Professor David Phoenix launches London South Bank University’s education ‘family’ concept
Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice Chancellor of London South Bank University (LSBU), has published a discussion paper outlining the concept behind LSBU’s own family of education providers.
The paper, entitled, ‘Families of Learning: Co-Creating Local Solutions to Education System Failings’, is co-authored with P.A. Consulting and examines LSBU’s ground-breaking new approach to local education provision.
In addition to London South Bank University, the LSBU ‘family’ currently contains an engineering academy (University Academy of Engineering South Bank) and a University Technical College (South Bank Engineering UTC).
The report sets out how LSBU has grown its own family of education providers while giving guidance on how other higher education institutions might seek to create a genuine learner-centred system within their own local area.
Professor Phoenix said: “The debates centred on the UK’s response to Brexit have brought into stark focus two interconnected crises. The first is the disparity in social mobility and employment opportunities across different parts of the country. The second is the chronic shortage of skills which is dragging down our national productivity.
“At the heart of both crises is an education system which is currently serving less than half of young people – the 43 per cent who go into higher education – while those who choose to pursue a technical or vocational education are faced with a complex and fragmented system which is near impossible to navigate.
“This concept of a family of education providers will help to break down the artificial divide between technical and higher education by fostering collaboration between schools, colleges and universities and offer a learner-centred system for the first time.”
The launch took place at Glazier’s Hall, London Bridge and featured a panel discussion between Professor Phoenix and David Hughes, CEO of the Association of Colleges with Mike Boxall of PA Consulting chairing.
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