Association of Colleges

The AoC is an organisation that was created by Governors and Principals to represent and serve colleges. A guiding principle of AoC is that self-governing colleges should lead change in further education for the benefit of learners, employers and the communities they live in. The track record of colleges over the last fifteen years is one of transformation, expansion and success. Self-governing colleges have responded to new demands placed on them and have helped millions of learners achieve their goals.

AoC’s Work for Governors

AoC is the main representative organisation for college Governors and all those interested in college governance. Our work on behalf of Governors ranges from representation to Ministers to advice to Governors and Clerks on key legal issues.

An example of our work to represent governors came in the debates over the Further Education and Training Act in Parliament. The original bill gave the Learning and Skills Council powers to intervene in college affairs, bypassing the governing body. AoC was the only education organisation which resisted these powers. Our arguments persuaded the House of Lords to vote down a key clause and brought the government to the table to discuss an amendment. AoC then worked with Ministers to secure passage of the entire bill (including the amended clause) through Parliament.

The governance challenges for colleges and AoC in the next few years include:

• succeeding in an increasingly challenging environment
• improving standards and meeting rising expectations from students
• engaging more successfully with employers and other partners
• developing new sources of income and improve efficiency
• ensuring that colleges retain the ability to make the right decisions
• creating a more self-regulating system

AoC Governance Helpline

Please contact the AoC Governance Helpline Advisor, Melvyn Cass, to obtain any information or guidance on issues relating to Governance.

Tel: 07989 988 427