The 157 Group
The 157 Group was established in March 2006, in response to the recommendation of Sir Andrew Foster in his report ‘Realising the Potential’. In paragraph 157, he advocates:
“…a greater involvement of principals in national representation, in particular those from larger, successful colleges where management capacity and capability exists to release them for this work. There is a strong need for articulate FE College principals to be explaining the services they give to society and how colleges can make a significant contribution to the economy and to developing fulfilled citizens.”
Furthering Education
157 Group college principals are committed to furthering the aims and objectives of the Group which are to:
• develop and practice a leadership paradigm for FE colleges
• enhance the reputation of FE colleges
• play a leading role in shaping and delivering a quality improvement agenda for the further education system
• work towards, and once achieved, if appropriate, to administer, self-accrediting and self-regulating status for members
• develop projects or enterprises on behalf of the members.
The criteria for membership of the Group are: first, that the last Ofsted leadership and management grade must be at least a grade 2 and second, that the college has a turnover of not less than £35 million per annum. Some smaller colleges may be included if they are thought to
exert regional influence, but they must have the threshold leadership and management grade.
In pursuit of excellence
The criteria for membership of the 157 Group include achieving Grade 2 or higher for leadership and management in the last Ofsted inspection, and having a turnover of not less than £35 million per annum (although some smaller high quality and influential colleges will be included).
The words ‘dynamism, confidence and authority’ have been selected to highlight the approach of the 157 Group. We will achieve this by working closely with partners, businesses and the community; by understanding the latest thinking on FE; by having a voice at national level and by taking a proactive approach to current issues, the 157 Group aims to engender not only excellence, but all the benefits that strong, inspirational leadership brings. Producing fulfilled, confident citizens capable of making a real contribution to the country’s economic development and productivity.
The aims and objectives of the 157 Group are ambitious.
157 Group colleges are pledged to making a difference and creating a better tomorrow for business, the community and individual citizens alike.
• Barnet College
• Bedford College
• Bournemouth and Poole College
• Chichester College
• City and Islington College
• City of Bristol College
• City of Sunderland College
• College of North East London
• Cornwall College
• Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
• Highbury College, Portsmouth
• Hull College
• Lambeth College
• Leeds City College, Park Lane Campus
• Lewisham College
• Newcastle College
• Newham College of FE
• New College Nottingham
• St Helen’s College
• Stoke on Trent College
• Sussex Downs College
• Sutton Coldfield College
• The Manchester College
• Warwickshire College
• West Nottinghamshire College
• York College
