WIREDGOV

LSIS has confirmed when it will cease delivery of its improvement services for the further education and skills sector.

In November 2012 the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills announced that its funding for LSIS would at the end of the 2012/13 academic year.

Consequently, LSIS confirmed in December that it had no alternative but to begin a managed exit from its delivery of improvement services for the further education and skills sector, by end July 2013.

Following discussions with BIS, LSIS is now able to confirm that the majority of its work will continue as planned, until the end of March, and that a phased ending to its services will take place during the summer term.

For many programmes this will mean that they will continue until their planned finish date. Details relating to specific programme areas will be released in due course. Sector colleagues who are already involved with programmes or booked onto events will be notified of specific details relating to them, once arrangements are finalised.

LSIS is also considering the future and timescales for LSIS Accounts, and details relating to this will be released shortly; any organisation that has an LSIS Account allocation is encouraged to make full use of this and the opportunity to access LSIS services, whilst these are still available.

Chief Executive, Rob Wye, said: “It is clear that the sector has really benefitted from LSIS. Principals who have now been appointed and are improving the sector, are those who have successfully completed leadership and management training provided by LSIS.

“Providers which are now being recognised as ‘outstanding’ are telling us that their improvement has been achieved through support from LSIS. 
“We are working with BIS and partner organisations to ensure that where possible some services and programmes, currently provided by LSIS, may continue to benefit the sector beyond August 2013 through other routes and organisations.”