The relationship between schools and colleges has been “strengthened by regionalisation”, according to a new report published today.
In 2012 the Scottish government took the decision to organise colleges into regions resulting in mergers and the formation of larger colleges that were fewer in number. In 2011 there were 41 colleges; currently, there are 26.
Now, a report from the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee has found that one of the positive outcomes of this structural change has been “more effective partnership working”, including between colleges and schools.
The report welcomes “the growth in school-college partnerships and the opportunities that they can offer to enhance the subjects and experiences that schools can offer pupils”.
It says that in the case of Edinburgh College, “there has been a 300 per cent increase in its activity with school pupils, since regionalisation, with just under 5,000 pupils now studying at the college each year”.
The report also finds the partnerships are easing the transition from school to college and credits regionalisation with helping to widen access to higher education.
In his evidence to the committee, Sir Peter Scott, then Commissioner for Fair Access, highlighted that colleges were “absolutely crucial” to the aim of widening access to higher education.
He noted that, of the entrants to degree courses in higher education who have come from more deprived backgrounds, 40 per cent went through a college route.
However, the committee’s inquiry also “lays bare the shortcomings of the current funding model and the lack of flexibility our colleges have” - as committee convener Sue Webber MSP puts it, although she also says “regionalisation has been, on balance, beneficial”.
She adds: “The Scottish government and Scottish Funding Council must work together to ensure our colleges have more cash, more flexibility or clearer priorities.”
A key concern is the significant backlog in maintenance work that Scotland’s colleges need.
The report highlights a survey from 2017, which disclosed that one-third of the college estate was not wind or watertight. The committee points out that this will also counter any progress with the sector reaching its net-zero targets.
There are also concerns that, although regionalisation has strengthened school-college partnerships, not all lecturers working with school pupils will be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and that - despite more collaboration between the different sectors - many young people and their parents still do not know about the wide range of courses delivered by colleges.
Eve Lewis, director at Student Partnership in Quality Scotland, told the committee: “There are still massive issues around parity of esteem. Some college routes would be amazing for young people, but parents or other people involved in decision making might be negative about those routes compared with others.”
The report says: “The committee notes that the rollout of GTCS registration for lecturers is ongoing. However, it further notes that lecturers who aren’t registered with GTCS would not be subject to its Professional Standards.”
It also says that it is “essential that the opportunities offered by colleges are fully understood and promoted to schools, students and employers” and that “career services are fit for purpose”.
The full report of the college regionalisation inquiry can be accessed via the Education, Children and Young People Committee website.
