Welcome back

Welcome back for another year. I won't pretend I don't miss my long summer holidays (which I enjoyed for 22 years) but there is the consolation of being able to choose when I take my holidays.

The big challenge this year is the introduction of the new HN awards. We recently validated a new HNC and four new HNDs, including a brand new HND in Computer Science, and lots of you will be involved in delivering one or more of these new qualifications this year. It's an exciting prospect. The new awards are very up-to-date and, I think, have many improvements over the old awards -- not least of which is the 50% reduction in assessment. But I appreciate the challenge in delivering lots of new things in a short period of time. Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help or support. There is a range of things I can do to help - from organising a development visit to personally visiting your centre. There are lots of support materials available for these new awards (more than we have ever previously provided). Contact Caroline if you want to know what's available.

Look out for two things in the near future. Our annual satisfaction survey is about to be issued (when I ask you what you think of the service we provide) and I am currently working on the annual update letters (one for NC, one for HN, and one for SVQ). I hope to get these finished in the next couple of weeks. Readers of this blog won't learn anything from the letters (it's all been posted here in the past) but for those who don't these letters provide a useful update on developments such as the on-going review of PC Passport.

In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact Hilary for anything related to non-advanced awards (National Units, NPAs and NCs) and SVQs, or contact Caroline for advanced awards.