ENGAGE
Summer - June 2015
POSITIVE REPORT OUR PRINCIPAL FROM INSPECTORS
The Inspectors also reported that students benefit from supportive relationships with their lecturers and that:
It’s now almost two years since West College Scotland was created. As an important stakeholder and supporter of the College, I wanted to give you an update of another year of impressive progress. This progress has been achieved against a background of continuing merger work and difficult financial settlements. My staff’s achievements are something about which the College’s senior management and Board of Management are very proud. It is our intention to publish a full Annual Report in the next few months. In the meantime, I hope you find this brief update helpful and interesting. Audrey Cumberford
Chief Executive and Principal
We Work in
3 7
Towns Local Authorities
15
Communities
47
Locations
the College works productively with employers to design and deliver programmes which meet industry needs well
In May 2015, everyone at the College received an enormous boost when we received a positive report from Education Scotland. The first official inspection since merger rated us as “effective” - the highest rating available. Government inspectors found the College is well-led and that students speak highly of their College experiences.
I hope this positive report from Education Scotland will act as a reminder of the hard work and fresh approaches which are being developed at West College Scotland. They also found that staff feel the merger of Reid Kerr College, James Watt College and Clydebank College, has been well handled. Staff said they are included and consulted and, as a result, the Principal and senior managers are trusted.
in some subjects, the success rates for students on full-time programmes are in line with the best in the sector the learning environment and atmosphere during most teaching sessions is positive and purposeful Responding to the report, our Principal Audrey Cumberford, said: “This is wonderful news for us as a College. My staff deserve enormous credit for maintaining and improving their excellent standards of teaching and support, despite so many challenges. “I hope this positive report will act as a reminder of the hard work and fresh approaches which are being developed at West College Scotland.”
CABINET SECRETARY LEARNS ABOUT OUR WORK WITH SCHOOLS At A Glance Tailored School Courses
tailored courses for
3,124 pupils
Number of Schools
In April, Audrey was invited to present at a Scottish Funding Council event in Edinburgh, which included the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Angela Constance.
Things are changing now and West College Scotland wants to lead that change. Audrey spoke about the important partnerships the College is forging with
secondary schools across the West Region. She explained:
can go straight to second-year degree programmes.
“This is a wonderful example of how West College Scotland is meeting the recommendations of last year’s report on Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.
“Our work in schools is completely different to what it was even ten years ago. A cultural change was overdue. Things are changing now and West College Scotland wants to lead that change. “
“We work with senior-phase pupils in more than 40 schools, offering a wide range of education, up to HNC- and HND-level qualifications. We bring school and vocational education together, giving pupils access to specialist facilities and work experience. “And through our formal arrangements with university partners, some pupils
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk
The highlight of the presentation was a specially-commissioned 3 and a half minute film in which school pupils and their parents spoke of the value of the work with the College. You can watch it by visiting: www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/news
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk
SHARPEN YOUR WITS The College believe we are innovators in our use of technologies to enhance teaching and learning. We want to stay ahead of the rest and that’s why we’ve organised WITS — the West College Scotland Information Technology Symposium. It will take place in August and has already attracted speakers from across the UK.
42
schools
Sharpen your
WITS
The College launched a brand new website in January 2015. It was developed with Glasgow-based consultants Frame following a competitive procurement process. Principally aimed at potential students, the site is working just as we hoped, with a significant increase in applications.
INTERNATIONAL WORK In March the Scottish Government published its Economic Strategy 2015. Among its priorities for economic growth was Internationalisation. This encourages co-operation between Scottish institutions and international partners to exchange knowledge and best practice.
This exchange of people and ideas is fuelled by economic growth and a demand by foreign governments and educators to learn about best practice and vocational training.
In particular, the Government wants Scotland’s educational strengths to be celebrated and globally recognised in a way that supports the country’s international reputation.
“This exchange of people and ideas is fuelled by economic growth and a demand by foreign governments and educators to learn about best practice and vocational training”.
West College Scotland has a long history of international activity and is already well placed to respond positively to the Government’s ambitions. For example, we are currently the only Scottish college involved with the British Council’s Skills for Employability initiative, with three projects covering Vietnam, China and Tunisia. We are also working with the General Department of Vocational Training in Vietnam to develop capacity across the country and our staff have travelled to Hanoi to advise their counterparts there. Sara Rae, Director of Business & Enterprise, said:
Already this year, the College has also played host to visiting administrators and academics from Vietnam, India and China.
BUSINESS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Keppie Design Ltd is a Glasgowbased architect and design business, employing 160 staff working across three continents.
of their design ideas and delivered final presentations to the client, all of which will go on to Keppie’s website.
benefited hugely from engaging and working with Keppie. “By helping shape what we do, Keppie is also helping build the skilled workforce of the future for itself and the wider design industry.”
Keppie’s engagement with West College Scotland has brought real benefits to our Art & Design students, providing them with valuable work experience and allowing them to build strong portfolios which have seen them progress to some of the UK’s leading art colleges. For two terms, the students have been working closely with Keppie Director David Ross on a “live” project to design a working space for the company’s city centre headquarters.
Angela Pignatelli, Assistant Principal Creative Industries, said:
Site visits, client interviews and working to a demanding brief have given them an immersive experience of a real working environment. The students made videos
“This is a wonderful example of how an employer has engaged with the College. For some of our students, the results have been outstanding. They’ve
This is a wonderful example of how an employer has engaged with the college. For some of our students, the results have been outstanding.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT The inaugural Herald Look Awards celebrating the best of Scotland’s Hair, Beauty and Make-up industry presented West College Scotland with the Outstanding Achievement Award for our work in running the Athletes’ Salon at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
44%
59%
41%
GRADUATIONS The first West College Scotland graduation ceremonies were held last year. 800 students graduated in six ceremonies held in three different towns.
MIND THE GAP The College submitted evidence earlier this year to the Education and Culture Committee’s investigation into the Attainment Gap in Scottish education. Our paper highlighted our work with schools and was widely discussed when witnesses were later called to give evidence.
Further Education Achievement Rate
Higher Education Achievement Rate
74%
67%
78%
Full or Partial Success
CATERING AND CLEANING SERVICES COME IN-HOUSE From the 1 August 2015, all catering and cleaning services across the College will come in-house. This was done for value-for-money considerations but it also means cleaning and catering staff employed by out-sourced companies will get the chance to become members of staff of West College Scotland, enjoying the same terms and conditions as colleagues. We hope this sends out a strong message about the type of College we want to be.
www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk
69%
sector average
56%
Higher Education Gender Split
sector average
Further Education Gender Split
Full or Partial Success