CFE was the independent research partner to a joint inquiry examining the role that colleges play in their communities. NIACE, the Association of Colleges and the 157 Group led the Inquiry, chaired by Baroness Sharp of Guildford. The commission reported in November on the strategic role colleges can play and the added public value they can bring in leading adult learning and serving local communities. This is particularly timely when colleges are expected to take responsibility for the shape and balance of the educational offer to their locality.
Evidence for the Inquiry was gathered from a range of sources, including a public call for evidence, an expert seminar programme, commissioned papers, and commissioners’ meetings. CFE supported this process by undertaking a systematic literature review exploring the relationship between colleges and their communities and the contribution they make to community leadership, local learning and skills policy, and the adult curriculum.
The final report was completed by November 2011 and can by found here.