Principal’s departure follows ‘inadequate’ rating
The principal of Sussex Coast College has quit just a year into the job after the college was rated inadequate by Ofsted. The watchdog has described outcomes for students at the Hastings institution as “inadequate in most of the significant areas of the college’s provision”, and “particularly poor for students aged 16 to 18 and apprentices in work-based learning”. Janak Patel took over at the college last January. Chair of governors Pat Farmer said that Mr Patel had left “with immediate effect, for personal reasons”. Bill Grady has been appointed interim principal after holding the same role at a number of other struggling colleges.
Colleges to benefit from #163;50m sport fund
Colleges have received a multi-million pound boost under plans announced this week for a national youth sport strategy. Colleges and universities will share a #163;50 million pot to fund sporting provision, with extra funding also being provided to pay for a full-time sport professional for at least 150 colleges. “We are delighted that college students will benefit from this funding,” said Clare Howard, head of sport strategy for the Association of Colleges (AoC). “It is ideal timing with the recent launch of the joint AoCBritish Colleges Sport national sport strategy and we look forward to working with Sport England to work up these proposals in more detail.”
Postponement of ICT course leaves 300 in limbo
Around 300 apprentices have been affected by a training provider’s decision to postpone its programme due to “recent changes in the government policy”. Zenos, a provider of ICT apprenticeships that is owned by Pearson, receives #163;45 million from the Skills Funding Agency to provide apprenticeships. The postponed course had been due to start this week. “All of the existing affected candidates will be starting a relevant programme imminently that will support their aspirations to gain an apprenticeship within the original time frame,” said Jason Moss, managing director of Zenos.
Campus revamp may lead to longer working hours
Plans for a #163;50 million teaching building at Bradford College have been approved by the Skills Funding Agency. It will be located at the college’s existing city-centre site, with work starting this summer and due to be completed by September 2014. “Our new, iconic campus will revolutionise our current estate, add to the regeneration of Bradford and provide a superb student experience,” said the college’s principal, Michele Sutton. However, teaching union representatives told the Telegraph amp; Argus that the new building could lead to working hours in staff contracts being changed as the new facility is expected to open for 48 weeks of the year.
Travelodge expansion is good news for apprentices
Budget hotel firm Travelodge is to hire 120 new apprentices in 2012 as part of its expansion plans. The company is set to open 41 new hotels in the next 12 months, creating 880 jobs in the process. The apprentices will join its junior management programme and, with plans to double the number of Travelodges to 1,000 by 2020, further apprenticeships are expected to be announced in due course. “Travelodge is continuing to open hotels at a faster rate than anyone else and create much-needed jobs, which is exactly what the British economy needs right now.” said chief executive Guy Parsons.
