Annual Report 09/10

college missionleadership in learning: excellence at work

Blackpool and The Fylde College serves individuals, communities and employers by providing excellent learning

opportunities that enhance social development and contribute to economic success.

Our College transforms lives by inspiring learners to achieve their potential in a supportive learning environment.

Placing the learner

at the heart of all

we do

Showing fairness,

courtesy and

mutual respect

Teaching and

learning as the key

to our success

Empowering others

to achieve their full

potential

Aspiring to excellence:

quality is everyone’s

responsibility

Working

together to get

the best results

onetwo

three

sixfi vefour

equality and diversityBlackpool and The Fylde College is committed to

equality in all its activities for those who learn

and work here, and will respect differences in

race and ethnic origin, gender, disability, mental

health, sexual orientation, age, religion and belief,

additional learning, economic and social need.

If you would like to receive this publication in an

alternative format, please contact the Support

and Guidance Team on Tel. 01253 504356 or

Email: [email protected]

For the hearing impaired: Textphone (Minicom)

01253 355755

retractionIn our 2008/2009 Annual Report, we mistakenly attributed the cover image to Darren Forster, then a Year 2 student on the Foundation

Degree in Photography and Digital Design. The image was in fact the creation of Sam Ratcliffe, then a Year 2 student on the National Diploma

Graphic Design but now in his fi rst year of our BA (Hons) Graphic Design. We would like to apologise to both students for this error, but

particularly to Sam, whose deserved recognition of his work is unfortunately a year overdue.

college values

contents3

Foreword by Stephen Lamley, Chair of the Corporation Board

Opening Statement from Pauline Waterhouse, OBE

A Year at a Glance

Employer Responsiveness

WorldSkills UK

College Alumni

School Partnerships

Scholarships/Action Research

Sustainability

Accommodation

achievements by curriculum areaAcademic Studies

Access and Continuing Education

Art, Media and Performance

Art and Design (Higher Education)

Automotive, Aviation and Gaming

Business and Professional Studies

Catering and Food Production

Construction

Engineering and Computing (including Project Management)

Fleetwood Nautical Campus

Hairdressing, Beauty and Related Therapies

Society, Health and Childhood

Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality

Associated Companies

facts and figuresFinance

Student Information

Staffi ng Information

Composition of the Corporation

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pauline waterhouse obeprincipal and chief executive

opening statement

2010 has been a

year of significant

progress. The

College’s commitment

to pursuing a truly

inclusive mission

has once again been

recognised on a

national stage; standards of teaching

and learning remain strong; student

satisfaction with the learning experience

is high; the modernisation of the College

estate has continued apace and our

finances remain robust, despite the

challenging economic climate.

The College is an active strategic partner

in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and we work

closely with partner secondary schools

in the area to improve the educational

opportunities available to young people.

In 2010, the College engaged as a partner

in 5 Trust Schools and as the lead

educational partner in the Palatine Sports

College Trust. Some 700 young people

aged 14-16 from local high schools now

study in the College every week and a

significant proportion of them progress

onto full-time FE courses here at age 16.

They are introduced to a wide range of

exciting career opportunities and a higher

number of our students than ever before

are now electing to progress to higher

education at our own University Centre.

The £10 million University Centre

was opened by Lord Tom McNally in

December 2009 and the new facilities

have been warmly welcomed by staff and

students alike. Record higher education

Welcome to the Annual Report of Blackpool and The Fylde College.

The aim of this Report is to give a flavour of what the College does and

how well it does it. The College is a Community College for Blackpool,

Fylde and Wyre. It is possible to progress right through the education and

training system, and stay in the same institution (though you might have to

move from Bispham to central Blackpool!). We also have an international

centre of excellence in our Nautical Campus at Fleetwood, a fine campus at

Ansdell in the South Fylde, and learning centres all over the area.

Setting priorities for this complex activity – we turn over nearly £50 million

a year – is actually not difficult. Item one: provide the comprehensive range

of learning opportunities the people of this area need to help them to cope

with a difficult world. Item two: ensure that the quality of what we do is high

and continually improving. Item three: give our learners the best teaching

and learning support. Item four: ensure that our facilities are the best we

can afford, and that resources such as information technology are always

up to date and in line with the industry standards that many of our learners

will need to cope with in their working lives. The Governors are in no doubt

that these are the things we should concentrate on; it is (as in all of life) a

question of fulfilling our ambitions. We will sustain our position as one of

the best colleges of our kind in the country.

Excellence can take many forms, and it is not easy to pick out particular

highlights. I try to visit different parts of the College and attend as many

events as I can, and just three of the many experiences I have had during

the last year come to mind:

• our wonderful College choir, who have performed to several important

external audiences – quite outstanding

• the work of one of our FE graphics students, who is already winning

prizes for his design work – highly imaginative

• the middle-aged learner with special needs who told an audience that,

thanks to the support he has had from tutors in our College, he can now

go on a bus on his own for the first time – this has changed his life.

Many more of the accomplishments of our staff and students are reported

in these pages. On behalf of the Governors I congratulate them all. We are

confident that the College will continue to thrive, whatever the external

challenges, and provide the education and training that will do so much to

improve the lives of the people we serve.

Blackpool and The Fylde College · Annual Report and Accounts | 0910

stephen lamleychief of the corporation board

foreword

FOREWORD AND OPENING STATEMENT

Build-Up, a project led by the School of Construction.

The purpose of the project is to address the shortage

of construction skills and to support the needs of

the Construction industry in implementing some of

the major building projects underpinning Blackpool’s

regeneration, such as the renewal of the sea defences.

In the National Beacon Awards, the College achieved

highly commended status for a collaborative project

between the School of Catering and Food Production

and the Salvation Army. Working in the bistro of the

Salvation Army Citadel College staff worked with

vulnerable, long-term unemployed adults, helping

them to develop vital employment skills. The judges

described the project as ‘outstanding’ and its

outcomes for students as ‘spectacular’.

Work with employers is a critical part of the College’s

mission. We are proud of the work we do with business

both at a national level, for example, with the Ford

Motor Company and on a regional basis, including

our work with BAE Systems, as well as the myriad

number of small and medium-sized businesses with

whom we work on the Fylde Coast. An exciting new

contract this year has been our work to support the

recruitment strategy of the multi-national company

Global Renewables in their relocation to Lancashire.

Working with the company to recruit to a range of new

jobs has provided a major boost to the local economy.

Irrespective of the size of the organisation, the College

strives to be responsive to the needs of employers.

During the year, many of our students enjoyed

exceptional success, and their achievements are

celebrated in this report. We also take pride in

our work with our many stakeholders across the

community and in the pages that follow, some of

these exciting partnerships are showcased. Together

we have created a College with a strong track record

of success, confi dent of what it will achieve in the

future. However, my fi nal expression of thanks must

go to the staff of Blackpool and The Fylde College.

Without their dedication, talent and exceptional level

of commitment, the College could not have achieved

all that it has done to date and all that we aspire to, in

the future.

5

enrolments have been achieved this year - 2000 learners

- representing growth of 100% in the last 5 years. Indeed

Blackpool and The Fylde College is now the third largest

provider nationally of degree programmes within a college

setting. As well as 18-year-olds progressing directly onto

higher education from college or school, we welcome adult

students who may be combining employment with study for

a degree, to enhance their career prospects. Certainly the

University Centre is integral to supporting the skills agenda

and contributing to economic growth and development on

the Fylde Coast.

During the course of the year, the Gallery at the University

Centre hosted an exhibition of some of Britain’s most

celebrated young artists, reinforcing the College’s national

reputation in the fi eld of Art and Design. Supported by the

British Council, the exhibition featured work from Damien

Hirst and Tracey Emin and included painting, print and

photography celebrating the renowned Sensation show at

the Royal Academy in London.

The National Training Award is one of the UK’s most

prestigious awards for vocational education and training and

it was a great honour for the College to win this award for the

second successive year. This was in recognition of Blackpool

20102009200920096


a year at a glanceseptember

The College’s new Central Hub at the University Centre became the fi rst build project in Blackpool, and one of a small number nationally, to achieve a post-construction BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating in recognition of its sustainable design and environmental performance.

october For the second year running, the College

won one of the most prestigious awards for vocational education and training – a National Training Award. This was in recognition of the Blackpool Build-Up project, led by the School of Construction. The purpose of the project is to address the shortage of construction skills on the Fylde Coast and thus support the needs of the industry in implementing some of the major building projects underpinning key regeneration initiatives in Blackpool. As part of the project, a specialist Construction facility was opened in the centre of Blackpool where staff train the long-term unemployed and support them into work in the Construction industry.

november In the National Beacon Awards, the

College achieved ‘highly commended’ status for a collaborative project between the School of Catering and Food Production and the Salvation Army. In the bistro of the Salvation Army Citadel, College staff work with homeless, vulnerable and long-term unemployed adults, training them in food production and service. The judges commented on the way that the project helped the individuals involved to re-discover hope. The project was described as ‘outstanding’ and its outcomes for students as ‘spectacular’.

2010200920102010201020102010201020102010201020102010201020102010201020102010

A YEAR AT A GLANCE

7

december Our University Centre became the world’s

largest Christmas present as it was literally unwrapped at a spectacular launch event attended by Lord Tom McNally of Blackpool. The new £10 million facility has been warmly welcomed by staff and students alike and the College achieved record higher education enrolments of just under 2,000 learners (representing a growth of 100% over the last 5 years). The Centre will be integral to supporting the development of the higher level skills agenda on the Fylde Coast and contributing to economic growth and development.

january The College began working with Global

Renewables, a multi-national waste management company locating to two sites in Lancashire. In a collaborative partnership between the company, the College, Wyre Borough Council and JobCentre Plus, 160 individuals were trained and recruited to new jobs – a major boost to the local economy. This type of employer activity is a critical part of the College’s mission and the College worked with literally hundreds of employers over the year.

february The College launched its fi rst ever

Go Green Week, consisting of a full programme of events designed to carry an environmental message to both students and staff. All monies raised were subsequently donated to green charity People and Planet.

20102009200920098


march The Gallery at the University Centre hosted an exhibition of

some of Britain’s most celebrated young artists. Supported by the British Council, the exhibition, ‘Selection’, featured work from Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, as well as Hannah Starkey, Helen Chadwick and Hannah Collins. The work on display included painting, print and photography celebrating the Royal Academy’s 1997 Sensation show, which made a lasting impression on the British public.

An Ofsted inspection of the Initial Teacher Training programme within the School of Business and Professional Studies culminated in an extremely positive outcome, with the provision being judged as Good, grade 2, and many strengths being identifi ed.

april A College Graphics student was the runner-

up in the Art of Nurture competition organised by Lloyds TSB. The competition is designed to support and encourage UK creative talent with successful entries being given the opportunity to display their work in prestigious galleries to members of the business world.

The College hosted a glittering awards ceremony at Blackpool’s Imperial Hotel to recognise and reward top apprentices and employers from across the Fylde Coast. College tutors had nominated apprentices for their success, achievement and for representing the College in a positive way in industry, while apprentices themselves had nominated their employers for supporting them through their employment. A highlight of the evening was a keynote address by reality show ‘The Apprentice’ celebrity Ruth Badger.

may BA Graphic Design student david

Kennedy won the Royal Society of Arts Design Directions award. The Design Directions award scheme encourages designers in training to apply their skills to diffi cult social issues and play an infl uential role in making society more resourceful.

2010200920102010201020102010201020102010201020102010201020102010201020102010

A YEAR AT A GLANCE

9

june In the Queen’s Birthday Honours list College Principal

and Chief Executive Pauline Waterhouse was awarded an OBE for Services to Further Education. Commenting on her award, she said: “The award is testament to the achievement and success of the staff, governors and students at Blackpool and The Fylde College.”

In the prestigious WorldSkills competitions (UK Skills), gold medals in the national fi nals were won by Accountancy students in the School of Business and Professional Studies and by students from the School of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy.

At the 2010 VQ Day event, which showcases the country’s best vocational achievements, the College Choir was chosen to perform in front of MPs and entertainment icon Arlene Phillips at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

Catering students achieved a remarkable level of success at the Alliance of Bakery Students and Trainees Annual Conference 2010 (12 Gold Medals; 7 Silver Medals; 5 Bronze Medals; 7 Very Highly Commended; 5 Highly Commended; 3 Commended out of a total of 18 categories) and in the Seafood UK Championship Final (2 Silver Medallists). july

Despite a challenging funding climate, category A status was retained as a fi nancially robust College. A historic cost surplus of £1,434,000 (excluding the impact of FRS17) was achieved, signifi cantly exceeding the planned surplus of £750,000 and enabling additional investment to be made for the benefi t of students and staff.

Media students from the School of Art, Media and Performance won the prize for Most Enterprising Team at the 2010 Hero Awards. The award followed a nomination by Curriculum Leader Colin Appleby for the students’ exceptional teamworking abilities and fundraising activities, which supported a residential trip to Castleton.

10Blackpool and The Fylde College · Annual Report and Accounts | 0910

employerresponsivenessoverviewDuring 2009/10 the College grew its range of services to employers and

successfully delivered qualifications to over 2000 people. The number of

adults on work-based programmes increased by almost 50%

In responding to known skills shortages the College has increased

the volume of activity at Level 3 and is developing improved routes

to Higher Education for people in work. Concurrently, there has been

significant growth in helping the workless and unemployed into sustained

employment. This has been done by providing people with employability

skills and giving them vocational ‘tasters’ that help them to make the

transition to working life.

during the period almost 50% more people learnt new skills

EMPLOYER RESPONSIVENESS

11

The College has a relentless focus

on listening to the ‘Employer Voice’

and provision is continually being

developed and refi ned to be as

responsive as possible. During the

year we have assisted a number

of companies with their staff

recruitment by helping potential

candidates become ‘work ready’ and

to have a clear understanding of the

culture and expectations of their

prospective employers.

responding to employers by raising skill levelsIn responding to the country’s need to improve skill levels and productivity

the College has invested almost £4 million of government funding in

providing work-based training to employed people across the Fylde Coast

and beyond. This investment has supported nearly 400 employers ranging

from SME’s to multi-nationals in boosting the competitiveness, productivity

and motivation of their workforces.

Throughout the year there was a concerted effort to improve levels of

employer responsiveness and maximise the fl exibility and effectiveness of

our programme design and delivery. The growth in enrolments of 15% and

associated success rates has been testimony to the impact of this approach.

The College’s apprenticeship offer has been increased due to improvements

in the delivery method. Materials and assessments are now managed online

through a system called Onefi le, facilitating more delivery taking place

off campus and in the workplace. Programmes have been customised to

ensure added value for employers and their staff. Ruth Badger from TV’s

‘The Apprentice’ helped us to celebrate the success and achievement of our

apprentices by giving the keynote speech and presenting at our Apprentice

and Employer awards evening at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool.

we supported 386 employers with raising their employees’ skills


In addition to supporting funded skills development through

Apprenticeships and Train to Gain the College has also developed a

wide range of bespoke provision, which is tailored to meet the specific

requirements of individual clients. In response to the Government’s

aspiration to improve the nation’s skills base we have been developing

apprenticeship frameworks in new vocational areas and building

our capacity to deliver the training which will be necessary to help

businesses survive and grow in this difficult economic environment.

Foundation Degrees are higher education programmes designed to

support the development of people in the workplace. Year on year an

increasing amount of provision has been delivered in the workplace.

Employers have responded enthusiastically to this approach to higher

level skills and in 2009/10 1231 people enrolled on Foundation Degrees.

We have adapted the provision of mandatory courses to best

suit employers’ needs. More and more often we are delivering at

employers’ premises and redesigning delivery so no one is away from

their job longer than needed, thus reducing costs. Over the last year

we have also responded to the requirements of Blackpool as a whole

and developed training to improve the night-time economy through

an initiative named ‘Raising the Bar’. Funding was sourced via third

parties which meant very little cost to the night-time operators added

to which were the huge savings to the local authority and the NHS.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIVENESS

13assisting the local economy by supporting people back into employmentThe College is celebrating another successful year for both the employability

and Skills for Life activity it has undertaken, as over 900 people have been

supported back into employment through a range of projects funded by

the Skills Funding Agency, European Social Fund (ESF) and Local Enterprise

Growth initiative (LEGI).

Throughout the year the Employability Team have run a number of pre-

employment training programmes, designed and delivered following close

consultation with the employers concerned. These programmes have

supported the unemployed in developing the necessary skills to better their

chances of securing employment and also streamlined the recruitment

process for employers, saving both time and money. Pre-employment

training allows employers to build their workforce to their own specifi cation.

Working with employers such as Global

Renewables, Crown Leisure and The

Sands Venue, we have supported

over 250 people back into advertised

vacancies with these companies. There

are many more of these programmes

planned in 2011.

The employability agenda is set to

grow in 2011 as Government changes

and new directives highlight the need

to reduce the number of people on

benefi t by assisting them into sustained

employment. The College has responded

proactively and effectively to these

planned changes by engaging with

the proposed Prime providers of the

new Work Programme which is due to

commence in April 2011 and by building

an effective and effi cient Employability

Team combined with a successful model

of delivery to meet the needs of the long-

term unemployed. The model is built with

fl exibility at its heart in order to provide

people with the appropriate skills to meet

the ever-changing needs of the labour

market across the Fylde.

employer viewpointGlobal Renewables fi rst became aware of the support

offered by Blackpool and The Fylde College through

discussions with Wyre Borough Council in 2009

following the decision to build two new processing

plants in Lancashire. Meetings took place throughout

2009 and into 2010 to formalise how our Company and the College

could work together to support the recruitment of over 200 production

operatives for our business.

Working as a team, a pre-employment training event was composed

and tailored to the needs of the Company, which guaranteed those who

passed the course an interview. Key to our business was ensuring the

course was what we wanted; not just an off-the-peg one-size-fi ts-all

approach. The College went out of their way to ensure they worked with

us and provided us with what we wanted, presenting new, innovative

ideas as we went along.

tracey robinsonHuman Resources ManagerGlobal Renewables Lancashire Operations Ltd


WorldSkills UK is the name for the UK’s premier set of skills

competitions for young people and adults. As a WorldSkills UK

Champion, Blackpool and The Fylde College’s Principal Pauline

Waterhouse OBE is responsible for encouraging organisations

to get involved in WorldSkills UK competitions, raising the level

of skills and the aspirations of young people and increasing

the number of people participating.

In 2009/10, our learners demonstrated outstanding

achievement through the following WorldSkills UK

successes:

• First year student band Mad Hatter’s Tea Party earned

themselves a place at the WorldSkills 2010 National

Final (UK Skills Competition for Music)

• Learners from the School of Business and Professional

Studies won Gold for AAT Accountancy)

• Construction learners won in five categories at the

North West regional finals of SkillBuild (hosted by the

College), with 2 learners going on to achieve ‘highly

commended’ at the National Finals.

• Learners from the School of Hairdressing, Beauty and

Related Therapies won both Gold and Bronze for Nail Art

and a Bronze for Reflexology.

• An outstanding performance by learners at the

WorldSkills UK Uniformed Services Regional Heat

(hosted by the College) saw them go through to the

National Final.

In 2011, WorldSkills comes to London when 1,000 competitors

from 50 nations will compete in 45 skill areas to become the

best of the best in their chosen skill. The event, being held at

ExCel between 5-8 October 2011, will raise both the awareness

and perception of vocational education and skills, helped by

London's status as a global media centre and the spotlight of

the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

worldskillsuk

WORLD SKILLS / ALUMNI

15

college alumniIn July, close to 800 students (more than ever

before) were awarded with degrees, diplomas

and teaching qualifi cations at our annual Higher

Education Awards Ceremony. As they embarked

upon the next signifi cant phase in their lives,

they could be certain they were equipped with

the transferable skills, experience and knowledge

required to succeed in an increasingly competitive

marketplace. All our degree qualifi cations are

focused on graduates gaining employment; indeed,

many of our degree programmes, foundation

degrees in particular, have been developed

in collaboration with employers and combine

practical work experience with theoretical study to

dramatically increase graduate employability. The

College retains close links with many of its alumni,

who serve as an inspiration to our current learner

body and play a pivotal role in our commitment to

enhancing the overall learner experience.

alumnus viewpointI found the teaching on the degree

really innovative. I was able to develop

advanced writing skills specifi c to

degree-level assignments and essays

during the course. This also helped me

to develop key career skills such as effectively composing

arguments and structuring detailed studies. Additionally,

carrying out presentation assignments helped me develop

expertise essential to the workplace.

name: nick corlessCourse: Foundation Degree in Project Management

Current employment: Project Controller, BAE Systems

*Percentage fi gures relate to responses from a survey of 395 students

42.4% of graduates said their qualification was an advantage or a formal requirement when securing employment*

Six months after graduating, 69.5% of graduates were in employment or active self-employment*

42.4% of graduates opted to continue their studies (by doing a degree, higher degree or postgraduate/professional qualification)*

The Foundation Degree in Project Management was

born out of an exciting collaboration between Blackpool

and The Fylde College and global defence and aerospace

company BAE Systems. It now forms part of BAE’s

Project Control Foundation Scheme, which allows

talented young people to access a well-paid career at the

same time as gaining an industry-relevant qualifi cation.


school partnershipsSchool linkS Programmepartnerships

Despite the discontinuation of the 14-19 Diplomas, our role in their

development led to important relationships being established with high

school curriculum staff and numerous employers across the areas of

Art and Design, Business and Administration, Hair and Beauty Studies,

Construction and Engineering. These partnerships will undoubtedly inform

and enhance our existing provision and ultimately the experience of

learners. Excellent relations also continued with two Pupil Referral Units

and local children’s homes in the context of our provision for Year 11 pupils

whose educational needs are not met elsewhere within the community.

achievementsThe period recorded our highest number of applications (and the highest

number of level 2 applications) to date, with interest expressed in the

following curriculum areas: Access and Continuing Education (Preparing

for Life and Work); Art, Media and Performance; Aviation; Catering;

Construction; Engineering; Hairdressing, Beauty and Related Therapies;

and Society, Health and Childhood. At 99%, this year’s overall achievement

rate was the highest recorded since the programme’s inception. Spurred

on by their success, an increasing number of learners (81%) progressed

through to FE provision at the College; at the same time, several former

School Links learners made the transition from FE to HE. Once again, the

annual School Links Awards Ceremony proved enormously successful, with

entertainment provided by local dance troupe aDvANCE (formed through

a collaboration between the Royal Ballet and Bispham High) and the Park

School Band.

school viewpointThe results achieved at St Mary’s this year have really delighted us

and are in no small part due to the efforts of your staff.

stephen tierneyHead TeacherSt Mary’s College

17SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

School liaiSon teampartnershipsIn June, the College welcomed 1,600 Year 10 pupils from high schools

across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to a series of work-related learning days

at each campus. The events allowed learners to fi nd out more about various

careers through participation in interactive activities in the realistic working

environments available at the College, talks by tutors with industry knowledge

and tours.

achievementsCloser collaboration with Connexions led to a greater understanding of each

organisation’s respective roles and ultimately a more fl exible reaction to the

needs of vulnerable young people. Both organisations were delighted therefore

to receive recognition from Ofsted in their Review of Best Practice for the

successful reduction of the NEET group in Blackpool.

national challenge trUStSThe College has a strong relationship with all partner secondary schools on the

Fylde coast and is working with them to broaden the curriculum opportunities

available to young people and to drive up quality and standards. To this end,

the College is a partner in three National Challenge Trust schools on the Fylde

coast: Collegiate, Fleetwood and Palatine High schools, and in the latter Trust,

the College is the lead education partner. The Chair of the Board, the Principal

and the Vice-Principal lead on this engagement. A key contribution to the three

schools has been stronger and more robust governance as well as a contribution

to the schools’ quality improvement and aspiration raising strategies as

College students are engaged as mentors. The involvement of the College has

contributed to an improvement in standards at all three schools. In 2009/10

pupils gaining 5 GCSEs at A*-C, including English and Maths, rose from 25% at

Collegiate to 44%, 36% at Palatine to 40% and 26% at Fleetwood to 34%.

BlackPool chilDren’S UniVerSitYThe period saw the creation of Blackpool Children’s University by Blackpool

Council as part of the national Children’s University scheme. The initiative, which

acknowledges and rewards learning undertaken by 7 to 14-year-olds outside the

normal school day, aims to raise expectations and the esteem of all pupils and

will ultimately impact on raising standards in the resort. Through Principal and

Chief Executive Pauline Waterhouse’s role as Chancellor, the College is well-

placed to engage the local and wider communities in the scheme.


scholarships/action researchThe College has invested significant resources in developing an

infrastructure to support and record staff scholarly activities.

The strategic objective of our Research activities is to secure

the evidence base for curriculum development and quality

enhancement. Staff are encouraged to engage in research

projects that are in line with College Strategic objectives. As a

vocational HE provider we very much favour action research

that is focused on enhancing the learner experience in the

College. This builds confidence of staff in the research process.

There is good evidence from elsewhere that those who engage

in research are more likely to read the research of others

and to incorporate research findings into their practice. Staff

are encouraged to disseminate the finding of their research

and other scholarly outputs through poster conferences,

staff conferences and publications such as the College’s own

Scholarship Review; and the externally peer reviewed Journal

of the FE Alliance.

2009/10 ProjectSe-portfolio pilot and development project in the schools of hair, beauty and related therapies and business and professional studiesA project to investigate the use and effectiveness of e-portfolios using the ‘OneFile

E-Portfolio System’ across two distinct curriculum areas was a huge success, evidenced by

the retention and achievement figures for 2009/10 learners. Both schools will now implement

OneFile, and have already assisted with its roll-out to other areas of the College and to other

FE colleges within the region.

develop the use of the new promethean voting kits in g208, academic studies and cross-collegeIn January 2010, Academic Studies staff introduced learners to a new hand-held learner

response system. Those students surveyed were very positive about the use of the electronic

voting kits, indicating that they learned more when using them and that the lesson was more

interesting. Across the wider College however, staff participation fell below expected levels

and further staff development is now planned in an attempt to increase participation.

SCHOLARSHIP/ACTION RESEARCH

19

e-portfolios for aat nvq levels 2 and 3This project focused on the implementation of e-portfolios for both Level

2 and Level 3 students. As a method of maintaining student progress

the system was found to be extremely benefi cial for Level 2 learners,

however a subsequent revision of the AAT standards negated the need

for Level 3 learners to produce work-based evidence and as such this

group did not continue with the e-portfolios.

access for staff and learners to the construction information service electronic database of products, suppliers and manufacturers The project forms part of our e-learning experience that is increasingly

being provided through the College VLE (Moodle). The resource is

currently utilised across the National Diploma and the full construction

HE provision. It is a focused and current source of reliable technical and

academic information that supports teaching and learning, whilst also

providing access for learners and staff away from campus.

developing on-line materials to support progression from fe to he english: from level 3 through to level 6 This project brought together staff from the English department and

the LRC to design sets of online materials in English Literature, English

Language and Creative Writing, with support provided by, the e-learning

advisor from the Higher Education Academy English Subject Centre. The

purpose of these materials was to bridge the gap between levels 3 and 4

with the aim of facilitating independent learning and addressing issues of

transition both in subject content and academic writing skills.

a virtual community of practice for informal networked learningA project carried out by the School of

Engineering and Computing sought to

identify incidents of informal learning

within a virtual social learning system

(VSLS) and develop strategies to encourage

such incidents. The project provides clear

indications of the importance of informal

learning within formal learning situations

and highlights the usefulness of making

informal learning discourses visible. A

signifi cant pilot study is now recommended

to deliver a true picture of cost/time/benefi t.

elluminate virtual classroom Elluminate is a virtual classroom which

allows remote synchronous sessions.

This provides learners with the fl exibility

to learn from home with no specialist

software required. The project involved

cross-College collaboration to investigate

the use and effectiveness of this. An

evaluation of the positive impacts and

uses that the software had on both FE

and HE students was produced and

the fi ndings were delivered at an HE

Academy conference.


The College has a responsibility towards sustainable

development and aims to adopt good working practices and

incorporate sustainable concepts throughout its activities

and to continually improve and develop sustainable values.

We have signed the Environmental Association for

Universities and College (EAUC) and AoC’s Green Colleges

declaration, which commits to championing sustainable

development throughout the organisation, and we are a

member of the Environmental Association for Universities

and Colleges (EAUC). We also hold Fair Trade status.

Our sustainable development initiatives and achievements

are outlined below:

sustainability

curriculum initiatives The College is embracing Education in Sustainable Development (ESD) by

embedding sustainability across a variety of curriculum areas. Examples of

this included a workshop for fashion students on ethical decision-making

within the global clothing industry, the development of the Foundation

Degree in Eco-Technology and, providing invaluable work experience to

Access and Continuing Education learners, an award-winning recycling

scheme in partnership with local charity Helping Hand.

learner engagement Engaging the learner body in sustainable development aims to empower

the thinkers and decision-makers of the future to make sustainable

decisions throughout and in all aspects of their lives. To this end, two

Students’ Union representatives were elected as Environmental Officers,

tasked with communicating and involving students in a series of College

events, schemes and projects, with considerable success.

staff engagementVarious initiatives were introduced to encourage staff to adopt greener

methods of travel. They included Car Share Week (featuring a free

breakfast for each participant and first-hand advice from the Energy

Saving Trust on ways to increase vehicle efficiency), Cycle Challenge (a

three-week event in June aimed at motivating people to cycle more) and

the opportunity through the College Cycle Scheme to purchase a tax-

free bicycle. Another initiative saw members of the charity Fashioning an

Ethical Industry link up with Art and Fashion staff to devise innovative ways

of embedding ethics in the curriculum.

during cycle challenge

in june, college staff cycled a total of 1,928 miles and saved a total of 432kg in carbon dioxide emissions.

SUSTAINABILITY

21

college-wide eventsA number of events sought to highlight

the sustainability issue to both students

and staff through hands on involvement

in various activities. They included Mend

Not Spend Day (when fashion students

discovered the importance of recycling old

clothes); Go Green Week (through which a

series of fun and motivational events and

activities provided information about how

to live a more sustainable lifestyle); ‘Earth

Hour’ (for which staff and students were

encouraged to turn off their lights); and

Bike Week (to promote cycling activities

throughout Blackpool).

travelThe launch of the car share database in

September, designed to link up passengers

and drivers online, together with the

introduction of an online permit application

form, has facilitated the move towards car

sharing across College. Plans are also in

place with Hourbike Ltd to install Hire-a-

Bike stands at both Bispham Campus and

the University Centre in order to provide

staff and students an alternative means of

travelling between sites.

waste and recycling The beginning of the period saw the acquisition of new can,

plastic and paper recycling bins, the use of which together

with card recycling, led to an estimated resource saving of

336 trees* and 11,202 tonnes of CO2 by the end of the year.

Within the Catering Department, disposable polystyrene

cups were replaced by a paper version, recyclable through

specially designated cup recycling bins. The College is

now considering replacing diesel fuel with biodiesel fuel

converted from waste cooking oil, a cost-effective move

which would reduce CO2 emissions by up to 6.5 tonnes.

energy and carbon management The period saw monthly water, gas and electricity meter

reading analysis commence across the College, with the

aim of monitoring changes in utility usage. In addition,

electricity monitoring equipment was purchased to

monitor all areas of the College from printer usage to air

conditioning usage and server room energy consumption.

The College continued to invest in new energy saving

equipment and installations.

procurement The College’s Promoting Poverty Aware Procurement

on Campus team helped to fi nalise and approve a set

of guidelines relating to the consideration of poverty

issues when procuring different commodities. The College

Procurement team led a collaborative IT desktop PC

procurement on behalf of thirteen Colleges, incorporating

a fully Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

compliant recycling process that will allow for each member

College to receive income against the sale of redundant

PCs. Declared redundant electrical equipment to landfi ll

during the period was zero percent.

community The College enjoys excellent relations with a host of

organisations and charities with the aim of promoting

and effecting sustainable development, among them the

social enterprise Helping Hand, Oxfam and Blackpool

Cycle. In February, we were thrilled to be shortlisted for the

Lancashire Green Awards in recognition of our sustainability

endeavours and achievements throughout 2009.

*Trees saved fi gure is based on the general assumption that 17 trees are

required to produce 1 ton of paper.


a stunning new university centreIn 2009, the doors opened to our stunning new University Centre, located in central

Blackpool. This fantastic new facility is actually a multi-million pound redevelopment of

the existing site that befits our status as the third largest FE provider of HE with degrees

awarded by one of the UK’s top 10 universities – Lancaster*.

With virtually all our university courses now under one roof, our higher education students

now have a campus to call their own. This has made student life infinitely more convenient

while extending to students that all-important ‘university experience’.

The jewel in the Centre’s crown is the Central Hub, a spectacular open-plan building where

students can access state-of-the-art learning resources, advice and information, and a

multi-style refectory – Café Grads.

New teaching accommodation also features and our recently extended Theatre doubles

as an outstanding teaching resource as well as a leading community venue for a variety

of productions. Attractive landscaping completes the ensemble, with a central courtyard

conveniently linking all the major buildings and acting as a relaxing space for students.

The new University Centre has been extremely well received by students, staff and the local

community. There is a general recognition of the importance to the local economy and the

town’s regeneration of a university presence on the Fylde Coast.

*Sources: The Times Good University Guide 2011; The Guardian University Guide 2011

accommodation

our university centre became the world’s largest christmas present as it was literally unwrapped at a stunning launch event attended by lord tom mcnally of blackpool

ACCOMMODATION

23

Over the next 10 years, a number of exciting refurbishment projects

are planned that will dramatically enhance both the appeal and

functionality of the College working and learning environment for

staff, students and visitors.

They include the phased refurbishment of Fleetwood Nautical

Campus, which on its completion in August 2012, will deliver a

fi rst-class facility capable of responding to the growing needs of the

vastly competitive maritime and offshore oil and gas industries.

Major work is also due to start in January 2011 at the Bispham

Campus, which will see this predominantly 1970s construction

emerge as a highly contemporary and signifi cantly more energy

effi cient environment in which to work and learn.

a vision for the future

artist’s impression of the newly refurbished bispham campus courtesy of burnett pollock associates

artist’s impression of the newly refurbished fleetwood nautical campus courtesy of wilson mason and partners


the gallery and ‘selection’In Spring 2010, with support from the British Council, the College was proud to host

its first major exhibition at its own Gallery, located at the new University Centre.

‘Selection’ was a collection of contemporary art representing some of Britain’s most

celebrated artists alongside emerging talent.

Celebrating the much talked about 1997 Sensation show at the Royal Academy in

London, the exhibition featured works from influential artists Damien Hirst and

Tracey Emin, along with Hannah Starkey, Helen Chadwick and Hannah Collins. With

its array of painting, print and photography, Selection paid homage to the era of

Cool Britannia while introducing the audience to emerging artists’ work.

Fundamental to the study of Art and Design is the opportunity to encounter real

work; the College’s fantastic new University Centre development freed up space to

develop a gallery with this in mind, and a strong relationship with the British Council

has given access to an amazing collection of artwork to exhibit.

A visit to the Gallery has now become a popular pastime where contemplation,

encounter and relaxation can coincide for members of the public and students alike.

ACCOMMODATION

25

The Gallery is a great facility

for students. Not only can we

display our own work, but to

have art from such celebrated

artists on show right here is

really exciting. Its great that my work, and the

work of future Blackpool and The Fylde College

students, can be exhibited in a venue that has

housed pieces by Hirst and co.

ba graphic design student jayne walsh, who won the 2010 Lloyds TSB Art of Nurture student art competition for the North West region.

curriculum areas


curriculum areas

27CURRICULUM AREAS

achievementAnother outstanding year for the A Level Academy was

evidenced by an overall pass rate of 94%, enabling learners

to access the country’s top universities as well as our own

University Centre, with courses validated by Lancaster

University – among the UK’s top 10*. Other notable

achievements included the highest marks ever recorded

for a learner on the BA English, record success levels for

both the Return to Study and Access to HE courses, an

impressive performance by our A Level learners in the

annual Maths Challenge, more than 50% of our Spanish

Level 3 learners achieving A grades, and a significant rise in

the number of learners on the Level 3 Applied Science.

partnershipsThe period saw members of our Sociology Department

team up with colleagues from Lancaster University with

the aim of embedding the latest sociological research

findings into our Criminology and Criminal Justice range

of programmes. Funding provided by the English Subject

Centre from the HE Academy meanwhile enabled us to

commission a project that explored the use of online

resources to ease the transition of learners from FE to

HE, specifically in the areas of Language, Literature and

Creative Writing. Our links with the Royal Statistical Society

continued to open up a variety of resources to learners on

the A Level Mathematics/Further Mathematics.

28

associated companies


academicstudies

Logos represent organisations with whom the College has worked during the 2009/10 academic year. A list of associated companies is available on pages 56/57.

29

employer viewpoint I have always been impressed with

the quality of work produced by

students at Blackpool and The

Fylde College. This is an industry-

standard report that we will take forward as part of

the redevelopment work.

carl greenSenior Planning EngineerWyre Borough Council

curriculum innovationNew courses included Level 3 and 4 programmes in

Spanish, French, Italian and Sign Language along with

the Foundation Degree Media Writing with Production;

validation was also achieved for the newly developed

Foundation Degree in Statistics and Communications.

As ever, a hugely diverse and engaging programme

of enrichment served to complement and enliven the

curriculum, with associated activity ranging from A Level

learners’ participation in the annual Society of Biology

Quiz and a pre-election Question Time event with local

parliamentary candidates to visits by broadcaster and poet

Ian MacMillan and Hollywood screen writer Ed Christiano.

work placementsThe period saw our Marine Biology students continue

with their environmental impact assessment of Cleveleys

promenade prior to the commencement of development

work by Wyre Borough Council. This involved partnering

with the Edinburgh Museum to collect and conduct an

investigative study of arthropods.

*Source: The Times Good University Guide 2011; The Guardian University Guide 2011

communityGCSE learners were visited by representatives

of the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety

in respect of the Wasted Lives Programme, an

initiative aimed at challenging new and soon-to-be

young drivers’ attitudes to the risks associated

with driving. The one-day training session aimed

to develop a better understanding of the potential

consequences of taking risks behind the wheel.

high schoolsDuring the summer, a series of work-related

learning days allowed Year 10 learners from high

schools across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to

experience our provision in a fun and interactive

way. We also hosted, in conjunction with the

Science Co-ordinator for Blackpool, a science day

for Year 8 learners along with primary school

taster days in Maths. In many instances, our own

A Level learners facilitated these events, which

doubled as a highly valuable enrichment aid,

particularly for those looking towards a career

in teaching. In the same vein, our A Level Maths

learners undertook to regularly mentor learners at

Palatine studying GCSE Maths.

ACADEMIC STUDIES

employabilityA training initiative between Blackpool and The Fylde

College, Job Centre Plus, Global Renewables Lancashire

and the Learning and Skills Council successfully placed

more than 100 people into sustainable employment at

two new state-of-the-art waste treatment facilities in

Thornton and Leyland. The bespoke three-week programme

provided skills and qualifications linked directly to a

number of operational roles, including fork lift truck drivers,

composting operatives, manual handlers and cleaners. A

pre-employment training programme was also designed

for new Blackpool-based entertainment venue The Sands,

leading to the permanent appointment of 16 candidates.

skills for lifeThrough the Train 2 Gain initiative, Skills for Life training

was delivered to 500 employees from organisations such

as the NHS, Blackpool Council, Booths, Matalan and Heinz,

whose overall success rate was an outstanding 98%. The

period also recorded 524 part-time literacy and numeracy

enrolments at venues across Fylde and Wyre through

partnerships with Job Centre Plus, Surestart, Blackpool

Council (Adult Community Learning and UNITE Learning)

and the Probation Service.

30



accessand continuing education


ACCESS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

31

employer viewpoint Setting up the Employability

Programme with Blackpool and

The Fylde College has been an

instrumental tool in opening

up recruitment opportunities

to those local people looking to get back into

employment, or switch careers. The Lancashire

Waste Project is a local initiative and we are thrilled

with the calibre of local people hoping to join our

team.

tracey robinsonHuman Resources Manager Global Renewables Lancashire

communityAn exciting initiative saw learners on the Construction

Gateway team up with Blackpool Police to produce a

promotional DVD aimed at combating drug and knife

crime within the resort. Construction learners also had an

opportunity to become involved in landscaping projects

in Fleetwood and Wyre through the employer-led venture

‘Wyred Up’. As part of the Offenders’ Learning and Skills

Service (OLASS), we facilitated a workskills taster session

for 153 offenders, a third of whom went on to successfully

complete the Edexcel Workskills Qualifi cation. The School

also delivered two specialist pre-employment courses for

vulnerable and disadvantaged NEET learners aged between

16 and 19, for which the retention rates were 100%.

curriculum innovationNew courses included the Level 5 Additional Diplomas in

Teaching English (Literacy & ESOL) and Maths (Numeracy),

all of which achieved a 100% success rate. Additionally,

Functional Skills were introduced onto the Foundation

Learning Tier. Our Gateway provision was extended to

include Gaming, CCTV and Security, Retail and Customer

Care while a new Construction Gateway was developed

with Fylde Borough Council for delivery at a site in Ashton

Gardens, St Annes.

work placementsThe School’s long-standing relationship with

Progress Recruitment allowed yet more of

our learners to access work placements and

the opportunity to gain skills for improved

employability. They included 9 ‘Not in Education,

Employment or Training’ (NEET) learners with

learning diffi culties, who were placed with

North West Therapy. Our links with the NHS

and Blackpool Council meanwhile enabled us to

provide pre-employment ‘tasters’ for 12 individuals

looking to work in healthcare.

awards and achievement Two outstanding achievements for the School

included the win by our Gateway learners (16-18)

of the Lancaster University Global Impact Award

along with recognition for our Stepping Stones

provision via an award won by our partner, the

charity Helping Hands. The summer saw the fi rst

cohort of the Foundation Degree Literacies for Life

graduate, with a pass rate of 100%.

employer engagement A fascinating and diverse range of ‘live’ briefs gives learners

a commercial insight that stands them in excellent stead for

additional study at a higher level and/or their targeted career.

This year they included commissions from Transpennine Express,

Lancashire Constabulary and Wyre Borough Council with two

prominent commissions coming from Blackpool Council in relation

to The Great Promenade Show and the 2011 North of England

Education Conference. Following his creation of a stunning

illuminated Chinese dragon for the School’s end-of-year exhibition,

Graphic Design student Chris Hewitt was invited by the Principal

Designer of Blackpool Illuminations, Shoichi Yasunda, to work with

the illuminations team to make his designs a reality in 2011.

awards and achievementA phenomenal year for the School in terms of learner achievement

featured the following successes: Media students won the prize

for Most Enterprising Team at the HERO Awards; First Diploma

students took both first and second place in the Animation

Category at UCLAN’s Design Festival Competition; learners from

the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre formed the all-female song and

dance sensation ‘Sorority’ and performed live to millions of

viewers on the Channel 5 talent show ‘Don’t Stop Believing’; the

College Choir made their TV debut live on the BBC’s Children in

Need programme and performed before Arlene Phillips at the

national VQ Day event in London; first year student band Mad

Hatter’s Tea Party earned themselves a place at the WorldSkills

2010 National Final.

32



art, mediaand performance


ART, MEDIA AND PERFORMANCE

33

employer viewpoint Blackpool Council has worked

closely with the College on a

number of projects connected

with a prestigious national

conference we are organising.

We have been impressed with the enthusiasm

of staff and students, the professionalism and

high standard of work produced. We enjoy this

very positive relationship, and hope that this will

continue to our mutual benefi t.

julie needham NEEC Conference Manager Blackpool Council

communityA commitment to showcasing learners’ talent has fi rmly

ensconced the School on the local cultural map at the

same time embedding professional practice across our

range of provision. Central to this has been the opening of

the College Gallery, where a joint photographic exhibition

with the School of Art and Design allowed learners

to follow in the footsteps of Tracey Emin and Damien

Hirst, both exhibitors at the Gallery’s national showcase,

‘Selection’. In performing arts, the Theatre played host

to a variety of productions while music gigs were staged

at venues throughout the Fylde. Degree learners took

productions of Bad Girls The Musical and My Name

is Rachel Corrie to Manchester’s Zion Arts Centre, a

favoured venue of casting agents and directors.

curriculum innovationThis focused on a revision of our FE curriculum with

the aim of aligning it to the new Qualifi cations and

Credit Framework (QCF). It was an undertaking made

simpler by the fact the School had recently successfully

piloted a change to the curriculum encompassing a

more diagnostic approach to learning. The result, based

largely on this diagnostic model, is a highly fl exible range

of bespoke, industry-reactive provision that supports

learners in making more informed career choices.

high schoolsThrough the new Diploma in Creative and Media

we established closer links with Millfi eld, Palatine,

Montgomery, Fleetwood and Bispham schools.

Another positive outcome of the diploma has been

the affi liation of these schools with employers such

as the Grand Theatre, Pleasure Beach, Grundy

Art Gallery, Blackpool Council and City Learning

Centre, paving the way for vocational enrichment

opportunities to the schools’ wider curriculum.

Designed by Graphic Design learner Sam Sharples

industry recognitionA highly successful year for the School culminated in

its end-of-year show at Manchester’s Cube Gallery. The

exhibition, entitled ‘be’, was extremely well received by

current practitioners and industry alike, showcasing our

provision to aspiring new recruits and establishing vital

networking links for learners. In conjunction with the

School of Art, Media and Performance we staged another

exhibition - ‘Work in Process’ - at the Gallery. HE learners

also participated in New Designers 2010 in London

alongside other prestigious institutions.

awards and achievementThe School has a long history of competition success

and 2009/10 was no exception as students picked up

a string of awards, the most notable of which were:

Illustration - Best of Northwest Illustration Awards (3

winners); Graphic Design - RSA Awards (winner), Penguin

Book Awards (winner), National Business Calendar

Awards - The Trophy; Wildlife and Environmental

Photography - Institute of Critical Animal Studies

Undergraduate Dissertation of the Year, Blackpool Light

Competition (winner). Another significant achievement

was our students being featured in ‘e-Creative Directory’

2010/2011, a guide on the best art and design graduates

in the UK.

34



artanddesign(higher education)


ART AND DESIGN (HIGHER EDUCATION)

35

employer viewpoint As a local artist and arts

organiser, having students on

work placements to assist me

has been invaluable in generating

ideas and helping with the

maintenance and running of projects, especially

in these hard economic times where there is still

so much to be done. The students learn about

the realities of and dedication required in being a

professional artist and their presence in Blackpool,

as a whole, is generating excitement and good news

stories during these diffi cult times.

adrian pritchard Artist and BA Department Founder/OrganiserBADept Studios

community and schoolsStrong links continued with local high schools, with Year

10 learners being invited to a number of specially hosted

work-related learning days here at the College. Learners

on the BA (Hons) Fine Art and Professional Practice also

had the opportunity to undertake community-based

practice at St. Mary’s as well as St. Johns Primary and St.

Teresa’s Primary.

curriculum innovationAll our programmes benefi t from regular practitioner

input to ensure their pertinence to the rapidly evolving

creative industries. We were delighted when Venture,

the world’s largest commercial portrait studio company,

became the latest addition to a long list of organisations

that help shape the content of our Photography and

Digital Design programmes.

partnershipsWith support from the British Council, the Gallery

hosted ‘Selection’, an exhibition representing

some of Britain’s most celebrated artists - among

them Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin - alongside

emerging talent. Close links with FYC – Blackpool’s

creative industries hub - generated excellent

networking opportunities for learners while other

partnerships included those with UCLAN (Unite

with Business programme) and Grundy Art Gallery

(education workshops). The period also saw

exciting talks get underway with both the V&A and

Blackpool Seasiders, which could lead to our joint

involvement in several new ventures.

live briefsThe opportunity to undertake work experience

via a series of interesting and relevant live briefs

not only enhances learners’ employability but also

exposes their talents to an audience of potentially

infl uential contacts. This year live briefs included

one by Derek Woodman BMW for Foundation

Degree Photography and Digital Design learners to

produce images for their ‘Joy’ campaign along with

an opportunity for learners from the BA (Hons)

Fine Art and Professional Practice to create public

art murals at Tommy’s Youth Centre in Fleetwood.

awards and achievementA highly successful period for the Automotive Academy

was evidenced by its placement in the final three at the

Centre of the Year IMI Awards, for which there were 600

nominations. It also received a grade 1 ‘outstanding’ from

Ofsted via Skillnet, the official training provider to Ford

Motor Company. The National Gaming Academy also

enjoyed a successful year, with learner achievement at its

highest yet and the graduate to employment rate at an

incredible 90-95%.

employer engagementA new range of economic courses for the automotive trade

proved immensely popular, with an initial target of £20,000

being met in the first half of the academic year alone. Our

provision in respect of the new air conditioning regulations

attracted employers from as far afield as Barrow-in-

Furness, Carlisle, Skelmersdale, Liverpool, Manchester

and Southport. In Aviation, the formation of a new work-

based learning group allowed full-time learners to progress

directly into employment at Blackpool Airport’s flight

academy. Economic activity in Gaming meanwhile, through

new and continuing partnerships with national names such

as Genting and Aspers as well as with local casinos such as

Casino 36, totalled in the region of £27,000.

36



automotive, aviationand gaming


AUTOMOTIVE, AVIATION AND GAMING

37

employer viewpoint Blackpool and the Fylde College

has been instrumental in assisting

Ciceley Commercials with its

training needs. This has involved

the up-skilling of qualifi ed staff in

the area of new regulations as well as supporting

the development of our Apprentice. We very much

appreciate the professionalism and courtesy of

College staff and look forward to continuing this

partnership in the future.

stephen hall Service Manager, Ciceley CommercialsMercedes Benz

curriculum innovationAn update to our Automotive Foundation Degree

provision refl ected the College’s commitment to

inclusiveness and widening participation. Joining our

Aviation range of programmes was the full-time Level 2

Diploma in the Aviation Environment, for which learning

takes place through simulated airport-related operations.

Curriculum updates within Gaming featured the delivery

of NVQs in the workplace through Train 2 Gain (an

initiative that has seen 130 employees successfully

undergo training to date) along with the creation of a

bespoke programme for Crown Leisure that will allow

them to fulfi l their licensing objectives.

communityOur fun casinos continued to provide an immensely

valuable community resource, with at least ten being

held over the period, many in support of local charities.

The Aviation Academy was once again the destination of

choice for several ‘Talented and Gifted’ learners from high

schools across Blackpool and Fylde.

partnershipsThe period saw the Automotive Academy join

eight other UK colleges in the Motor Industry

Skills Consortium (MISC). As a result of this

collaboration, the College is now in talks with a

number of manufacturers with regards to their

training needs. Another close working relationship

was established between the National Gaming

Academy, City & Guilds and People First with

the objective of realigning the current gaming

qualifi cations to the Qualifi cations and Credit

Framework (QCF).

awards and achievementWe were delighted when our learners won Gold at the

prestigious WorldSkills competition (AAT Accountancy).

At an awards evening in May to recognise the region’s

top apprentices and participating employers, another of

our learners – Tom Brewster – was rewarded for his highly

committed approach. Other achievements included the

attainment of a Grade 2 under Ofsted’s new inspection

framework for our Initial Teacher Education provision,

currently the highest grade awarded to a centre.

bespoke provisionOur commitment to employer responsiveness with an

emphasis on flexible delivery helped retain our position as

one of the region’s leading training providers. During the

period we successfully secured new contracts with AI Claims,

MBW Corporate Training and Blackpool Coastal Housing.

38



businessandprofessional studies


BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

39

employer viewpoint To coincide with my appointment

into the role of HR Manager I en-

rolled on the Level 7 Post Gradu-

ate Diploma in Personnel Manage-

ment and Human Resources. I

would recommend this CIPD course to any person

wishing to develop their career within Human Re-

sources, and the College as a study centre offering

a diverse range of support and resources.

sarah loweHR Manager (International)Liquid Plastics

curriculum innovationThis was extensive during the period, comprising the re-

development of our further education provision to align

with the new Qualifi cations and Credit Framework (QCF)

along with the creation of two new Foundation Degrees in

Accounting and Trade Union Studies. The latter now allows

for progression from our existing suite of TUC programmes

and is one of only two courses of its type within the HE

sector. The successful revalidation of our Chartered

Institute of Personnel and Development range of provision

followed employer-led enhancements to the same.

In conjunction with staff from the School of Hairdressing,

Beauty and Related Therapies, we piloted the OneFile

ePortfolio assessment management system with extremely

positive results. The system, designed to accelerate and

streamline the assessment process, was also found to

facilitate inter-learner and learner/tutor communication,

improve learner motivation and progression as well as

develop online learning skills. Consequently, It has now

been rolled out within other areas of the College and even

demonstrated to two other colleges in the interests of

sharing best practice.

recruitmentThe outstanding quality of our higher education provision

was evidenced by a 65% growth on the previous year and

the decision of 77% of our FE learners to remain at the

College on one of our undergraduate programmes. Overall

retention for the period was an impressive 99%.

high schoolsPartnering with Fleetwood High, our Initial

Teacher Education trainees successfully completed

a pilot mentor project in supporting young

learners within the curriculum. Collaboration with

St George’s, Unity College and Beneast Training

meanwhile allowed us to successfully implement

the two-year 14-19 Business Administration and

Finance Diploma, inherent to which is the AAT

Accounting qualifi cation.

awards and achievementAnother remarkable year for the School of Catering and

Food Production saw it achieve the highest success rates

of any curriculum area, specifically 98% for achievement,

91% for retention and 89% for success. We were equally

thrilled when, for the fifth year running, we were awarded

the External Kitemark for Quality Hospitality Assured, on

this occasion for hospitality and service at the University

Centre’s Café Grads. With regards to the curriculum, the

new Level 1 Diploma: Introduction to Professional Cookery

was successfully piloted, ensuring its roll-out during 2010/11.

The class of 2010 embarked on a variety of exciting industry

careers, including an apprenticeship with Marco Pierre

White at his London-based restaurant, The Yew Tree.

competition successLearners continued this School’s tradition of exceptional

achievement across a range of national competitions

through the following notable successes: Seafood UK

Championship Final (2 Silver Medallists); TUCO Knorr Chef

of the Year (through to Final); Nestle Toque D’Or (through

to Regional Final); Alliance of Bakery Students and Trainees

Annual Conference 2010 (12 Gold Medals; 7 Silver Medals;

5 Bronze Medals; 7 Very Highly Commended; 5 Highly

Commended; 3 Commended out of a total of 18 categories).

40



cateringandfoodproduction


CATERING AND FOOD PRODUCTION

41

employer viewpoint Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

is proud to have been associated

with Blackpool and The Fylde

College for the past three years.

The high standard of tuition

provides us with skilled and highly motivated staff

who can work competently and effectively in the

retail environment.

vera foremanApprentice Scheme ManagerWm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

communityWe were delighted when the hugely successful Bridge

Project earned a Highly Commended at the Annual

Beacon Awards. The project, undertaken in partnership

with the Salvation Army, has provided valuable hospitality

skills training to disaffected individuals in need of a new

start. Partnering with the Lancashire Education Authority,

the School hosted the Lancashire Young Chef Competition

2010, in which all high schools from across Lancashire

took part. Another initiative involving high school learners

was the Fylde Coast Seafood Young Chef of the Year

2010, for which we hosted a series of workshop taster

sessions aimed at promoting seafood and instructing on

its preparation; one of our own learners took fi rst place in

the competition.

placements and enrichmentOur outstanding reputation within industry translated

into excellent work experience opportunities for learners

with organisations such as Asda and Blackpool Football

Club. Following last year’s success at Aintree, when

learners provided restaurant service for the Grand

National, we were again invited to attend this prestigious

event, this time to provide kitchen as well as restaurant

service. Overseas exchange programmes with both the

Czech Republic (Prague and Hronov) and France (Challes

les Eaux) afforded learners an exciting and valuable

opportunity to gain experience of hotel working. Students

staying in Prague also had the honour of preparing a

British Embassy dinner.

employer engagementWe continued, in conjunction with 3 other UK

colleges, to deliver apprenticeship training for

Morrison’s Butchers, whose win of a National

Training Award was attributed directly to this

provision. Additional bespoke provision was

undertaken for industry giants Heinz and Fox’s

Biscuits while local hoteliers continued to take

advantage of ‘short sharp’ training for employees.

employer engagementThe School retained its position as the leading provider

of training to the region’s construction industry,

underpinned by its hugely successful Blackpool Build

Up project. The project supports local contractors in

creating a skilled workforce and has successfully placed

more than 1,000 people to date. Companies with whom

we’ve partnered in this regard range from industry

giants Galliford Try and Bam-Nuttall to local players

Parkinsons, Conlons, Carefoots and Tysons. The School’s

other bespoke provision, with an emphasis on flexible

delivery, continued to prove successful. To assist in being

at the forefront of curriculum development and employer

needs, Head of School Steve Clough is Chair of the British

Association of Construction Heads (BACH) and liaises

regularly with the sector skills councils.

partnershipsBlackpool Build Up has precipitated numerous exciting

partnerships for the School of Construction, including

one with Eric Wright to work on the Government’s £40m

Building Schools for the Future programme. This venture

in turn generated an additional contract with the School

to deliver CSCS training for several of Eric Wright’s

employees. Another successful partnership was the one

with Job Centre Plus, whose commitment to the project

ensured they surpassed all of their targets for work

placements. The School continued to work closely with

JTL, Training 2000 and Construction Skills, all of whose

apprentices we train.

42



construction


CONSTRUCTION

43

employer viewpoint Our relationship with Blackpool

and The Fylde College fulfi lls our

requirement for highly trained

and skilled employees, capable

of making a positive impact upon

business operations.

steve fordManaging DirectorSF Recruitment

communitySpecifi c community projects included our involvement

in the creation of an arboretum in Kincraig to serve

as a monument for ex-servicemen, along with

hard landscaping assignments at care homes and

community centres throughout Blackpool. Through

Blackpool Build Up we teamed up with the Tower

Project (which aims to rehabilitate the region’s most

prolifi c offenders), and already this initiative has

delivered encouraging results. Links with local high

schools remained strong, with construction training at

Cardinal Allen’s new WAVE Centre continuing and the

increased take up of Level 2 programmes by School

Links learners representing a welcome move to drive

up learner aspirations and achievement.

curriculum innovationThis was chiefl y evidenced through the development

of an exciting portfolio of environmental and

sustainability courses for the Construction Industry.

The School’s commitment to the application of

environmental and emerging technologies has led

to our successful involvement in the National Skills

Academy for Environmental Technologies, an initiative

championed by SummitSkills.

awards and achievementIn recognition of our work with local unemployed

people and the regeneration agenda, the School

received a coveted National Training Award and

won the Centre for Construction Innovation

– ‘Local People Local Jobs’ North West heat.

The period saw us once again play host to the

prestigious SkillBuild competition (North West

regional fi nals), at which our learners won in fi ve

categories, with 2 learners going on to achieve

the honour of ‘highly commended’ at the National

Finals. An excellent period in terms of learner

achievement saw our FE learners attain 97%

and School Links learners attain 99%; for many

courses, the actual achievement rate was 100%.

achievementThe summer saw the first cohort of the Foundation Degree

in Project Management graduate with the part-time and

full-time groups collectively earning 14 distinction grades

and 12 commendation grades, the best higher education

results ever recorded for the College. In his associated

report, the Course Consultant described much of the work

presented as being of Bachelor’s rather than Foundation

Degree standard.

employer engagementIn Engineering, the Business Improvement Techniques NVQ

enjoyed continued popularity at Springfields Fuels, Preston,

where more than 40 candidates have now successfully

achieved either the Level 2 or the Level 3 qualification. As

an Associate Member of NSAN (National Skills Academy

for Nuclear), we also delivered the new ANIA (Award in

Nuclear Industrial Awareness) Level 2 Award to the nuclear

sector. Through advanced apprenticeships, work placements

and student entries to an international competition with

industrial judgement criteria, the Computing Department

embraced work-related learning with a range of local,

regional and national employers, among them NCompass,

Age Concern, Heinz Foods, and Microsoft.

44



engineeringandcomputing(inclUDing Project management)


ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING (including Project Management)

45

employer viewpoint During 2010 the College

supported us in the delivery of

an NVQ in Business Improvement

Techniques and proved very

fl exible in carrying out the

evidence assessment (a diffi cult task owing to the

differing shift patterns of employees). The feedback

has been really good, with both the individual and

the business benefi ting from the experience.

susan walkerOperations Training ManagerSpringfi elds Fuels

curriculum innovationThe fi rst year of the new Foundation Degree in Technical

Illustration featured the successful placement of learners

in Germany, London and throughout the North West

of England. The programme has been the catalyst for

re-establishing links with industry, including alumni now

employed by the industry, who have since confi rmed the

Foundation Degree structure (and that of the anticipated

top-up honours programme) as industry-compliant.

Development of our FE provision has provided a range

of new choices for students through the BTEC suite of

qualifi cations at levels 2 and 3, and curriculum updates

have also occurred in our bespoke Foundation Degree and

Honours Degree programmes.

capital investmentIn the Computing Department an industry-standard

animation studio has been developed to enable learners

and staff to develop techniques that have become

expected skills of today’s IT staff. Such skills are

particularly relevant for those involved in the delivery of

more creative aspects, including web sites and the new

opportunities presented by mobile device ‘apps’.

partnershipsA partnership with Wyre Tidal Energy Ltd

successfully informed the Foundation Degree

in Eco-technology with a view to enhancing the

employability of graduates. Learners worked on

a live industry brief to design and build a working

model to demonstrate the operation principles

of a tidal energy barrage. This group project

integrated several subject modules and became

the main vehicle for delivering learning. The

Engineering Department is now seeking to develop

similar collaborative partnerships with two other

local employers in the burgeoning fi eld of eco-

technology: Global Renewables in Thornton and

Smiths Group in Kirkham.

awards and achievement In January, at the request of the RAF, we were delighted

to facilitate helicopter underwater escape training for HRH

Prince William as part of his professional development

as an operational search and rescue pilot. An equally

outstanding coup for Fleetwood Testing Laboratory was

when it beat 90 other companies to be voted Overall Award

Winner at the British Safety Industry Federation Annual

Awards. Overall, an extremely productive period for both

FOSC and the Fleetwood Testing Laboratory culminated

in the successful attainment of all financial and student

recruitment targets.

46



fleetwoodnauticalcampusfleetwood offshore survival centre (fosc) and fleetwood testing laboratory


FLEETWOOD NAUTICAL CAMPUS

47

employer viewpoint I’m proud to be associated with

the Fleetwood Testing Laboratory

and our partnership will continue

for as long as I am here.

chris pearsonUK Sole AgentMarine Pool (the world’s largest supplier of infl atable life jackets)

curriculum innovationThe period saw us introduce Minimum Industry Safety

Training (MIST), the precursor to a new suite of health

and safety courses, planned for introduction during

the next academic year.

high schoolsCollaboration with local high schools continued as

we welcomed a number of Year 11 pupils on work

experience placements. industry recognitionReinforcing the international reputation of our

staff as experts in their respective fi elds came a

request for us to observe and appraise Royal Naval

safety and emergency procedures on board a

nuclear trident submarine at Fas Lane, Scotland.

employer engagementNew bespoke activity included a contract with

BAE to provide training to Jet Stream pilots

and cabin crew. We also became the provider of

choice for the Royal Flight of Oman (UK-based

staff) and Liverpool Marine (pilot training in boat

transfer and in-water survival). Our close working

relationship with key partner Centrica continued

and we look forward to developing this further

throughout the coming year.

awards and achievementAnother successful year was evidenced by a rise of

between 5 and 10% in the number of incoming UK

cadets. Two learners were rewarded for outstanding

achievement at the Marine Society Sea Cadet Awards

(best level 3 portfolio) and the British Shipping Safety

Awareness Awards (joint 3rd place). This year’s graduate

to employment rate (of those graduates seeking

employment) was an outstanding 100%; three graduates

opted to top up their qualification to a full honours degree.

The Fleetwood Nautical graduation ceremonies were a

fitting tribute to their outstanding achievement.

48



fleetwoodnauticalcampusmaritime oPerationS


FLEETWOOD NAUTICAL CAMPUS

49

employer viewpoint Fleetwood Nautical Campus is

head and shoulders above the

other nautical colleges.

phil gregoryTraining Offi cerRoyal Fleet Auxiliary

curriculum innovationTraining commenced on the use of the industry’s new

Vessel Traffi c Services (VTS) technology, which the School

now hopes to take to Angola. 2009/10 also saw the

successful implementation of ‘ActiveXpression’, a form of

interactive classroom technology that had been piloted

the previous year. We continued to liaise with the School

of Engineering and Computing in respect of a new range

of Marine Engineering courses, planned for 2011.

high schoolsThe School maintained good relations with local high

schools, carrying out careers visits to learners and also

hosting two-week work placements for some.

employer engagementNew partnerships were formed with Carnival,

Princess and BP, which have the potential to

deliver exciting new sponsorship opportunities

for cadets. This year saw cadet training for the

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) get underway, which

earned the College the RFA accolade of best UK

training provider based on attendance, discipline

and achievement. The period also brought about

the successful completion of the Kenyan Port

Authority contract as we embarked upon a new

contract with the Gibraltan Port Authority.

awards and achievementAt the prestigious WorldSkills UK Competitions an

outstanding performance by learners was rewarded

with both Gold and Bronze for Nail Art and a Bronze for

Reflexology. Another coup for the School was its invitation

to host the British Council UK Skills Student of the Year

competition, an event which drew participants from ten

colleges across the UK. An additional success came at the

regional finals of the 2010 Apprenticeship Awards in May,

when partner hair salon Solo Scissors was nominated for

Employer of the Year in recognition of its commitment to

the Apprenticeships Scheme.

employer engagementIn January, Level 3 Hair and Media students showcased

their skills via a fashion show they had organised

themselves to an audience of employers and UK Skills

judges at Club Sanuk, Blackpool. Graduating students were

able to capitalise on the School’s well-established industry

links to access a number of exciting posts with companies

such as Steiners, with others opting to set up on their own.

50



hairdressing,beautyandrelated therapies


HAIRDRESSING, BEAUTY AND RELATED THERAPIES

51

employer viewpoint ‘The Chairman of the Parkinson’s

Society, Mr Tony Bowyer, his

associates and guests, extend

their gratitude to Blackpool and

the Fylde College and in particular

the students and management of the School

of Hairdressing, Beauty and Related Therapies

for staging such a well managed and extremely

valuable event’.

community and enrichmentCharitable and community activity was signifi cant, the

highlights being: performing sports massage at the London

Marathon while raising £2,500 for the Anthony Nolan

Trust for Leukaemia; attendance at the annual Parkinson’s

Society convention to carry out hair, beauty and related

therapies treatments on 200 delegates; linking up with the

charity Body Positive to provide complementary therapy

treatments for those living with or affected by HIV and

AIDS; involvement in a Police-led initiative to carry out

treatments for disaffected 14- to 16-year-old females in

Fleetwood; providing the make-up for contestants of a Stars

in Their Eyes fundraising event in support of Blackpool

Victoria Hospital.

curriculum innovationThe period saw the commencement of the new 14-19

Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies for learners from Unity

College (formerly Beacon Hill), Palatine, Highfi eld and

Bracken Lodge. Also new to the curriculum were the City

and Guilds Level 1 Spa (Foundation Learning) and the Level

3 Body and Spa. A collaborative pilot project with staff from

the School of Business and Professional Studies culminated

in the successful implementation of an ePortfolio

assessment management system – OneFile. The system,

which allows learners to build portfolios electronically, was

subsequently rolled out within three other College Schools

and showcased to two separate colleges.

industry recognitionThe reputation of staff is such that they are

regularly called upon to act in an advisory capacity

to industry. In 2009/10 such activity included

staff involvement in focus groups at City and

Guilds as well as our continued representation at

the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists

(AHT) and on the National Advisory Committee.

Also among our team were three UK Skills judges

and a contributor to the workbook: Anatomy

and Physiology for Beauty and Complementary

Therapies. Two members of staff were invited to

the Houses of Parliament to attend a meeting of

the Hairdressing Council with regards to regulating

the hairdressing industry.

52



society,healthandchildhoodawards and achievementThe School was delighted when Year 2 cadet Kimberley

Tomlinson won the North West Skills Academy for Health

– Health and Social Care Cadet of the Year Award. Nineteen-

year-old Kimberley, who has been battling cancer, was

nominated by course co-ordinator Nicky Wright for the

inspirational way in which she had persevered with her

studies and gone on to produce an outstanding portfolio.

employer engagementThroughout 2009/10 we worked closely with Blackpool

Children’s Services, conducting joint interviews for places

on our Foundation Degree in Professional Practice in Early

Years. Learners were able to access a number of excellent

placement opportunities, including those with Leadership

and Management in Care Services (LMCS). Based on

personal letters of application, several of our learners were

selected from across the whole of the North West to attend

a series of NHS health and care taster days.


SOCIETY, HEALTH AND CHILDHOOD

53community and enrichmentA number of curriculum-linked projects gave learners the

opportunity to work, research, fundraise and develop skills

in specifi c areas of interest. The groups were involved in

all aspects of the associated events, including planning,

risk assessment, advertising, taking part, presentations

and booking facilities. They also formed committees to

experience the way groups work in care settings. In the

course of this, learners worked with and supported a wide

range of organisations, among them the Samaritans,

MacMillan, Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s

Hospice, Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Donna’s Dream

House, Streetlife, Sport Relief and the Lifeboat Project (in

collaboration with St Peter’s Church).

curriculum innovationThe period saw the launch of an NVQ Level 4 for

managers within residential childcare settings, a unique

sector-inspired course for which the achievement rate

was 100%. The School also liaised with North Lancashire

PCT to develop a Foundation Degree in Health and Care

Leadership, which has the potential to be rolled out to

NHS and allied staff. Through the School’s Emotional

Literacy Project, vulnerable learners received life

coaching aimed at raising self-esteem and improving

course performance. The early results have been

extremely encouraging.partnershipsAn ongoing partnership with the Ormerod Trust

enabled Level 2 learners to gain an additional

Learning Disability Qualifi cation (LDQ). Training was

funded by the School and delivered by the Trust

with some learners going on to secure permanent

placements. The School struck up a unique

partnership with Age Concern Blackpool & District to

design and produce ‘Reminiscence’ boxes, intended

to engage with and stimulate the minds of people

with dementia. The boxes have been positively

received and will now be available to sufferers and

their carers in residential care settings, in their own

homes and in community settings.

employer viewpoint I attended an event organised by

Blackpool and The Fylde College,

which was to give information

to local employers about

the changes to the new QCF

framework. The presentation was led by CACHE,

the awarding body for childcare qualifi cations.

Having the opportunity to attend this event has

supported me to develop an audit tool for staff in

my setting to ensure that I can now work towards

the recommendations proposed by the new

qualifi cations framework.

faye mculloch Manager Layton Methodist Playgroup

54



tourism,leisureandhospitalityawards and achievementIn May, we were delighted to host the regional heat of the

UK WorldSkills competition for Public Services, and equally

delighted when our own team went through to the National

Final. Another outstanding achievement for the period was

postgraduate student Vishal Vilas Hajirnis’ win of the De

Vere Employee of the Year competition, following a period

of placement at Cameron House, Lochlomond.

employer engagementThe period saw us assist Blackpool Council in their

fulfilment of a regeneration-focused initiative, Welcome

to Blackpool. Through the scheme, which aims to drive

up standards of customer service throughout the resort

and links to the national Welcome to Excellence suite

of qualifications, training was made available for more

than 400 local taxi drivers. Additional bespoke activity

comprised work undertaken with the Primary Care Trust

and the provision of drug and drink awareness training

for Blackpool licencees. We were also pleased to establish

a link with Aspers Casino, piloting online delivery of the

Foundation Degree in UK Casino Operations Management to

casino managers across the UK.


TOURISM, LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY

55industry recognitionA tutor who undertook the Action Research Programme was

subsequently invited to present his fi ndings at the Escalate

HE academic Conference, Warwickshire University. The

research – Blackpool E-luminate – which explores teaching

HE within FE, has since been adopted by our university

partner, Lancaster, for the purposes of staff development.

Another coup for the School was an invitation for Head of

School John Swannie to deliver the keynote address on

behalf of People First to a conference of the Irish Catering

and Hospitality Industry in relation to the Hospitality

Educators Programme.

curriculum innovationThrough the School’s high profi le within local industry and

its extensive involvement in the Employer Liaison Board,

a number of local employers contributed to the process of

aligning a new generation of work-relevant qualifi cations

to the Qualifi cations and Credit Framework (QCF). In higher

education, the fi rst cohort of the Foundation Degree in

Events Management began in September: the mostly

industry-based learners went on to play a pivotal role in

the organisation of the Lancashire Hotel Catering and

Hospitality Show 2010 at the Winter Gardens in March.

partnershipsCollaboration continued with Blackpool Council

in relation to the Further Education Sports Co-

ordinator (FESCO) initiative to deliver sports

courses for clubs and leisure services providers

throughout the region. This has been the vehicle

for a number of learners to achieve national

governing body awards and thus increase their

employability. Our links with the Badminton

Association meanwhile are fast making a new

Centre of Excellence for Badminton a reality.

work placementsIn higher education, a globally focused curriculum

was evidenced through exciting placement

opportunities as far afi eld as the US, Western

Australia and New Zealand with companies such

as Disney, Universal and Hilton Group. Closer to

home, the Disney link was sustained when a group

of learners lent their support to a Pleasure Beach

conference, at which the Disney Vice Principal

delivered the keynote address.

employer viewpoint Blackpool and the Fylde College

and the Sandcastle Waterpark

have forged a long-standing

partnership that has contributed

to local people developing the

skills, knowledge and motivation that continue to

deliver world class achievements at our fantastic

attraction. This has resulted in continued growth

and local prosperity.

paul mcevoyDeputy General ManagerSandcastle Waterpark


associatedcompanies123 Supported Accommodation • 124 Works • 848 848 Radio Taxis • A Class Plumbing • A I Claims Solutions • A1 Mobility • A1 Vehicle

Rescue • Abbey Biscuits • AbelGlass • Acorn Care Home • Add Action • Addison Engineering Co Ltd • Additions Cafe Bar • Adelaide

House Hotel • Advanced Child Care • Aegon UK Services • AGC Chemicals Europe Ltd • Age Concern • Aldon Coachworks • Alexandra

Nursing Home • Alison Handling Services Ltd • Alphabet House • Alumhurst Hotel • Ameon • Anchorsholme Primary School • Andy

Mitchell • Ansdell Nursery • Antons Cafe • Apollo Sealants • Aramark • Arcon Sheet Metal • Arnfield Construction • Arnold School •

Arnold Sumner • Arundel Lodge • Ascot Guest House • Asda • Ashbourne Garage • Ashbourne Lodge Rest Home • Ashleigh • Ashley

Alexander • Ashton High School • Ashton Pavillion • Aspers Casino • Associated British Ports at Fleetwood • Association of Hairdressers and

Therapists (AHT) • Attak A Snak • Autobahn Paintwork • Autumn Leaves • B & E Boys Ltd • B&M Bargains • BADept Studios •

Badminton Association • BAE Systems • Baines Children’s Centre • Baines Endowed C of E Primary School • Baines School • Balmoral •

Bam-Nuttall • Bar 19 • BAR MOT Centre • Barbara M Thompson • Barnados • Barnholme • Beachwood Guest House • Beacon Reach •

Beautybasixs • Bedford Hotel • Beech Jackson Partnership Ltd • Beech Keys Ltd • BEK Motors • Belle Vue • Beneast Training • Best

Western Carlton Hotel • Bibby International Services IOM Limited • Big Blue Hotel • Bispham Endowed CE Primary School • Bispham High School

Arts College • Blackpool Council • Blackpool Boys & Girls Club • Blackpool Catering Services • Blackpool Coastal Housing • Blackpool Council

(Town Hall) • Blackpool Design Associates • Blackpool Football Club • Blackpool Fylde and Wyre NHS Foundation Trust • Blackpool Honda •

Blackpool International Airport • Blackpool Pleasure Beach • Blackpool Police • Blackpool Primary Care Trust • Blackpool Self Catering Holiday

Association • Blackpool Service Centre • Blackpool Transport • Blackpool Victoria Hospital • Blackpool Wyre and Fylde Council for Volunteer

Service • Blackpool Unlimited • Blackpool Zoo • Blythe & Denby • Body Positive • Booths • Boston Hotel • Boundary Primary School •

Bowker IT • BP • BP Insurance Brokers • Bradley Builders Ltd • Brannigans • Brian House Children’s Hospice • BRI-MET • Brimelows

Garage • British Council • Brookdale Day Nursery • Brooklands Rest Home • Brookfield School • Broughton Pre School • Burtons Foods •

Business Link North West • Business Referral Exchange • Busy Bees • C & M Motors • C Cabs • C Morrison • CP Plumbing and Heating •

Cafe On The Way/Thai by Night • Cafe Vida • Camelot Theme Park • Caran Reid • Carcraft Body Repairs Ltd • Cardinal Allen Catholic High

School • Care UK • Carefoots • Carewatch • Carleton Green Community Primary School • Carleton St Hilda’s C of E Primary • Carleton

Tyres & Exhausts • Carleton Crossroads Garage • Carnival • Carousel Hotel • Cartford Inn • Carr Hill High School • Casablanca • Casino

36 Ltd • Cavitech Solutions • Caxton Lodge • CB Plumbing • CCATS • CCW Ltd • Centrica • Chapman Engineering • Charity

Recycling • Chaseley Care Home • Che Bar /Cocos • Cherise View Service Station • Cherish UK • China Red • Choice Hotels • Chris

Allen Garages • Chubbys Bar • Church Road Playgroup Methodist Church • City Learning Centre • CJ Car Repair • Claremont Hotel •

Clarkson Building & Joinery Ltd • Clement Dickens & Son Ltd • Cleveleys Park Rest Home • Cleveleys Taxis Ltd • Clifton Lodge Nursery •

Clifton Quality Meats • Clyde Marine • Coba Hair Centre • Cockerham Caterpillars • Collegiate High School • Colour Lounge • Come Ye In

• Conifers • Conlon Construction Ltd • Connexions • Construction Skills • Coope Badman & Co • Coral Island • Coronation Rock Company

• Country Vogue • Creative Additions • Crest Recruitment • Croker Auto Repair Specalist • Crown Leisure Limited • Cruz Bar • Crystal

Lodge Holiday Appartments • Cube Gallery (Manchester) • Cupcake • Daisy Chain Nursery • Dalmeny Hotel • Dansons • David Taylor •

DCS Fylde • De Vere’s Herons Reach Hotel • Deborah Douglas - Childminder • Delamere Hotel • Deli Plumbing • Derek Woodman Ltd •

Dermalogica • Devon Hair • Devonshire Arms Pub • Devonshire Primary School • DFH Auto Engineers • Disney • Diva • Donna’s Dream

House • Dotty Lines • Douglas Mechanical Installations Ltd • Driveways North West • DSM Media Ltd (now known as Quality Vision) • Dudley

Industries • Dunes Day Nursery • Duo Hair & Beauty • DWP (Warbreck House) • EDF Energy • Edinburgh Museum • ElecLocal • Elgin

Hotel • Elite Joinery Services • Elizabeth Hair Design • Emma and I • Enigma • Eric Wright Group • Ethan Hull • Ethos • Euphoria

Hairdressing • Eurostock Foods • Evans Halshaw • Eve Taylor • Expressions • Fairhaven Nursing Home • Farm Shop Rare Breeds •

Farmer Parrs Animal World • Fast Track Motors • Faurecia Emission Control Technologies • Fawcett & Sons • Fcarc • Federation of Small

Businesses • Flagship • Flares • Fleetwood High School • Flexi Recruitment • Flute • Ford Motor Company • Forest Drive Nursery •

Forsight Building Services • Forsyth Building Services • Fox’s • Frenchman’s Cove • Funky Towers • FX Leisure • FY1 • FY Creatives •

Fylde Borough Council • Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre • Fylde Coast Gate Ltd • Fylde Coast Medical Services • Fylde Coast YMCA • Fylde

Community Link • Fylde Digital Installations Ltd • Fylde Micro • Fylde Motor Company • Fylde Office Service Bureau • G & L Plastering/Tiling

• G Carter & Son • G Casino • Galiford Try • Garside & Laycock • Garstang High School • Genting Casino • Genting Circus Casino •

Gibraltan Port Authority • Gilbeys Autos • Gledhill Building Products • Glen Marie Rest Home • Glen Tanar Care Home • Glenroyd Nursing

Home • GLI Safegas Ltd • Global Renewables Ltd • Goodwins • Graham Ward • Grand Theatre • Granville Motors Ltd • Great Arley

School • Great Places Housing Group • Gretone Engineering Limited • Grosvenor View • Groundworks • Grundy Art Gallery • Grunty’s Day

Care Nursery • GT Carsprays • Guardian Home Care • HM Plumbing • H20 Heating & Plumbing • Hair by Clare Ashton • Hair By Rachael •

Hair Society • Halsall Heating • Halsall Toys • Hambleton Nursery School • Hambleton Under 5s • Happy Creative • Happy Days • Happy

Days Nursery • Hargreaves Garages • Harrisons Garage • Harwoods Garage • Haweside Primary • Head Gear • Head Start •

Headmasters Hair Salon • Heatons Engineering • Heinz • Helping Hands • Henry’s Bar • Herbert T Forrest Ltd • Hewitt Packard •

Hibbert Vehicle Services • Highcroft Care Home • Highfield Children’s Nursery • Highfield Humanities College • Highfurlong • Highgrove Rest

Home • Hilton Group • Hilton Blackpool Hotel • Hirst & Danson • HIS Mechanical Services • Hodgson School • Home Insulation Services

Northwest Ltd • Home Start • Homestead Consultancy Services Ltd • Honeypots Under 5’s Centre • Honeysuckle House • Hooke •

Hydraulic Power Systems • I Care Ltd • IM Fabrications • Ian Rainford Joinery • IEA Jones Motor Service • Image Proz • Images of

Blackpool • Impact Energy Savings Solutions Ltd • In Training • Inn on the Prom • Inward House • Iportal Solutions Ltd • Isis Hair • Isle

of Iona • ITP In The Pink Leisure • J & N Gas • J B Garages Ltd • J Wareing & Sons • Jackson Lloyd Ltd • Jah Jireh • James Brearley

The following companies are those to whom

we have been linked over the 2009/10

academic year. Whilst every effort has been

made to ensure all associated companies

are listed here, for administrative reasons

the list may not be exhaustive.

ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

57and Sons • James Daniel • James Fisher and Son • James Mercer Group • Jane’s Hair Salon • JD Pickups Installations Ltd • Jem Craft •

Jigsaw • JJs • JKs Steak House (previously New Red Peaches) • Job Centre Plus • John Huddleston Engineering • John Moore & Sons

Builders Ltd • John Turner and Sons • John Wilding Ltd • Johnsons Manufacturing Joinery • Joseph’s Salon • JTL • Jump Leads • Just

MOT’s • K & B Autos • K and A Autos • K W Creative Hair Design • Kapers Nursery • Karl Vella Auto Body Repairs • Kats Claws • Keith

Humphreys Plumber • Kensington Dev • Kenyan Port Authority • Keyes Barn • Kilgour Engineering Industries Ltd • Kincraig County Primary

School • King Edward Care Home • Klarius • KRE8 • KT’s Hair Studio • L. Woodruff Ltd • La Fontana • Lancashire Care NHS Trust •

Lancashire Constaulary • Lancashire County Commercial Group • Lancashire County Council • Lancashire Education Authority • Lancashire Gas

Services • Lancashire Road Safety Partnership • Lancashire Teaching Hospital • Landor Associates • Langdale Hotel • Langtrys Blackpool •

Lavishair • Lawton Hotel • Layton Methodist Playgroup • Layton Primary School • Learning Curve Nursery • Lebus International • Leisure

Travel • Lewis Motors • Lindisfarne • Lindum Hotel • Links Lodge • Little Treasures Day Nursery (Bispham) • Little Village Nursery •

Liquid Plastics • Liverpool Marine • Llanryan Guest House • Loftech • L’Oreal • LSA Technology and Performing Arts College • Lynbar

Guesthouse • Lynmoore Guest House • Lytham Yacht Club • MOSAC (Mothers of Sexually Abused Children) • MP Marine • MacMIillan •

Manchester Methodist Housing Association • Marc’s Garage • Marine Pool • Mario’s • Mark Brasier (Consultant) • Mark Garside Plumbing •

Mark Nattal Plumbing & Heating • Mark Wrathall Auto Engineers • Martin Scullion • Marton Primary School • Mary Poppins • Matalan PLC •

Mayfi eld Primary School • MBW Corporate Training • Mears • Mercedes Benz • Meiring Whitaker • Merlewood Apartments • Metcalfs

Estate Agents • MHA • Mi-Flues Limited • Microsoft • Midgeland Rd Garage • Millfield Science and Performing Arts College • Millwood

Plumbing • Milton Lodge • Mini Buddies Pre-School • Miramar • Mitie • Mobility 2000 Building Ltd • Montgomery High School • Moor

Park Primary School • Moorland Motors Ltd • Morris and Spottiswood • Mosaic Community Care • Moss Side Children’s Nursery • Motivate •

Mounttune Car Sales • NHS Blackpool • National Baler Services • NCompass • Neil Marshall Hairdressing • New Cross Health Care Solutions

• New Directions • New Fylde Housing (Progress Plus) • New Image • New Little Village • Newbury Hotel • Newcross Health Care Solutions

• Newfi eld Jones Homes • Newfi eld lodge • NFC Autocare • NHS Blackpool teaching Hospitals • NHS Community Health Services • NHS

North Lancashire • NHS Pensions Division • Nightingales Care Ltd • Norbreck 45 Hair Studio • Norbreck Primary School • North of England

Education Conference (NEEC) • North Lancashire Teaching PCT • North Pier • North West Community Services • North West Therapy Centre •

Norther Care • Northern Case Management • Northern Security Services • • NST Travel Group PLC • Number 3 • Nutkins Nursery •

Old Vicarage • Opal Design Ltd • Orchard Lodge • Orion Blinds • Orlando Hotel • Ormerod Trust • PJ Taylor Plumbing and Heating •

Pablo’s Cafe • Palatine • Palm Tree Lodge • Paolo’s • Park School • Parkinsons • Parkinson’s Society • Pear Tree • Peek a Boo •

Pendlebury Care • Penny Lodge Developments • Pennystone Court • People First • Pepe’s • Peter Fryer Joinery & Building Ltd • Peter

Jones • Phil Rogerson Ltd • Philip Dixon Contractors & Plant Hire Ltd • Pinington Ltd • Pisces • Places For People • Play Inclusions •

Pool Aviation • Positive Steps (Blackpool Victoria Hospital) • Prego • Premier Inn Blackpool East • Prestige Nursing • Preston College •

Primrose Bank Rest Home • Princes • Princess Alexandra Home • Pro Care Home Support Services • Progress Recruitment • Promenade

Hotels Limited • Pulcinellas • Pye Motors Lancaster • Quatro Electronics • Queen Victoria Hotel • Quick Save Motorists Centre • R & B

Motors Fylde Ltd • R & S Plastering Contractors • R D Wilkinson • Radix 2 Design Ltd • RAF • Randstad Ltd • Rate Your Energy •

Rawcliffe & Co Accountants • Read and Errington • Red Marsh School • Red October • Regency Windows and Conservatories • Reliance Care

• Riah Hair • Ribble Lodge • Ribby Hair Studio • Richards Hair and Beauty • Rio Hair Company • Riversmede • Rocket Fish • Roger

Eaves Building Ltd • Rose & Crown • Roseacre Primary School • Roselyn House • Rossall School • Royal Fleet Auxiliary • Royal Flight of

Oman • Royal Statistical Society • Rumours/Hush • S Ashcroft Plumbing • Saddleworth School • Salon 15 • Salvation Army • Sam Clegg

Butchers • Sandcastle Care • Sandcastle Waterpark • Sanderson Joinery Ltd • Sanuk • Sara Phillips • Sarah’s Hair Studio • Sauls Hair

Design • Scanlite Visual Communication • Scissor Trix • Scrooges • Scruffy Murphys/ Churchills Bar • Sea Bank House Residential Care Home

• Sea Life Blackpool • Select Plumbing, Heating & Bathrooms • SEO Tech • Septembers • SF Recruitment • Shaw & Wright • Shine Hair

Studio • Showreel TV • Simmons Commercials • Skillnet Training • Skylarks Nursery • SLP Precasts • Smiths Group • Solo Scissors •

Specialist Boiler Services • Spindrift Care Home • SpringEnergy • Springetts Brand Design Consultants Limited • Springfi elds Fuels Ltd • St

Aidans Church of England High School • St Bedes Catholic High School • St Bentley Builders • St Chads Primary School (after school club) • St

Cuthbert’s School • St Evens • St George’s School • St John Vianney R C Primary School • St Mary’s Catholic College • St Mary’s Church Hall

• St Michaels Garage • St Pauls Medical Centre (BBC) • St Peter’s Kindergarten • St Wulstans & St Edwards Catholic Primary School • Stafford

Thurz • Stanham Housing • Stanley Primary School • Star Bodies • Star Hills • Steiners • Stephen Coles • Stephen Dodd • Stockshall

Care Home • Streetlife • Strike Lane Community Primary School • Stringers • Stuart Brown Joinery • Studio 10 • Studio Ten Hair Design

• Style Machine Tools • Style time • Subway • Sunnydayz Nursery • Sure Start • Sure Start Talbot and Brunswick • Surestart (Fleetwood)

• Surestart Children’s Centre • Surestart Children’s Centre (Grange Park) • Surestart Children’s Centre (Mereside Campus) • Surface & Design •

Sutcliffe Hotel • Swissport - Groundstar Ltd • T Jolly Services Ltd • Tangerine Holdings • Tangerine Tots • Tapas • Test • Thames

Primary School • The Allan Court Guest House • The Argyll Hotel • The Arties • The Avon Hotel • The Bandy Hotel • The Beachwood House

Hotel • The Beeches - Blackpool South • The Berwick Hotel • The Birches • The Blue C Hotel • The Blue Pig Coffee House • The Blue Room

• The Bond Hotel • The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust • The Burlington • The Chase • The Claremont Hotel • The Counting House • The

Crib • The Everglades • The Fame Hotel • The Farthings Nursing Home • The Ferry Cafe • The Glenburn • The Goldstone Gateway • The

Hair & Nail Boutique • The Hair Lounge • The Haldene • The Highlands • The Hotel Wilmar • The Lemon Tree • The Litten Tree • The

Maine Attraction • The Maine Salon • The Manuela Rose • The Nail Lounge • The National Skills Academy Nuclear • The Novello • The

Oaklea Trust • The Qube • The Roachvale Hotel • The Rose & Crown • The Rosehaven • The Saddle • The Salmar • The Salon • The

Samaritans • The Sands • The Soul Suite • The Squirrels Child Care Centre • The St. Ives Hotel • The Syndicate • The Truth • The Venue

• The Villa • The Village Nursery • The Village Steakhouse • The Volunteer Centre • The Walkden House Hotel • The Washington • The

Willows • The Wilton Hotel • Therapy House • Thistle • Thompson Local • Thornton Pre-School Playgroup • Toast • Todding Nursery •

Toddle Inn • Tommy’s Youth Centre (Fleetwood) • Tony Blundell • Tracy Glaser • Training 2000 • Transpennine Express • Travel TV Plc •

Trax Care • Treetops Nursery • Trinity Hospice • True North • Tysons • UBU • UCLAN • Under Bar • Unity College Blackpool •

Universal • Vance House Holiday Appartments • Variety • Venture • Veterinary Health Centre • Village Hotels • Village Practice •

Virtual Living Ltd • Volkservice • Volunteer Centre Stanley Park • Walkabout • Walsh Integrated Building Services • Walton’s Coach Hire

Limited • Waterloo Medical Centre • Waterloo Primary School • Wella • West Lodge Dental Practice • Westfi eld Caravans • Wheel Repair

Centre • Whitegate Drive Medical Centre • Whitegate Resource Centre • Whitesides Joinery • Willows Care Home • Windmill Day Nursery •

Winfi eld House • WL Cookson Ltd • Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC • Wonderland Day Nursery • Woodlands School • Worktop Creations •

WOW • Wynfi eld House Care Home • Wyre Borough Council • Wyre Gas • Wyre Tidal Energy Ltd • Wyred Up • YMCA • Young People’s

Service • Zell-em Group • Zest

factsandfigures


finance The College recorded another strong financial

performance in 2009/10. The group reported an historic

cost surplus for the year of £420k, which included a

charge of £1m in respect of the accounting treatment for

retirement benefits prescribed by FRS 17. The underlying

historic cost surplus was therefore £1.4m.

The strength of the group balance sheet was maintained

in 2009/10 with total reserves and endowments of

£49.4m, cash balances of £9.6m and a cash inflow

generated from operating activities of £2.3m in the year.

The current ratio on 31 July was 1.96 and the College

had no borrowings in 2009/10.

The College intends to accumulate reserves and cash

balances to invest in improving the learner experience

through the property strategy, the IT infrastructure and

equipment for use by learners. In 2009/10, a combined

£3.3m was invested in buildings and equipment.

The College will meet the challenges faced by the sector

in the coming years from a position of financial strength.

59

factsandfigures

FACTS AND FIGURES


FUnDing BoDY grantSLSC and successor organisations grants

LSC and successor organisations capital grants

HEFCE grants

HEFCE capital grants

£34,931,000

£25,997,000

£142,000

£7,774,000

£1,048,000

Total funding body grants

other incomeCatering and Residences

Offshore and other economic income

Other income

£1,422,000

£3,821,000

£1,361,000

tUition FeeS anD chargeSHome students

Non-EU students

Higher Education

£4,560,000

£921,000

£243,000

£3,396,000

Total tuition fees and charges

inVeStment incomeInterest receivable

£92,000

£92,000

other grant incomeEuropean funds

Other funds

£56,000

£2,138,000

Total other grant income

incomeFor the year ended 31 July 2010

£49,325,000Total income

eDUcation contractS £944,000

£2,194,000

£6,604,000Total other income

Total investment income

FACTS AND FIGURES - FINANCE

61income in 2009/10

income groWth Since 2005/06

£46,423,000

£43,910,000

£39,745,000

£35,888,000

£49,325,000

2007/2008

2006/2007

2005/2006

2009/2010

2008/2009

£49,325,000total income

71% Fundung body grants

13% Other income

9% Tuition fees and charges

4%

Other grant incom

e

2%

Ed

ucatio

n co

ntracts

1% Investm

ent in

com

e


StaFFTeaching

Teaching and other support

Administration and Cental Services

Premises running costs

Premises maintenance

Catering and Residence

Staff restructuring

£32,855,000

£18,748,000

£6,589,000

£4,248,000

£1,260,000

£503,000

£687,000

£820,000

Total staff costs

other oPerating eXPenDitUreTeaching

Teaching and other support

Administration and Cental Services

Premises running costs

Premises maintenance

Rent and leases

Catering and Residence

£3,891,000

£1,561,000

£3,190,000

£1,411,000

£1,255,000

£146,000

£627,000

£49,907,000Total expenditure

£12,081,000Total other operating expenditure

DePreciation £4,094,000

intereSt PaYaBle £877,000

expenditureFor the year ended 31 July 2010

total non PaY eXPenDitUre £17,052,000

FACTS AND FIGURES - FINANCE

63eXPenDitUre in 2009/10

£49,907,000total eXPenDitUre

66% Staff

24% O

ther

8%

Dep

reciation

2%

Interest payab

le

DeFicit on continUing oPerationSTransfer from revaluation reserve

hiStoric coSt SUrPlUS

(£582,000)£1,002,000

£420,000Remove impact of FRS17 £1,014,000

UnDerlYing hiStoric coSt SUrPlUS £1,434,000


student informationStUDent nUmBerS

Academic Studies




Catering and Food production

Construction

Engineering, Computing and Automotive (including Aviation and Gaming)


Maritime Operations


Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality (including Sports and Public Services)

In the following tables, part-time fi gures indicate the number of individual enrolments whereas full-time

fi gures indicate the number of learners (LNs). One learner may make multiple enrolments.

4,265Grand total

495

186

457

160

234

516

721

505

0

517

474

2,793

539

1.226

75

294

83

130

289

73

16

34

34

Academic Studies


Art and Design (Higher Education)



Construction

Engineering and Computing (including Automotive and Gaming)


Maritime Operations


Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality (including Sports

2,042Grand total

258

17

335

61

90

25

267

28

470

267

224

502

27

0

6

0

97

57

211

0

20

84

0

fe (funded) 2009/10 ft

lns

2009/10 pt

enrolmentS

fe (funded) 2009/10 ft

lns

2009/10 pt

enrolmentS

FACTS AND FIGURES - STUDENT INFORMATION

65

Leisure classes

Full cost (FE, School Links, Other)

Other (ESF, E2E etc)

0

1500

4,568

9,923

541

other 2009/10 ft

lns

2009/10 pt

enrolmentS

150Grand total 15,032

StUDent ProFile

gender age

learningdifficulties disability

ethnicityWhite

Asian

Black

Chinese

Other

95.03%

2.81%

0.46%

0.21%

1.50%

No

Yes

95.47%

4.53%

No

Yes

94.71%

5.29%

19+

16-18

95.47%

85.04%

Male

Female

60.55%

39.45%


staffing informationStaFF nUmBerS

Teaching departments - teaching

Teaching departments - support

Teaching support - LIT

Additional support

Other support staff

Administration and Central Services

Marketing

Premises

- Running costs

- Management and Admin

Catering and Residences

531.89

101.38

61.89

65.07

16.79

114.38

31.92

65.88

15.05

33.92

full-time equivalents

Total 1,041.17

FACTS AND FIGURES - STAFFING INFORMATION

67

The male/female staff breakdown shows little change on the previous year. Overall the

College male/female split is 44% male and 56% female.

StaFF ProFile

gender

23% Part-time - Male

21% Part-tim

e - Female

21% Fu

ll-tim

e - Male

23% Fu

ll-time - Fem

ale

genDer


age

The College age distribution shows that the majority of staff remain within the 40-50 age

bracket.

disability

Currently there are 3.48% of staff indicating they have a disability. Additionally we use the

College Technical Assessment Centre (TASC) to help staff who are experiencing diffi culties

such as a bad back or computer screen visibility.

0.7

3% U

nd

er 2

1

11.68%

21 -

30

20.52% 31 - 40

28.4

3% 4

1 - 5

0

26.03% 51 - 60

9.9

3% 6

1 - 65

2.6

8%

65

+

age

FACTS AND FIGURES - STAFFING INFORMATION

69ethnicity

4.5% of the College population are indicating an Ethnicity other than White–British, which

is the main nationality in the College. This percentage is higher than the corresponding

local population percentages and gives continuing encouragement to our claim of being an

Equality of Opportunity Employer.

The College ethnic origin breakdown for 2009/10 together with comparative full- and part-time percentage fi gures for

2008/09 is as per the table below:

categories full-time2009/10

(2008/ 2009)

part-time2009/10

(2008/ 2009)

total

Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi 1 0.16% (0.13%) 1 0.07%

Asian or Asian British – Indian 4 0.66% (0.99%) (0.13%) 4 0.29%

Asian or Asian British – Pakistani 1 0.16% (0.39%) 1 0.07%

Asian or Asian British – Any other Asian 1 0.16% (0.13%) 1 0.07%

Black or Black British – African 1 0.16% 1 0.07%

Black or Black British – Caribbean (0.16%) 2 0.26% (0.26%) 2 0.15%

Black or Black British – Any other Black 1 0.16% (0.16%) 1 0.07%

Chinese 1 0.13% (0.13%) 1 0.07%

Mixed – White and Asian 1 0.16% (0.26%) 1 0.07%

Mixed – White and Black African (0.16%) 0 0.00%

Mixed – White and Black Caribbean 2 0.33% (0.16%) 2 0.26% (0.13%) 4 0.29%

Mixed – Any other Mixed Background 2 0.33% 3 0.39% (0.39%) 5 0.36%

White – Irish 7 1.15% (1.65%) 6 0.78% (0.66%) 13 0.94%

Any Other 3 0.39% (0.53%) 3 0.22%

Any Other White Background 5 0.82% (1.48%) 19 2.46% (2.23%) 24 1.74%

Sub Total of Categories Above 26 4.28% (4.78%) 36 4.68% (5.39%) 62 4.50%

White – British 539 88.80% (80.72%) 603 78.21% (74.64%) 1,142 82.87%

Not Known or Not Provided 42 6.92% (14.50%) 132 17.12% (19.97%) 174 12.63%

607 771 1,378

Our response rate has improved to 86% from the 83% reported last year. The categories for reporting are as outlined

below.

All information provided in this section has been taken from the Human Resources Report to the Board for the Year 2009/10

Other categories

White-British

Not known or Not provided

4%

83%

13%

ethnicity


member’s name date of appointment

term of office

committee served

F. Aiken 7.9.99

re-appointed

7.9.03

re-appointed

7.9.07

4 years Remuneration Committee

Quality and Standards Committee

T. Amor 14.12.04

re-appointed

14.12.08

4 years Audit Committee (Chair)

Search Committee

R. Bell 8.7.08 4 years

J.Blagden 8.1.09 To end of

academic year

P. Burdess 2.6.09 4 Years

A. Cavill 1.10.06 4 years Audit Committee

S. Crowther 8.12.08 4 years

I. Evans 9.9.03

re-appointed

9.9.07

4 years Quality and Standards Committee

A. Goodyear 8.12.09 To end of

academic year

Quality with Standards Committee

(with effect from 16.2.10)

A. Gilmore 22.5.07 4 years Audit Committee

Y. Jenkinson 30.10.07 4 years Audit Committee

S. Lamley

(Chair)

1.9.06

re-appointed

1.9.09

3 years Chair of Corporation

Search Committee

Remuneration Committee

(Temporary Board Representative on College Health and Safety

Committee)

C. Miller

(Vice-Chair)

6.2.02

re-appointed

6.2.06

re-appointed

7.2.10

4 years Vice-Chair of the Corporation

Remuneration Committee

Search Committee

Quality and Standards Committee (Chair)

D. Parker 16.9.08 4 years Quality with Standards Committee

(with effect from 16.2.10)

L. Smith 18.9.07 4 years Quality and Standards Committee

P. Waterhouse (Principal

and Chief Executive)

1.3.04 Until

resignation

Search Committee

Quality and Standards Committee

compositionof thecorporationThe Members who served the Corporation during the period were as follows:

71

Principal and Chief Executive: Pauline Waterhouse OBE

Editor: Stephanie McEvoy

Artwork designed and produced by: Mark Wilson and Carl Rosekilly

Image Credits: Steve Redfern, Colin Jarvis, .Mark Wilson, Louise Facey, Carl

Rosekilly, Peter Jones, RS Studio, National Training Awards, Booths, Andrew

Livesey.

Front Cover: Michael Hirst

Documents

Annual Report 09/10