College Funding from 8th February 2010

Funding for Further Education Programmes at RACC

As a result of overwhelming demand caused by the recession the total funding allocation provided by Government for further education qualification programmes in 2009/10 has been fully utilised at Richmond Adult Community College.

The College will be implementing the following actions from Monday 8th February 2010:

1. All new courses that have low numbers (< 8 learners) starting between February to July 2010 will be closed by the Faculty Learning Director. The only exceptions to this will have to be formally approved by the College’s Vice-Principal (Curriculum and Quality). Wherever possible College staff will seek to merge classes or pro-rata the provision to make them viable on fees only.
2. All new adult enrolments on further education accredited programmes after 8th February 2010  will not be offered fee remission and adult students (whatever their status ) will be required to pay the full fee.  If students are unable to pay the full fee they will be encouraged to enrol in September 2010 when further Government funding and fee remission will be available.
3. All 16-18 year olds wanting to enrol will not be admitted as there is no longer any further Government funding available. Young people will be invited to interview for September 2010 start.
4. Learning places for adults are still available on non-accredited adult leisure programmes which might be an alternative route for learners. The college plans to run some exciting accessible adult learning events between March to July 2010.
5. Learning places are still available on employer responsive provision which takes place in the workplace and the six month offer for unemployed adults who are registered on Job Seekers Allowance.

I do appreciate that it is most unfortunate that the college cannot respond to this unprecedented demand particularly when we are in the middle of a recession.

Unfortunately the Government has reduced our budget allocation for adult learning and we are constrained on the amount of students we can take on FE qualification programmes in 2009/10.

If you would like to write to your local MP I would be happy to respond and gain their support in lobbying Government on this short-sighted policy.

Yours Sincerely

 
Christina Conroy OBE ( Principal & Chief Executive)