Annual Report

Annual Report

2009/10

If you require this report in a different format, please call 01752 305300.

Chairman’s Statement As the Chair of Corporation it gives me much pleasure to introduce the 2009/10* Annual Report for City College Plymouth.

This year has been challenging in terms of reduced student and apprentice numbers, however the College has achieved much by ensuring its links with employers and the local community remain strong. This liaison has helped to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn in Plymouth, and the College has been able to help provide re-training for those unfortunately made redundant.

The College’s focus on the student remains at the forefront of all it does and this is reflected in the continuing rise in success rates and the onward movement of our students into employment or the furtherance of their education. The College is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all its students and is keen to ensure they are happy and fulfilled in their learning. Examples of their achievements can be found within this report.

The change in government and the concerns regarding the country’s economic position have made this year a challenging one, as College senior staff have had to plan for the 2

future without having a clear idea of the funding cuts that would be imposed upon them. Difficult decisions have had to be made regarding curriculum choices. However, they have been made as sensitively as possible with the impact on staff and current students being kept to a minimum. The College itself is very well managed and the strength of its financial base has mitigated the effects of the recession. This has enabled the College to respond more readily to opportunities that have risen from it.

Such an opportunity was the purchase of Achievement Training Limited, a specialist training provider that has enhanced the College’s provision and contributed significantly to the financial well-being of the College.

In my last Chairman’s Statement of 2008/9, I said “watch this space” regarding plans to improve the College’s estate. True to my word, the College is now embarking on a programme to refurbish the Construction department to include the introduction of a new facility for renewable energy up-skilling and training. The programme will also include the renovation of the equipment in the hospitality kitchens and the re-cladding of the tower block to reduce its carbon footprint and improve its habitability. This programme will

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

significantly enhance the student experience and provide facilities second to none in construction and hospitality.

There is no doubt that the year ahead will be even more challenging, in light of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the significant cuts imposed on the further education sector. However, I have every confidence that City College Plymouth will meet these challenges and continue to put our students first in order to provide them with an ideal learning environment in which to thrive, achieve and progress.

Overall, this has been a good year for the College and its students, and we look forward to ongoing success in the future.

John Mellitt Chairman

* This report covers the financial year which ran from August 2009 to July 2010. The date of the publication follows the approval of accounts for that year.

Principal’s Introduction Throughout the year City College Plymouth has continued to celebrate the achievement of its students and staff. I hope that examples shown in this report give you a flavour of how diverse the College is, and how the essential part that the College plays in its community results in benefits for the City of Plymouth.

Our students continue to achieve excellent results at all levels across a wide range of courses, and many progress successfully to both university and employment. They demonstrate their creativity and dynamism through a fantastic variety of enrichment and voluntary activities.

One example of how City College Plymouth has taken a unique approach in ensuring its students add value to the regional economy is through the continued growth of its Employer Endorsement Scheme (see page 17 for more information). The scheme builds upon the College’s relationship with local employers, whilst giving our students enhanced work placement opportunities and an insight into industry specific areas of work.

To date, the scheme has attracted 30 local and national employers and I’m pleased to announce our

latest adopters, Balfour Beatty and Interserve Project Services Ltd. Balfour Beatty will be giving a number of our students work experience at its £48million construction project in Plymouth, the Life Centre. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work alongside industry professionals and gain real hands-on practical experience. Interserve will be offering a similar initiative whereby our construction and professional studies students will be able to gain valuable work experience and knowledge of large scale construction projects.

The academic year 2009/10 saw the College become a Founder College of The National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills. Related to this, the College launched the Plymouth Institute of Production, Performance and Arts (PIPPA), which aims to provide the best possible training and the best range of facilities in the South West.

Additionally, City College Plymouth was chosen as one of the first UK partner colleges to further the development of international vocational training links between South Korea and the UK. It is the first time the Korean government has sent students to the UK and is part of a sponsored Global Workplace Training Programme. City College Plymouth is one of only two colleges selected.

Overall, it has been an exciting year for the College and hopefully our Annual Report demonstrates the enthusiasm and hard work of City College Plymouth’s talented staff who are dedicated to offering the best experience possible to all our students.

However, the College has many challenges to face in order to maintain its success and to ensure that it continues to serve the City and its community in a difficult time for the public sector. We will continue to provide an excellent student experience and develop new and innovative programmes. The College will also seek to increase its already successful work with employers and further develop our international links.

City College Plymouth has a place at the heart of the local community. It would be difficult to find any family or organisation that has not had some positive association with the College ... and the plan is to keep it that way.

Viv Gillespie Principal

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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College Mission, Vision and Values 4

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Mission

Vision

Building a better Plymouth through the delivery of high quality education and training which will enhance students’ employability prospects, and which is responsive to the needs of our communities.

To be the South West’s leading provider of innovative, skills-based vocational education and training.

Values Students First

Effectiveness

The needs of our students come first and every student will be provided with opportunities to achieve their full potential within a safe, stimulating and supportive environment.

We are professionally and financially sound, effective and efficient with a commitment to protecting the environment in a sustainable manner.

Responsiveness We bring a dynamic and refreshing approach to our relationships with employers, partners, statutory bodies and other providers in the local and other communities at all times demonstrating civic responsibility.

Achievement

Diversity Equality, diversity and integration, fair treatment, mutual respect, trust and openness are the rights of all.

Empowerment Creativity, enterprise, ownership and teamwork are hallmarks of our success.

The achievements of our students and staff are celebrated and we treat others as we would wish to be treated.

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Celebrating Success 6

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Students Honoured at Prestigious RAC Awards Three air conditioning and refrigeration students were awarded at the Institute of Refrigeration, RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) National Student of the Year Awards 2009. James McClennon, an apprentice with Cornwall Cooling, was awarded with a gold medal, and Jack Barter, an apprentice for Macwhirter Western, was awarded with a bronze medal.

Ben Webster, who also works for Macwhirter Western, was highly commended.

Value: Students First/Achievement

International Foundation Degree Students Achieve Record Number of First Class Honours Degrees The College celebrated the outstanding achievement of international students who were awarded University of Plymouth first class honours degrees.

23 Chinese students completed their first year at the China Agricultural University in Beijing, before moving to Plymouth to complete their second year at City College Plymouth. The University awarded the students with Foundation Degrees in Accounting and Finance, which they completed at the College, before they finished their final year at the University of Plymouth achieving a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance.

Value: Achievement/Diversity

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Lecturer Awarded David Masey, lecturer in wood occupations, was awarded a Master Joiner Certificate by the Institute of Carpenters. The Masters Certificate Scheme recognises excellence in a wide variety of disciplines, such as the art, craft, science and practice of carpentry, joinery and shopfitting.

Blaine’s Hard Work Pays Off With Place at National Final College apprentice, Blaine Chambers, won a place in the national final of the country’s largest multi-trade competition for young students and apprentices.

Blaine, who studied bricklaying at the College, succeeded in a regional heat at the Skillbuild Competition. He was tested on his ability to follow detailed instructions and produce accurate work to a strict timescale, while being economical with materials.

Value: Students First/Achievement

Learning Award for Busy Mum

Value: Achievement/Empowerment

NVQ student, Tracey Archman, was honoured during Adult Learners’ Week for her dedication and commitment to learning. The mum of four was selected as an Outstanding Individual Learner in the South West after completing a range of qualifications including a level 3 management NVQ, which has helped her on her way to finding employment as a community development manager.

Value: Students First/Achievement/ Empowerment

College Employee Recognised for Being an ‘Outstanding Trainer’ The Work-based Learning department’s Cheryl Powell celebrated after being awarded with the City & Guilds President Award, which is given to an outstanding lecturer or student. Cheryl, who is a training manager for the Prince’s Trust Programme at the College, has overcome anorexia, self-harming and drug addiction to get to where she is today.

Value: Achievement/Empowerment/Diversity

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City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

A Year of Celebrating Students’ Achievements The City College Plymouth Awards Ceremony is an annual event held to recognise the achievements of our students. This year’s seaside themed event celebrated the commitment and dedication of 29 students. The awards were presented by Andy Cummins, Campaigns Director for Surfers Against Sewage.

Throughout the year, ‘Student of the Term’ recognises and rewards students who make a positive contribution to their course, the College or the local community. The Principal and the Students’ Union President each select their own winners from a group of nominees from each faculty, helping inspire others to do well.

A/AS Level Performance Tables from the Department for Education have given the College another reason to celebrate! They showed that the College is not only the city’s largest provider of A levels, but that it was also one of the best performing providers in 2009/10 too, with an average points score 2.2 points above the local authority average.

Value: Students First/Achievement

150th Prince’s Trust Team Celebrations The completion of the 150th team programme marked an important milestone in City College Plymouth’s partnership with the Prince’s Trust. To celebrate this monumentous event, the College hosted an evening to honour the achievements of all the young people who have taken part. The fantastic event was hosted by ‘Faces of Plymouth’ Debbie Grayson and Danny Harris, and polar explorer and ex-City College Plymouth student, Antony Jinman.

Additionally, there was a congratulatory video message from the actor Martin Clunes, and letters from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Prime Minister at the time, Gordon Brown.

Value: Achievement/Empowerment/Responsiveness/Diversity

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Students Present Valuable Research to the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority

College Recognised at Marketing Awards

College Team Lifts Cup After Beating Derby

The College was recognised for its marketing campaign to highlight its collaborative approach to working with employers at the Further Education Marketing Network Awards. The award was presented for the work the College has been involved in during the economic downturn. Working closely with Jobcentre Plus and major city employers, the College offered advice, support and training to those facing redundancy.

The College’s football development squad celebrated a cup win in the Men’s Elite National final, after defeating Derby College 2-0 at Doncaster Stadium. The students booked their place in the final with a 4-2 semi-final victory over Dudley College. Five of the College squad also won call-ups to the British Colleges’ national team.

Three groups of foundation degree students had the opportunity to work with the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority on a number of innovative research projects. The public services students carried out projects and presented findings on ‘communication between the Police and young people’, ‘attitudes to knife crime’ and ‘awareness of domestic abuse’ to a high profile panel. The panel included the leader of Plymouth City Council, the Deputy Chief Constable, senior Police Commanders and representatives from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Value: Students First/Achievement/ Empowerment

Value: Students First/Achievement/ Empowerment

Value: Responsiveness/Effectiveness

Media Students Make a Winning Advertisement Budding College TV producers won a competition with a commercial they created for a local firm. Media students, Gavin McRae, Todd Marsh, Frances Calladine, Rebecca Shatlock and Thomas Pierpoint, were behind the winning team that developed and filmed an advertisement for Plymouth recording studio, Deep Blue Sound.

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City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

The students were one of nine teams collaborating with local firms to develop adverts for the 30 second commercial challenge. They were showcased by the online broadcaster, Chew TV. Value: Students First/Achievement/Responsiveness

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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College Opens State-of-the-Art Hair and Beauty Spa The College’s vocational training and commercial facilities expanded this year with the launch of Pure, a state-of-the-art hairdressing and day spa. Based at the Kings Road site, Pure gives level 2 and level 3 students the opportunity to learn within a realistic study environment offering the very latest technologies and equipment.

Value: Students First/Responsiveness

College Achievements 12

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Investor in Careers and People

Improvement on the Menu

War of the Worlds

Over the summer, refurbishment work began on the College refectory, a facility widely used by staff and students alike, to make it more comfortable and appealing. The new look ‘FED’ now boasts state-of-the-art equipment - including a made-toorder pizza area and a theatre cooking station where customers can see their food being prepared and cooked.

The contractors responsible for the College’s catering, Aramark, have increased the food choices available providing a wider range of healthy and Fairtrade options.

To celebrate the College becoming a Founder Member of the National Skills Academy for Creative & Cultural Skills and the launch of the Plymouth Institute of Production, Performance and Arts (PIPPA), Jeff Wayne, the composer of The War of the Worlds, one of the most innovative and talked about recordings in the 1970s, brought his musical version to the College. PIPPA students and school pupils in Plymouth were invited to experience an educational and entertaining schedule of interviews and commentary about The War of the Worlds with Jeff Wayne and his team.

Value: Students First

Value: Students First/ Responsiveness/Effectiveness

The College received its fourth ‘stamp of approval’ by Investor in Careers assessors in May. The College was inspected for the quality of its information, advice and guidance, and careers education and guidance services. The award has been re-accredited for three years as the College was able to demonstrate its commitment to providing quality services to enhance the employability and industry knowledge of its students. The College also received its fourth approval by Investors in People assessors, and was praised for the development opportunities it provided for staff - it was also recognised that staff were proactive with their own development, with staff sourcing training and sharing good practice.

Value: Responsiveness/Effectiveness/ Empowerment

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Community, Partnership and Employer Success 14

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Princess Yachts is Awarded for its Apprenticeship Excellence

Students Make Their Mark for the Second Year Running

Princess Yachts was presented with the Apprenticeship Excellence Award and runner-up in Outstanding Commitment to Training by the Excellence in Business Training Awards. Princess Yachts, which works with the College on its Apprenticeship schemes, was recognised for its outstanding support and development of apprentices within its business.

College business students celebrated after winning the Plymouth Enterprise Week ‘Make Your Mark Challenge’ for the second year running. Students studying the Business, Administration and Finance Diploma were required to come up with a new and innovative business idea that took its inspiration from something local and had minimal impact on the environment, and then present their ideas to a panel of judges.

The winning team was Plymouth Pedalz, a bike hire company specifically run to show tourists around Plymouth and the surrounding attraction areas using cycle routes.

Value: Responsiveness/Achievement/ Empowerment

Value: Students First/Empowerment

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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College Celebrates the Year of the Tiger

Tea Party to Celebrate National Colleges’ Week

International students from China hosted a fantastic party to celebrate the year of the tiger. VIP guests were treated to a Chinese banquet, and traditional and contemporary Chinese entertainment including singing, dancing and sketches, all performed

by College students.

College students served up tea and cakes for residents of two local care homes as part of Colleges’ Week, which celebrates the opportunities colleges create for individuals, business and Britain. Residents from Higher Park Lodge and Charlton House enjoyed hand-made cakes and biscuits baked by the College’s catering students, and served by front of house students in the Cité Brasserie - the in-house catering training facility at the College.

Value: Students First/Diversity

Value: Responsiveness/Diversity

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City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Women into Technology 60 female pupils from local schools attended the College’s ‘Women into Technology’ interactive event, which was designed to give them the opportunity to sample a variety of construction and engineering skills, and gain hands-on experience of what the industry can offer. The young women participated in practical workshops including brickwork, mosaic tiling, painting and decorating, games development and marine skills.

Value: Students First/ Responsiveness/Effectiveness/ Diversity

Employer Endorsement Scheme The scheme is seen as being very City College Plymouth has positive by employers and is showing excellent working relationships signs of being an extremely successful with employers across the region. employer engagement model. Its ability These relationships were further benefits to employers and developed in August PA R T N E2009 R S I N Bwith U S I N E S S S U C Cto ESprovide S students alike is what sets it apart from the introduction of an Employer other initiatives.

Endorsement Scheme. The scheme set out to build upon Successes and highlights to date the College’s existing City positive College Plymouth include: relationships with employers, 4 200 construction students and to inspire and encourage undertaking scheduled work students by providing them with experience at the Plymouth Life opportunities to engage with Working with employers to develop the local with labour Centre project in conjunction employers and the business regional construction company, community.

■ work experience

employers

It appears that the scheme is a valuable tool in strengthening and deepening the relationships we have with employers.

The College is now looking to extend the benefits of the scheme so that employers have greater involvement in curriculum development and the opportunity to work in partnership on initiatives which will benefit the whole community.

Employer Endorsement Scheme market through:

Balfour Beatty

job and Apprenticeship opportunities 4 Apprenticeship placements The scheme has grown rapidly since ■ industry expertise for students with local firms its inception. It has now celebrated its experiencing labour shortages ■ mentoring first anniversary, and employers have 4 media and construction students begun to suggest ■levels and areas of course development ■

engagement of their own. To date, the College has an employer endorser across all sectors of its provision, with a total of 30 employers involved in the scheme at various levels of engagement.

enjoying a series of lectures from industry experts

www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers 4 local businesses being offered free consultancy projects from foundation degree students.

Construction

skipton.co.uk

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Finance and Quality Measures Summary Financial Results 2009/10

2009. Surpluses generated by the subsidiary were transferred to the College under Gift Aid.

In what continues to be a challenging economic environment with pressures on government spending, 2009/10 has been a challenging year for the College, but in general has been positive financially. Overall, in 2009/10 the College group generated an operating deficit of £31,000 for the year, and an historic cost surplus of £290,000.

The College increased income by 5% from 2008/9 and, significantly, achieved this without increasing reliance on non-funding council income, which in light of continued challenges to income generation as the effects of government funding policy changes are felt, is extremely positive.

8%

11. 2%

47.8%

% 9.1

1.3%

3.7 %

2.7% 3 .9% 8 . 0%

% 2 .0 % 3.9

32.9%

18

The College group attracted approximately 17,000 funded and 2,700 non-funded students.

Cash balances represented 68 days in hand at 31 July 2010 (2009: 68 days).

At £2,167,000 (2008/9 £977,000), operating cash inflow was very strong.

Analysis of 2009/10 Income

8.

3 .4%

The College has a subsidiary company, Achievement Training Limited, a private training provider operating in Plymouth, which was acquired on 22 October

During the year, the College group invested £1,256,000 in building improvements and equipment purchases to improve further the infrastructure available to students and local businesses. This was split between land and buildings acquired of £611,000, and equipment purchased of £645,000. In the main, this related to the creation of the Pure Hair and Day Spa, the refurbishment of the skills development kitchen facilities and replacement of electrical switch gear.

Funding Council Recurrent Grants Train to Gain

Other Council Funding Tuition Fees and Education Contracts

Other Grants and Contracts

Other Income

Work-based Learning HE Funded Activity

Investment Income

Entry to Employment

Analysis of 2009/10 Expenditure 61.2%

Staff Costs O ther Operating Expenses Depreciation Interest Payable

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Group Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ending 31 July 2010

2009/10

2008/9

£000’s

£000’s

27,388

24,606

7,443

7,071

845

515

1,482

1,315

486

264

37,644

33,771

Staff

23,069

21,391

Other expenses

12,414

10,855

1,451

1,267

753

464

37,687

33,977

(43)

(206)

Property strategy costs

0

(449)

Grant support for property strategy costs

0

97

(43)

(558)

2

0

Taxation

(10)

0

(Deficit) on continuing operations after depreciation of assets at valuation

(31)

(558)

Historic cost adjustment

321

321

Historic Cost Surplus/(Deficit)

290

(237)

Income Funding body income Tuition fees and education contracts Other grants and contracts Other income Investment income Total Income Expenditure

Depreciation Interest Total Expenditure (Deficit) on continuing operations prior to costs relating to the property strategy

(Deficit) on continuing operations after depreciation of assets at valuation, exceptional items and before tax Profit on disposal of assets

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Group Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2010

2009/10

2008/9

£000’s

£000’s

Fixed Assets

21,148

19,944

Current assets

8,177

7,299

(7,712)

(6,893)

465

406

21,613

20,350

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets/(liabilities) Total assets less current liabilities

(117)

(256)

Provisions

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

(1,082)

(713)

Net assets excluding pension (liability)

20,414

19,381

(11,348)

(13,380)

Net assets including pension (liability)

9,066

6,001

Deferred capital grants

4,405

4,113

Net pension (liability)

Income and expenditure account excluding pension reserve Pension deficit Income and expenditure account including pension reserve Revaluation reserve Capital reserves Total

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City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

8,578

7,516

(11,348)

(13,380)

(2,770)

(5,864)

7,387

7,708

44

44

9,066

6,001

College Statistics College Facts

Success

Achievement

4 Number of full-time students - 4,202

4 The College long success rate was 75.6% (courses over 24 weeks), exceeding the latest Skills Funding Agency (SFA) benchmark by 5%.

4 The College overall achievement rate was 93%, exceeding the latest SFA benchmark by 12%.

4 Number of part-time students 14,245 4 Total number of students - 18,447 which includes 290 higher education students and 210 nonEU ‘international students’ 4 Number of apprentices - 924 (including subcontracted apprentices) 4 Number of employees - 779

Retention 4 The College long course retention rate was 81%, meeting the latest SFA benchmark.

4 Full-time students aged 16-18 achieved a pass rate of 97.5% for A levels (A2 level).

Progression 4 In 2009/10, 315 students completing level 3 programmes progressed onto higher education via UCAS - please note these figures only include students entering higher education through UCAS and who obtained their application form from the College.

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

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Sustainability 22

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

Champions in Sustainability Over the last academic year, City College Plymouth has been making positive progress in driving sustainability into the College structure, working practices and curriculum - and thus positively reducing its impact on the environment.

The Sustainability Working Group continues to monitor and manage targets set and encourage continual improvement throughout the College.

Some fantastic results have been achieved over the last academic year including: 4 setting up Sustainability Future Groups across all teaching areas, including higher education, to embed sustainability into the curriculum 4 the continuation of sustainability workshops for staff, with additional workshops designed to educate staff about green travel and cycling competency 4 the promotion of the Cyclescheme initiative, which resulted in 14 staff members purchasing bikes and safety equipment. The College also won money to build a new bike compound to increase its bike shelter facilities

4 supporting green travel through the use of College shuttle buses between the City centre and the main College sites, with investment in real time bus information systems to help users with travel times 4 success with applications for interest frees loans, amounting to almost £200,000 through Salix, for installing energy saving measures ie new boilers at Kings Road 4 reducing energy consumption and improving the rating on the College Energy Display Certificates - currently standing at a C rating for the main sites, which is well above the benchmark 4 reducing general waste sent to landfill by almost 10%; additional recycling bins have helped the College to recycle over 100 tonnes of waste, including one tonne of plastic bottles 4 successfully supporting a training centre in Uganda by sending redundant College equipment for re-use

4 renewal of Fairtrade status and continual commitment to promote and educate students and staff about the benefits of Fairtrade 4 working with the College’s catering contractor, Aramark, to increase the proportion of food and drink purchased locally, supporting the South West and local businesses and reducing food miles 4 working with Plymouth City Council’s Low Carbon Network to calculate the College carbon footprint and reduce the City’s overall impact.

The College’s sustainability programme highlights again our commitment to being a responsible member of the community. We are continually looking at ways in which we can reduce the negative environmental impact we may cause due to our business activities, and we are actively encouraging and supporting students and staff to take responsibility for reducing their individual impact wherever possible.

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Equality and Diversity 24

City College Plymouth Annual Report 2009/10

The College has a long standing, wide ranging commitment to equality and diversity. It aims to remain an exemplar in the sector - it was rated ‘good’ at inspection in September 2008.

Starting from its policy of cascaded responsibility, the College embeds equality and diversity throughout its work and practices. Each year, to increase equality of opportunity, the College has set Equality and Diversity Impact Measures (EDIMs). EDIMs focus on increasing participation and raising achievement rates for people from disadvantaged groups, and in 2009/10 included a target to increase black and minority ethnic participation in Apprenticeships. The College achieved its EDIMs in 2007/8 and achieved all but one in 2008/9 and 2009/10. The exception in 2009/10 was the target to increase female participation in automotive, engineering and construction which decreased by 1% reflecting the overall small decline in female student numbers.

The College attracts people from all sectors of its community. In 2009/10 students ranged in age from 14 to 82 years. There were approximately equal numbers of men and women, with 45% female and 55% male students.

Over 14% of students declared a

disability and 10% a learning difficulty.

The percentage of black and ethnic minority students was 10%, above the 7.1% estimated for the Plymouth area by the Office for National Statistics.

There were a growing number of international students who contributed to raising cultural awareness through events, talks and their everyday presence.

College provision crosses 14 of the 15 area of learning sector categories, offering a wide range of courses.

This includes tailored provision for disadvantaged groups such as those with profound and multiple disabilities, those with mental illness, asylum seekers, women interested in specialist trades and disengaged young people.

Every year staff training is given in supporting people with disabilities and disadvantages.

The College’s learning accommodation is highly accessible for people with motor and sensory disabilities. Details are set out in the annual Accessibility Commitment and on the national DisabledGo website www.disabledgo.com

There is a College chaplaincy team which aims to provide spiritual support to students and staff of all faiths and none, and provides quiet rooms at Kings Road and Goschen.

The College meets its legal requirements for an equality and diversity policy with clear statements on protected characteristic discrimination. The College has developed and published a Single Equality Scheme which covers the discrimination legislation. This means that age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation are covered by the scheme.

Equality Impact Assessments are carried out on policy and strategic documents and published.

We seek advice from local organisations including the Plymouth Religious and Cultural Resource Centre, Fata He, and the Race Equality Council, as well as national bodies such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the Association of Colleges, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.

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With excellence in Engineering Construction Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism Recognising the best organisations for training and development solutions

Š City College Plymouth 2011