be able to meet up after the Chancellor's Spending Review, with news that the national base rate funding per student in colleges will be protected.
The Chancellor also opened up further opportunities for colleges like Esher College to gain more autonomy and gain extra money (from recovering the cost of VAT) through academy status.
Above all, it was a chance to celebrate the college's amazing results compared to other colleges and schools - including private ones - nationally. In terms of A Level passes, Esher College scores in the top 10 of all Sixth Form Colleges, and has a higher proportion of students going onto secure first class or upper second class degrees than the average pupil from private schools. It also has 9% more students gaining firsts from the Russell Group of universities than private schools. These are fantastic achievements we should celebrate.
The Chancellor also opened up further opportunities for colleges like Esher College to gain more autonomy and gain extra money (from recovering the cost of VAT) through academy status.
Above all, it was a chance to celebrate the college's amazing results compared to other colleges and schools - including private ones - nationally. In terms of A Level passes, Esher College scores in the top 10 of all Sixth Form Colleges, and has a higher proportion of students going onto secure first class or upper second class degrees than the average pupil from private schools. It also has 9% more students gaining firsts from the Russell Group of universities than private schools. These are fantastic achievements we should celebrate.
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Friday, 27 November 2015
Dropping in on the Esher CAB Team
Today, I dopped by Esher Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to talk to their Manager Linda Wheatley, (new) Deputy Manager Sarah Waite, and meet some of the client advisers (as pictured, with Michelle and David, below).
I have huge admiration and respect for the role and dedication of our local CABs, as early warning radars for local social problems, and I know the period before and immediately after Christmas can lead to a spike in demand for their services.
The team briefed me on a few of their concerns, including social housing - and particularly the lack of available and affordable housing stock for elderly people looking to downsize. We discussed local court reforms, and access to justice. I pointed to the positives from this week's Spending Review, including investment in housing, and very high local levels of employment. We also discussed debt and related financial issues. I was very grateful to Linda and her team for taking the time.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
Sunbury and Walton Sea Cadets
Last night, I popped in on TS Black Swan, headquarters of Sunbury and Walton Sea Cadets. Commanding Officer, John Kelly, and Chair of Trustees, Gail Cramp, introduced me to their local team, gave me an update on the cadets' latest and upcoming activities, and briefed me on the refurbishment since last year's floods, which created huge disruption for them.
I met all the cadets, and asked them what they enjoyed about the Sea Cadets, and also what they found the greatest challenge. I also looked in, as two of the more senior cadets led sessions for anti-bullying week.
I am a huge fan of what Sunbury & Walton Sea Cadets offer to local youngsters, in terms of practical training, life skills and self-confidence. A lot of volunteers give up an enormous amount of time to give the cadets some brilliant training, take them out on the water and offer all sorts of excursions and programs all over the country. It is one of my favourite local community groups. They are still getting back on their feet after the floods, so if any local businesses are looking for a worthy community cause, I would thoroughly recommend checking them out.
Friday, 20 November 2015
Healthwatch Surrey
Today, I met up with Kate Scribbens (new Chief Executive of Healthwatch Surrey), and Matthew Parris (Evidence and Insights Manager). Healthwatch Surrey was set up to give patients a voice in local policy-making.
At our meeting, we discussed a recent Healthwatch Surrey survey on patients views around the sharing of records - and the balance of expectations between wanting efficient services, and concerns around safety and confidentiality.
We also discussed local GP practices, and the critical challenge of ensuring surgeries provide an effective appointment-making process whilst also conveying a reasonable sense of expectations to patients. Healthwatch Surrey will feed their findings in to the work Surrey County Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Groups are doing in both of these areas.
At our meeting, we discussed a recent Healthwatch Surrey survey on patients views around the sharing of records - and the balance of expectations between wanting efficient services, and concerns around safety and confidentiality.
We also discussed local GP practices, and the critical challenge of ensuring surgeries provide an effective appointment-making process whilst also conveying a reasonable sense of expectations to patients. Healthwatch Surrey will feed their findings in to the work Surrey County Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Groups are doing in both of these areas.
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