OfS regulatory framework for higher education: AoC responds

In response to the publication of the OfS regulatory framework, David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Assoiation of Colleges, said: “The publication of the OfS regulatory framework is an important step in the reform programme this Government is making in HE and I welcome the changes made from the draft on the back of our recommendations. I remain, however, worried about the impact of this on colleges in England which provide high quality and flexible higher education to over 150,000 people. “College HE is important because it meets the needs of different groups of students, from diverse backgrounds and ages, who are able to study locally and flexibly to fit in with work and other commitments. I know that the OfS is as keen as I am to grow that type of offer across the country; to do that we will need the OfS to share assurance from the ESFA, Ofsted and DfE rather than duplicating the regulatory burden. I am confident that the will to achieve that is there, but we need to work urgently on the details, in the interests of potential students who need a local and flexible solution.”