Recently we released our video capturing some of the best moments of the 2021 Festival of Student Governance event which was held at the ICC in Birmingham. We’re listening to the real voices and feedback of the many inspiring young people that attended the two day event, so it was great to catch up with one of our delegates, Cassidy Fieldsend.
Cassidy is a 18 year old student from Eastleigh College in Hampshire, and is currently doing a Foundation Year in Art. Cassidy has been a Student Governor now for several months and her future ambition is to work in entertainment and broadcasting.
Cassidy was kind enough to share her experience of last year’s event:
“Entering the Festival of Student Governance, I really had no idea what to expect. Not only was this kind of event new to me, but I’d only become a student governor recently. I didn’t have many expectations of the role, and being taken to Birmingham to attend an event as big as the Association of Colleges Annual Conference was definitely not what I anticipated!
Leading up to the two-day trip, I didn’t feel too nervous. Nor did I when I was checking into the hotel. But once I headed down to meet everyone else over dinner, the nerves finally kicked in.
The evening meal was kicked off by some fantastic guest speakers – whose inspiring words frightened me to be honest. Listening to them describe not only the next two days, but the coming year, made me realise the gravity and importance of the responsibility I’d taken on.
As a new governor, I was aware I had a lot to learn, but I didn’t realise just how much there was. It felt absolutely impossible.
But the more I listened to everyone around me talk, I realised that I was in the right place; the whole point of this trip was to learn how to be a great governor!
So with a slight change of perspective, my worries were shaped into a determination that would help me get the most of the next day.
After an evening of quizzes, greetings, and games, we all met again over breakfast and then walked to Birmingham’s International Convention Centre for the Association of Colleges Annual Conference.
Now, when I said before that I didn’t know what to expect, I definitely wasn’t anticipating to be welcomed with a strobe-filled interpretive dance piece, illustrating the dangers of the climate crisis.
This thrilling start to the conference was also one of the many ways the event allowed students to showcase their studies.
Alongside the dance students; those studying catering, event management, and more were able to gain experience by working on the event. It was reassuring to see how the FE sector truly believes in those they’re teaching. And as a student attending, it felt great to be seen on the same level as all these professionals.
The rest of our morning focused on clarifying what it means to be a governor. We were taught crucial things regarding our own roles, the function and purpose boards, and the current state of the educational sector. Even the simpler-seeming things, like the language and terminology we’re likely to come across, were incredibly helpful to be taught.
The day was packed full of information but the Unloc team got it across perfectly without it feeling overwhelming. They kept us involved and interested with various activities, including a practice board meeting. As a practical learner, this was such a memorable and valuable way to learn.
We also attended breakout sessions of our own choosing, educating us on topics such as inclusivity, diversity and sustainability.
The support and guidance from the Unloc team was immensely helpful. It was also really comforting to speak with other Student Governors – it was great for us new governors to see that we were all in the same boat, and also to speak to experienced governors who had been in our position.
Being surrounded by all these amazing young people was possibly the most inspiring part of the trip.
In just two days, I went from knowing very little to feeling, not only prepared, but excited about my new responsibilities. The Festival of Student Governance was a great start to what I hope will be a great year as governor!
This November Student Governors from around the country will be coming together to develop their skills and learn best practice at the Festival of Student Governance.
Held at the ICC in Birmingham – this annual event brings together young people from across the UK for governance training that ensures they are knowledgeable, supported, and prepared for the responsibility being given to them in their role.
But that’s just what we say… what does a Student Governor really think?
We spoke to last year’s Student Governor for Exeter College Tom Matthew, who previously attended the Festival, to hear his experience in his own words:
“I was a Student Governor from 2019-2020 at Exeter College in Devon, and I wanted share a few words about how Unloc’s Student Governors Conference helped me to become a better governor.
When I started out in my role as a Student Governor, like many new Governors, I didn’t really know what to expect! I was suddenly sitting in this fancy board room surrounded by all these MBEs, CBEs, Professors, Lawyers, Accountants, and local leaders…
I wasn’t really sure how I could bring value to a room already packed with so much knowledge, experience and expertise?!
A month or two into my term, I attended Unloc’s Student Governor Conference, and it was an incredible opportunity to connect with a whole load of likeminded people from across the country who were going through the same experience as me.
As we went through the programme, I quickly learned that the value we bring to board meetings is found in the intimate, direct and thorough experience we have of the education that the board is supporting the college’s leadership to improve.
We are a critical piece of the puzzle of good governance. Attending Unloc’s conference helped me to better understand what that puzzle piece looks like.
Another challenge I had was that I didn’t really understand the broader educational context that my college was operating in. It felt like most of the big decisions the board was being asked were on these massive, long term, estate projects – which were tied to different government schemes and programmes.
I was in no position to know whether these projects were a good deal for the students at my college, because I was looking at things through the narrow lens of my own short experience at the college. I didn’t know how things were likely to change years down the line, and I didn’t really understand how the college’s plans related to national efforts to shift Further Education provision in certain directions.
Unloc’s conference helped me to open my eyes to the ‘big education picture’, that is, how education funding and provision has change over the past few years, and where it is headed. This helped me to better understand the role my college can play, and how we can make decisions that are in the interests of students today, and students in years to come.
The conference gave me a renewed confidence and a sense that – through being a student governor, I could make a real difference to the experience students had at my college.
I was now connected to a network of student governors from across the country, and a team of people at Unloc, all of whom were ready to support me to become the best governor I could be.
My term as student governor was only one year, so I had to hit the ground running, and that’s not easy to do when you have no idea what you are doing, but Unloc, and this conference in particular, helped me to find my feet and make the most of what was a seriously amazing experience.
Are you a Student Governor interested in attending the event?
As a delegate you’ll become equipped with practical skills and knowledge, hear from inspirational guest speakers, and develop abilities that will empower you to deliver positive influence and change at your college.
Our dynamic one day conference includes overnight accommodation, interactive workshops, bespoke training, inspiring guest speakers and a networking dinner.
What’s the schedule?
Delegates will check into the Ibis Birmingham New Street Hotel from 5pm on Monday 15th November. At 7pm that evening there will be a networking dinner event where all attendees can meet, get to know each other, enjoy a meal and hear from our inspirational guest speakers.
The next morning on Tuesday 16th November delegates will enjoy breakfast, then head to the Birmingham International Convention Centre for a 9am – 4pm conference event, filled with engaging workshops, training, lunch, guest speakers and immersive activities.
Thanks to a heavily subsidised ticket we are pleased to offer delegate passes at £75 each. This includes the conference, all food, entertainment, and overnight accommodation.
The only thing not included is travel to and from the conference!
Delegate passes are offered on a first come first served basis. There are a limited number of places available – so be sure to reserve a place sooner rather than later.
Young Person interested in attending the event?
Speak to your college Principal or Clerk to find out if you’re able to join in and attend, we’d love to see you there!
Education professional looking to book a place/places for your students?
Simply click here to use our simple online booking form.
This November Student Governors from around the country will be coming together to develop their skills and learn best practice at the Festival of Student Governance at Birminghams International Convention Centre!
Unloc in partnership with the Association of Colleges and supported by The Blagrave Trust, have organised this unique opportunity to raise the profile of student governors and train them up for their roles at the United Kingdom’s largest further education event.
The Festival of Student Governance brings together young people from across the UK for governance training that ensures they are knowledgeable, supported, and prepared for the responsibility being given to them in their role.
They’ll develop their leadership abilities and attend workshops that will focus on key skills and practical knowledge for governance. Importantly they will also have the opportunity to meet and network with clerks, principals and other student governors from around the country.
Delegates will become equipped with practical skills and knowledge, hear inspirational guest speakers, and develop abilities that will empower them to deliver positive influence and change at their college.
Our dynamic one day conference includes overnight accommodation, interactive workshops, bespoke training, inspiring guest speakers and a networking dinner.
Delegates will check into the Ibis Birmingham New Street Hotel from 5pm on Monday 15th November. At 7pm that evening there will be a networking dinner event where all attendees can meet, get to know each other, enjoy a meal and hear from our inspirational guest speakers.
The next morning on Tuesday 16th November delegates will enjoy breakfast, then head to the Birmingham International Convention Centre for a 9am – 4pm conference event, filled with engaging workshops, training, lunch, guest speakers and immersive activities.
Thanks to a heavily subsidised ticket we are pleased to offer delegate passes at £75 each. This includes the conference, all food, entertainment, and overnight accommodation.
The only thing not included is travel to and from the conference!
Delegate passes are offered on a first come first served basis. There are a limited number of places available – so if you or your student governors are interested in attending the conference, be sure to reserve a place sooner rather than later.
Young Person interested in attending the event?
Speak to your college Principal or Clerk to find out if you’re able to join in and attend, we’d love to see you there!
Education professional looking to book a place/places for your students?
Simply click here to use our simple online booking form.
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