Delivering Tangible Solutions For Real-World Issues

FEPN 2024 AGENDA

FEPN is a unique, one-day learning and networking event which brings together the most inspirational leaders and transformational suppliers in the Further Education sector to share cutting-edge insight, knowledge and experience. Our agenda is carefully curated to address the most relevant and emerging challenges in the sector.

FEPN 2024

10th October, DoubleTree Hilton, London

Day 1

03 October 2023

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Main Room

Registration
9:00 am - 9:10 am

Main Room

Chair's Opening Remarks

Scott Mulholland

Chief Information, Data and Estates Officer
NCG

Welcome to the Further Education Partnership Event!
9:10 am - 9:55 am

Main Room

Panel Discussion: Empowering colleges to achieve more with less

Scott Mulholland

Chief Information, Data and Estates Officer
NCG

Em Lowe

Deputy Chief Executive Officer
The Bedford College Group

Robin Webber-Jones

Principal
Tresham College

Altaf Hussain

Principal and Chief Executive Officer
Luton Sixth Form College

Peter Kennedy

Principal and Chief Executive Officer
Franklin Sixth Form College

This opening session will discuss the issue of limited funding in colleges and explore strategies for innovation on a budget.
College leaders must be creative in finding cost effective solutions, such as leveraging technology to st...

This opening session will discuss the issue of limited funding in colleges and explore strategies for innovation on a budget.
College leaders must be creative in finding cost effective solutions, such as leveraging technology to streamline administrative processes, collaborating with other institutions to share resources, and engaging with community partners to create new opportunities for students. It’s essential to prioritise investments in areas that will have the most significant impact on student success, such as academic support services and career development programs. With careful planning and a commitment to innovation, colleges can continue to provide high-quality education despite financial constraints.
10:00 am - 10:20 am

Main Room

AI & The Future of Education

Kirri Gooch

Google for Education Lead
Google for Education

During this keynote we will look towards the future of education and how AI plays a part in it.

We already know that effective use of technology in education can improve outcomes, increase accessibility and be more sustainable. H...

During this keynote we will look towards the future of education and how AI plays a part in it.

We already know that effective use of technology in education can improve outcomes, increase accessibility and be more sustainable. However, the power of AI means that we’re able to transform teaching and learning. We can make learning personal, allow educators the time they need to do what they do best and give students the tools they need to become lifelong learners.

The world is evolving and how and what we learn is changing too…
10:20 am - 10:35 am

Main Room

Dragon's Den Speed Presentations

Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

Main Room

Coffee Break and Business Meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

Main Room

Teaching the skills needed for the future world of work

Deb Millar

Executive Director of Digital Transformation
Hull College

Deb Millar will explore the issue of the skills gap in further education and the role of teachers in preparing students for the future world of work.

As the job market continues to evolve, it’s crucial that colleges and univers...

Deb Millar will explore the issue of the skills gap in further education and the role of teachers in preparing students for the future world of work.

As the job market continues to evolve, it’s crucial that colleges and universities equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. This requires a focus on teaching transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration, as well as technical skills in high demand fields. Teachers must also embrace new teaching methods, such as project-based learning and experiential learning, to ensure that students are prepared for the ever changing job market.
12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

Main Room

Deliver Positive Sustainable Change

Mark Dolling

Strategic Development Director
eEnergy

Colleges can be a positive force for change in moving further and faster towards net zero carbon, whilst unlocking significant energy cost savings and improving teaching and learning environments.

Invest in energy efficiency and ...

Colleges can be a positive force for change in moving further and faster towards net zero carbon, whilst unlocking significant energy cost savings and improving teaching and learning environments.

Invest in energy efficiency and engage the college community in driving positive behavioural change to tackle the £800m of energy wasted by education buildings every year.

See how colleges can move to a sustainable future at no upfront cost via an innovative subscription model. This allows you to access low-cost clean energy, measure your energy waste, and reduce carbon and costs via LED lighting, solar energy generation and EV charging.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Main Room

Aligning CPD with the digital skills gap

Amy Hollier

Director of Blended and Online Learning
Heart of Worcestershire College

This session will discuss the importance of aligning teacher training and professional development with the digital skills gap in further education. This requires a focus on developing teachers’ skills in areas such as digital literacy...

This session will discuss the importance of aligning teacher training and professional development with the digital skills gap in further education. This requires a focus on developing teachers’ skills in areas such as digital literacy, data analysis, and project management, as well as the ability to teach transferable skills such as critical thinking and collaboration. Teacher training should also embrace new teaching methods that incorporate technology and experiential learning to ensure that teachers are prepared to address the digital skills gap and equip students with the skills they need to succeed.
1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

Main Room

Networking Lunch

An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm

Main Room

Leading EdTech solutions for efficiency, governance, and staff retention and engagement

Mark Dunne

Stategic Account Director
OneAdvanced

Matthew Trinder

Senior Client Director & Team Leader
Advanced

The FE sector is facing a range of challenges and opportunities posed by the need to do more with less, governance, and staff retention and engagement. This session will focus on how Advanced is working with FE partners to address these ...

The FE sector is facing a range of challenges and opportunities posed by the need to do more with less, governance, and staff retention and engagement. This session will focus on how Advanced is working with FE partners to address these challenges through the continued development of the ProSuite, bksb and Smart Assessor, and our work towards a true end-to-end solution; our new Governance, Risk and Compliance solution; and how our Performance and Talent solution is supporting the increasing number of organisations moving away from annual staff appraisals to continuous performance management.
2:25 pm - 2:45 pm

Main Room

What impact can AR and VR have?

Steve Wileman

Head of Digital Learning
South Staffordshire College

As these technologies become more accessible and affordable, educators are exploring new ways to enhance the learning experience and engage students in immersive, interactive environments.

We’ll also discuss how AR and VR can be...

As these technologies become more accessible and affordable, educators are exploring new ways to enhance the learning experience and engage students in immersive, interactive environments.

We’ll also discuss how AR and VR can be impactful in other ways, over and above it’s capabilities to improve teaching and learning quality.
2:50 pm - 3:10 pm

Main Room

Enhancing quality through data visualisation

Steve Wallis

Executive Director of Quality
NCG

By presenting complex data sets in a visually engaging manner, college leaders can gain a deeper understanding of performance trends and identify areas for improvement.

This presentation highlights the benefits of data visualisat...

By presenting complex data sets in a visually engaging manner, college leaders can gain a deeper understanding of performance trends and identify areas for improvement.

This presentation highlights the benefits of data visualisation, including improved decision-making, enhanced communication, and increased accountability.
3:05 pm - 3:25 pm

Main Room

Supporting colleges and providers with the online delivery of adult skills in a highly regulated environment

Mark Dawe

Chief Executive Officer
The Skills Network

• Online and blended delivery of adult skills, skills bootcamps and study programmes
• Enhancing efficiency, quality and accessibility
• A partnership approach- full range from resources to full sub-contracting
�...

• Online and blended delivery of adult skills, skills bootcamps and study programmes
• Enhancing efficiency, quality and accessibility
• A partnership approach- full range from resources to full sub-contracting
• Meeting the many regulatory demands including those from Ofsted, Ofqual, ESFA and DfE.
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

Main Room

Coffee Break and Business Meetings

15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.
4:50 pm - 5:40 pm

Main Room

Panel Discussion: Should we be fearful of the potential of AI?

Scott Mulholland

Chief Information, Data and Estates Officer
NCG

Manoj Nanda

Head of Business, Digital and Creative Technology
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College

Deb Millar

Executive Director of Digital Transformation
Hull College

Steve Wileman

Head of Digital Learning
South Staffordshire College

Tim Hallas

Teaching and Learning Lead (Digital)
Hills Road Sixth Form College

Michael Webb

Director of Technology and Analytics
JISC

As AI becomes more prevalent in education, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on teacher autonomy, student privacy, and academic integrity. This panel will bring together experts in the field to discuss the potential be...

As AI becomes more prevalent in education, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on teacher autonomy, student privacy, and academic integrity. This panel will bring together experts in the field to discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of AI tools such as ChatGPT, including its impact on student engagement, retention, and academic performance. Additionally, we will discuss best practices for managing the increase in usage of AI in education, including ethical considerations, data privacy, and cyber security. Finally, we will explore strategies for preventing plagiarism in an AI-enhanced educational environment, including academic integrity policies and technological
tools.
5:45 pm - 6:05 pm

Main Room

Managing the change in the qualifications landscape

Altaf Hussain

Principal and Chief Executive Officer
Luton Sixth Form College

With a reduction in options available to learners, students face unprecedented challenges in navigating the qualifications landscape.

This presentation will explore best practices for overcoming these challenges, including how to...

With a reduction in options available to learners, students face unprecedented challenges in navigating the qualifications landscape.

This presentation will explore best practices for overcoming these challenges, including how to prepare students for the transition to T-levels, how to provide alternative pathways for learners, and how to ensure that learners have access to the support they need to succeed.
6:05 pm - 6:10 pm

Main Room

Chair's Closing Remarks
5:50 pm - 7:30 pm

Main Room

Hotel Check-in/Free Time
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Main Room

Drinks Reception and Networking Dinner

Sponsored by

Google for Education
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Breakout Room 1

3 top tips for managing demand

Robin Webber-Jones

Principal
Tresham College

What strategies are there for managing the increase in demand and expectation of services in further education? As the role of colleges in society expands, so too do the demands placed on their services, from academic support to career d...

What strategies are there for managing the increase in demand and expectation of services in further education? As the role of colleges in society expands, so too do the demands placed on their services, from academic support to career development and mental health services. College leaders must adopt a proactive approach to addressing this challenge and adopt a student-centric approach to service delivery.
12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

Breakout Room 2

What does a modern and fit-for-purpose digital strategy look like?

Jonathan Sansom

Director of Digital Strategy
Hills Road Sixth Form College

The role of technology in further education has evolved dramatically in recent years, from improving teaching and learning to enhancing student services. A modern digital strategy should focus on the needs of students and educators, inco...

The role of technology in further education has evolved dramatically in recent years, from improving teaching and learning to enhancing student services. A modern digital strategy should focus on the needs of students and educators, incorporating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, while also prioritising cyber security and data privacy. Additionally, a successful digital strategy should ensure that all students have equal access to digital tools and resources, regardless of socioeconomic status or learning needs. By embracing a student-centric approach to technology, colleges can enhance the student experience and improve outcomes.