FE inspires me. I just wish those outside of colleges could see what I see.
One evening, I ended up heading to the college’s training restaurant for an absurdly cheap seven-course dinner. The food was great, but it was the service that made me feel overwhelmed. In that domain, they were the experts and they took pride in showing me the best of themselves.
That’s why FE inspires me.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been delivering sessions for our most academic students on building a learning community and nurturing curiosity. I’ve been struck by the support they give one another. They speak candidly because they have a united ambition to learn.
That’s why FE inspires me.
The Association of Colleges and the Education and Training Foundation do extremely valuable work for us. The Society for Education and Training has quickly established itself as a force for research and CPD. The University and College Union does a damnably good job of fighting for its college-based members.
Most importantly, though, just look to your peers and the quality of the people we work with every day.
They’re why FE inspires me.
Yet we remain underfunded and undervalued, because we teach other people’s children.
In the week ahead, as we stand shoulder to shoulder in Westminster and unite our voices towards government, let’s make them see what I see.
Andrew Otty leads 16-19 English in an FE college
