Closure of the Kent & Medway Learning Partnerships
Closure of the Kent and Medway Learning Partnerships
Following a meeting by the joint Kent and Medway Partnerships board on Friday 29th February 2008 it was agreed that the Partnerships would cease to operate in their present form and would effectively be wound up on the 31st March, the date on which the current LSC funding package expires.
The Partnerships have been extremely successful over the last ’9’ Years and have achieved many successes in the whole arena of learning and skills. A final report will be issued shortly detailing some of the major landmarks over the years and also looking at some of the possibilities for the future. The first meeting of what could become the Kent Learning Alliance took place a few weeks ago with some strong input from private and public sector agencies – all with a common purpose of improvement through learning and this is obviously going to be a key part of the way forward.
The Learning Partnerships – a snapshot over the years:
• The Vision - To promote provider collaboration in support of lifelong learning and maximise the contribution of learning to local regeneration.
• The Stakeholders - More than 2000 people engaged in the wider learning agenda registered as stakeholders in Kent and Medway over the years and have been the focus of our communication strategy.
• The Boards - Members of the LP boards at Chief Executive or Senior Officer level have been a point for strategic consultation for many organisations including the LSC, Kent Partnership, KCC, MC and the VCS. Chairs - John Spence OBE, Ramsay Cowan previously Vernon Hull
• The staff - The directors Wendy Wilton, Helen Hume, Jacqui Ward and previously Janet Waghorn and a staff team of Julie Hussey, Jeanette Harris and previously Shirley Leach (Lewis) and Hilary Elder.
• The role - strategic partners with the local LSC in developing policy and delivery practices, providing advice and council for the local LSC on learning issues, an independent agency, reviewing and responding to emerging policies at National, Regional and local level, promote the role of learning in regeneration influencing learning providers and stakeholders actively encouraging coherence and collaboration to bring tangible benefits to all learners
• The projects - Funding was secured to develop and run:- The Community Learning Forums which have been held all over Kent and Medway since 2002 with the Learning Partnerships working in partnership with Kent Guidance Consortium and the University of Kent. The KM Basic Skills Consortium, the Professional Development Centres and the Thanet Basic Skills Link Project all wide ranging partnership projects. The LPs were involved in project planning for older learners through Experience Works and the Equal Projects, Prime Advantage and Tick Tock. The LPs are currently working with KCC, KAES, VAWK, GKA, FTW, UKC and a range of other partners to develop The Kent and Medway Learning Network.
• Funding for learning - The LPs distributed and monitored Community Initiative Project Funding, Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities Funding on behalf of the LSC and supported discussions and panels for ESF funding allocations for capacity building, community learning, widening participation and raising aspirations.
• The rest - Membership of a wide range of strategic boards, working groups, committees and consultation groups across the county and region supporting the learning and skills agenda for learners of all ages, at all levels and from all backgrounds. Hosting conferences, workshops and consultation events, producing leaflets, newsletters, ’e’ communication and the website. Conducting in and collaborating in research to support demand led activity.
Wendy, Helen and Jacqui would like to take this opportunity to thank all those stakeholders, providers, learners and funding agencies who have over the years contributed to the success of the learning partnerships, and hope you are all signed up to the KM Learning Network Database to remain in contact and be updated on future activities/partnership opportunities.
The Kent and Medway Learning Network Team:
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