Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest “Be part of our vision for the future” K N I TH R E G R E H G I IG H BAIM I N E H S www.nct.ac.uk W January 2015 IT E N H W LEGE L O C TELFORD Contents Strategic Framework ................................. 1 Foreword ................................................ 2 Student Case Studies ................................ 3 Context – The College of Choice................ 4 About the College.................................... 5 Quality................................................... 6 Finance and Estates.................................. 7 Governance and Leadership...................... 8 Strategic Vision for the Future................... 10 Interest and Proposals............................. 10 Essence of Partnership............................. 11 Timescales............................................. 11 Criteria for our Choice of Partner......... 12-13 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 1 Strategic Framework Vision Value 1 Inclusive and diverse The Student is Our Focus; a student centred inspiring all students approach in everything we do. to achieve excellence Mission To provide high Students will: •Take responsibility for their own learning and achievement, being punctual, attending and meeting deadlines. quality educational •Work together to support and help each other. opportunities for all •Take pride in their studies and strive for excellence students and have high aspirations. Staff will: Strategic Objectives •Work together as a team to support colleagues to Achieve your •Provide consistently high levels of knowledge, skills ambitions… students to become independent learners, employable and work ready. Critical Success Factors (KPI Metrics) 1.Students First Delivering a high quality focus on the students. and resources enabling students to achieve their ambitions. •Recognise and reward good and outstanding performance and behaviour. Leaders will: •Recognise and reward good and outstanding performance and behaviour. •Provide clear communication, outlining the standards and expectations required. •Strive to create a safer, open and transparent environment where everyone is treated fairly and •Strive to provide students with educational experiences of exceptional quality that provide for healthy personal and professional development. •Focus on individuals’ needs giving support, guidance and advice. Leaders will: •Strive to minimise bureaucracy, cost and institutional inertia in all forms and will further strive to accept appropriate risks in pursuit of opportunity. •Strive for quality in all that the College does and continuous improvement in all areas, and will measure progress with appropriate national standards and College goals. •Listen to feedback and take appropriate action to meet the changing needs of the College. Value 3 Valued, Respected and Included; valuing everyone equally and striving to overcome any barriers to success. Students will: •Strive to develop long term relationships based on honesty, fairness and respect. •Ensure each person is treated with respect and dignity in all situations. •Abide by and endorse the College rules and take with respect. care of their environment. 2. Cost to Serve Value 2 Staff will: Achieving outstanding Excellence and High Aspirations; we strive to learning experience resources for all students 3. Effective Resources Developing an effective and efficient workforce 4. College of Choice Consistently exceeding users’ expectations develop and pursue the highest standards. Students will: •Strive to work at their upmost potential and aspire to the highest standard. •Be innovative, creative and entrepreneurial while developing life skills. •Feel valued and supported by all and encouraged to ask for help and support. Staff will: •Create student-centred learning that enables students to achieve their utmost potential. •Listen constructively, keep an open mind and take the time to understand with empathy before reaching a conclusion. •Demonstrate professional behaviour, being punctual and courteous. •Treat all students and staff as individuals. Leaders will: •Spend time with students and staff. •Foster clarity, integrity and honesty and be professional role models. •Strive to provide an environment that supports freedom of inquiry, protects diversity and fosters a sense of well-being. 2 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Foreword This document outlines the intentions of New College Telford to seek a partner to establish and build a Federation which over time may lead to merger. The College strongly believes such arrangements will best realise its ambitions for its learners, for the communities and employers that it serves, and for its staff. The decision of the College to pursue a suitable Federation Partner reflects a positive and very deliberate strategy to further the College’s ambitions. This document sets out the background to this strategy, describes the mission, provision, quality and financial status of the College, and sets out the criteria in selecting a Federation Partner. Organisations interested in pursuing a potential Federation are invited to submit a proposal that, as a minimum, addresses the ten criteria for our Choice of Partner (Pages 12-13) for consideration by New College Telford. The chosen way forward will be subject to fulfilment of the relevant consultation obligations. Details on how to submit a proposal are set out at Page 10 of this document. Overall timescales for progression of the proposed Federation are set out at Page 11. The College looks forward to receiving proposals as outlined above. Fiona O’Brien David Hopkins Acting Principal Chair of the Corporation New College Telford New College Telford @ Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 3 Student case studies “My lecturer suggested that I take the scholarship exams and “It was hard work but worth it – the friendly atmosphere in the I’m so glad I did! I gained classes helped with learning and an unconditional offer from the teachers were very helpful. Aberystwyth University and a £1K bursary for my first year.” Ryan chose to come to New College Telford as he felt it had a friendly, supportive environment and that he would be treated I got all A grades. I’m really interested in computers and am now studying Computer Science at Cambridge University” Helen Cheung like an adult. “When I visited the College, I was impressed by the way the lecturers treated you like an adult and took a genuine interest in your career goals and aspirations.” During his time at New College Telford, Ryan gained work-based skills on course-related field trips and attended ‘catch up’ workshops arranged by his lecturers as and when he felt he needed extra support. “The College exceeded my expectations in every way. My lecturers were always on hand if I needed them and encouraged me to achieve my academic goals. I now feel ready to go on to university and I’m confident that I have a successful career ahead of me.” Ryan Davies “I love the teaching style at New College Telford and my lecturers were always available at lunchtime and after college if I wanted any extra support, such as help with specific modules or exam preparation.” “I’m going onto Warwick University to study Chemistry. I’m not 100% sure of what career I want to go into yet but I’m thinking about research, teaching or finance.” Daniel Bahia “The teachers really made a difference – the fact that they are all so well qualified and really help, now I’m studying Natural Sciences specialising in Physics at Cambridge University.” Bethany Craik 4 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Context The College of Choice “The National Hotel School at New College Telford represents an excellent model for how to engage young people in a career path in a growth industry.” “Innovative and new approaches like this are what this country needs if it is to create the workforce for the future needed to give us the edge in the global race.” Skills Minister Matthew Hancock: September 2013 New College Telford is a successful Sixth Form College located in Wellington, Shropshire. Our students, parents, stakeholders and communities tell us they value our education provision, which in recent years has changed to offer vocational provision, as well as maintaining the core academic provision. This year the College purchased a local hotel to enable the College to better meet the needs of our students and the communities we serve within the Hospitality, Catering and Event Management sectors. This is the first hotel in the Country to provide a Hotel School up to Level 7. This is a growth sector, both locally and nationally, and this unique and innovative training facility will be able to fill skills gaps nationally, hence it is known as The National School. The College is extremely proud of the quality of its provision, having received a ‘Good’ Ofsted grading in March 2013, and being awarded ‘Outstanding’ Financial Health by the EFA in 2012/13. The College has been working proactively over the last two years responding to both the changing Government agenda and the changing needs of the local area of Telford and Wrekin. A number of triggers have brought us to the current strategic position: •The need to increase choice for students in the area •The opportunity to think afresh based on recent successful initiatives •The challenges in the external environment •Funding changes A comprehensive Strategic Options Review was undertaken during the Spring of this year, which concluded that the College could best meet the future needs of Ofsted March 2013 “Senior Managers are developing its students and communities by developing Federal arrangements, which may in time lead to merger, with a large education institution, which may be out of area. the curriculum soundly to support The College has completed a Structure and Prospects Appraisal which also local and regional employment concluded establishing a Federation with a view to merger in time, was the needs, for example, in Science and preferred option. Technology. It is important to stress that this is a strong and viable College seeking to increase This includes the building of a capacity to support the ambitions and needs of the community effectively and Science, Technology, Engineering expediently. and Mathematics Centre (STEM) They are broadening intermediate level provision, including vocational courses to support young people not in education, employment or training.” Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 5 About the College Mission New College Telford has a very clear mission to provide high quality educational opportunities, which are inclusive and diverse, for all its students. The College wishes to expand and continue to improve its quality and provision further in line with its vision, inspiring all students to achieve excellence. As borne out by its student surveys, the College’s students see it as friendly, and as a provider of significant enabling support. This is a reputation of which the College is proud, and works to maintain. In the most recent student survey, 93% of students said, ‘My teachers know their subjects well’, and 93% said, ‘Feedback I receive is informative and useful.’ The College plays a key role in Telford and Wrekin, Provision working closely with the areas eleven local secondary Although traditionally a Sixth Form College we are far Trust Schools. It works in partnership with the Universities from being a typical one. schools, and is a strategic partner of two Cooperative of Warwick and Derby to deliver higher education The College recruits the majority of its learners from the programmes. It is directly funded by the Higher Education Telford and Wrekin area, with the remaining learners Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and has well being drawn from the neighbouring wider geographic developed plans for 2015 when the HE cap is lifted. area, of Shropshire and the West Midlands. New College Telford has 45% of the market share of Level 3 provision undertaken by 16-18 year old Telford and Wrekin residents. The College offers a wide range of A Level programmes in 34 subject areas at A2 and 40 at AS, allowing students the flexibility to study a wide range of subjects to support Ofsted March 2013 “Teachers explain topics clearly, often in an interesting and engaging way. They ask searching questions, pursue full responses from students and encourage analytical and their career choices. critical thinking to consolidate learning. A The College also offers technical qualifications in the large proportion of students move on from AS areas of Performing Arts, Sport and Outdoor Education to A Level study. The number of students who and Health and Social Care. Higher Education (HE) apply for University places has increased over provision is provided through partnership with the the last three years. Nearly three quarters of University of Warwick and the University of Derby, which eligible students took up a place at University is an area that the College is currently expanding, along in 2012/13 on completion of their course. (For with an ambition to deliver higher apprenticeships. 2013/14, 87% of those who applied through The College has recently purchased a successfully viable hotel in its own right to provide experiential learning opportunities in all areas of tourism, leisure and hospitality from Levels 2 to 7, including apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships. UCAS took up University places). Good teaching and assessment ensure students’ good progress in most lessons as shown by their high achievement at AS Level, when compared to their prior attainment and their high success rates at A Level. Teachers set challenging and varied tasks and activities in most lessons, which require students to develop their thinking, research and analytical skills to a high level.” 6 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Be AMBITIOUS THINK DIFFERENTLY STAY FOCUSED MAKE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY at NEW COLLEGE TELFORD Quality The College was inspected in March 2013 and received a Grade 2 for overall effectiveness. Ofsted graded the College ‘Good’ because: • Student success rates increased substantially in 2011/12. Students made good progress at AS Level and their progression between AS and A Level study and into Higher Education was at a high rate • Most advanced level students worked hard and attended well. They developed good skills in research, analysis and evaluation. • Teaching had improved and was good in most advanced level subjects. Teachers used assessment well to support learning. Ofsted 2013-14 Survey Inspection Programme: 16-19 Study Programme “The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our National Evaluation and reporting.” • The learning environment had improved markedly with new and refurbished accommodation and improvements to information and learning technology. • Managers’ very effective actions had improved most aspects of the College’s work. Gwen Coates HMI 2 April 2014 Ofsted March 2013 “Success rates improved again in 2013/14 by 5% overall, and GCSE Maths and English resit results substantially above Benchmark.” Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 7 Finance and Estates The College group has an income of circa £8m per annum and has made a surplus (excluding FRS17) every year since 2007/08. Ofsted March 2013 ‘Managers have arranged for the recent For 2014/15 the College budget will be affected by the refurbishment of many classrooms and lagged learner number basis of funding allocation and improved students’ access to information and will be planning an initial deficit. However, the College learning technology. Learning Resource Centres has adopted a longer term growth strategy which may are well equipped. The standard of learning result in an increased allocation, enabling the College to materials is generally high.’ grow. The College has a good record of investment, in both its estate and in its teaching and learning facilities; it has New College Telford has managed its finances in an successfully completed a £2.7 million investment in 2012 environment that has been challenging for the whole and 2013 to create a Science, Technology, Engineering of the sector, in a sound fashion, and has steadily and Maths Centre (STEM). In 2013, the College acquired improved the efficiency of its operation. It successfully a hotel and leisure centre creating a new National restructured its key manager roles in 2014. The EFA Hotel School offering Hospitality, Catering and Events assessed the financial health of the College in 2012- Management training. 2013, on the basis of the audited Financial Statements, The College estate has been considerably improved as “Outstanding.” following successive rounds of Building Condition Improvement Funds and most of the estate is categorized as condition ‘B’ and ‘C’. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE – £000’s College 2010-11 College 2012-13 Group 2013-14 7,061 6,777 6,415 100 161 1,669 7,161 6,938 8,084 Pay Costs 4,701 4,524 5,083 Non-pay costs (net of historical cost adjustment 2,113 2,365 2,998 Total Expenditure 6,814 6,889 8,081 347 49 3 Fixed assets 6,016 7,814 9,972 Net current assets 1,644 1,289 559 INCOME Funding Councils Other income Total Income EXPENDITURE Surplus/(Deficit) BALANCE SHEET Long term liabilities (1,750) (1,470) (2,267) Net Assets 5,910 7,633 8,264 Total Reserves 5,910 7,633 8,264 The College has self-assessed its financial health for the period of the latest two-year Financial Forecast as ‘Good’. The College has fixed assets of £10 million with £1.5 million bank balance. All of the key performance indicators are good and the financial health is assessed as ‘Good’. 8 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Governance and Leadership The College Board of Governors (the Corporation), consists of six external members representing the local community and employers, the Principal, two staff governors and two student governors. The Strategic Leadership Team consists of the Principal and the Director of Corporate Services. Senior staff report at Corporation meetings on strategy, resources and quality. The Corporation has been influenced by the Carver philosophy and concentrate, as Governors, on the high level strategy of the College and their own codes of conduct. There are three Committees: Audit, Search and Development and Remuneration. The Corporation meets six times a year and holds development seminars twice a year. The Audit Committee meets three times per year, and the Search and Development Committee and Remuneration Committee meets twice. Ofsted March 2013 “Governors keep themselves well informed about the College’s performance. They have supported strongly the changes put in place in recent months and raised their expectations of managers by increasing their level of challenge to them. Governors support strongly the sound developments to make the curriculum more relevant to local needs.” “New College Telford has a clearly defined strategic ambition which is to enable students to achieve their ambitions and become independent learners, either to progress to higher education or be employable and work ready. The College has made considerable investment in buildings and equipment and the new open plan Student Services area and Study Centre are providing ease of access to services. They are also working through a programme of organisational change to align their IAG staff resources with service and student requirements. The approach taken to performance management and staff induction has been particularly valuable during the organisational change and the recruitment of new staff members. Staff members reported how the individual line management approach to support, appraisals, one-to-one meetings and the comprehensive induction (including the Induction Folder) were helping people to see the priorities and to get up to speed quickly.” Quotes recorded from the 2014 Matrix Accreditation Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 9 @ 10 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Strategic vision for the future The College wishes to expand its provision in line with impact as the College is directly funded by HEFCE its purpose of meeting the needs of the locality to the and has recently submitted plans for a new University highest standards. It has concluded that the most effective Centre. The National Hotel School continues to grow in way to do this, in the current environment, is to Federate student numbers and reputation, in line with the local with the most appropriate partner(s). and national priorities, with new Study Programmes, The College, which is already consistently student focused, aims to become increasingly so, by employing Traineeships and Apprenticeships, including Higher Level Skills. a wider range of learning platforms and study, that is Whilst the College believes that it would attain these increasingly focused on individual needs. goals were it to remain independent, it also believes that The College continues to have ambitious growth plans and has been successful in gaining EFA and SFA growth a suitable Federal partner would serve to accelerate the pace at which these goals could be achieved. bids, along with the Building Condition Improvement The College is also growing apprenticeship provision at Fund (BCIF) to further update and improve students’ advanced and higher apprenticeship level, as well as HE learning environments. The College’s Higher Education provision. strategy and growth is continuing to have a positive Interest and proposals It is against the background and ambitions articulated in this document that New College Telford invites proposals from potential Federal partners, which may in time lead to merger. We invite Expressions of Interest from the Further Education and Higher Education sectors, along with any other organisations involved in broader education and training. Expressions of Interest must serve to satisfy the ambitions of New College Telford and the partner institution. To this end, all proposals for Federation must set out how the proposing organisation would build Proposal Requirements: •Ten hard copies, supplied in .pdf format, plus an electronic copy, either on a memory pen or disc. •To be no longer than 30 sides of A4 text, in a font no smaller than 11 point. •To be entire in itself, and not make reference to further separate documentation. •Specify the name, postal address, email address and telephone number of the person nominated by the Governing Body of the proposing organisation to enter into initial discussions with New College Telford, for and on behalf of the proposer. on the strengths of New College Telford and further its Proposals must be submitted as follows: current ambitions. By post or in person, addressed to: Keith Scribbins, Clerk to All proposals should address themselves to the ten criteria the Corporation, c/o Janet Rigby, Principalship Office, New for our Choice of Partner set out at Pages 12-13, taking College Telford, King Street, Wellington, Telford. TF1 1NY. each criterion in turn and setting out how Federation (Proof of postage will not be accepted as proof of receipt). with the proposing organisation would meet the criteria Proposals to be received by 5.00pm on 27 February identified. 2015. Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 11 Essence of Partnership We are looking to Federate with an Institution whose culture is aligned to, and with, New College Telford’s core values: •The Student is Our Focus; a student-centred approach in everything we do •Excellence and High Aspirations; we strive to develop and pursue the highest standards •Valued, Respected and Included; valuing everyone equally and striving to overcome any barriers to success. New College Telford is looking to Federate with an Institution: •Of distinction – with international interests and entrepreneurial approaches •With the ability to assist in the development of HE at New College Telford (NCT) •With an ability to assist with the development of the National Hotel School •Which has inspirational Governors and Senior Staff who can work cooperatively with our inspirational Governors, Staff and communities •With keenness to treat NCT Governors, Staff and Students with parity of esteem and in an equitable manner, and as part of the above: – To accept that the Corporation of NCT will remain as a vital part of shared governance arrangements – An agreement to foster the continued development of the New College Telford site and a pledge to prevent asset stripping. Timescales The following are key planned dates beyond the point of submission of Proposals, which must be received by 27 February 2015. Week commencing 9 March 2015 Interviews with Proposers. 18 March 2015 New College Telford Corporation approval of preferred partner(s). Week commencing 30 March 2015 Detailed discussions with preferred partner(s). 12 May 2015 Finalisation of Federal agreement with preferred partner(s), subject to undertaking the required ‘due diligence’ and consultations. 12 Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest Criteria for our Choice of Partner 1. Current financial health of New College Telford is not compromised 3. Given the College’s ambition to be ‘Outstanding’ in all aspects: Any Federation, however well executed, absorbs senior New College Telford will consider Federations with management time and attention, and given this, any organisations rated by Ofsted, ideally as Good or Federated organisation should be capable of continuing Outstanding. independence in its own right, and therefore no potential partner should, in its own right, be at significant risk of becoming an acquisition of a third party. Accordingly proposers are required to have annual revenues such that the combined income of the resultant Federal organisation would be able to operate for the foreseeable future. Proposers should state: •Their annual revenues in the form of a profit and loss statement for each of their last three financial years. •Whether they are in merger discussions with any other Proposers should state: •Their most recent Ofsted Grade – if not a Further Education College, the relevant sector equivalent grade. •The date of the inspection resulting in that grade, The Ofsted grade for each curriculum area, and for all cross-college areas – if not a Further Education College, the relevant sector equivalent grades •How they would propose to work with New College Telford to realise a Good or Outstanding grade across the whole of the proposed Federated organisation. parties, and if so, whom. 2. Retention of, and the further development of, the ‘New College Telford’ brand and identity and that of the Federation 4. Firm and quantified commitment to investment in New College Telford’s estate and facilities The College has invested well in its estate and facilities with ‘New College Telford’ is a recognised and trusted brand, over £4.5 million in the last three years. It is vital that such regionally and nationally, and is associated with quality investment continues after any proposed Federation, such provision. Accordingly, it would be the intention of the that the estate and facilities of New College Telford are College, as part of a larger whole, to retain this brand for improved further. provision in these areas. Proposers should state: •Their proposals for brand retention with reference to the proposers existing areas of operations and those of New College Telford. •Where they already hold and/or operate brands of their Proposers should state: •How it would, with New College Telford as part of a larger whole, propose to continue the College’s good record on investment, its estate and facilities. •How it would propose to ensure that the healthy state of New College Telford’s finances would continue to be primarily own in the County of Shropshire, their proposals for directed to the estates and facilities associated with learning rationalisation, so as to more strongly associate the ‘New in the County of Shropshire and the Marches area, under the College Telford’ brand with the County of Shropshire and the brand of ‘New College Telford’. Marches area. •How they would propose to develop and promote the ‘New College Telford’ and Federal brands. Proposed Federation Expressions of Interest 13 5. That the potential partner(s)’ curriculum aligns with New College Telford’s current offer and ambitions 8. Appropriate roles for New College Telford Principal and Strategic Leadership Team in the partner organisation Proposers should state: New College Telford recognises that any agreement with •The curriculum areas in which it operates, and at what levels. respect to this criterion would be developed as part of •From where, geographically, that provision operates. detailed discussion arising from the selection of preferred •Where there is a perceived overlap between its provision and partner(s) for Federation. that of New College Telford, its proposals as to rationalisation or growth of that provision, in terms of curriculum and location of operation. •How it would propose to ensure that continuance and expand the range of provision offered by New College Telford in its local area. •How it would propose to support achievement of New College Proposers should state: •Their broad intentions with regard to how this criterion would be met. 9. An enhanced experience for students The College’s primary aim in pursuing a Federation at Telford’s market ambitions, as set out at Page 10 – Strategic this time is to ensure that it is able to further improve the Vision for the Future. experience and the range of opportunity available to its learners, and to prepare them to contribute effectively to the 6. That the potential partner(s)’ curriculum aligns with the ambitions of the Marches, Black Country and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEPs Proposers should state: •Its understanding of the education and training priorities of the Marches LEP. •How its current provision, and the geographical availability of that provision, aligns with those education and training priorities. •How it would propose to support New College Telford’s local, regional and national economy. Proposers should state: •How their proposal would enhance the learning experience and the range of opportunity available to students within the County of Shropshire and the wider geographic area. •How their proposal would provide for existing students to complete their current programme without disruption. 10. An enhanced experience for staff: In pursuing a Federation the College seeks, through being component of a part or whole, so as to better meet those part of a larger whole, to enhance opportunities for its staff, education and training priorities. both in terms of training and development and also potential career progression. 7. The proposal of the Governance arrangements of ‘New College Telford’ brand and educational characteristics Proposers should state: •The structure of their Corporation, including the number of members. •The proposed structure of the Corporation for any Federal partner organisation, of which New College Telford would form a part, including number of members from the proposer and number of members from New College Telford. Proposers should state: •How their proposal would enhance the opportunities for New College Telford staff, as members of staff of a larger resultant organization. •The means by which they determine, plan for, and meet the training and development requirements of their own staff. •The means by which they develop their own staff for career enhancement purposes. King Street Wellington Telford Shropshire TF1 1NY Tel: 01952 278286 www.nct.ac.uk K N I TH R E G R E H G I IG H BAIM I N E W H S IT E N H W LEGE L O C TELFORD
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