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The Women's Leadership Network aims to develop a strong, dynamic and influential network of women leaders, to promote equality of opportunity throughout the FE system.

 
 

 

 

Contact:

Women's Leadership Network OCVC
Oxpens Road
Oxford
OX1 1SA

Contact: Paula Hallam
Telephone: 01865 551 001

  Latest research on women principals in England  
 
Women’s Leadership Network regional networks in England

There’s a WLN Regional Network near you!


Regional network meetings have now taken place in eight out of the nine regions, with more dates being added for next term. These networks are held for Women in the FE and Skills Sector who have aspirations for their careers and who are striving to grow and develop as excellent managers and leaders. Feel free to get in touch with the contact listed and come to a meeting to connect with other highly synergetic and supportive women. There is an immense benefit to be gained by networking with other women - to hear thoughts and ideas, gain feedback, offer inspiration, provide a fresh perspective, make introductions and more. Come and share your experiences and create professional links and opportunities.


Planned regional activities include: local mentoring and work-shadowing opportunities, visiting speakers, local leadership training, CV and interview skills development, confidence-building and many others. Here’s what’s happening in your area, with details of contacts for each region.

East Midlands meeting

Women from colleges in the East Midlands at their recent meeting
held at Boston College

East of England - next meetings: 24th September 2010 and 1st April 2011 at ACER, St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Contact:  Haylee Jones at haylee.jones@acer.ac.uk

Last meeting:at ACER, St Ives, Cambs

Convened by Debbie Dear. A wide range of suggestions for the agreed three meetings a year including: regional network of coaches, speakers from other sectors, local leadership training to avoid travel, skills development for interviews, local or regional work-shadow opportunities and many others.

East Midlands – next meeting:  to be held in October at New College, Nottingham: date to be confirmed
Contact:  Jan Mooney at jan-m@boston.ac.uk

Last Meeting:  at Boston College

Convened by Sue Daley, Principal of Boston College.Activities for future meetings were discussed and agreed.

London and Surrey next meeting: date to be confirmed
Contact: Frances Butler at Frances.Butler@lewisham.ac.uk

Last meeting: at Lewisham College

Convened by Maxine Room, Principal of Lewisham College. 

Guest speakers and speed-mentoring were part of the evening's activities.

North West   next meeting:  22nd September 2010
Contact:  Julia Christie at jc@bsfc.ac.uk

Last meeting: at Warrington Collegiate

Convened by Kathy Podmore, Principal of Birkenhead Sixth Form College. The last meeting was well attended and there was renewed enthusiasm for future meetings, with suggestions including: sharing of good practice, mentoring and coaching, confidence building, workshops led by current leaders, work shadowing.

South East (coastal counties) next meeting: Autumn Term - date to be confirmed
Contact: 
Lisa Mullock at LisaMullock@aosec.org.uk

Last meeting: at City College Brighton & Hove

Topics of particular interest for this Network include:

• using the networking events as part of professional CPD,

• engaging younger women to attend,

• setting up work shadowing opportunities for aspiring middle managers.

This Network suggested aligning itself to FE Sussex HR meetings. Central Sussex College will host an autumn network meeting.

South East (Thames Valley) – next meeting:  planned for Autumn Term at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College
Contact:  Sarah Schofield at sschofield@aylesbury.ac.uk

Last meeting:at BCA

Convened by Pauline Odulinksi, Principal of Aylesbury College, presentation on Women and Image followed by Q & A.  A range of future activities is planned for this region.

South West  first meeting:  planned for Autumn Term

Convenor:  Sue Moore at Weymouth College

Contact:  Carole Harris at carole_harris@weymouth.ac.uk

West Midlands  next meeting:  to be confirmed
Contact: 
Yvonne Orton at yvonne.orton@burton-college.ac.uk

Last meeting: at Burton College

Convened by Dawn Ward, Principal of Burton College. Significant interest in developing a WLN regional network, with activities such as mentoring and work shadowing.

Yorkshire and Humberside another meeting will be held if there is sufficient interest.
Contact: 
Lynda Clarkson at LClarkson@hull-college.ac.uk

Last meeting: at Hull College

This meeting was convened and hosted by Elaine McMahon, Principal of Hull College. There was enthusiasm for future meetings to take place, with a range of suggestions such as: support of principals, case studies, CV and interview skills development, mentorship including from outside the sector.

A meeting also took place in the North East in January 2010.  LSIS kindly funded initial meetings in regions with the lowest percentage of women principals (North East, East Midlands, East of England).

Not accessible to a regional network?  WLN is setting up a chat room on the website for members and access to e-coaching. Watch this space for more details.


 

Latest news

 

Annual conference report 2010

All photographs of the Annual Conference 2010 were taken by students of Barking & Dagenham College.

The voices of women – read about our latest research

 

Latest percentages of female principals in England

 

 

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