Cornerstone Ed16_online

CS / PETER MCCANN
As he stepped down from his role as principal and chief executive in August, Peter McCann
was proud of progress Kirklees College has made during his five years in charge.
During this time the college
has dramatically improved
its facilities with the opening
of new buildings including
the Huddersfield Centre,
Engineering Centre and the
Process Manufacturing Centre,
and plans and funding for two
new centres in Dewsbury for
2018 have been agreed with
the Leeds City Region Local
Enterprise Partnership.
This period has also seen
a remarkable growth in
Apprenticeships, increased
partnership working with local
business and organisations, and
improved Ofsted rating, pass
rates and progression of students
to Apprenticeships, employment
and higher education.
The college has also received
national recognition including
a National Beacon Award for
its Aspiring Managers training
programme in 2014 and a Beacon
Award runner-up commendation
in 2015 for application of
technology in learning.
Most recently in 2016 the college
was awarded the national silver
award from Apprenticeships 4
England for the quality of the
apprenticeship provision offered
through the college.
The college also received
formal recognition in 2013 from
the Minister at the time for the
outstanding, rapid improvement
in teaching and learning and
student outcomes.
“When I joined the college back
in 2011 the college was faced
with a £7.6m operating deficit, so
my first year/18 months was very
difficult to get the college on an
even keel financially whilst still
improving teaching and learning
and student success,” said Peter.
“We’ve had lots of further
challenges since the original
deficit with year on year cuts
in adult funding up until 2015,
which have made the financial
journey even more difficult.
“It was also essential that we
listened to employer needs
and invested in the future for
Kirklees and the employers who
provide employment for our
community. The engineering and
process manufacturing centres
will provide essential skills for
economy and I am proud we
have been able to achieve that
despite our financial difficulties.
“The thing that kept me
focused and determined was
the wonderful staff and students
at the college and the broader
community, who supported the
college and our students to
succeed.
“It’s obviously very positive that
student success rates across
all areas have improved out of
recognition from where we were
five years ago but you are only as
good as your last set of results
so we are currently working with
this year’s graduates to ensure
achievement and progression
are as high as humanly possible
for every student.
“The GCSE maths and English
results are the most difficult
part of our work as the majority
of young people who have not
achieved a grade C at school
come to the college and it is
unrealistic to think they can
all succeed in a year with us
although many do.
“People in national office tell
me the reputation of the college
has never been higher and that
is obviously nice to hear. Part
of what makes the college so
special is that we serve such
a diverse community and are
committed to opportunity for all
and add value to lives through
the power of education and
skills.
“The thing that kept me focused
and determined was the wonderful
staff and students at the college
and the broader community, who
supported the college and our
students to succeed.”
Image above: Peter and staff at the Huddersfield Centre
www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk
9 . A U T U M N 2 0 1 6