Local Needs Duty and Accountability Agreement 2024/25

Local Needs Duty and Accountability Agreement 2024/25

Improving the lives of our students and community through excellence in teaching and learning, in a highly supportive, safe, and modern environment, working collaboratively with business for the sustainable success of the region.

Community

It is important to us that the college remains at the heart of our wider community and economy. It is also important to us that we maintain our strong sense of community within the college, valuing our culture of teamwork and respect.

Pride and passion

We all work with pride and passion for our students, celebrating their achievements, and setting high expectations and continued excellence in everything we do.

Student focus

We are committed to being student-focused, and our ambition is for all our students to achieve to the highest level they possibly can. We also put a high value on our reputation as a college with a caring and friendly environment that is second to none.

Inclusion

It is important to us that the College is inclusive, widening opportunities for the future and maximising the potential of all our learners. We value equality and diversity, and our social purpose matters to us.

Care for health and wellbeing

We want our College to be a supportive environment where we care about health and wellbeing amongst staff and students, and we act on concerns wherever they are raised.

Contents...

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

SECTION 2. CONTEXT AND PLACE

SECTION 3. APPROACH

SECTION 4. MEETING LOCAL REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEEDS PAST ACTIONS AND ACTION RESPONSE

SECTION 5. CORPORATION STATEMENT

SECTION 6. USEFUL LINKS

SECTION 1 PURPOSE

Darlington College is committed to excellence and inclusivity in education. We strive to deliver high-quality learning outcomes that empower all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their full potential.

Our dedication to inclusion ensures that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed. In alignment with our mission, we respond pro actively to the evolving needs of local businesses.

By fostering strong partnerships and staying attuned to market demands, we tailor our courses to prepare a workforce that can meet and exceed these expectations.

Understanding the importance of community engagement, we are dedicated to addressing community skills needs.

Through accessible education, training and apprenticeships, we aim to support the community, contributing to its economic growth and prosperity.

Sustainability is at the forefront of our day-to-day operations. We are building a sustainable college that not only services the local skills needs of the areas that we serve, in the present, but also strives to secure a sustainable future for generations to come. This encompasses taking care of our environmental responsibilities, being financially astute, and corporate social responsibility.

Lastly, we recognise that our strength lies in our staff. Ensuring that the college is a good place to work is paramount, to providing the best service possible to our local community. We are committed to creating a supportive, dynamic, and rewarding environment where every member of staff can flourish. Darlington College Accountability Agreement 2024 - 2025

SECTION 1 PURPOSE

Student Success

Delivering high quality earning outcomes and an inclusive student experience

Skills Priorities

Respond to local business needs

Culture

Ensuring the College is a good place to work

Community Focussed

Meeting local community skills needs

Financial Security

Building a successful and financially sustainable college

SECTION 2 CONTEXT AND PLACE

• Tyne and Wear

• County Durham

• Darlington

• Stockton on Tees

• Middlesbrough

• Hartlepool

• Redcar and Cleveland

North Yorkshire

Darlington College

- and the communities we serve...

Darlington College, established in 1897, has a rich history of serving the local community in Darlington, United Kingdom. The college was initially set up to enhance the efficiency of manufacturing and commerce in the town. Over the years, it has grown and developed into a high-performing institution that offers a broad and varied curriculum, ranging from entry to Level 7.

In 2009, the college moved to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art building, which continues to receive significant investment. The students at Darlington College benefit from high-quality teaching, support, and industry-standard equipment and resources, preparing them for further or higher education or meaningful employment. The college curriculum is delivered across eight departments by experienced and skilled teachers. In addition to providing a high-quality education, the college also offers much-needed wraparound care and support for its students, enabling them to achieve incredible outcomes and progress to their destination of choice.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the college had a diverse student population, including 1500 16-18-year-olds on vocational programmes, 700 apprentices, 3,500 adults, 190 higher education students, and around 60 pre-16 students who attend the college on a part-time basis.

Darlington College enjoys an excellent reputation with local employers, business leaders, and the local authority. It works collaboratively for the good of the community and plays a critical role in fulfilling the future skills gaps in the region and upskilling the current workforce. The college participates in and leads Strategic Development Fund Projects across Tees Valley and North Yorkshire and is currently leading the Local Skills Improvement Fund project for Tees Valley.

Financially, the college is in good health, with an annual turnover of approximately £20m. It is projected to maintain this good financial rating in its 3-year financial plan. The college continues to invest in its building and facilities. In the current academic year, it opened the new purpose-built, carbon-neutral Ingenium centre to provide high-quality engineering teaching and training.

However, it’s important to note that Darlington has its share of challenges. The national Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019 shows that 18.5% of Darlington’s neighbourhoods are ranked in decile 1, and 50.8% are ranked 4 or under. Furthermore, 18.5% of families in Darlington live with absolute low income, and 52.3% live in families with relative low income. This is higher than the national rates of 15.3% and 18.4%, respectively. This means that nearly 20% of the town’s communities are among the most deprived in England, and more than half of the town’s families live with absolute or relatively low income. Despite these challenges, Darlington College remains committed to providing high-quality education and support to all its students.

SECTION 3 APPROACH

Darlington College is an active member of many varying partnerships at numerous levels across the staff body, giving strength in depth to the approach for the accountability statement. Our approach to determining our priorities and approach is very distinctive and involves significant work across a number of stakeholders, employers, local authorities, combined authorities, boards and committees.

Our CEO regularly attends regional education boards, for instance the 11-19 Partnership which comprises of Headteachers across a multitude of colleges and schools in the area, also sitting on the Public Services Executive Group and Teesside University College Partnership. These groups meet to work collectively on data sharing, transition planning, tackling the number of NEETS in the community and discuss curriculum development to meet the local skills needs.

The CEO is also Deputy Chair of the Towns Board. This board meet to discuss urban regeneration, skills and enterprise and connectivity. As part of this group the college are involved in making and implementing plans for a central and collaborative adult skills hub, that will serve the community and adhere to the skills requirements for the town, set out in the local skills improvement plan.

The college also collaborate and work with associations such as the Association of Colleges. Additionally we work effectively with Tees Valley and North Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Partnerships, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Department for Education. These agencies work with us to ensure funding and course delivery is available to meet the respective LSIF’s for each geographical area that we serve.

In planning the accountability statement discussions are also regularly had with North East Chamber of Commerce, who are also our employer representative body for Tees Valley. The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce are our ERB for North Yorkshire, who we are also fully engaged in. Darlington Business Club and its members and the clean Energy Employer Forum, which is helping shape curriculum moving into the next academic year.

Employer Engagement runs throughout the college at varying levels and employers inform co-design of curriculum to meet their needs and those of the wider LSIP priorities.

The college operates as part of a collaboration called FE+, which has been in place for around thirty years, and which includes all 5 of the Tees Valley GFE and specialist colleges. This collaboration meets at least monthly, rotating the position of Chair and related positions such as those offered to FE+ on the Mayoral Combined Authority skills committees. FE+ partners have collaborated on a range of ventures including successfully delivering two skills development funds (SDF) in local priority areas, supporting the development and implementation of the Tees Valley LSIP through the local skills improvement fund, working closely with inward investors and advising on skills policy with local and national stakeholders.

During Spring 2024, all five colleges mapped our provision against local labour market needs and carried out a full local curriculum review including an independently facilitated workshop involving members of all college corporations. Data presented at the review and the subsequent analysis highlight that the colleges’ curriculum offer and outcomes for learners support the Tees Valley economy especially in the engineering/manufacturing, construction and healthcare sectors.

The review identified a number of areas that all Colleges can work on to enhance our response to local employer needs as follows:

FE+ agreed actions to work on

Develop further employability skills in our young people while strengthening their confidence and resilience.

• Improve digital skills of all of our students

• Minimise impact of qualifications reform on level 3 numbers

• Increase the numbers training in logistics, digital and professional skills

The Head of Human Resources at MHT Technology Ltd said the following of the college;

“Darlington College have been delivering monthly workplace master class training sessions at our office in Melsonby since October 2023. They have helped increase our awareness of important workplace topics, providing practical tools and strategies to enhance our collaboration and productivity. The training brings us together as a team, leveraging each other's strengths and addressing any challenges with confidence. They usually last between 45-90 minutes, which means they are easy to fit into our busy working days. The instructor is engaging and knowledgeable, making the learning experience more enjoyable. As a Company, it’s important for us to invest in our employee’s professional development. Darlington College were flexible and supportive and worked with us to create a programme to meet our business needs. Their master class training sessions are a valuable resource for enhancing workplace and team dynamics. Thank you, for your invaluable contribution to our continuing growth and success”

Customer Support Operations Manager of Northgate Vehicle Hire

“Since partnering with the college at the end of last year, we have been able to facilitate a bespoke training course to our new cohort of Team Leaders supporting their transition from being one of the team, to taking on a more senior role. In the run up to the course itself, we worked with the college to help them understand our structure and the responsibilities the team had as well as sharing where the colleagues were on their journey. Based on this information the course was tailored to our team with content being tweaked, added or removed as necessary. This led to a really successful course, delivering exactly what was needed for the team meaning maximum learning as well as enjoyment as it was relevant to them. Since completing the course, the team have been implementing new ways of working and approaches on the back of what they have learnt.”

Due to the geographical location of Darlington College we work closely with Colleges beyond the Tees Valley. Colleges across York, North Yorkshire, and East Riding work closely together in a proactive, collaborative approach to ensure that there is sufficient options available for the communities served by the colleges. Leaders of the colleges work carefully together to ensure that the skills market is not saturated.

Colleges have worked together on funded projects, such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan and Local Skills Improvement Fund. These projects have been highly successful and delivered measurable outcomes for the communities the colleges work to serve.

There is a Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology that most colleges across Yorkshire and Humber are members of.

The colleges in the York and North Yorkshire region are:

• Askham Bryan

• Bishop Burton

• Craven College

• Darlington College

• Heart of Yorkshire College Group: Selby College

• Henshaws College

• Luminate College Group: Harrograte College

• TEC Partnership: East Riding College and Scarborough TEC

North Yorkshire Richmond

Northallerton

Malton

York City

Selby

Harrogate

Skipton

Scarborough

SECTION 4 MEETING LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NEEDS

Geographical Priority

Construction

Manufacturing and Engineering

Digital and Technology

Health and Social Care

Haulage and Logistics

Net zero/’green’ jobs

Science/Life Sciences

Business and Professional

Agri-Skills

Visitor Economy

* The college maintains a solid foundation in each area of curriculum which is currently under development. The development relates specifically to new innovations and changes in curriculum to ensure that these areas continue to meet the rapidly changing economy

College contribution

• Largest provider of high-quality adult education in Darlington

• Grade 2, November 2022 Ofsted inspection

• Work with c.1200 local employers

• Supporting employers to recruit skilled workforce and upskill existing staff

• Planned provision supports priority sectors of logistics, digital, advanced manufacture and engineering, life science, health and social care and business/professional services

• Latest technology and facilities to support current and future skills needs (leading on LSIF for Tees Valley, to address LSIP priorities)

• Active involvement in all three LSIPs which we serve (Tees Valley, North East and York and North Yorkshire

SECTION 4 PAST ACTIONS 23/24

College strategic objective

1. Continue the incremental roll-out of high-quality T-level programmes

Target performance in 23/24

Increasing numbers on existing T-levels programmes to 45 learners

2. To increase apprenticeship starts in LSIP priority areas:

3. To increase adult participation in adult education

Increase range of T levels offered

T Level Retention rates 94%

T Level Achievement rates 90%

T Level Positive Destination outcomes to be 90%

70 new and continuing Engineering learners

20 new and continuing Health learners

220 new and continuing Construction learners

125 new and continuing Business & Prof learners

Overall L4 + apprenticeships increase to 105 new and continuing learners

Numbers taking up FCFJ offer increase to 85

Numbers on Bootcamps increase to 15

Numbers of Adults on English, maths, ESOL and digital courses increase to 330

Adult student achievement rates increase to 94%

Progress against target

86% of an ambitious recruitment target met for T Levels in a difficult level 3 reforms landscape. Darlington College achieved 17% growth in Level 3 learners in 2023/24 when compared to 2022/23. Apprenticeship enrolments grew 19%.

Ongoing towards wider implementation for 2025-26

In year progress demonstrates 100% completion of mandatory industrial placement and overall achievement on target

Planned positive destinations for 100% of learners, including university and employment

Target exceeded.

On track to achieve target.

On track to achieve target.

Target exceeded.

Target exceeded.

At the time of writing 96% achieved with potential for further new starts before year end.

Ongoing towards wider implementation for 2025-26.

Target significantly exceeded.

In-year to date, predicted adult achievement is in line with target at c.94%

SECTION 4 PAST ACTIONS 23/24

College strategic objective

4. Develop a suite of new Higher Technical Qualifications in key areas

5. Ensure that all 16-19 study programme students in 2022/23 gain core transferable skills

Target performance in 23/24

Progress against target

Deliver 2 HTQs from September 2024 2 HTQs developed in conjunction with Teesside University College Partnership. Wider Higher Education offer continues to recruit with new programmes planned for September 2025

6. Focus future estates and curriculum development on priority areas

1.5 hrs per week employability planned into all study programmes

92% of 16-19 study programme students QDP EOP survey Next Steps, Work Placement sections in Quartile A & B

QDP Student Survey feedback Teaching and Learning Outcome in Quartile A

LSIF programme developed, and approved and year one actions implemented

100% of study programmes have this fully implemented.

In-year survey very positive. Awaiting final student survey results for the year.

Quartile A achieved for Teaching and Learning student feedback

Target met. Darlington College are the lead provider in Tees Valley for the LSIF and collaborate closely as a project lead for the York and North Yorkshire LSIF.

Introduce new courses in:

• Robotics

• Electric Vehicle Maintenance

• Cyber Security

New modules within existing programmes:

• Greener Construction Energy

• Clinical Health

• Data Analytics

New courses, and expanded module content, is available in all key skill target areas.

Substantial investment made in Greener Construction, Clinical Health and Data Analytics (both capital and revenue) to aid future delivery.

New Renewable Energy Training Zones and a Health & Social Care Ward open in June 2024.

SECTION 4 TARGETS FOR 24/25

College strategic objective

How we will measure success

Achievement 16-18 above national benchmarks

High performing Apprentices

1. Student success 2. Community

Positive destinations for learners

Positive customer feedback

Improved engagement within local community to extend the opportunities available to adults.

Target performance during 23/24 acc year

Achievement 16-18 above national benchmark, with a target of 88%.

Apprenticeship Achievement to be above national benchmark, with a target of 75%.

Positive destinations at level 3 (16-18) above 78%.

QDP Student Survey: Achieve and Enjoy Summary, target outcome A or B quartile and above external benchmark

Support local council with the opening of an Adult Learning & Skills Centre in Darlington, boosting adult skills opportunities in the local community.

Increase our curriculum provision content to incorporate Environmental sustainable outcomes. This includes new provision or an update of existing modules with provision.

88% of young people to take part in Work Experience.

Ensuring all provision meets local, and national, need to ensure positive outcomes for all customers

To actively plan and grow curriculum offer to meet the LSIP skills requirements across the three distinct regions we serve.

3. Skills Priority

To be financially stable as an organisation.

We want Darlington College to be a great place to work and study.

Positive QDP Student Survey outcomes in relation to learning new skills.

Achieve good financial status

Positive QDP Student Survey outcomes in relation to achievement and enjoyment.

Positive QDP Staff Survey in relation to community reputation and Darlington College as a good place to work.

Staff retention below the sector average (CPID Survey: Education sector average 17% turnover).

4. Financial Security

5. Culture

SECTION 5 CORPORATION STATEMENT

On behalf of the Darlington College Governing Body, it is hereby confirmed that the college plan as set out above reflects an agreed statement of purpose, aims and objectives as approved by the corporation at their meeting on 21st May 2024

This will be published on the College's website following approval at the Governor's Board meeting on 21st May 2024.

https://darlington.ac.uk/about/principalship-and-governance/

David Gartland CEO Emma Wright Chair of Governors

SECTION 6 USEFUL LINKS

FE+ Curriculum Review 2024 -

https://issuu.com/darlingtonfe/docs/fe_curriculum_review_2024

LSIP’S

TVCA -

https://www.necc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Tees-Valley-Local -Skills-Improvement-Plan-2023.pdf

North Yorkshire -

https://www.wnychamber.co.uk/app/uploads/2023/08/LSIP_York_and_N orth_Yorkshire_2023.pdf

Co Durham -

https://nelsip.com/#:~:text=The%20NELSIP%20will%20be%20employer, the%20region%2C%20including%20advanced%20manufacturing