Truro & Penwith College 2019/2020 Annual Report

Outstanding Education in challenging times

Outstanding Education Inspiring Futures The first tertiary or further education college in the country to be awarded ‘Outstanding’ status by Ofsted.

The College was established as a tertiary college in 1992 and As our student curriculum offer Truro was officially opened in and numbers have grown, 1993. The growth and success That status was confirmed in we have continued to expand of the College have been 2016 when Ofsted made it the our facilities and the College’s & Penwith remarkable. In 2008, Truro first college nationally to be financial position remains College merged with Penwith graded “Outstanding” under the strong. College. That merger built upon common inspection framework. College Truro College’s successful These external judgments are For a very large percentage of foundations to expand the based on the success of our the young people in , delivery of high quality Further students, their experiences, their study at a Truro and Penwith and Higher Education, which achievements and progression College campus is their first Annual benefits the economy and social into employment and higher choice. We are also confidently life in the communities we serve. education, and on the value expanding the range of The College now recruits from that employers and businesses skills training and support Report across the whole of Cornwall. place on our work. Other recent opportunities we offer to local We continue to grow, investing public recognition of the quality businesses and employers. We in new buildings and resources of the College’s work have come are determined that this growing for all our learners. We have in the form of its TEF (Teaching area of work will show the same now developed as sponsors a Excellence Framework) Gold outstanding quality that has major new post-16 free school rating for Higher Education, the been identified in respect of campus at Callywith, , AoC National Beacon Award our work with students in full- to serve the north and east of for Leadership and Governance time academic and vocational the county. The first students (2016), and The AoC National learning. began their studies there in Beacon ‘Leading Light’ Award September 2017. Growth for Mental Health and Wellbeing National policy continues to there has been rapid and in (2017). generate a range of reforms 2020 was and challenges in further inspected and rated Ofsted Our reputation locally and education. We are determined to Outstanding in all categories. nationally is excellent. It has maintain our clarity of vision, our Following our recognition as a earned us new designations and commitment to our tertiary role Beacon College, the College roles to support improvement and, above all, our commitment was the first tertiary college across all phases in education; to do everything we can to meet in the country to be awarded these include our work in the needs of individual students. ‘Designated Outstanding’ partnership as a Maths Hub, as status. a cross-phase Teaching School, and within a pre-16 Trust.

02 A Connected College: Facing the Covid-19 challenge

March 2020 saw the first national lockdown imposed by Government due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with the College extremely quick to respond as certainty of enforced closure became apparent. A large-scale plan and rollout of specialist IT equipment including laptops and webcams was actioned, enabling thousands of staff and students to teach and learn from home, with the full College timetable delivered online from day one. Truro and Penwith Academy Trust Truro & Penwith Academy Trust was established in April 2014 A Connected College initiative was fostered to help staff and and initially sponsored three schools - a secondary school and students face the scale of the challenge together. Requests from two primary schools - with Truro and Penwith College. The Trust headteachers saw the creation of Digital Campus, a web-based is aligned in terms of ethos and vision with the College and is platform that gave Year 11 pupils access to self-study tools and committed to improving the life chances of the children and young resources to prepare for College in September. Liaison events were people in schools within the Trust. transitioned onto digital with fully interactive, 3D virtual tours of every College building and Subject Spotlight videos produced and hosted The Trust has grown over the last four years with schools choosing online. Support was also offered through live health and fitness to become academies within the Trust, establishing distinctive sessions, the creation of online support groups and live chats with geographic hubs of schools in Penwith, around Truro and in the Clays key support staff, while the business community was offered access area to the east and now encompassing 25 primary schools and to free, online masterclasses on a range of relevant topics. three secondaries. At the heart of the Trust’s vision is a commitment to developing and supporting high quality teaching and leadership in all schools, and to the professional development of teams through close partnership with Cornwall Teaching School. The Ofsted inspection of the trust published in January 2019 cited a main finding as “the unwavering focus on achieving their key strategic priority, to improve the life chances of all children and young people in our schools” and went on to say The Trust is one that schools want to join. “They value the high-quality support within the Trust”.

Cornwall Teaching School The College is the only FE college with a cross-phase Teaching School. Its role and remit continue to expand with participation in its activities having now reached 90% of all secondary and 82% of all primary schools in Cornwall. The Teaching School continues to develop a growing induction programme for newly qualified teachers throughout the County, with more than 150 trainees participating. It provides a wealth of professional development courses and training across all phases of education. Ongoing courses have changed to an online delivery format during the recent lockdowns, including the Annual NQT Conference, the Women into Senior Leadership Programme, a newly developed school improvement coaching Our Wider Remit course for senior leaders, a behaviour management course to support teachers returning post lockdown, a development course for recently qualified teachers and a comprehensive programme of NQT Callywith College CPD sessions. In September 2017, as a sponsor the College opened its third campus in Bodmin, with Callywith College, a 16-19 Free School The Teaching School’s Sport Project was also extended to with capacity for 1,280 students, at its heart. In only its second year, include a further five schools and will provide support to improve Callywith College is already home to 1100 students with a broad participation in physical activity, resulting in the involvement of curriculum offer including 28 A Levels and a range of Level 2 and almost every secondary school across Cornwall. The Teaching 3 vocational diplomas. Callywith College aims to bring the supports school improvement and deploys Specialist Leaders and Penwith College experience to young people in North and East of Education to provide bespoke packages of support targeted to Cornwall, seeking to significantly raise achievement and revitalise the a school’s development needs, building on specialist skills within community. schools and sharing expertise within and across schools. The Teaching School works closely with the College’s Science Learning Partnership, Cornwall and West Devon Maths Hub and the Computer Hub.

03 Student Enrolments & Experience

Although falling demographics have resulted in a lower student • The College’s outstanding results and the progress made by population, full-time student enrolments were strong in September students. 2019. In 2019/20 there were 6,300 full-time and 3,450 part-time • The College’s responsiveness in providing a wide range of students in total. courses. • Continued development of new courses, in particular Full and part-time enrolments were stable at both the Truro and occupational training and Level 6 opportunities. Penwith campuses. Our Higher Education enrolments remain • High quality teaching that is stimulating, encouraging and positive in a challenging environment. The range of part-time supportive of students. opportunities in particular has expanded significantly to provide • Students’ access to exceptionally high quality resources and higher level skills both for people in employment and for the facilities. unemployed. • The student experience, personal support and a wide range of opportunities provided. We believe that our successful level of enrolments are due to a • Excellent relationships with partner schools and employers. number of factors: Our intention is to provide the best possible experience for our students. This means creating an environment in which students feel a sense of ownership and identity with both the College and their courses. The structure, content and style of teaching are designed to provide a stimulating, purposeful and well-organised setting within which people of all ages and with differing learning needs can thrive.

Learning in an attractive setting and having access to the use of excellent equipment and other high quality resources are important aspects of our students’ experience. During 2019/20 the College continued to invest heavily in new equipment and accommodation. Our intention is to provide the best possible experience for our students.

04 Our students Full-time Students Part-time Students 743 2,027 1,253 5,737 1,908 6,008 2,500 7,741 2,821 8,443 3,274 4,347 5,279 5,696 5,968 6,370 6,117 8,330 6,055 9,137 6,289 8,104 6,430 7,977 7,945 6,276 7,950 5,710 7,848 6,125 6,328 6,300 3,450 6,431 10,475 10,377 12,934 12,542 12,909 12,620 93/94 95/96 97/98 99/00 01/02 03/04 05/06 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 18/19 19/20

+ * 07/08 ** 17/18

* Truro and Penwith College merger ** Callywith College opens

+ Data shown in alternate years from 1993 to 2007

A Reputation for Quality

Truro and Penwith College was once again one of the top colleges for student performance in 2019/20, retaining its national reputation for excellence. In the most recently published (2020) Department for Education Performance Tables the College exceeded the national and local average on almost all measures for attainment and progress. For example, the College was placed in the top 2% of 170 GFE colleges nationally for several measures including average point score for A level entry, percentage of students achieving AAB or better (to include at least 2 facilitating subjects), progress in maths and average point score per applied general entry. The College is also the leading provider for quality Apprenticeships in the county, with achievement rates at all levels greatly exceeding national rates.

The College holds the highest possible rating of Gold for the Teaching Excellence Framework, or TEF, the new teaching quality ratings system for Higher Education. This means that the quality of teaching and support for degree level students at the College is rated The College holds a range of quality awards recognising high as outstanding. standards and good practice. These include Investor in Careers and Investors in Diversity as well as matrix reaccreditation achieved in This standard for higher education mirrors the outstanding judgement 2020 for information, advice and guidance. The College was awarded from Ofsted following inspection in 2016, making the College the the AoC Beacon Award in Leadership and Governance in 2017 and first GFE college to secure this grade under the Common Inspection won the AoC Beacon Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2018 Framework and remains one of only eight nationally under the four alongside the Leading Light Award for the award most beneficial for year implementation of the framework. the sector to learn from. In 2018 the College was shortlisted for the Times Educational Supplement (TES) College of the Year Award and in 2019 the foundation studies area was deemed an area of best practice by the AoC.

05 Accommodation

Truro and Penwith College has developed educational On each main campus, our hair, beauty and catering facilities accommodation through time to provide specialist academic are managed as commercial operations which offer services to and vocational teaching and learning resources of the highest the public. In April 2021 we are pleased to be opening our new quality. On each of the main campuses near Truro and Penzance, technology building in Truro and enhanced science facilities at both buildings named after Cornish rivers and coves respectively, provide sites. professional training environments and outstanding teaching spaces to meet the needs of students and local employers. Our facilities are maintained by a dedicated Premises Team with a commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible Our smaller satellite centres offer specialist and adult learning management, utilising local contractors and suppliers where viable. facilities. These include our Business Centre at Haven House in Truro city centre, Morrab Road Arts and Community Centre in Penwith, an Art and Design facility and specialist teaching spaces for students with complex needs at Carnon Downs, Sports facilities at Polstain Farm, and a small water sports centre on Penzance Harbour.

Finance &

Total Income 2019/20: £40,095,000 Resources Funding Body Grants: £27,547,000

In common with many other providers Fee Income (excl HE): £1,143,000 cuts to public sector funding were difficult to manage. The College made Investment Income: £305,000 a small deficit equally to approximately 1% of income. Strong reserves enable Higher Education Fees: £4,147,000 the College to invest in teaching facilities and the College remains debt free. The Other Operating Income: £2,143,000 College’s sources of income for the year are illustrated in the pie chart opposite. Other Grants (e.g. European): £4,810,000

Staffing

The College’s staffing levels remained fairly consistent in 2019/20, and include the numbers of staff employed on project work funded through grant income. We continue to attract, recruit and retain quality staff. Staff are committed to helping deliver a quality service with the absence rate remaining below sector averages. We continue to employ highly skilled and flexible staff with a low turnover. 111 146 197 217 235 273 281 362 424 504 545 588 650 661 790 842 870 873 832 790 822 865 856 873 876 858 823

Full-time Equivalent Staff 1993-2019

*Truro and Penwith College merger 93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 19/20 * 07/08

06 Community Collaboration: Working to support community partnerships

2020 was an atypical year due Our partnership with the to the global pandemic. In more Cornwall Cricket Board normal times, Truro and Penwith continues with shared use of our College are pleased to be Gannel Building and we have able to share our facilities and been pleased to be able to offer support with community groups parking and training facilities for and partner organisations. We the NHS during the lockdown Public Value offer our facilities and services period. for hire at competitive rates, The College seeks to enhance the social, economic and physical giving access to expertise Annually we have hosted and wellbeing of the communities it serves. The College actively and specialist facilities which live-streamed TED Cornwall promotes inclusion and is an Investor in Diversity. It seeks to ensure smaller charities, groups and Events, and provided venues that all residents of Cornwall have access to the College facilities and associations might otherwise for bridal shows, wildlife activities. The College values every educational aim of every student lack. events, flower arranging equally and seeks to raise the aspirations of its students and staff so demonstrations and Comicon that they can make the maximum contribution to the community. We hope the future will see a Conventions. At both Penwith resumption and continuation of and Truro we host award Economically, the College supports local businesses and provides our long-standing partnerships evenings and lager events, at a broad range of learning to maximise the skills and knowledge with local arts and community which our professional cookery of students. It engages with local employers to meet the specific groups, providing affordable and performance technology needs of businesses and non-commercial partners. The College access to venues and facilities students support and showcase understands its environmental responsibilities, actively promotes which may otherwise be their skills. We are proud of our a sustainable approach to its activities, and encourages wider unavailable to them. tradition of providing support for community use of its facilities. community partners and hope that these will also resume and continue in 2021.

07 Further Education Curriculum Developments

The range of both full-time and part-time Further Education courses continues to evolve at both the Truro and Penwith sites, particularly as a result of significant changes in national curriculum policy. The College works in partnership with local schools, the Local Authority and the Local Enterprise Partnership to ensure local and national priorities are met and that the curriculum offer remains responsive to the community. An emphasis on meaningful progression through enhanced opportunities for the development of personal, employability and work-related skills, alongside dedicated support for students progressing into higher education or Apprenticeships, is at the heart of the curriculum strategy. A key aim of the College as a comprehensive tertiary institution is to raise the aspiration of its learners and to promote social mobility through very high levels of achievement. The curriculum is structured with clear progression routes from Level 1 through to HE, an Apprenticeship or employment.

The College academic provision is well known and established. The offer is built around over 40 A Level subjects and a thriving International Baccalaureate. Since 18/19 A Level delivery has been fully linear at the College, with learners typically selecting three subjects to study alongside additional enrichment activities including academies, study plus and directed self-study. Learners on a wide range of over 60 vocational courses also have access to these enrichment activities, and all learners have access to work- experience or substantial work placements. All extended Diploma programmes have now converted to the RQF qualification which have external assessments to support progression. The professional and technical curriculum is designed to meet the needs of employers All learners have the opportunity to join an Academy or Study Plus and the local economy. With over 50 apprenticeship programmes, programme to enhance their learning experience. This includes the this area of provision continues to grow through successful Academic Academy designed to stretch and challenge, the Medics’ partnerships with employers, high satisfaction and achievement rates Academy to support aspiring medics, dentists and veterinarians and a reputation for quality. with their competitive applications and over 15 sporting academies including Rugby, Football, Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Cricket, The College is committed to high quality Foundation learning, Surfing, Badminton, Tennis, Elite and with over 600 students providing locally based and accessible curriculum (identified by the participating. Further enrichment is offered through the Music, Art, AoC as an example of best practice in October 2018). The College STEM, Enterprise and Computing Academies. also works closely with partner schools to extend and enhance the 14-16 curriculum. Working closely with the LEP, the College aligns its adult provision against the Economic Development Strategy for Cornwall to offer All programmes comply with the mathematics and English conditions programmes which develop the workforce and create opportunities of funding, however, what distinguishes the college from other for employment. For example, the College offers professional providers nationally is the increased time allocation for these subjects qualifications in demand across the county, such as AAT Level 4 to support the intended progression pathways for learners into diploma in Accounting and the ILM Certificate in Management. In employment, Apprenticeship or higher education. addition, each year many learners are supported to gain GCSEs in English, maths or science to fulfil requirements of their profession. The College is the only provider in the county, and one of only 47 nationally to offer T Levels. The first three programmes which offer A wide range of publicity material is available through the website for a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the job’ experience during more details of the curriculum offer. an industry placement were rolled out in September 2020. From September 2021 seven more will start and the College continues to offer quality work placements of 45 days to many of its programmes, improving employment and Apprenticeship opportunities for learners.

08 European Projects

Truro and Penwith College is currently leading or delivering ten The College is also leading the Innovation in Higher Level Skills projects that are part-funded by the European Social Fund, which project, which works with businesses to address the Level 4+ skills have a have a combined financial allocation to the College of £4.89m gap, and from January 2021 will be involved in a £1.8m project led and are deployed by a team of over 50 staff. by the for employer-led course development for the Smart Specialisation sectors, with Truro and Penwith College At the time of writing the College is also awaiting appraisal decisions leading on the establishment of training pathways for the Space and on a further three European Social Fund applications that, if Aerospace industry. successful, would secure a further £1.59 million in investment for pre and post-entry Apprenticeship support, leadership and management Truro and Penwith College is leading or supporting the delivery of provision and the delivery of new higher level technical training. five workforce development projects that support adult learners Truro and Penwith College has secured investment as lead partner to access CPD and accredited provision in order to improve the for the new £6.87m Business Clusters project, which will run until performance of their organisation, develop their career or start a July 2023. This project will engage and support local SME and micro- new enterprise. Across these projects over 2,000 individuals will be businesses in economic priority sectors to determine their workforce engaged for support, all of whom will receive individual advice and skills needs and co-design and pilot new training programmes to guidance and financial assistance to negate barriers to participation. enhance the industry-relevance of the local educational offer. In To support the College’s Higher Level Skills offer, the College is addition to managing the consortia of eight partners, the College is a delivery partner in the successful ESF Widening Participation utilising its project funding to extend and enhance the successful through Skills project and has secured an additional ESF allocation of Hospitality Table Cornwall and REACH Cornwall initiatives, which £439,441 to raise awareness of and aspirations towards higher level support businesses in the Hospitality and Leisure industry and Health study until December 2022. and Social Care sector respectively. Truro and Penwith College is a key partner in the ESF Health During the pandemic the ESF projects have provided and funded Works for Cornwall project, which is led by Cornwall Development relevant and responsive online training for businesses, including Company, and is adding value to the existing Student Services offer the RESTORE2 tool to upskill care home staff to recognise the soft by providing specialist support for students with mental health issues signs of resident deterioration and a specifically tailored Food and to improve their wellbeing, emotional resilience and readiness to Nutrition in Care course to support learners made redundant from progress into the labour market or further study. the hospitality industry to adapt their skills to meet the kitchen staff shortages experienced in care homes.

The

Future 66 Truro and Penwith College students progressed to Higher Progression Education provision within Truro Perhaps the most important and Penwith College. outcome of any programme of study is the extent to which The most popular Higher it enables learners to move Education institutions accessed forward in their lives in the way were Bristol University of the that they had hoped. Not only West of England (102) and have our students’ academic (98). successes been outstanding, A high percentage of students personal aims and aspirations remained in the South West have also been achieved. studying a range of disciplines. The range of subjects being Looking Ahead At the end of the academic Truro and Penwith College (66), studied reflects the breadth of The College had another year 2019/20 1,118 students University of Exeter (95), Cardiff courses on offer at university outstandingly successful progressed onto Higher (49), (76), level. Some of the more year. We retain a very clear Education, with many more Bath Spa (44), Bristol (39) and unusual subjects that our sense of purpose and we onto employment or who were Cardiff Metropolitan University former students are currently are already planning new continuing in Further Education (31). reading include Creative Events initiatives and programmes in a new programme of study. Management, Diagnostic for the coming year. Changes Further afield, students can be Radiography, Audio & Music in government policies will Of the 1,118 students entering found in Bournemouth, Durham, Technology, Robotics, Podiatry, provide new challenges and new Higher Education, 85.6% York, Edinburgh, Brighton, Royal Zoology, Career Musician, opportunities. The College has progressed onto their first Holloway, Oxford Brookes, Pharmacology. Whether our the strength to move forward to choice of university. 311 Imperial, Manchester. 10 students are in employment, another period of outstanding students progressed to Russell students secured places to training, on a gap year or at success. Group universities with 14 study Medicine and Dentistry university, we wish them every accepting places at Oxford or and three for Veterinary Science. success for the future. Cambridge.

09

In 2019/20 Truro and Penwith College continued to fulfil its mission to provide the best possible learning experience, leading to the highest level of achievement. Our Students

The achievement rate (both overall and timely) and progression to employment for Apprentices, remains strong with The vast majority of students achieve and overall achievement rates over In Higher Education, over 270 make exceptional progress on their courses 10% above national averages. students gained qualifications The sustained improvement including 90 full honours gaining grades significantly higher than in Apprenticeship provision is degrees with 41% of students would be expected nationally. exemplified within the hair and achieving first class honours. beauty Apprenticeship provision which won the Hair and Beauty All these indicators confirm Overall achievement rates for The most recent Department for Apprenticeship Provider of that the College’s performance 2019/20 remained high, and Education Attainment Tables, the Year at the 2020 annual is well above both national indeed have improved since published in January 2020, Apprenticeship Awards held at and local averages. However, the outstanding Ofsted rating in shows the College performance the ICC Birmingham. The results student satisfaction is also 2016. Level 3 16-18 provision is significantly above both the of the most recent employer extremely high, with learners the most significant proportion Cornwall and national averages satisfaction survey ranked making the most of their time of overall provision, with an on the key measures relating the College as one of the top at College and experiencing achievement rate of 95.7%. to Academic (A Level and IB Apprenticeship providers in the a full and purposeful wider Diploma) and vocational applied South West with an employer curriculum as well as achieving general courses. The percentage satisfaction rating of 97.1%. their best. The most recent FE for sustained education, Choices places the College top employment or Apprenticeship In 2019/20 over 450 students in Cornwall and 7th of 167 GFE for Truro and Penwith is 81% achieved technical qualifications and tertiary college providers for placing it 21st of all colleges at Levels 1 to 3 in areas such as overall learner satisfaction. nationally. In addition, the Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, progress of disadvantaged Professional Cookery, Site students at the College exceeds Carpentry, Bench Joinery and that of non-disadvantaged Light Vehicle Maintenance. nationally. Over 115 Access to HE students achieved their diploma, with 84% progressing to their first choice universities, including 12% who progressed to HE courses at Truro and Penwith College.

11 Our Students

High levels of achievement, progress and high-grade performance continue to underpin the success of the College and its outstanding local and national reputation.

02

02 Charlotte Cummings is from Mullion and studied English A Level Courses Literature and Language, Dance and Sociology A Levels. She previously attended Mullion In the most recently published national data, the College is rated School. in the top 5% of all A Level providers nationally on the ALPS value added measure for student progress. This shows that students make “I came to an open day and better than expected progress at the College in relation to their prior everyone was really friendly. GCSE performance. This progress opens doors to students, many Some of my friends were of whom progress to their first-choice universities as a result of their coming here too and it just felt high-grade achievement. right above other colleges. It also offered all the courses I With nearly one thousand students completing their A Levels with wanted. The lecturers always Truro and Penwith College in 2019/2020, this represents one of had guidance when you were the largest cohorts in the country with almost half of all students struggling - They were just glad in Cornwall choosing the College as their A Level provider. With to help really. I’m going to take sustained, year on year success, the College maintains the highest 01 a gap year to gain experience in standards of achievement and progress across the widest range of A journalism before applying for a Level courses, coupled with high levels of pastoral support through degree in journalism, maybe at tutorial provision. 01 Joshua Barden is from either Bath or Cardiff.” St Austell and studied Overall, learners at the College secured a pass rate of 99.9% at Accounting, Geography and A Level, the highest ever achieved by the College. As in previous Mathematics A Levels. He years, high grades remain significantly higher than national averages, previously attended Penrice with 10% more students at the College gaining grades A*-B Academy. compared with nationally. “I really enjoyed all the lectures. The College’s leading local and national role in STEM (Science, They were teaching us to a Technology, Maths, and Engineering) remains evident, in both the really high standard and they high quality of student outcomes, and in the large and growing made everyone feel included volumes of entries in these subjects. which is good. They were always there to help, particularly my personal tutor. Truro College is widely renowned as the best in Cornwall, for me there was no other choice. I knew if I wanted a good education this was the place to come.”

12 03 Marlon Adams is from 04 Lara Read is from Redruth Sancreed and studied and studied Art & Design: Fine 03 Mathematics, Further Art, Illustration/Graphics and Mathematics and Physics A Classical Civilisation Levels. He previously attended A Levels. She previously . attended .

“The teaching is great. I was “Lecturers are really supportive mainly taught by Jamie, he and so enthusiastic about their taught two of my three subjects, subjects which is great. They’re he’s fantastic. Everyone is really constantly helping throughout friendly here. You’ll have a great the projects, giving help and time at Penwith College, it’s a advice. I definitely recommend much more relaxed environment it. It’s got such a broad range of than school. I’m going on to subjects that you can study and study Aerospace Engineering the lecturers are all specialists in with Pilot Studies at UWE Bristol them, so I think it’s definitely a next.” good choice.” 04

IB Diploma 06 Harriet Angelo-Sparling is from St Ives and studied Mathematics A Level and the The International Baccalaureate is an alternative to A Levels IB Diploma. She previously enabling students to study a broad range of six subjects, including attended Truro School. Languages, Sciences, Mathematics and the Arts in addition to Theory of Knowledge and Creativity Action & Service. “I chose Truro College because it’s number one in the UK for The Sunday Times Parent Power league tables 2020 ranked the the IB and I didn’t particularly IB Diploma at Truro College, recognised worldwide as an excellent know what I wanted to do at alternative to A Levels, as the top non-selective provider and in joint university so it just kept as many second place overall behind a selective grammar school. options open for me as possible. Truro College has offered the IB Diploma for 21 years and remains I think there’s just such a wide the only provider in Cornwall, with around 100 students studying range of courses here so you will across the two-year programme. definitely find something you like. The College is really helpful and In July 2020, the College celebrated an exceptional year of IB 06 flexible with what you want to results, with an average point score per student of 38, significantly do. They make sure you’re happy higher than the global average. 97% of students gained 30+ points and you will be able to progress (equivalent to 144 UCAS points or AAA for A Level) and 28% of in the way that you want to. the cohort gained 40 points or above (18% higher than the global average). “I’d advise prospective students to make the most of it, you’ll get out what you put in. If you want help, just say, you just have to 05 Finn Gallacher from St go and ask for it. You’re here Stephens studies the IB Diploma. to learn and they’ll help you 05 He previously attended Brannel so much. All the lecturers are School. actually so willing to help you.”

“I’d say that the IB allows you to get a broad understanding of a variety of subjects, allowing you to adapt and change your future path, if you decide to. It’s like a metaphorical safety net. After this course I hope to be going to either Kings University or Cardiff University to study Dentistry.”

13 Our Students

Vocational Courses 01

Achievement levels on vocational programmes also remain high. Almost 900 students achieved their L3 Extended Diplomas (equivalent to three A Levels). On BTEC courses two thirds of these students gained at least three Distinction grades, with over 200 students achieving the highest possible grade of Triple Distinction Star. Over 100 students following University of Arts for London Extended Diploma creative arts and media-based courses gained the highest Distinction grade (40% of completers compared to 23% national benchmark). Level 2 vocational programmes high grade achievement was also above national averages.

The most recently published technical level completion and attainment scores show positive outcomes for learners at the College, far exceeding national and local levels in areas such as 02 Accountancy, Beauty Therapy, Catering, Construction, Hairdressing and Light Vehicle Maintenance. Many students have successfully progressed onto higher level study or into Higher Education, Apprenticeships and employment. 01 Chloe Giltjes-Vincent is from 02 Andrei Jurma has completed Threemilestone and studied the his full-time studies at the Applied Science - Analytical College and is currently working and Forensic Science Level for us as a Hospitality Supervisor 3 Extended Diploma. She Apprentice in our training 03 Cooper Clarke is from previously attended Richard Restaurant, Senara. and studies the Public Services Lander School. 03 Level 3 Extended Diploma. “It is a very interesting and He previously attended Hayle “The support that I received satisfying subject and there Community School. from the lecturers and everyone are many opportunities for around me was great. I’m so employment with these skills. “I like the freedom that the happy that I picked the diploma, My time here has been great. We different course elements offer. it was really good. I’m hoping go have had the opportunity to work It has a bit of citizenship and it to university at Exeter to study with a variety of top chefs over has a bit of the life of the public Marine Biology.” the year and also work with them services. It also involves a lot at some big events. It has taught of teamwork. We act as if we’re me a variety of new skills.” a family and we’re quite close when we go out on expeditions. It’s great if you’re not sure what you want to do because it gives 04 Courtney Bray is from you more options than just Helston and studied the 04 joining the military. It includes all Health and Social Care Level the emergency services, public 3 Extended Diploma. She services and even education if previously attended Mullion you want to become a teacher. School. Compared to my old school I get a lot more independence here, “I’ve really enjoyed it. The it’s just like the real world.” lecturers are really helpful with anything you need and they’ll use their time to help you. They are very patient which is nice and they always do their best to help you to get you where you want to be. I’m planning to progress into Adult & Mental Health Nursing with Plymouth University in the Truro Knowledge Spa.”

14 Vocational Skills & Foundation Studies

The range of teaching specialisms and approaches deployed by high The courses focus on developing skills required for the working needs staff, supporting students on mainstream courses, helps the environment and improving learners’ confidence and communication development of whole College teaching staff through understanding skills. The programme is individually designed with meaningful work of a wider range of learning disabilities, with clear whole College experience aligned against career intention and qualifications across benefits in meeting learning styles and students’ needs; improving the ability range. It is leading the roll out of new extended work retention and success and aiding sustainability. Embedding placements as one of only 47 providers nationally to be selected to equality and diversity is a priority ranking the College 18th of 600 pilot the new T Levels from 2020. organisations across the UK, for its work on equality, diversity and inclusion. 05 Francesca Goff from The College’s high needs provision is constructed around the four Camborne studies Access main specialist areas of complex Autism, severe and profound and Inclusive Learning. Francesca multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), moderate learning difficulties previously attended Pool (MLD) and severe mental health. High quality high needs provision Academy. is rare. The provision was rated outstanding by Ofsted and in the academic year 2018/19 received a commendation from Association “I like College because I like to of Colleges, which recognises the best and most innovative activities be with my friends and have fun. in colleges nationally. I enjoy all my lessons but especially Boxercise. I get lots The breadth of curriculum continues to address the demand from of support with my English and students wishing to eventually progress onto an Apprenticeship, full- Maths.” time employment or further learning. Collectively known as Personal and Professional Development, these successful courses have gained interest from the DfE as a part of their research into transition onto the new T Levels.

05

Part-time Courses

In 2019/20, Truro and Penwith College had approximately 4200 part-time students studying a wide range of daytime and evening courses designed to inspire our adult learners. The Part-time Courses provision includes an wide range of courses at all levels. We encourage students to achieve their aims either through gaining a qualification, learning a new skill, continuing a hobby or following an interest while meeting new friends. Courses are offered at a variety of locations including village halls and local schools as well as the main College campuses. All our qualification based courses moved to remote learning at the end of March 2020 due to Covid alongside a number of recreational courses in French conversation, Japanese and recreational photography.

06 Krisztina Beres VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Women’s Hairdressing course at Truro College.

“I had no background or previous training but I always loved to do hair so I felt it was time to start training. I joined VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Women’s Hairdressing course as I wanted to learn something new and thought this was the most suitable course for me as a beginner to hairdressing. I spoke with the tutor and confirmed it would be suitable for me. It was a little bit hard to get to Truro from St Austell every Tuesday evening, especially as I needed to go via train but I managed to do it and it was worth it! The course was really good and I learned a lot. The lecturer, Ann, is amazing. She does everything for you to learn and be the best in what you do.

I enjoyed the course so much that I signed up for the VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Womens Hairdressing course and started this in November. In the future I hope that I can work full time as a 06 hairdresser. I would highly recommend the course - it is really good and you learn a lot.”

15 Our Students

Higher Education

Truro and Penwith College currently offers over 30 university level courses from Level 4 Higher National Certificates to Level 6 Honours 01 Degrees alongside a range of teacher training courses and higher Apprenticeships. Despite the impact of Covid 19 and resulting lockdown, we were able to continue delivery with an online timetable and adjust assessment so that students were able to complete their studies successfully.

Over 300 students graduated from the higher education programmes in 2020, with 92 students graduating with full honours, including 37 awards for first class degree honours and 34 with an upper second. A further 138 graduated with a Foundation Degree or a Higher National Diploma, 90 with a distinction or merit grade, and 17 students graduated with a teaching qualification in education and training.

Foundation degree and HND graduates at the College have local progression routes through to a full honours degree, which is a great 02 achievement and wonderful opportunity for students to complete their HE journey in Cornwall. Higher education at Truro and Penwith College continues to provide excellent opportunities for students to find professional jobs in the local area and goes from strength to 01 Jess Turner 02 Tim Nixon strength with students giving the College their vote of confidence HND Art & Design Postgraduate Certificate in through the National Student Survey (NSS), where teaching and Education learning, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation With her family owning a gallery and management, learning community and student voice were all in Newlyn and her mother Two years after completing his ranked above both national and benchmark levels by our students. being an artist, it was without PGCE at Truro College, Tim doubt that Jess Turner would Nixon can call himself an Ofsted The College continues to develop opportunities for learners in follow in her family’s footsteps. ‘Outstanding’ Teacher, as the Cornwall with the BSc Human Behavioural Studies successfully Jess started her own artistic team of teachers at Callywith recruiting its first cohort at Penwith College and new courses offered career when she first enrolled College achieved the highest in FdA Teaching and Learning, FdA Youth Social and Community on to an evening course in rating from the Government Studies and our first full 3 year degree, the BSc Applied Sport and Silversmithing. Along with a body. Tim, who originally Health Science, under development for a 2022 start. This year we passion for photography and studied a BTEC in Sport at Truro have started a new partnership with the University of Greenwich and teaching herself how to enamel, College left the county to study are offering the FdSc Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship in Jess went on to start her own Sport and Physical Education partnership with Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and we expect to business, The Enamel House, at Cardiff Met. After Graduating, have over 150 students studying on the programme in 2021/22. whilst also running enamelling Tim began to coach football workshops. Not wanting to which is when he realised that The College is the only Cornish partner in the South West Institute of leave Penzance, Jess wanted he wanted to follow a career in Technology; a collaboration of further education colleges, universities to further her career and teaching. Tim returned to the and employers that aims to bridge the gap in training opportunities enrolled in the Access to HE: College to complete his full-time by offering local people the chance to study a vocational alternative Creative Media course before PGCE. to university, from Higher Level Apprenticeships through to Masters progressing on to the HND Art & degree level, without having to leave the region. The HND Mechanical Design, based in the prestigious “It was a big jump between Engineering, BSc Applied Computing Technologies, FdSc Computer Penzance School of Art. my undergrad and the PGCE Technology and FdSc Cyber Security will be first IoT courses in terms of how much you delivered in the new Truro Campus Institute of Technology building in “The team are so friendly, I love were doing because you were the Summer term of 2021. Alongside this development a new Truro the building here, it’s so inspiring physically practicing your and Penwith College STEM and Health building will be constructed and you can get creative. teaching as well as studying. in Bodmin to support the development of new opportunities in Knowing that the HND is good It was a challenging year but it Higher Education for learners on Institute of Technology and Nursing to get into employment, I found was one of the most rewarding.” courses in mid and north Cornwall. it easier to do that rather than move away for a full degree.”

16 Truro and Penwith College works in partnership with many primary Cornwall SCITT and secondary schools across Cornwall and the , to combine as Cornwall School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT). The College holds governance responsibility for the course and hosts the secondary professional studies PGCE programme. The primary 03 Danielle Overend course is based at Heartlands in Pool. Cornwall SCITT Trainee Teacher The Cornwall SCITT course leads to Qualified Teacher Status “After managing a project that (QTS) for teaching either at primary or secondary level. Successful allowed me to work in Cornish trainees also have the option to study for a Postgraduate Certificate schools, I realised how much I in Education (60 credits at Masters-level) awarded by Bath Spa enjoyed being in the classroom University but delivered by Cornwall SCITT. and decided to take the leap into teaching. I was nervous to The majority of the 2019/20 cohort were successful in gaining return to education, but I’ve not employment in schools before the end of the training year. The looked back since. current cohort has just under 100 trainees across the primary and secondary routes. Cornwall SCITT was awarded ‘Outstanding ITT “As a student teacher I have Provider’ status by Ofsted in 2016, sustaining its national reputation been able to acquire invaluable for excellence. The SCITT programme is now in its 21st year and classroom experience in key provides a one-year, full-time secondary teacher training programme stages three to five. SCITT across specialist subject areas: Art; Computer Science; Design and appealed to me because of Technology; English; Geography; History; Mathematics; Modern the school centred approach 03 Languages; Music; PE, RE and the Sciences. The two primary to training. Being able to courses span Early Years & Key Stage 1, or 5-11. observe others teaching has been a great benefit, and I’ve This successful partnership also underpins the School Direct model thoroughly enjoyed evolving my of Initial Teacher Training for which the College is the lead body on own sense of self as a teacher. “The team at College are behalf of the Cornwall Teaching School. The SCITT also supports Whilst training I have a gained incredibly supportive and my Applied Minds & Aspire Teaching Schools as the Accredited Provider a greater understanding of experience in partner schools for their School Direct programmes, which has enabled further education and further developed was invaluable. Life always growth in opportunities to teach in the county, including Salaried my passion for multi-faceted throws some bumps in the road, options and the Assessment Only Route. learning. At the beginning of the but even a global pandemic course, I had many trepidations, could not hinder our experience! We also support other providers of ITT by offering End Point but the College and the PGCE It is fast paced, adaptive and Assessments for the Level 6 Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship. element are truly beneficial for progressive and I feel honoured Our involvement in national initiatives includes introducing ITT into developing your understanding to be able to begin my career as geographically remote schools or schools in challenging contexts as of theory and practice in a teacher.” part of a select DfE pilot to encourage recruitment and retention of education. high-quality teachers. Access to Higher Education 04

Access to HE courses provide mature students (19+) with a one-year programme of study to enable progression to higher education. The College offers courses ranging from Art and Design, Humanities, Teaching and Law, Psychology and Social Work to Medicine and Science. 116 students gained their Access to HE diplomas with 84% progressing to universities of their choice, including over 12% who progressed to HE courses at Truro and Penwith College.

Many of our students have family commitments in Cornwall and therefore choose to progress onto higher education courses locally. Many of our Health and Social Care students progress to the University of Plymouth and students from Creative Media & Photography, Computing, Humanities, Psychology and Health and Social Care commonly progress to higher education courses at Truro and Penwith College. Progression routes from other diplomas is more varied. Science students apply to a wide range of courses and progress to universities near and far including Russell Group Universities such as Exeter and Cardiff.

04 Andrew Johnson Access to Higher Education: Science After 20 years out of education, and with a dream of becoming a Sonographer, Andy enrolled in the Access to HE: Science course. Andy is now studying a Medical Imaging Degree at the University of Exeter. “After a few years trying to find a reliable and somewhat well-paying job in Cornwall, I decided that Access Science was what I needed to do to change the way my life was going. The Access course got me back into the mindset of learning, of trying to understand new and difficult concepts and working through problems. It has reminded me the importance of discipline and self-motivation. Truro is a nice college and the staff genuinely want you to do well, and I was surprised at how much support was there for students. Access can be a serious amount of work but don’t give up, if you keep turning up and do your best you absolutely can do it.’’

17 Truro & Penwith College Business

Truro and Penwith College Business spearheads engagement The outstanding Business and Professional team continued to with local businesses on behalf of the College. This includes a provide management training, bespoke development programmes dedicated Business Development team representing all vocational and business focused Apprenticeships. The team receive excellent areas, which actively works with 1,500 local businesses supporting feedback, with 100% of ILM learners reporting a positive impact on identification and fulfilment of workforce development needs. The their management practices and 100% of Apprentices commending team work in partnership with employers, supporting them to access support they receive. An outstanding example of bespoke provision Apprenticeships, short courses, bespoke training, ESF projects, work is the Admin Excellence programme, designed for Royal Cornwall placements and HE provision. Hospital Trust, receiving recognition from both the CEO and Health Education England and now being rolled out to other organisations. The team maintain a focus on Apprenticeships, completing the move to Apprenticeship standards and supporting both Apprentices Despite the current crisis Truro and Penwith College Business and their employers throughout the pandemic. This has included continues to see a growth in bespoke management training, working an increase in the support for Apprentices, enabling them to with businesses to design custom-made training programmes. navigate through remote working and continue to progress on These regularly include 1:1 coaching, action learning and 360 degree their Apprenticeship whilst on furlough. Apprenticeship provision feedback and workplace improvement projects. Psychometric tools continues to evolve and expand in relation to local business need, to support reflection and self-awareness are also in development. which has seen a particular growth in health and nursing related programmes. The team continue to champion Apprenticeships, The team offer excellent ESOL provision which continues to expand, demonstrating the role that Apprentices and Apprenticeship training going beyond the classroom to support learners to integrate with can play in economic recovery and business model evolution. the local community. Partnerships are well developed locally with the LEP, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and the Growth and Skills Hub, with support being provided to Town BIDs.

Bespoke Development Purposely designed One-to-one training Coaching Solutions sessions

Coaching ILM or training for City & Guilds internal accreditation Standard, off-the-shelf training packages do not always match managers requirements. We have the flexibility to be able to offer bespoke Bespoke courses designed in partnership with employers. These can include; ILM accreditation, coaching, 360 degree feedback, psychometric Development assessments, action learning sets and facilitated workplace projects. Solutions 360 degree Psychometric Bespoke courses are available in a broad range of subject areas feedback assessments including leadership and management, marketing, coaching, computing and IT, customer service and English for speakers of other languages. Business Action Improvement Learning Projects Sets

Achievement & satisfaction Rates

Recent data from the 97.1% 81.2% Department for Education (DfE) demonstrates that the College’s Overall Overall Apprenticeship achievement employer Apprenticeship rates are 17% above the satisfaction achievement national average, placing us in rate rate the top 10 of all 167 College 13% 17% providers in the UK. above the above the national national average 84.3% 64.7% average The DfE’s Employer Satisfaction Survey ranked the College as National National one of the top providers in the average average South West with a satisfaction rating of 97.1%.

18 02 Supporting businesses through the COVID crisis 01 The College took swift action to support the local business community during the first lockdown and has consolidated this support into an ongoing offer to bolster economic recovery.

The ILM management offer was redesigned into bite sized, highly engaging courses that had a proven impact on an individual and business level. Managers reported that these provided an invaluable, safe space to examine and resolve the unique business challenges presented by the COVID crisis. Key business leaders were also supported with individual coaching to support them to steer their teams through the crisis and to help them manage the pressures this placed upon them as individuals.

A series of remote seminars were developed to enable businesses to respond to the crisis and make changes necessary to adapt and prosper. These focused on; change management, online selling and 01 New partnership boosts nursing numbers in Cornwall digital marketing.

An exciting new partnership between the College, Royal Cornwall Remote training was designed for local health and social care Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) and the University of Greenwich, saw providers who were put under particular pressure. These directly a new Level 5 Nursing Associate Apprenticeship introduced in responded to feedback from the sector and covered subjects such June 2020. The Apprenticeship will fill over 100 Nursing Associate as; PPE, HR and staffing, mental health and emotional wellbeing, positions; a new role created by the NHS to bridge the gap between finance and Restore2, which supports effective triage of deteriorating a healthcare assistant and registered nurse. residents.

The training allows learners to study a foundation degree level qualification from the University of Greenwich, one of the leading nursing universities in the UK, without leaving Cornwall, and fulfils the 02 need for more nurses on the frontline of Cornwall’s NHS.

The College was the first general further education provider to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s list of approved education providers and has invested in a new state-of-the-art hospital simulation suite at Truro College. This has been further developed with funding from Health Education England to prepare for delivery of the Operating Department Practitioner Apprenticeship.

A two-year Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship was also delivered to NHS staff for the first time in 2020 and is designed to provide those with no previous experience or supporting qualification, an opportunity to progress their career in health and enhance their valuable contribution to patient care.

Learners completing the Level 3 can progress onto the Level 5 Nursing Associate qualification and then Level 6 Registered Nurse, providing a direct route into fully qualified nursing careers.

Proud to be working with

19 Contact Truro and Penwith College, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, England TR1 3XX telephone: 01872 267000 email: [email protected] web: truro-penwith.ac.uk facebook: truro.penwith.college twitter: @truro_penwith

Martin Tucker Truro and Penwith College Principal

If you require this document in any other format please contact Truro and Penwith College on 01872 267000.

Truro & Penwith College Governors who served on the Corporation during the year ending 31 July 2020

Dr D Collins B.VET.MED, MRCVS : Veterinary Surgeon/Civil Servant, Animal Plant Health Agency Sir R Owen DL (Hon) : Retired High Court Judge Mrs K Ashworth LLB (Hons) : Director, The Nare Hotel Mrs L Batchelor LLB (Hons) : Retired Lecturer Mr T Hughes : Student Governor (Penwith) Mr P Callen MBBS (London), FRCS (England), FRCOG : Retired Consultant Gynaecologist Mr R Crossland (Chair) : Former Drug and Alcohol Action Team Manager Ms S Russell : Student Governor (HE) Mrs E Seward-Adams : Staff Governor Ms K Wells : Student Governor (Truro) Ms S Sanderson : Conference and Events Logistics Consultant Dr E Sheridan BSc (Hons), PhD (London), JP : Former BT Regional Director Ms D Skinnard : Assistant Editor, BBC Radio Cornwall Mr D Walrond OBE MA, MBA, PGCE : Principal, Truro and Penwith College Mr K Wilson BA, MSc : Retired Assistant Director of Education Mrs J Woodhouse BSc (Hons) : Executive Head (, & ) Mr A Young ACA (ICAEW) : CEO, Coastline Housing Mr M Cooper OBE BA (Hons), PGCE : Retired Principal Mr R Townsend BSc (Hons), FCCA : Finance Manager, Cornwall Museums Partnership

The purpose of the College is to provide the best possible learning experience, Mission Statement: leading to the highest possible level of achievement by our students.