CLASS CONFERENCE
The Annual Conference of the Southwark Network for Lifelong Learning (SNLL)
Learning at Work Day, Thursday 20 May, Tate Modern
The SNLL annual conference, CLASS: Connecting Learning and Strategy in Southwark on Learning at Work Day attracted over 140 delegates from various organisations playing a role in either delivering or promoting learning in Southwark.
Strategic Updates
Morning speeches provided delegates with updates on both SNLL and important strategic concerns for Southwark.
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CLASS Conference
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Sam Eastop, Strategy and Commissioning Manager for Southwark Education and Culture provided an overview of the current learning landscape in Southwark. Sam highlighted the cultural richness, quantity and variety of learning taking place in a wide variety of settings across Southwark and the community learning challenges currently facing the borough. Sam emphasised the important role that SNLL would play in ensuring a more collaborative and effective approach to learning and the importance of the Specialist Action Groups in influencing local policy planning.
The importance of putting learning at the heart of regeneration was highlighted by both Sam Eastop and Steve Tennison, Partnership Manager for the Local Strategic Partnership, Southwark Alliance. Steve gave an overview on the role and purpose of LSPs, their emphasis on tackling social exclusion, via an integrated approach to community regeneration (National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal). Steve highlighted how the Southwark Alliance fits into the wider network of partnerships including SNLL, the various community and neighbourhood renewal priorities in particular the current educational objectives.
Ania Oprawsak, Manager, Central London Learning Partnership (CLLP) gave an overview of the role of Learning Partnerships, promoting provider collaboration on a sub-regional level and maximising the contribution of learning to local regeneration. Ania highlighted the role that CLLP plays in supporting the Strategic Area Review Process (StAR) process, CLLP’s strategic priorities for 2004/5 and the importance of SNLL linking into CLLP.
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Steve Crow, Director of Development, London Central Learning and Skills Council (LCLSC) provided an update on the StAR process; the aims, objectives, progress and future stages. Steve Highlighted the importance of organisations being involved in the formal consultation of the Strategic Options and the role of both SNLL and CLLP in this stage.
The Learner’s Voice
A definite highlight of the conference were the inspiring speeches given by Gracia Maria Pedro, Christian Mendoza, Lina Gutierrez-Alvarez, Mauline Gogwe, students of Leisure and Tourism at Southwark College. Each presented on their own learning journey and reminded delegates of the real importance of a positive learning experience.
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Back row: Salvatore Circelli, Programme Manager – Travel, Business & Marketing, Dorothy Jones, Principal, Southwark College
Front row: Gracia Maria Pedro, Christian Mendoza, Lina Gutierrez-Alvarez, Mauline Gogwe – Students, Leisure and Tourism, Southwark College
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Learning at Work Day Brain Gym
Thanks to Campaign for Learning for their informative and enjoyable Learning at Work Day Brain Gym. An overview of Learning at Work Day was followed by some interesting facts about the process of learning as well as some top tips for stimulating those brain cells in those after lunch hours.
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Action Group Workshops
The afternoon focused on the participative workshops on the Specialist Action Group themes of Basic Skills, Curriculum & Quality, ICT Learning Centres, 14-19 Year Olds, Employer Needs, Online Learning, Family Learning and Events in the Adult Learning Calendar.
The workshops provided delegates with an opportunity to network with others working in the similar fields, find out more about the Action Group structure and future meetings, begin to look at the key issues for the borough and draw out some recommendations for addressing these.
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Delegates Question and Answer Session
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See the Workshop Outcomes section for the outcomes of individual workshops.
Next Steps
Feedback from the conference has been very positive and we are pleased that so many of you see SNLL and the Action Groups of value to your organisation.
The next steps will be to get the Specialist Action Groups up and running and I will be in touch with those of you that attended the conference shortly about when the first meeting will take place.
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Unable to Attend?
If you were unable to attend the conference but would still like to be involved, please do get in touch and I will give you more information about where and when the next meetings are.
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Delegates had the opportunity to network during session breaks
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