Blackburn College Annual Report 2019 / 2020 Contents
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Blackburn College Annual Report 2019 / 2020 Contents About Blackburn College 4 Mission Statement 5 Key Facts 6-7 Ofsted Review 8-9 Our Further Education Stars 10-15 Great Graduates 16-17 Heroes of Lockdown 18-21 Working with our Community 22-25 Advancing our Curriculum 26-27 Improving Employability Prospects 28-29 Looking Ahead to 2021 30-31 Income and Expenditure Summary 32 Student and Staff Breakdwon 33 Corporation Board 34 Welcome from the Chair of Welcome from the Principal the Corporation Board and Chief Executive Welcome to Blackburn College’s Annual Report for the 2019/2020 As we reflect on the academic year 2019/2020, Blackburn academic year on behalf of the College’s Corporation Board. College can be proud of how it has dealt with the challenges that COVID-19 has thrown our way. There is no doubt that the challenges As Chair, I am proud of the way brought about by COVID-19 have that staff at Blackburn College have The first national lockdown forced This success means that students According to the 2020 National sent a shockwave through the world embraced the necessary changes and us to rethink our delivery strategy, have progressed to top Universities Student Survey (NSS), Blackburn of education in the UK; not least here new ways of working, as well as the moving all teaching online and across the country such as University Centre has Lancashire’s at Blackburn College and Blackburn way that our students have responded adapting to staff’s working from Lancaster University, The University highest overall satisfaction increase University Centre. so positively. All of their work has been home processes. of Manchester and The University of and a higher student satisfaction than recognised by Ofsted – please see Leeds. universities across the UK – ranking Despite this, I am proud to report that pages 8 and 9. Despite the remote working for 3% above the national benchmark. the College has still celebrated an staff and the remote learning for After being rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, overall 90% pass rate across all the Through care, enthusiasm and a clear students, the College saw some our Apprenticeship provision continues In 2021, Blackburn College will Further Education courses through focus on teaching and learning, we incredibly inspiring initiative from to go from strength to strength. continue to play a critical role in the 2019/20 academic year, while 1 remain passionate and excited about staff and students during tough enhancing the lives of thousands of in 6 undergraduate students gained providing the very best all-round times. We celebrate our lockdown Blackburn College is Top 10 in students, our local community and a First Class Honours degrees from our education for our students. This is heroes on pages 18 to 21. England when it comes to 16-18 year variety of businesses. University Centre. done to equip them with the skills, old Advanced Apprentice Success knowledge and self-confidence they Even though 2020 was a and the College is the Best in Pennine I hope you will enjoy reading about Unprecedented is the frequently need to embark on successful careers demanding year for education Lancashire when it comes to All Age some of our successes from 2019/20. used adjective to describe the turmoil in this ever-changing world. in general, Blackburn College Apprentice Success. caused by the Coronavirus. There achieved outstanding results Dr Fazal Dad has been no blueprint to follow. It has Lillian Croston with an overall 91% Achievement Meanwhile, over 95% of degree Principal and Chief Executive courses delivered at Blackburn been hard for staff, students and their Chair of the Corporation Board Rate across all Further Education families alike. It has needed good courses, a 100% Pass Rate in 21 University Centre continue to be communication, drive, energy, creative A-Level Subjects and an overall validated by UK Top 10 Lancaster thinking, determination and a positive 99.7% A-Level Pass Rate for University. This year graduates have outlook in order to make progress and the 2019/20 academic year; this gained employment in a range of succeed. included a 3.4% increase in A* sectors including Construction, Mental grades and an 8.6% increase in A Wellbeing, Business Advisory, Early grades. Years and Childcare and Primary School Teaching. 2 3 About Blackburn College Our Mission, Our Vision, Our Values Blackburn College is the largest Further Education College in With a turnover of £37 million across Further Education, Pennine Lancashire and one of the largest providers of Higher Higher Education and Training, we take a lead role in Education for a College in England. Since 1888, people from transforming Pennine Lancashire into a vibrant and successful all over Lancashire and beyond have developed their skills, economy through education and training that enhances the retrained and moved to higher levels of study with Blackburn skills, aspirations and potential of the local economy. College’s support. Blackburn College is at the heart We have successfully fostered The College is a founder member of We aim to develop people through learning and achievement for the benefit of of the multi-racial community of excellent relationships with local and HIVE – the Blackburn with Darwen themselves, society and the economy. Our focus is on meeting national and Our Values Blackburn with Darwen and aims to regional partners and employers. This Business Leaders’ Network. HIVE has regional education, skills and employability needs for individuals and the needs provide social cohesion in an area of results in a curriculum that meets local already become an integral part of of employers in line with Government priorities. high deprivation. The College works and regional needs and provides high the area’s Local Strategic Partnership, Excellence with a range of local partnerships to quality work experience for students which brings together leading We deliver quality education, training, employability and work-based We strive for excellence to realise contribute to the wider prosperity and and Apprentices. figures from the private, public and learning solutions to thousands of organisations and learners. These include the potential of our students and regeneration of Pennine Lancashire. third sectors and is Blackburn and Government-funded and commercial skills training and education, bespoke staff. We deliver specialist, bespoke Darwen’s largest partnership body. professional courses, employability services and regional training contracts. The majority of students and training as well as Apprenticeships, Apprentices are from the most Traineeships and Professional The College has also been a key Knowledge economically deprived local areas. Qualifications, all of which equip the partner in the Blackburn Business Around a third of students and workforce with job relevant skills Improvement District (BID) for the Our Mission We promote the value of learning Apprentices are of minority ethnic that match the current employment last five years, supporting many local in fostering curious minds and to heritage and almost two thirds of market. improvements. Transforming students’ lives and our community, through aid the acquisition of knowledge Further Education students enrol at and skills. the College without having achieved Blackburn University Centre also excellent education, training and support. five GCSEs at grades 9 - 4 (A* - C), provides Higher Education to including English and Mathematics. students, including Foundation Empowerment Degrees, Honours Degrees, Our Vision We empower our learners Blackburn with Darwen is a ‘Prevent’ Higher Level and Degree Level to change their lives through priority area and 14% of the local Apprenticeships. Our employer Aspiring, innovating and achieving through excellence. education and training. population have no qualifications. engagement supports employability Millions of pounds have been through enhancements to curriculum invested in our world class, town development, mentoring placements, Equality centre campus which was developed volunteering opportunities and industry collaboratively with employers and specialist speakers. We promote equality and diversity stakeholders to help future proof our in our teaching, training, support curriculum and ensure our students and customer services. are taught in industry-standard facilities. Commitment We are committed to the education, training and support of our students and staff. Respect We treat everyone equally and with respect. 4 5 Key Facts Further Education Higher Education Apprenticeships We believe the College’s Student Support Over 95% of Blackburn University Centre Our Apprenticeship programmes have clear Package for School Leavers (ages 16-18) is degrees are validated by UK Top 10 progression pathways from Traineeships/ the best in Pennine Lancashire: Lancaster University Flying Start programme, to Intermediate, Advanced, Higher and Degree Level, • Free and Low Cost Travel Pass • Our other awarding bodies include the meaning our Apprenticeships are: • £1,000 Scholarships University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and the University of South Wales • Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted • Free Breakfast • Top 10 in England for 16-18 Year Old Blackburn University Centre has… • Free Wi-Fi across the campus Advanced Apprentice Success* • Advance Employability Programme • Higher Student Satisfaction than • The Best in Pennine Lancashire for All Age • Work placements Universities across the UK*** Apprentice Success** • Guaranteed progression opportunities • Lancashire’s highest