ANNUAL REPORT 2019 OUR VALUES

• Put the student first

• Deliver the Highest Quality

• Act with Fairness, Openness and Respect

• Challenge and Innovate CONTENTS

OUR MISSION Welcome from the CEO, Corporation Board Chair and President 4 “Raising aspiration and WCG Growth and Success 6 realising potential through WCG International and Higher Education Developments 10 excellence in learning WCG Student Life, Success and Opportunity 12 and development” WCG Apprenticeship Success 16

WCG Enterprises 18

WCG Governing Body 20

Finances, Student Numbers and Statistics 22

Annual Report 2019 | 3 WELCOME

Welcome to WCG’s Annual Report for 2019, employees to retrain, the GrowAgri project to come to fruition as a major training hotel which looks back on another busy and launched in , utilising the for both region and beyond. productive year right across our group skills and facilities at College of colleges. The content of the report is for the benefit of the expanding agri-tech As we look forward to 2020, uncertainty testimony to the consistent high level sector. too is now benefiting remains on the economic front and of effort delivered by our staff and the from new projects in the culture and challenges around funding have not achievements made by our students. tourism and digital and cyber sectors diminished, but we have a clear vision at where funding is available to train existing WCG to remain healthy and sustainable WCG colleges have continued to support employees in these skills and sectors. as a college group. We remain committed their local communities with education to delivering innovative, high quality and and training that helps provide the skills Maintaining WCG’s profile as a key voice successful learning journeys for all our needed across the Warwickshire and for the college sector has continued to be students, so that they can contribute Worcestershire region. This has included a priority for myself during the year and positively to the success of the UK economy. the opening of hospitality and catering this has been achieved both regionally I look forward to working with you in the provision at Rugby College to meet growing and nationally. Opportunities have been coming year and to your continued support sector demand in our tourism-rich region, provided to speak to businesses at events in helping us deliver our mission to raise and the opening of a dedicated digital and such as the Warwickshire Chamber of aspirations and fulfil potential. cyber training centre in Malvern Hills Commerce Economic Conference, as well Science Park, aimed at supporting the very as to government representatives at the strong local digital industry. Westminster Social Policy Forum. It has also been a privilege to be appointed to the Curriculum development has therefore been board of QAA, the quality assurance body a key strand of WCG’s strategy, adjusting for higher education. both the breadth and levels of our offering Angela Joyce to ensure that it provides a close match to It has been a pleasure to be able to regional requirements. Our provision of celebrate with all our learners their success CEO, WCG course also reflects national requirements, at different points through the year. At WCG for instance in meeting the needs of the we make a point of giving all students the rural economy at Moreton Morrell and opportunity to have a suitable celebration Pershore Colleges. In addition to the event for their achievements, whether it catering and cyber developments, we have be graduation events for Apprentices and consolidated our higher education provision, higher education students or annual awards expanded our sports academy offering and ceremonies for our outstanding young developed a more relevant tourism and people and adult learners. destination management programme. Our plans for Moreton Hall have made In a number of areas we have been incremental steps during 2019, with much successful in bidding for European funding work behind the scenes on fundraising through ESF and ERDF, enabling WCG to for the project. We have held public work with each county’s LEP to deliver consultations, shared the vision for the Hall much-needed skills to the region. In and started work on restoring the beautiful addition to the Collaborate 2 Train project Italianate garden. Our hope is that 2020 will and Train 4 Success, which supports older see funding confirmed and the project begin

4 | Annual Report 2019 WELCOME THE YEAR AHEAD PRESIDENT’S VIEW

Whilst the past year has been a turbulent Now in my second year as the Colleges’ one for the UK with much uncertainty President, it has been hugely enjoyable around Brexit, it has also been a year to have the opportunity to meet with so of progress and success at WCG and I many people involved WCG; I am always would like to give my thanks to all the impressed by the optimism and governors, advisory board members, staff positive attitude that are the hallmarks and students who have contributed to that of our Group. success through their diligent work and the years compared to schools and dedication to WCG throughout this period. universities. The report made some very The nature of my role is such that I have the positive recommendations which will help to pleasure of meeting many of our fantastic to explore ways in which we can work Looking ahead to 2020 it seems likely that restore a degree of equality, if implemented, students, although generally at the end of together to benefit our students, the a high degree of uncertainty will remain a and give greater weight to the value of their time studying with us; celebrating economy and our wider society. feature of the landscape as the UK moves further education and colleges within higher education graduation ceremonies, through the various stages of separation the economy. We were pleased to be further education student awards, or Whether helping to build relationships from the EU. The key challenge for colleges highlighted as a best practice case study apprenticeship graduation events. It with organisations such as Oken’s, a like WCG will be to gear up for the reality of in The Augar Report, as a result of which gives me great pride to hear about the charity based in with a medieval Brexit and understand what opportunities Angela was interviewed by BBC News. experiences and sometimes the challenges heritage, or raising awareness of WCG this will provide for our colleges, to help that our students have overcome. These with international groups such as the PLUS learners and businesses to develop the This positive change of perception has occasions are always enjoyable and often Alliance, (the cluster of three academic resilience necessary for the years to come. already seen a promise of increased funding inspiring, and I congratulate WCG in giving research universities: King’s College for colleges in the coming year, which whilst its graduates proper and public recognition London, Arizona State University and This may include delivering training to local not as much as we believe necessary is for what they have achieved. the University of New South Wales), I am workforces where there is a need to fill staff nevertheless a step in the right direction pleased to see the Group steadily growing shortages caused by a drop in incoming EU and signals that the government is taking This past year has brought more than just its already strong reputation in the sector. worker numbers. It is also likely to mean the seriously the concerns raised by our student awards though, as, during the I look forward to continuing playing my development of new skills to meet emerging whole sector in recent years. The evidence higher education graduation ceremonies in part in doing whatever I can to support the business needs, as the UK seeks to develop suggests that the college sector’s concerted October, it was a delight to also welcome College as a beacon of Further and Higher a greater level of home-grown talent and #loveourcolleges campaign over the past on stage a number of WCG staff. These had Education, both regionally and nationally. boost its ability to provide products and two years has made its impact and helped to all achieved fellowship status with the HE services for domestic and export markets. drive a greater awareness of the invaluable Academy during the course of the year, in WCG’s focus on meeting employer needs contribution to the UK economy, which recognition of their commitment to teaching, Chris White and emerging regional priorities, such therefore needs nurturing and supporting in learning and student success at this level. WCG President as agri-tech, cyber security, destination the coming years. management and advanced manufacturing Whilst it is always a pleasure to represent mean that we are well-placed to meet new It may well be then that the new decade we WCG at these prestigious events and skills demands as they appear. are entering in 2020 will become ‘the decade celebrate with our learners, my role of the college’ and WCG will play its part as President also involves acting as an Another key development which began in in helping the UK to have a highly skilled ambassador for WCG in a wider local 2019 and looks set to continue in 2020 is workforce to meet the challenges ahead. or national context. It means seeking the change in the perception of colleges, out opportunities for partnerships to be particularly within government. The Augar developed between WCG and other like- report of 2019 brought some much-needed Peter Manford minded organisations, with the aim being focus on further education, highlighting the WCG Chairman inequality of funding that has built up over

Annual Report 2019 | 5 WCG GROWTH AND SUCCESS Just a few of our highlights over the past year…

WCG headlines Chamber

conference for 2nd Year BBC Sports award for Babs As the headline sponsor for the Coventry Motor Vehicle students benefit and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Royal College Supported from unroadworthy vehicles annual conference, WCG had a significant Learning team member Harvinder ‘Babs’ New project to catalyse presence at the November event, including Kandola scooped the prestigious BBC innovation in Worcestershire Warwickshire County Council’s Trading CEO Angela Joyce being part of an expert Midlands Sports Unsung Hero award for Agri-Tech launches Standards Service is donating cars panel dealing with questions relating to 2019, for his tireless work with a local purchased as part of an unroadworthy skills in the region. community boxing club in Leamington. GrowAgri Worcestershire, a £2m joint vehicle ‘mystery shopper’ exercise to initiative between the college and the Warwick Trident College students, to enable European Regional Development Fund, them to practise their skills. The vehicles officially unveiled its programme to acquired would ordinarily be sent for scrap, support the creation of new innovations and however, Trading Standards was made enterprises to benefit the horticultural and aware of the College’s need for unwanted agricultural industries. The initiative is open cars and has stepped in to help. to small to medium-sized Worcestershire businesses and aims to support business growth, increased productivity and the introduction of new products, processes and services. WCG retains The Planet Mark for Catering courses return to a fifth consecutive year Warwickshire WCG has been awarded The Planet Warwickshire’s restaurant and catering Mark sustainability certification for a sector received a substantial boost fifth consecutive year for its continuous following the reintroduction of Professional improvement in sustainability and reducing Cookery at Rugby College. Demand was so its carbon footprint. The group reported great that both Level 1 and 2 courses were a carbon reduction of 22.4% in its total started in September. footprint and a 22.1% reduction per employee in the year ending July 2018.

6 | Annual Report 2019 Educating barbers of the future WCG awarded the Workplace in Malvern Restoration of Moreton Hall’s Wellbeing Charter of Excellence ’s new barbering Italianate Garden WCG received national recognition for its academy opened in September following its work in supporting the wellbeing of its transformation from being a hairdressing As an initial stage in the restoration work staff for the second time when it was salon. Mayor of Malvern, Councillor Neil at Moreton Hall, landscaping apprentices awarded the Workplace Wellbeing Charter Morton, was one of the first customers to be from Pershore College have started work and achieved excellence in four categories. treated to a haircut from the trainee barbers on a project to restore the Italianate garden This accreditation recognises a workplace’s who are riding the wave of barbering’s which features an ornamental sundial, commitment to supporting the health and current popularity in the UK. herbaceous borders, formal hedges, lawns, paving, steps and a water feature. More than wellbeing of those who work there, as well Celebrating Black History Month 80 students and apprentices will be involved as improving their lives. with Caribbean masterclass over the course of the development.

Supported Learning students were treated to a masterclass in Caribbean cooking during Black History Month, run by mother and daughter duo Monica Cudjoe and Lee Sylvester. The students were assisted to create a Caribbean menu to serve in Leamington College’s Bistro, which is operated by the Supported Learning team. Renewed partnership with Moreton Morrell lecturer discovers Leamington FC for Moreton Tour of Britain comes to new species of spider Morrell College Pershore College Leamington FC and Moreton Morrell College lecturer, Professor Richard Pershore College formed the centrepiece College have announced the renewal of their Pearce, an arachnologist and research of the Tour of Britain’s time trial stage, as partnership and football academy following scientist based at WCG’s Moreton Morrell the race route passed down two sides of the a successful first season. The collaboration College, has been working with renowned college in September. The College hosted offers up to 10 hours a week of professional naturalist Javed Ahmed and a team of field spectators for the day, allowing Pershore coaching, fitness training, nutritional researchers in India on a wider research to show off its facilities and open up the advice, strength and conditioning and the project exploring spider biodiversity in garden centre to a new audience. opportunity to play competitive games in the the region. They discovered a spider in AoC College League, whilst studying a India, from the genus Afraflacilla, that has Level 3 Extended Diploma over two years. previously gone unrecorded.

Annual Report 2019 | 7 WCG GROWTH AND SUCCESS continued…

WCG selected to deliver new digital T Level qualification

As the headline sponsor for the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual conference, WCG had a significant presence at the November event, including CEO Angela Joyce being part of an expert panel dealing with questions relating to skills in the region. WCG delivers hi-tech careers event for Construction, Leamington’s inaugural Engineering & Rail

Interactive Futures Games Festival Secondary school pupils from across a resounding success Warwickshire had the opportunity to learn all about the variety of jobs in the Over 1700 games enthusiasts, students and construction, engineering and rail industry industry professionals flocked to the Spa Pershore College strikes at an educational taster day at Rugby Centre and Royal Leamington Spa College College in March. The College organised the for the inaugural ‘Interactive Futures’ partnership with Cheltenham event in partnership with the Coventry and Games Festival. The three-day event Town Football Club Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and from 31 January to 1 February brought Pershore College and Cheltenham the National College for High Speed Rail; together the leading lights of the UK and Town Football Club officially launched it included interactive sessions as well as international games industry to the Silicon Wasps tie-up for training of a new partnership, to allow students industry expert guest speakers. Spa for a combined conference, workshops, the opportunity to join their football professional players talks and exhibition to showcase the latest development programme and be coached developments and career opportunities in Following a successful pilot in May, WCG by Cheltenham Town UEFA-A club coaches. one of the world’s fastest growing sectors. and Wasps launched a tie-up in the autumn This exciting collaboration will see aspiring The conference element was hosted at which will allow members of the Wasps footballers study full-time for two years Royal Leamington Spa College and attracted squad to train up for alternative post-rugby to gain a Level 3 BTEC in Sport & Physical a wealth of academics from universities as careers at WCG’s colleges, whilst WCG will Activities, whilst getting additional coaching far afield as Istanbul. benefit from promotional opportunities at and exposure to semi-professional football. the Ricoh Arena. Two team players have already started to undertake plumbing qualifications as part of the deal.

8 | Annual Report 2019 Malvern Hills Science Park - opening a new facility for Cyber at Malvern Hills Leamington Spa College awarded During 2019 WCG took over a facility at ‘excellence’ status by Ragdale Hall the Malvern Hills Science Park and has converted it into a training base, to allow Royal Leamington Spa College has been Malvern Hills College to expand its local awarded College of Excellence status by provision at this site. The Science Park is one of the UK’s leading spas, Ragdale Hall, at the heart of one of the UK’s hubs for the in recognition of its outstanding practice cyber security industry and the aim is to and standards in beauty training. The use the facility to deliver cyber and digital award confirms that the college has high training to both young people and adults, standards of training, a good or outstanding who either work in this sector already or Ofsted report and consistently collaborates Further Education aspire to in the future. with the award-winning spa to offer Student Awards 2019 students work experience and enhance employment opportunities. Outstanding students from all seven WCG colleges were rewarded for their achievements, perseverance and progress at the annual awards ceremonies in June, held at Warwick Trident, Moreton Morrell, Rugby and Pershore Colleges.

Annual Report 2019 | 9 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

WCG welcome Saudi Military VIP

In March WCG welcomed its first group of Saudi military employees as part of an The teachers are really friendly at WCG educational partnership at Royal Leamington and I feel comfortable asking anything no Spa College. The students attended short matter how silly they might be. The people bespoke courses focusing on People are really friendly here and, even when you Performance, Cyber Security and Training are nervous, just smile! I am fortunate to be Resource Planning. On completion of the able to live on campus, which means that I am course, students received a special visit close to class and it only takes me 15 minutes from Colonel. Bander H. Ahmed, Head of the to walk into the town centre. Great for the Training Department at the Royal Embassy of shops! The weather and environment is also Saudi Arabia, Military Attaché in London. great here. Overseas students at WCG can now I settled into life here really well. There are work while they study other students from China, which makes WCG plays host to finding friends with similar hobbies easier. As a Tier 4 visa licence holder, WCG’s track The College also provides you with the record of compliance for 4+ years means Chinese delegation opportunities to attend different activities. I that students now coming to WCG from WCG Colleges had the pleasure to welcome definitely recommend taking part and meeting overseas will be able to work for up to 10 a delegation of six leaders of further other students as it will make your life really hours per week alongside their studies. education institutions from Ningbo in China, colourful. I currently have offers for Bristol This change of status for WCG, granted to learn about the UK educational system and KCL (King’s College in London) where from 2019, brings it in line with universities and see it in action. The group included I have applied to study Computer Science. and is a significant advantage for a college professionals from the Ningbo Education Bristol has even lowered my A-level maths attracting overseas students. Bureau, Ningbo Polytechnic and Ningbo requirements because of my Gaokao maths Vocational Education Center School, and result, which is amazing! These are both the UK’s National Skills Academy for Rail highly ranked Universities for this subject and (NSAR). The visit to the College was part of I am very excited for the future. a week-long tour arranged by NSAR, who When I first arrived I was really nervous, but the teachers were Nuo Cheng from China identified WCG as a potential future partner, really supportive and helped me settle in. I was shown around the Engineering (Access to with the aim to develop collaboration accommodation and the teacher showed me through actions as my Higher Education) opportunities in the UK and also to English was really broken and not very good at the time. My favourite understand more about UK Apprenticeship part is actually the accommodation, because of how private it is. I have programmes to take best practice back my own bathroom which I like, but the shared kitchen means I can see to Ningbo. other people and friends. Being here in the UK is different to China in terms of how we are taught. Here at WCG the teachers expect you to do your own research, which really helps our learning and understanding. I have really found that focusing on my studies stops me missing home. I have been lucky to receive three university offers for Durham, Sheffield and Bristol, and I am really excited. Yiwei Zhang from China Business and Accounting (Access to Higher Education) 10 | Annual Report 2019 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENTS

WCG Graduates celebrate in style HE staff fellowships with the Lecturers pen HE Academy publication to 300 graduates from Royal Leamington help porky pets Spa, Warwick Trident, Rugby, , Eighteen WCG higher education academic Pershore and Moreton Morrell Colleges and senior staff were awarded fellowships Two lecturers from were presented with their degrees at with the HE Academy during 2019, Moreton Morrell College St Mary’s Church in Warwick, before recognising their commitment to teaching, published a book on pet taking a procession to Old Shire Hall learning and student success. obesity during the year. Victoria Bowes and for a celebratory reception. This annual Helen Coleman, who both work in the Animal Principal Fellow (PFHEA) celebration of graduation for WCG students Welfare and Veterinary Nursing department, Steve Taylor underlines the high standard of education have co-authored The Management of Pet being delivered across the group which Obesity, an essential guide for veterinary provides a gateway to rewarding careers Senior Fellows (SFHEA) Rita Young, Mark Edwards, Ed Shuker, practitioners on obesity-related topics for so many. for small animals, exotic animals and pet David Domoney becomes Mike Acosta, Gaynor Boileau, Heather Shaw, Thea Philpott birds. The colleagues were approached by Honorary Fellow of WCG specialist agricultural, scientific and farming Fellows (FHEA) publishers 5mBooks to write the guide after WCG was delighted to be able to award an Ruth Bentley, Nicci Johnson, Sarah Pointer, the couple jointly penned an article on the honorary fellowship to David Domoney Suzannne Wildman, Akin Akinwele, subject for Veterinary Magazine Vet Practice at the Higher Education graduation Liane Green, Angeliki Nikolaidi, Today in 2016. event in October. As an alumni of Andrew Jenkins, Bill Sankey, Richard Mott both Moreton Morrell and Pershore Colleges, David has championed horticulture for 40 years, working with the RHS, Chartered Institute of Horticulture, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and numerous other horticulture and conservation organisations. We look forward to working with David as a fellow of WCG in the future. CEO appointed to Board of QAA

In November, Angela Joyce, Chief Executive of WCG, was appointed to the board of QAA, the quality assurance body for higher education in England. She said: ‘The higher education sector is going through significant change currently and QAA plays a fundamental role in ensuring quality for all students studying in the UK. I am pleased to be joining the Board at this time and to represent the voice of College-based higher education’.

Annual Report 2019 | 11 STUDENT LIFE, SUCCESS AND OPPORTUNITY

Community project given a boost by Rugby College students Floristry students celebrate Deeley Construction were approached by Evesham and Malvern Hills double-success at World Skills UK beauty students ‘Spa Days’ raise Ryton Parish Council about a wall that was Pershore College Animal national competition in need of repair in the village and three hundreds for charity Masterclass is a success students from Rugby College stepped in to Renata Egan-Wyer and Jen Jones from help with the community project. Brickwork Evesham and Malvern Hills College with local primary school Moreton Morrell College are celebrating students Jeff Annor, Lewis Fordham and students hosted separate charity spa a double-success after securing gold and Children from Cropthorne-With-Charlton Poushigan Savarajan, were tasked with days to raise hundreds for charity. Beauty silver in the WorldSkills UK Final at the NEC CE First School were treated to an animal completing a ‘Brick on edge’ course on the therapy students at both colleges welcomed in Birmingham. masterclass from supported learning walls, providing them with an excellent ladies from around their localities to the students at Pershore College during an opportunity to get hands on experience of spa at each college and treated them to a Renata, from Worcester, stunned the judges innovative – and interactive – showcase working on a real-world project. day of relaxation and pampering. Evesham and scooped the gold medal, while Jen raised money for mental health charity event. The primary school children were Jones from Nottingham was presented with MIND, whilst Malvern Hills supported taught all about the small mammals and silver. Mary Snee, from Leamington Spa, reptiles on show, and those brave enough Pershore Cancer Research UK. The trainee beauty Jodie Owen, from Coventry and Hannah therapists developed vital experience of were encouraged to touch or hold them. Horticulture Beckley, from Evesham, also represented working in an operating spa environment at the college in the Final. Bryony Baulch, technician instructor for student into the same time, administering treatments supported learning at Pershore College Worldskills UK Final that included electrical facials, full body Jane Benefield, floristry course leader at said: “The students have been planning this massages, scalp massages, manicures and the Moreton Morrell College, said: “At WCG event for several weeks and they have Patrick Neild, from Hungerford in blow-drys - with a lunch also provided by we are huge advocates and supporters all done brilliantly. Because of the needs Berkshire, recently completed his level the students. of WorldSkills and the opportunity the three diploma in horticulture at Pershore that our students have, just organising competitions present students, and College and came through an initial field the event was a massive achievement. I we would like to congratulate all the of more than 50 competitors to reach the hope today’s event has given them more competitors who reached this year’s finals.” Landscaping Worldskills UK Final. confidence and shown them what they’re He was one of only eight competitors in capable of achieving.” the final of the WorldSkills UK Landscaping competition and was placed Highly Commended.

12 | Annual Report 2019 Students stage popular West End show Chicago Gaming students team up Students cook up a storm at Evesham students donned their with legal law firm Rising stars of the stage performed one of Warwick Hospital pyjamas to raise funds for BBC the world’s most popular musicals in Royal Leamington Spa Games Art students Supported Learning students from Royal Children in Need Rugby in December. Performing arts teamed up with Wright Hassall as part Leamington Spa College recently completed students from Rugby College presented Early Years Educator students from of their tech week. The leading Midlands a successful week of work experience with a run of four performances of smash-hit Evesham College raised a total of £180 in law firm invited the future of the gaming ISS Healthcare, who are responsible for all American musical Chicago on stage at the just 90 minutes for the children’s charity. industry to hear from the experts as part the catering provision at Warwick Hospital. Platform Theatre. Sixteen students organised the fundraising of their Tech Week events, highlighting the Megan Turner, Damon Barnett and Calum impact of technology on different industries. appeal, which included a wide range of Set in Jazz-age Chicago, the musical is Booth were all studying for their NVQ classic school fair attractions, including a Catering qualifications and have trained based on a true story of love and greed, Students heard from Andrew Oliver of tombola, cake raffle and teddy bear raffle. alongside the team of professional staff in shining a light on the darker side of show Game Dragons and Graham Watson of The tombola and raffles were all supported the college’s own commercial kitchen business by following the story of Roxie Hart Third Kind Games at Wright Hassall’s office by donations from staff at the college, with and bistro. and Velma Kelly. A total of 35 students were in Leamington Spa in September as they more than 50 items donated to the tombola. involved in the production, with the level spoke about setting up your own gaming Teacher Victoria Newman said: “Some of All three said they really valued the three Performing Arts students up on stage, business. The event was part of the firm’s these students only joined us in September time spent working in the hospital and whilst lighting and front of house duties wider Tech Week events, which showcased so it was great to see them all come felt the opportunity has really built up were conducted by level two students. how technology is impacting the legal and together to organise this fundraising drive”. their confidence and catering skills. The business worlds. students worked alongside staff helping to prepare food and serving customers in the restaurant and really impressed the ISS team with their skill levels and hard work.

Annual Report 2019 | 13 STUDENT LIFE, SUCCESS AND OPPORTUNITY continued…

Games Design students on location Acquired Brain Injury centre with film trip to Rome students celebrated at Moreton Morrell students crowned award ceremony Games Design students from Evesham with prestigious Silver Gilt Awards College travelled to Rome in order to Users of the Acquired Brain Injury Centre gain inspiration for a final major piece of Two Moreton Morrell College students were based at Evesham College have been coursework. Six second year students delighted to achieve prestigious Silver-Gilt celebrated for their unique efforts and studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma Awards (just one place off Gold) for their achievements at a special awards ceremony. Pershore student awarded gold in Games Design, Animation & Web unique floral crown design, at the RHS medal for show garden Development took video footage and Chelsea Flower Show in May 2019. Around 65 individuals were recognised stills photography around key landmarks at the event in June for a variety of A horticulture undergraduate from in order to create a backdrop for an The competition, run by the Royal accomplishments including outstanding Pershore College has been awarded a interactive games project which is to make Horticultural Society in association with progress for cookery, woodwork and gold medal at this year’s RHS Malvern a promotional video of Rome for the UK the British Florist Association is designed artistic endeavours. Lady Carolyn Harford Spring Festival. tourist market. The project runs alongside to showcase the very best floristry talent and Barbara McLaren attended from the their technical Games Design modules in within the UK. Acquired Brain Injury Trust along with Helen Sebastian Conrad, who is studying 3D modelling, animation and Unreal Engine Kinghorn, college director for Evesham, as for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoe Rowlinson, a Level 5 Master Diploma in games. The trip in March provided the well as family and friends of service users. Horticulture, was awarded the highest Professional Floristry student, and student students with a breadth to their course and accolade for his contemporary show garden of the year Dean Sharpe, a professional should assist them in pursuing alternative called “What if” in support of The Rees florist from Stafford, were both awarded careers to the games industry such as TV & Foundation, a Worcestershire-based charity the Silver-Gilt award for their creations of film production or marketing. that provides support to care leavers. a floral crown to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. The garden was created in collaboration with artist Kate Rees from Upton-upon- Severn and themed around the creativity in an artist’s mind. The garden featured three large colourful hand-painted steel structures which were designed to reflect an artist’s developing ideas.

14 | Annual Report 2019 Leamington Spa Film student College hosts games event to heads to Miami Film Festival inspire next generation of talent A student at Royal Leamington Spa College Students across the region interested in had his film selected to be shown at a developing a career in the Games sector got prestigious international film festival. Joseph to hear from leading players in industry at WCG’s Kieran wins national Wallace, studying for a BA (Honours) in Warwick Trident College students Digital Film was been given the opportunity an interactive seminar at Royal Leamington Prince’s Trust Breakthrough Award joins the fast lane with top Spa College in April. Hosted by the college’s of showcasing his film ‘Face in Salt’ at the Mercedes AMG High Performance own Games Art department, the 2-day Kieran Egan from Nuneaton, who 36th Miami Film Festival in March 2019. event included talks and panel sessions participated on a Prince’s Trust programme The film had its first debut at the Cannes Powertrains Award with experts working for internationally- Film Festival in 2018, and tells the story of a delivered by WCG has received royal Daniel Gunthorpe, a level three Engineering recognised studios such as Playground, young man desperate to connect to a British recognition for turning his life around. student at Warwick Trident College has Ubisoft and Pixel Toys, along with leading girl adorned with images of nationalistic Kieran was given the top award from HRH won a placement working with the team games designers such as The Oliver Twins, pride, following a late night date. Still heated The Prince of Wales after transforming his that designs and manufactures Mercedes Pete Barnard and Alex Darby. life following a period of homelessness, from a day of hostile encounters, his social frustration quickly boils over, leading to an AMG High Performance Powertrains, in unemployment and an arrest for Brixworth Northampton. hooliganism. unexpected choice. Future Olympian and Rugby alumni Daniel was presented the award on in June at Students The twenty three-year-old scooped the the Student Awards event for commitment in wowed prestigious national HSBC Breakthrough visits college his studies, and an outstanding presentation by barbering Award at an Oscar-style ceremony held at titled “Engineering & Me” as well as a Rugby’s canoeing star and future Olympian the London Palladium on 13 March hosted successful interview with a representative showcase Kimberley Woods paid a visit to her old by Fearne Cotton and Phillip Schofield. from Mercedes AMG High Performance college as she gears up for Tokyo 2020. Hairdressing and The award recognises the progress of Powertrains. Karl White, Employee Kimberley, who will be representing Great barbering students young people in overcoming barriers and Development Manager for Mercedes AMG Britain at the Olympic Games next year, across four WCG developing new skills. High Performance Powertrains presented returned to Rugby College to speak with colleges were treated to a masterclass Daniel with his prize, which included a £500 students who are hoping to follow in her in modern barbering when a team of cheque and a week of work experience at the footsteps. The 24-year-old was a Level top barbering educators came to do a factory in Brixworth which could potentially Three Sport student at the college in 2013 live demonstration in February at Royal lead to an apprenticeship assessment before heading on to study at the University Leamington Spa College. Hayden Cassidy centre interview. of Hertfordshire. She gave a and Paul Skerritt, along with compere short talk to students at Garry Spencer from the Great British the college, who then had Barber Bash, transformed the hair of the opportunity to ask four volunteers using the latest on-trend her questions about the techniques in front of a live audience of training schedule of an students, staff and representatives from athlete competing at the local hair salons. highest level.

Annual Report 2019 | 15 WCG APPRENTICESHIP SUCCESS

Warwick Trident student wins QPR FC Apprentice receives WCG AGCO Apprentices pass prestigious Rising Star Award National Trainee of the Year Award through tough new standards Evesham Apprentice scoops Amelia Westbury, who attends Warwick Apprenticeship Award Trident College, beat off strong competition Tyrese Huggins was awarded the National Apprentices at Moreton Morrell College are to claim the prestigious MAKE Midlands and Trainee of the Year award for the 3 months celebrating being the first in the UK to pass Rachel Layton, a former Evesham College East of England Rising Star Award at he undertook on WCG’s programme, run through the tough new national educational student went on to become a Customer a ceremony held at The Slate at the in conjunction with the English Football standards for their industry sector. Service Apprentice with Give as you Live, . She is currently League Trust. Tyrese’s achievements Fourteen land-based service engineering an online fundraising platform. Having undertaking a six-year degree trailblazer helped him land an apprenticeship with QPR apprentices who are apprenticed at AGCO completed her Apprenticeship earlier this apprenticeship in applied engineering with at the end of the Traineeship programme. dealerships across the country were year, Rachel secured a full-time position Jaguar Land Rover, where she is employed delighted to learn that they had passed with the fundraising platform as a Customer as a research engineer. Apprentice success inspires print Service Assistant – and her dedication and business to create a copy through their End Point Assessment (EPA) taken with Lantra at the end of February. An commitment to was recognised when she WCG Apprentices celebrated at -based EPA is the new final independent was awarded Intermediate Level Apprentice graduation ceremony in style of the Year in the 2019 Worcestershire Emmerson Press is so assessment that apprentices undertake to make sure Apprenticeship Awards. In March and November, WCG Apprentices pleased with business they are fully competent who have completed their Apprenticeship admin apprentice Luke and can do the job were honoured with a graduation Salisbury, that now he that they have been ceremony at Warwick’s Old Shire has completed his 3 training for. Hall. Additional recognition was year Apprenticeship given to Outstanding Apprentices with them, he is now in each subject area delivered helping to recruit the through WCG Apprenticeships. next employee for the family-owned firm. Luke completed his Apprenticeship with Royal Leamington Spa College.

16 | Annual Report 2019 BT Fleet Solutions celebrate Apprentice programme success

The first cohort of BT Fleet Solutions motor vehicle apprentices at Warwick Trident College successfully finished the company’s inaugural apprenticeship programme n January after three and a half years of study to create the next generation of technicians. Top Apprentice from The twelve apprentices, who each gained Warwick Trident honoured an Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Level at Coventry awards 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair qualification, picked up their certificates at a Warwick Trident and Jaguar Land Rover special event at Warwick Trident. apprentice Amelia Westbury was awarded the title of Apprentice of the Year in the large employer category by the City of Coventry Freemen’s Guild. The Guild Apprentice of the Year competition is held annually to recognise the region’s best young apprentices. Each year it sees nominations from businesses and training providers for young people who have shown exceptional ability in their chosen apprenticeship and whose additional achievements will inspire others. Pershore College student awarded We have top Apprentice title

Tom Everard, a horticulture apprentice 2500+ training at Pershore College has been apprentices named as the Midland Regional Growers (MRG) Apprentice of the Year. Tom is TRAINING WITH US employed at the Worcestershire-based AT ANY ONE TIME plant company Bransford Webbs and was presented with the award by the BBC television gardening presenter, Monty Don, during the RHS Malvern Spring Show.

Annual Report 2019 | 17 WCG ENTERPRISES

WCG Enterprises continues to offer a range of commercial activities and facilities to the public, whilst in many cases also providing an enriched learning environment for our students.

The current portfolio of WCG Enterprises includes:

WCG Recruitment - working both internally to promote job vacancies at WCG colleges and Sports Centres and Gym facilities - externally with employers, to match their Sports halls and outdoor pitches for hire vacancies to our bank of talented candidates and publicly accessible gyms at Rugby, coming through our colleges. Leamington and Henley-in-Arden provide valuable services to local users. SPACE Conferencing Facilities - offering affordable, bright, Salons - Leamington, Rugby, Evesham and modern meeting spaces, onsite Malvern Hills Colleges all boast hair and parking, great facilities and a full beauty salons open to the public which act suite of conferencing packages as a genuine work environment for students for businesses of all sizes. in this sector. Malvern Hills College SPACE has dedicated conferencing facilities converted its hair salon into a barbering in Rugby College, Warwick Trident College studio in 2019 and has enjoyed success and Pershore College but can also arrange in student recruitment and bookings room hire and conference packages at the as a result. other WCG colleges. Equine Facilities - for hire across all equestrian disciplines, cross country, Pershore College Garden showjumping and dressage. Centre and Nursery - our

commercial centre for both

retail and trade customers has gone from strength to strength in 2019, with a series of popular sale events and themed activities bringing in new and repeat customers.

18 | Annual Report 2019 WCG ENTERPRISES Print Solutions - offering a range of Link Nurseries - our horticultural therapy products for college and public clients. centre in Powick, has continued to deliver Services such as canvas print a safe and supportive space for individuals production and vinyl banner experiencing mental health challenges. production The Well Bean Gardening Club has PRINT have been SOLUTIONS continued its popularity, alongside a range particularly of other activities. Regular themed events successful // NEW SERVICES and plant sales have also brought new and PULL UP BANNERS A great instant, eyecatching display solution. in 2019. £50* return customers to the Nurseries at times such as Mother’s Day, Easter, Halloween uPVC OUTDOOR BANNERS

Weather proof, eyeletted and ready to hang. TUES 22 JAN // 5.30PM – 8PM £10 * per/sqm Courses in: and Christmas. Horticulture, Arboriculture, Vet Nursing, Animal Welfare and Supported Learning APPLY NOW for September // .ac.uk BOX CANVAS Edge-to-edge print and mounted on a wooden frame.

* A3 - £15 | A2 - £20 * | A1 - £37.50* Please enquire about other sizes. LINK

POSTERS Full colour print on 150gsm satin poster paper. NURSERIES * A0 - £11 | A1 - £8* MODERN | A2 - £5* BARBERING * SHOW Ro All prices are +VAT and are per unit. yal Leamington Spa College part of Pershore College

A presentation of the latest cuts and Ticket £25, £20 con trends TI c CKET HOTLINE featuring 01788 863121 HAYDEN CASS IDY & OLLIE F ONL OSTER INE: www.wcg.a 5 FEBRUARY 2019 c.uk/barbershow Royal Leamin S gton Spa Colleg tarts 6.15pm Warw e, ick New Road, Fin Leamingt ishes 9:00pm ap on Spa, prox Warwic 0330 135 6225 | printsolutions„wcg.ac.uk kshire, CV32 5JE A Centre for Support, Growth and Wellbeing

Pershore College • Pershore College Juice and Cider - hosts inaugural our specialist craft cider juicing unit in conference Pershore enjoyed Representatives a successful year from over 65 and plans are now underway to develop cideries gathered and expand the range of craft ciders and at Pershore College in April for a pressed juice in 2020. hands-on conference dedicated to • Apple juice produced from historic the art and skill of craft cidermaking Shakespeare family home organised by the Three Counties Cider & Perry Association (TCCPA). The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Pershore College itself has an has produced its own limited edition award-winning fruit and drink unit apple juice for the first time in which has been producing artisan partnership with Pershore College. cider and juices for 26 years and its Apples grown in the orchard of manager Richard Toft was recently Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Shottery, appointed to the Three Counties Stratford-upon-Avon, the childhood Cider and Perry Association as its home of William Shakespeare’s technical secretary. wife, have been used to produce limited edition 33cl and 750ml bottles of juice.

Annual Report 2019 | 19 WCG GOVERNING BODY

Peter Manford Paul Walker Angela Joyce Michaelie Banks Chris Bradshaw Chairman of the Corporation Vice-Chair of the Corporation Chief Executive Officer WCG Student Governor Chair of Audit Committee Chair of Search, Governance and Co-Chair of Malvern Hills College BSc (Hons) student at Co-Chair of Pershore College Remuneration Committee Advisory Board Moreton Morrell College Advisory Board Co-Chair of Royal Leamington Spa Link Governor for Equality Link Governor for Safeguarding College Advisory Board and Diversity and Prevent Partner - Higgs & Sons Former MD of Malvern Instruments Former Director - NHS BCH

Mark Chambers Gill Clipson Michael Davis Nick Eastwood Ben Fairhurst Governor Governor Governor Governor Academic Staff Governor Chair of Moreton Hall Chair of Academic Standards and Co-Chair of Rugby College Chief Executive Officer of Wasps Head of Quality WCG Advisory Board Quality Assurance Committee Advisory Board Rugby Football Club Group Managing Director Co-Chair of Warwick Trident Chief Operating Officer for College Advisory Board Kantar Public Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AoC

20 | Annual Report 2019 Colin Hooper Andrew Lazenby Shalbinder Malle Paul Marsh Caroline Menadue Governor Governor Governor Student Governor Clerk to the Corporation and Company Secretary Co-Chair of Moreton Morrell CEO of Royal Agricultural MD Hatchback Ltd Sabbatical President of College Advisory Board Society of England (RASE) and the Students Union Innovation for Agriculture (IFA) Estates Director at Stoneleigh Park

Linda Norville Rachel Sandby-Thomas Katherine Skudra Dave Webb Steve Williams Governor Governor Support Staff Governor Governor Chair of Resources Committee Previous Senior Head of Education Registrar - University of Warwick Student Liaison and Welfare Executive Director, Stratford Co-Chair of Evesham College at The Prince’s Trust Manager WCG on Avon District Council Advisory Board Former FD Philips Electronics

Annual Report 2019 | 21 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

INCOME (M)

FUNDING BODY GRANTS 32,359

TUITION FEES AND EDUCATION 14,277 CONTRACTS

OTHER GRANTS AND CONTRACTS 929

OTHER INCOME 6,257

TOTAL INCOME 53,822

FUNDING BODY GRANTS (M)

EDUCATION AND SKILLS FUNDING 3,606 AGENCY - ADULT

EDUCATION AND SKILLS FUNDING 20,014 AGENCY - 16-18

EDUCATION AND SKILLS FUNDING 5,627 AGENCY - 16-18 APPRENTICESHIPS 98% 90% 74% HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL 1,724 A LEVEL PASS RATE OVERALL APPRENTICESHIP SPECIFIC GRANTS PASS RATE (all ages, all qualifications) ACHIEVEMENT RATE, RELEASES OF GOVERNMENT 664 WHICH IS A THREE-YEAR HIGH CAPITAL GRANTS

FUNDING BODY NON 724 RECURRENT GRANTS 95.3% 98% TOTAL 32,359 OF OUR 16-18 STUDENTS WHO LEFT WCG IN JUNE 2018 WHO WERE IN A SUSTAINED, POSITIVE DESTINATIONS POSITIVE DESTINATION (E.G. EMPLOYMENT, FOR APPRENTICESHIPS* FURTHER STUDY OR APPRENTICESHIP) AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER LEAVING. *Summer 2017 completers

22 | Annual Report 2019 COUNTIES LEICESTERSHIRE 365 (2.39%) NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 448 (2.94%) 15,251 OTHER COUNTIES 3,605 (23.64%) OXFORDSHIRE 274 (1.80%) Registered Office STUDENTS Warwick New Road WARWICKSHIRE 6,198 (40.64%) Royal Leamington Spa (2018/19) 2,048 (13.43%) Warwickshire WORCESTERSHIRE 2,313 (15.17%) CV32 5JE

The following are trading names of Warwickshire College TYPE OF STUDENT AGE 16-18 5,309 (34.81%) FULL-TIME 4,728 (31.00%) 19 – 24 3,232 (21.19%) PART-TIME 7,493 (49.13%) 25+ 6,548 (42.93%) APPRENTICESHIP 2,105 (13.80%) UNDER 16 162 (1.06%) WORKPLACE LEARNING 63 (0.41%) INTERNATIONAL 118 (0.77%) HE 744 (4.88%) GENDER FEMALE 7,781 (51.02%) MALE 7,470 (48.98%) LEVEL OF STUDY ENTRY / LEVEL 1 1,854 (21.16%) ETHNICITY LEVEL 2 3,886 (25.48%) WHITE 13,276 (87.05%) LEVEL 3 4,158 (27.26%) BLACK AND 1,556 (10.20%) LEVEL 4 199 (1.30%) OTHER MINORITY ETHNICITY UNKNOWN 419 (2.75%) ABOVE LEVEL 4 1,135 (7.44%) OTHER 4,019 (26.35%)* *At Full Cost recovery counted in other training category LEARNING DIFFICULTY / DISABILITY YES 3,185 (20.88%) WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE Ltd

Annual Report 2019 | 23 MALVERN HILLS COLLEGE Albert Road North Malvern WR14 2YH @MalvernHillsCollege Nuneaton

PERSHORE COLLEGE SPORTS CENTRE Avonbank Pershore WR10 3JP Coventry @PershoreCollege Kidderminster

Bromsgrove MORETON MORRELL COLLEGE Moreton Morrell Redditch Tenbury Wells Royal Leamington Spa Warwick Warwick Southam CV35 9BL @MoretonMorrellCollege Shelsley Warwickshire Alcester EVESHAM COLLEGE Worcestershire Stratford-upon-Avon Davies Road Worcester Powick Evesham WR11 1LP @EveshamCollege

Evesham ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA COLLEGE Upton-upon-Severn Warwick New Road Leamington Spa LINK NURSERIES CV32 5JE @LeamingtonCollege LINK Hamilton Close, off NURSERIES Hospital Lane Powick Worcestershire WARWICK TRIDENT COLLEGE WR2 4NH Trident Park Poseidon Way Warwick HENLEY-IN-ARDEN CV34 6SW SPORTS CENTRE @WarwickTridentCollege Stratford Road Henley-in-Arden B95 6AB RUGBY COLLEGE Technology Drive Rugby STAY CONNECTED: CV21 1AR @WCollegeGroup @WarwickshireCol Warwickshire College Group wcg.ac.uk @RugbyCollege