London Learning Consortium

Since 2005 we have been providing high-quality learning experiences

London Learning Consortium History

LLC worked through the pandemic and the periods of lockdown. We continued to develop our online provision and worked with a range of community partners to deliver skills. LLC supported vaccine hesitancy webinars and focussed on the safe delivery of programmes for learners and staff.

DV8 went through major changes and began a process of modernisation and quality improvements.

LLC became a prime provider for the GLA, delivering adult education across the city. Transition and change were major activities during this period as our plans, like so many others, were hit by the global pandemic. LLC delivered throughout the year and continued to work with the GLA and ESFA to provide education and skills programmes.

LLC transitioned its delivery to online and changed its provision to meet the challenges of virtual teaching and assessment.

In June 2020 LLC acquired DV8, a creative industries provider of study programmes for 16–18-year-olds.

LLC set up Community-based local hubs of learning in several London Boroughs. These hubs transition those that need help most onto pathways to learning, work and social inclusion. We focused on developing partnerships that deliver impact and help change the lives of Londoners, as we supported the Mayor’s London Skills Strategy.

LLC refocused on its roots with proactive partnerships, using mainly third-sector providers in preparation for the devolution of funding to the GLA. We set up two brands, LLC Local and LLC Professional. LLC commenced its work to diversify its offer through partnership, merger or acquisition.

Our work spread to the new Coast to Capital LEP and grew in London. We worked with over twenty partners and delivered over £4M of provision.

We achieved our second Grade 2 Ofsted inspection results in a row, and saw our second successful London Voices competition.

Outcomes remained strong despite funding cuts. LLC was invited to join London Voluntary Sector ESIF Panel. LLC refocused its provision to meet the new policy agenda.

LLC launched a new membership scheme that was more aligned with funding priorities. Our income was reduced to £3.3M due to Government measures. In November, LLC was awarded a Grade 2 by Ofsted. As well as being recognised for our high achievement rates, our work in supporting learners was recognised as outstanding. London Learning Foundation delivered its first project for Comic Relief.

LLC restructured its membership scheme, setting up its charitable subsidiary ‘The London Learning Foundation’. LLC worked with nine subcontractors and purchased its premises in Croydon. Finances remained strong and LLC won new business and sought new revenue streams.

LLC grew its income to over £3.5 million, with an internal staff team of 30 operating from two premises and a membership of 230 organisations. These included 26 subcontractors and the highest value of contracting to the third sector in our history. LLC achieved legal independence from SLCVSP.

LLC income grew to £3.2 million. Staff numbers increased to 25 employees, and memberships exceeded over 200 organisations.

A year of stability and infrastructure development. Income remained at £1.6 million. The number of employees and memberships remained the same.

The name was changed to London Learning Consortium. Income rose to £1.6 million and we had over 160 memberships. We employed ten members of staff. LLC helped set up 3SC and Fair Train.

LLC revenue increased to £1.2 million, and a membership of nearly 120 organisations.

London Learning Consortium incorporated four full-time members of staff and one part-time member. LLC had an income of £440,000. Constituted as a CIC and trading arm of SLCVSP.

London Learning Consortium commenced trading activities incubated by Sutton CVS. The steering group developed into the first board. LLC had three staff members and an income of £250,000.

London CVS partnership was awarded an ESF contract sustaining community learning by the London South Learning and Skills Council. The initial staff team were recruited to pilot a voluntary sector learning and skills consortium across six London boroughs commenced.