About the South London Lifelong Learning Network
LPE, the Lifelong Learning Network for South London covers a geographical sweep that incorporates parts of North Surrey and the seven South London Boroughs: Bromley, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth. The Network combines the strengths of twenty three further and higher education institutions based in the region and some twenty or so other stakeholders including local education authorities, the South London Learning Partnership, London South LSC, Aimhigher London South and South London Business.
Click here for the full strategic development fund bid to HEFCE.
Aims
The principal aim of LPE is to increase vocational learner progression into higher level study and beyond. Over the course of the last two years LPE working with its partner organisations has focussed on developments that are designed to attract new vocational learners into higher education; to ensure that our target learners are prepared for higher level study and that they are able to achieve to the best of their capabilities on the course of their choice and are ultimately successful in their studies either as preparation for the world of work or further study.
Specific projects to achieve these aims include: the development of new courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, often in partnership with employers and sector skills councils, that ensures that course content is relevant to industry higher level skills requirements; the creation of sector specific ‘bridging’ and transition activities that prepare vocational learners for the learning, teaching and assessment demands of higher education; the development of course provision that is available in bite-size, part-time and other flexible modes of delivery that fit better with the demands of employment and other life commitments and the creation of improved information about HE opportunities that includes the development of progression agreements, promotional material designed specifically for the vocational learner and sector based web resources.
The Network seeks to work with vocational learners at whatever point in their lifelong learning journey, be they current learners at level 3 or potential learners in employment seeking either whole qualifications of continuing professional development opportunities. Based on regional economic, demographic and labour market needs the Network focuses on the following sectors:
Health, Social Care and Biomedical Sciences
The Network is governed by a Steering Board made up of senior representatives from partner institutions and organisations. The work of each Sector is driven by a Sector Group which brings together subject experts from across the partners. LPE also works closely with its neighbouring LLNs.