The expert team is here to answer all your telephone and email queries on any subject. And if we do not know the answer, we will find it for you through our extensive networks. 

Each term, the principals come together in their regions to share information, strategies, challenges, solutions and developments. Invaluable peer network meetings which build relationships to sustain you all year round.

Members only area with expert advice and guidance in all issues concerning HR and employment law, including the SFCA pay framework and employee terms and conditions.

Industrial relations 

Clear information to ensure contractual developments and transitions are fully understood, with individualised support where difficult situations arise, offering mediation and conflict resolution with local and national unions.

Collective bargaining 

SFCA acts on behalf of college employers to negotiate the pay framework and pay levels of all teaching and non-teaching employees in the year ahead. And you have a say in what the negotiating position should be and whether the eventual settlement feels right for you.

Governors are represented on SFCA’s council and are well served by a series of conferences, publications and guidance notes plus monthly governance webinars.  Clerks are supported by an online Hub and can connect with each other and share ideas, insights, challenges and opportunities.  An annual clerks conference takes place each January alongside bespoke CPD and facilitated discussions for individual GBs. Members have access to our governance resources and chairs of governors have access to our Chair Hub.

Finance Directors and college leaders come together face-to-face and online. SFCA’s relationships with senior officials at ESFA, DfE, Treasury and major banks mean that you can be sure to receive the most useful advice and information. And your views and needs will be heard by the people that matter.

With a major national conference, regional curriculum workshops, a C & Q policy committee, and an online platform for curriculum and senior leaders, SFCA is well-placed to keep you up-to-date with developments and in contact with colleges that have developed practice relevant to you. Members have access to our extensive C & Q resources.

• The  leadership development programme for the next generation of college principals, led by serving principals and national experts in leadership, coaching and recruitment
• Middle Leadership Team Programme - colleges can choose from a menu of leadership themes that best meet the needs and priorities of their middle leaders. This proramme will be delivered in colleges to build teams so that they share common goals, language and strategies.
• Principal & CEO mentoring -   for both experienced and new leaders the opportunity to access context-specific counsel drawn from experience, understanding and networks that are highly relevant and tailored to the leadership problem to be solved or strategy to be developed.

When Ofsted comes, we will provide detailed data analysis, connections with colleges sharing contextual characteristics, resources, advice and guidance to support you through the inspection process.

Campaigning and lobbying 

SFCA facilitates the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sixth Form Colleges and liaises closely with MPs, ministers and the Secretary of State on all matters regarding policy and funding. You can help to identify the big issues of the day that SFCA will tackle on your behalf. We have an outstanding record of successful campaigning and lobbying.

Media

Our media experts will help you with all your local and national media needs: difficult local news stories; placing your celebratory articles; maintaining a high profile for the sector; drawing up press releases.

Your staff can join role-specific online networks and connect with each other to share resources, ideas, insights, challenges and opportunities associated with their job. There are also occasional opportunities for them to come together and build those relationships that are so important for cross college working. 

Online networks currently include: 

• Hub6
• Funding and finance 
• MIS
• Exam officers
• Clerks 
• Librarians
• Mental health
• SEND
• PA
• Careers

Other networks come together as needed online or in person and include:

• Human resources 
• Governors 
• Finance Directors 
• Vocational 

A frequent and regular distillation of the must know essentials in the latest developments in education delivered to your email inbox.

A rich programme of events offering a blend of input from national experts and serving practitioners, and peer learning with college leaders across the country.

Publications

You will receive copies of SFCA publications hot off the press; these tend to address hot topics of the time and best practice in member colleges.

Research 

Make the most of bespoke reports for your college when you are facing Ofsted or recruiting students. SFCA also provides multiple sector-wide analyses, reports and performance data. We can provide you with information on student outcomes and destinations, social mobility, curriculum developments and the impact of funding changes.

Resource library 

An extensive members-only web-based collection of key policy and research papers, case studies, Ofsted and funding frameworks, pro formas and templates, and associated advice and guidance.

SFCA advertises your senior post vacancies (principal, FD, SLT) across the sector, to enhance your chances of successful recruitment to key posts. Click here to view the latest vacancies. 

Advertising for new staff is an expensive business. SFCA has secured a discount for all members with established print and online recruitment sites.

We have developed relationships with a number of law firms and provide legal updates to members here. We have also negotiated discounted fees on your behalf should you wish to engage a lawyer.

Discounted Apple hardware and support - Whether investing in new technology, or maximising existing resource, the SFCA purchasing portal offers significant discounts.

Discounted copyright licence  - You are all required by law to have copyright licences. We organise your licences and negotiate a discount on your Copyright Licensing Agency fees for you.

Discounted Adobe licences - SFCA has negotiated significant reductions in Adobe licence fees for members, so that students and staff can access the full Adobe suite on any device: onsite, offsite, at home, abroad and mobile.