Oaklands College Strategy

Contents

Chair’s Foreword 2 Principal’s Foreword 3 Strategic Aims 4 Students 5 Employers, Skills and Economic Growth 10 Community 15 People 18 Money 21

Oaklands College Strategy 1

Chair’s Foreword Principal’s Foreword

Oaklands’ Corporation has given much consideration to the Oaklands College purpose is to realise the potential of its strategic direction and educational character of the College. communities. This strategic plan focuses on the key areas that We have concluded that as much emphasis should be placed will enable us to achieve this purpose. on the cultural values and behaviours at Oaklands as on the We are committed to ensuring that our students We will recognise and reward the people hard strategic intent. This is why our values and mission feature reach their full potential. We will focus on not that enable the College to deliver its mission prominently on the cover of this publication. We look for people only what they need to be successful on their and vision. We will actively seek out talent course but what they will need to be successful within the organisation and provide talented who share our values when making key appointments to both in their future work and personal lives. We will staff with the opportunities to increase their the professional staff and Corporation members. In short, ensure that our students achieve the best that impact on the organisation. We will continue it matters to us not only that good results are obtained but they can by looking at their individual needs to place great emphasis on the values of the and ambitions, by listening to what they tell us organisation which are centred on achieving equally, how they are obtained. about their experiences, and by providing them student success. We will encourage all staff to with the best possible learning environments. engage in continuous professional development This is why we have a student and community We have just launched an exciting new We have a key role to play in delivering the and will ensure that all curriculum staff update focus, not simply a results focus, which we see venture with the University of skills that employers need to help drive their industry knowledge on a regular basis. as an outcome of our student centred approach. which we see as both an endorsement of our economic growth. We will take the time to We will continue to invest in teaching, The results of this strategy are borne out by capability and an opportunity for considerable understand the technical, academic, practical, learning and assessment, quality, the student Oaklands’ recent OFSTED reports. Our overall development in the Higher Education sector. and softer skills that are needed now and in the experience and in updating and improving the aim is to go beyond mere results and also equip Financially, we are a large General Further future. We will engage with employers so that learning environment. In order to achieve this our students with the life skills they need to Education College. The Corporation believes we we can be part of the solutions to the problems we will look for new opportunities to raise maximise their opportunities. are well placed to meet foreseeable challenges they face. We will develop new curriculum money from different sources, and continue to Turning to the harder issues of our plan, we with no debt and a strong cash generating offers at all levels wherever they are needed drive efficiencies in functions which do not add have recently opened the new £13m Discovery capability, coupled with a constant drive for to drive growth and to provide the skilled value to the student experience. Centre at Campus, including efficiency and new opportunities. I commend workforce of tomorrow. The coming years will undoubtedly continue classrooms, art facilities, sports hall and this plan to place Oaklands College at the heart We will place ourselves at the heart of our to provide change and to provide challenges outdoor pitches. We also have plans for a much of your community. community. We will ensure that we will offer to the College, the sector, the economy and to more ambitious £51m development at St Albans the programmes, skills and aspirations that the country. Oaklands College has a key role Campus as well as a £3.5m uplift at Welwyn our local communities need. We will develop to play in adapting to these changes and in Garden City Campus over the next few years. relationships with key local stakeholders rising to the challenges to ensure that our local These improvements, taken with the unique which are focused on delivering real solutions communities can realise their potential and that open campus environment that we offer, will to individuals. We will play an active role in we are providing our students with an amazing create a world class learning environment for Phil Thompson, Chair Oaklands College Corporation putting on, hosting and participating in events experience with outstanding learning so they all our students. that benefit the community. We will undertake are ready to take on the world. community projects that provide real work experience for our students and which support our communities. Zoe Hancock, Principal

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Strategic Aims Students

The College has identified three strategic aims to help deliver its mission, vision and values: Vocational qualifications must be rigorous so they High Quality qualify a worker to practise in their chosen role. Responsive Curriculum Offer If a qualification is not a passport to a job or a higher l Responding to change level of education it has no purpose. Training that l Listening and reacting does not take learners further than when they Focus on: started a course can be worse than useless. Specialisms

Success Rigour and Responsiveness April 2013, Individuals Department for Education and Department for Business Innovation and Skills 1 Continuous quality improvement

Talented and valued workforce l A challenging but supportive culture where everyone takes ownership of the mission, vision 2 and values of the College

Financial sustainability l Ensure that the income received in year is supporting existing students l Enable the build-up of funds to support continued improvements in the College l New and flexible curriculum delivery models 3 exceeding minimum contribution levels

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Employability Individual Skills Target setting

Student Additional Learning Support Personalised Learning Positive destinations and work experience Reward and Success English and Recognition Maths (ALS) is a vital element of enabling our students It’s All About You – the College has developed It is really important that the College enables to succeed. The Additional Learning Support a unique programme of accessible activities, students to achieve positive destinations as well team has refocused in the last year and the tutorials and workshops to allow students as being successful in their qualifications. support they provide is centred on the to develop the skills they need to take on A positive destination is progressing on Stretch and Assessment following challenges: the world. to further or higher education, or into the Challenge and Feedback workplace. of the key areas of focus for l To enable students to achieve with These activities have been created with four appropriate support that diminishes as they clear paths: the College in the coming years is making sure grow in confidence that all students have access to relevant and 1 Personal skills (such as presenting meaningful work experience as part of their Student Success – Curriculum Focus l To support students who need adjustments in public, social media) programme of study. to access their course The College will have a really clear focus on 2 Life skills (such as citizenship, This work experience will obviously be different individual student needs throughout their l To support students to fulfil their potential. managing your money, staying safe) depending on the nature of the programme learning journey as outlined above to ensure 3 Give it a go (such as cookery, being studied and its level. What is of critical Additional Learning Support is available for the appropriate level of support is provided to essential car maintenance) importance is that the students gain the enable them to succeed. Students will have students across the College. Support is offered essential skills and knowledge that will help access to a range of advice, guidance and to students with specific difficulties, disabilities, 4 Life after College (such as starting your them to secure a job. In addition to technical support to help them develop as individuals, literacy and numeracy support needs, mental own business, selling yourself) work skills it is equally vital that the College to realise their future goals and aspirations ill health issues or for whom English is a ensures that students have the English, Maths The sessions will be bookable by students to enable them to reach their full potential. second language. Students with a wide range of and behavioural skills that employers often cite and will run cross-college at various times of The College will offer an exciting curriculum, difficulties and disabilities are supported. as being absent today. the day and across the year. These activities developing innovative practices to deliver In the coming years the ALS team will be will really enable students to engage with The focus on student success and personalised a personalised and engaging learning increasingly focused on ensuring that all the broader skills or experience they need in learning are the means by which the College experience. In particular the College will place students who need additional support are order to be successful both during their time at will look to address this need. increasing emphasis on the employability identified as early as possible, are encouraged College and afterwards. skills our students need to succeed. Their to take up the support by clearly demonstrating achievement on a particular qualification and the benefits and on making sure that a very their technical knowledge will be a given, but close link with tutors exists to enable effective we will particularly focus on providing the integrated target setting, support and review. behavioural and softer work skills that our This will guarantee that they are providing an students will need to secure employment and to outstanding support to our students which is an be successful in their chosen careers. exemplar in the sector.

6 Oaklands College Strategy Oaklands College Strategy 7 St Albans Masterplan development: Masterplan: The College is planning a £51m redevelopment The College is planning to invest £3.5m in of the Campus to address a number of issues, improvements to the Welwyn Campus and is particularly the inadequacy of the current seeking funding of an additional £1.75m from teaching environment and the inefficiency the Skills Funding Agency to enable a more of the buildings. comprehensive scheme to be delivered. The The new development will include: initial phase addresses the campus’ most urgent property and curriculum needs: l A new Gateway building, providing a l landmark entrance and one-stop shop for Refurbishment and improved accessibility of current engineering provision plus Student Voice students, staff, community users and visitors to the College, as well as new, bespoke conversion of current performing arts Students have requested that the student longer mandatory and will continue to support provision for students with moderate spaces which will be remodelled and representation system develops into a more staff to further enhance and develop their learning and behavioural difficulties. This extended to accommodate the extra formal Student Union that is affiliated with the teaching knowledge and practice as well as will replace the current facilities which are demand for engineering National Union of Students. It will include the ensuring their own specialisms are kept up to not ideally located and are also too small to l Relocation of Performing Arts into an under roles of President and Vice-President and there date and in line with industry best practice. satisfy the current needs of the College utilised gym space that will be remodelled to will be a number of groups which students Learning spaces will be of a high standard, create 2 performing arts/dance spaces can become members of depending on their l A new Science and Teaching building which to industry specification and ensure students will satisfy the needs of teaching staff and l Refurbishment, internal reconfiguration and interests, including social media, employability, have the best possible opportunities to succeed events, higher education and so forth. students, while also being flexible to adapt to expansion of the entrance, LRC and student – to support this objective the College will be changing requirements over time services to address DDA compliance, improve The College will also be increasing and making much needed investment in both of its poor condition of accommodation and provide enhancing the way it can get feedback from main campuses. l A new Construction and Engineering building which will provide specialist and innovative adequate and suitable learning and support students to provide the opportunity to ensure space for students including much improved that continuous improvements can take place. accommodation for an area of the curriculum Sustainability: which continues to experience high demand information, advice and guidance The College is committed to the principle from students and employers alike. The l Focus on quality improvement Replacement of single glazed windows, and practice of environmental protection and skills this area serves are also a key priority roof insulation and heating infrastructure Continuous improvement in the quality of sustainable development, with a focus on of the Hertfordshire LEP upgrades to include replacement of 1960’s everything the College does is the most continuing improvement and reducing pollution. and 1970’s heat emitters pipework. important focus. There has been investment l Purpose-built accommodation for the The College will seek to improve its 16-18 year olds living on-site, to replace in the Quality Team to enhance the range of The proposed project will significantly environmental performance in the areas of the current, aged facilities and provide a skills and experience that can be deployed improve accessibility, upgrade poor condition academic programmes, infrastructure and more secure living environment for our to effectively support quality assurance and accommodation, improve energy efficiency, operations, communications and facilities. residential students quality improvement across the College. A All new buildings and refurbishments will be provide fit for purpose accommodation to new role of Advanced Practitioner has been undertaken with the intention of achieving the l New, dedicated facilities for our Nursery, enhance the student experience and enable the developed to recognise and reward those highest possible relevant ratings (including Sports and Land Based provisions, to replace College to implement its curriculum strategy in teachers who consistently excel and who will BREEAM), with due regard to considerations of the current buildings which are in much need line with local and regional employer and skill share their knowledge and abilities with others practical usage and value for money. of updating. demands. It is anticipated that this project will to bring them up to the same high standards. be completed by 2016. The College is committed to guaranteeing that These developments will yield a number of key all of its teaching staff have an appropriate and highly tangible advantages for students, teaching qualification even though this is no staff and the community (including local employers and businesses). The masterplan includes dedicated provision for the various curriculum areas which meet current needs and requirements, as well as being flexible to cater for future developments in teaching and our provision. The project will take about five years to deliver.

8 Oaklands College Strategy Oaklands College Strategy 9 Employers, Skills and Economic Growth

Employer Engagement It is clear that meeting employer needs effectively will be critical A rigorous approach to skills… will be achieved to the success of the College. It is also vitally important that our by a system that is responsive. It means ensuring students are able to access high quality, relevant work experience the flexibility for education and training providers as part of their programmes as this will be essential to gaining to deliver what is really wanted by learners and the skills and knowledge that will enable them to be successful employers. Responsiveness also means giving in the workplace when they progress from College. As well as continuing to develop and enhance the various employer forums, real choice to the individuals or employers who peer development groups, conferences and seminars that each use our skills system. curriculum area is responsible for, the College needs to have a In some cases this may involve routing public particular focus on a number of key stakeholders: funding for training directly through employers, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership: Key Medium and Large Employers: and enabling co-funding by employers and The recent spending review has made clear Although the College works extensively the on-going importance of the LEPs in driving with a number of small and medium sized individuals. In all cases it involves providing forward economic growth. It is therefore employers, it needs to develop and build accessible information to allow people to choose essential that Oaklands College is fully on its links with the medium and large engaged with and supportive of its emerging companies in its areas as it is often these the training that will help them the most. priorities. One of the Corporation members companies that are able to invest the time in sits on the Board of the LEP providing a crucial identifying and developing new training and link. In addition the College has played an skills needs. These companies are also able Rigour and Responsiveness April 2013, active role in engaging with the Chair, the to bring peer companies and their supply Department for Education and Department for Business Innovation and Skills Chief Executive and other officials to ensure chains into the process which provides a more that the College is well placed to support the effective mechanism for ensuring companies necessary skills development required for are aware of the skills developments growing the economy locally. available. The College has a number of key employers it already works with and we will look to develop these relationships further as well as to grow new ones to enable the College to respond effectively to skills needs and economic growth requirements.

10 Oaklands College Strategy Oaklands College Strategy 11 Building Research Establishment: Business Incubation Centre The College has already established a and Small Business Support space: Skills relationship with BRE through the introduction In order for the College to more effectively of a laboratory technician apprenticeship. This meet the needs of business it is crucially In addition to developing the skills that our students need to has developed into a much closer partnership important to focus on the links between be successful at College and beyond as detailed in the student with the two organisations and a number of education and business. Oaklands College new sustainability courses are being developed is reviewing potential uses for the Mansion section above the College is looking to develop skills through together. The changes to planning laws to House to create a facility for local businesses new and different curriculum offerings: include environmental technologies and carbon and the community, including meeting rooms, efficiency mean that there will be a need to conference rooms and start-up support increase training in these areas. for enterprise. This would be a student run initiative that would provide real work experience and opportunities for hospitality and catering students and others.

Engaging with Employers: Higher Education: Sports: The College hosts and supports a number of A joint venture between Oaklands College Another focus of the College, with a number events to develop engagement with employers. and the University of Hertfordshire, University of partnerships and elite academies currently These include events such as Campus St Albans (UCSA) has recently been or recently based at the St Albans campus, established to enable a more cost effective and including rugby (Saracens RFC), football (St l Employer Breakfasts during Apprenticeship flexible higher education provision. Albans FC, EDSV),elite athletics, basketball week – one hosted on each campus (Oaklands Wolves) and the St Albans Hockey l Sponsorship of key business events UCSA’s vision is “to be a nationally recognised Club. Some of the recent successes of these such as Federation of Small Businesses, centre of excellence for delivering innovative, programmes include: six rugby students The College is also a part of the new Green Hertfordshire Business Awards, WENTA etc affordable and employer engaged degrees to representing their country internationally; five Triangle – Building Green Growth. This is people of all ages that are flexibly delivered students securing professional contracts with a collaboration between BRE, Rothamsted l Quarterly Engineering Peer Group around their lives” and its mission is “to help Premiership rugby clubs; Oaklands College Research and the University of Hertfordshire, Development Forums shape Higher Education by delivering highly providing 20% of the entire GB squad for the supported by St Albans District Council, l Hosting of meetings by a number of sector flexible and affordable part time degree World Youth Games in the Ukraine. A number of AECOM, St Albans Chamber of Commerce areas including hoteliers, greenkeepers etc courses, enabling people of all ages and students have also secured sports scholarships and Oaklands College. It has a clear vision backgrounds from the region to realise their in Universities in the United States. to develop a world renowned centre of l Chamber of Commerce Annual General potential”. This venture is planned to take excellence for green technology. This is Meetings advantage of the significant changes that have Engineering and Construction trades: supported by six objectives: occurred in the higher education market. l Attendance at key employer engagement These are a key area of growth both regionally l Encourage innovation in green business events hosted within the region Higher Apprenticeships: and nationally and a key priority for the Government, which recognises the importance l Attract global investment into the area l Sir Terry Leahy - guest speaker for students Alongside the continued focus on growing and employers of the £110bn Construction industry in the l Develop green-related skills base in apprenticeships for the 16-24 age group there is context of the overall economy. Construction education and training l Hosted Life Coaching Course for CBS Affinity a need to develop higher level apprenticeships is an area which experiences well-publicised (Housing Association) at level 4, level 5 and above. The College shortfalls in skilled labour and is one of the key l Stimulate green technology enterprise has already started to develop Business in the area l Greenkeeping Seminar for 100 greenkeepers priorities of the Hertfordshire LEP. Construction Administration and Research and Development is a key sector in the Hertfordshire, Luton and l Provide infrastructure linking green l Your Future Fair at the Alban Arena – (linked to Engineering) and will be looking North London region, with over 61,000 jobs. research, science, engineering and 60 exhibitors, 800 attendees to extend the offering in coming years. This Across this region the Construction sector technology enterprises development also reflects the changes made l Three Peaks Challenge for Eurostar is expected to increase by 3% by 2015 and in the higher education sector and the desire locally in St Albans this growth is expected to l Showcase St Albans as a high quality, International and Greater Anglia to have more vocational offerings at degree sustainable location. employers/apprentices. be 11% (City and Guilds EMSI report 2013). equivalent levels. Hertfordshire County Council’s s Economic Development Strategy 2009-2021 states as a key priority the improvement and regeneration of existing employment areas in order to

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Community maximise the number of jobs created and to embody low carbon development principles Economic Growth in the construction including the use of low Nationally the key sectors for carbon forms of travel. This includes specific priorities around regeneration of local towns economic growth are low carbon The Commission’s vision is of colleges as a and road and rail links. The City and Guilds energy generation, manufacturing, EMSI report also identifies the importance engineering and construction, ‘dynamic nucleus’ at the heart of their communities, of the low carbon energy sector, including financial services, life sciences, care promoting a shared agenda of activities which both low carbon energy generation through wind, and retail (City & Guilds April 2013). marine, micro generation, and carbon capture fulfil their central role of providing learning and and storage. This is also in line with the new More locally the same report and the National Policy Planning Framework to reduce Hertfordshire LEP identify film and media, skills training to young people and adults, but also carbon emissions from buildings. This is a real sport, leisure and cultural activities, financial reach out into their communities, catalysing a whole focus for us and one which attracts a variety of and business services, high-end logistics, employers and employment opportunities – key science based enterprise and innovation range of further activities. partnerships include MBDA (UK) and Monarch. including life sciences, agri-science, engineering and green technologies as the We see the college as the central player in a network As well as these employers, the College areas which will see significant employment has strong links with the Building Research in the coming years. The College’s curriculum of partnerships, dynamic in the sense of developing Establishment (BRE), another key local already serves many of these key sectors and engaging with other partners. This enables the employer and an international presence in effectively and will look to enhance the links terms of the built environment. with the LEP and local employers to ensure that network itself to become part of the dynamic, with it is providing the relevant skills and technical Land Based Studies: experience to support growth. colleges at its heart. This encompasses Equine Studies, Animal Care and Horticulture. The College is the only provider in the region to offer this breadth of Baroness Sharp, Chair of Independent Commission on Colleges in their Community – provision in an area which is often cited as being Colleges at the Heart of Local Communities (November 2011) underprovided for in terms of new talent and skills coming through nationally. There is also a strong local connection with Hertfordshire Green Triangle and the Rothamsted Research Centre in Harpenden, with which the College is developing links. The College is a regional centre for this provision and supports local and regional employers in meeting its skills needs. The College works with over 100 employers providing apprenticeship and work based training in this area, as well as supporting key employers such as Whipsnade Zoo and specialist sectors such as Veterinary Nursing.

14 Oaklands College Strategy Oaklands College Strategy 15 Community engagement Children’s University Students with Learning Difficulties Events Ensuring that the needs of the College’s The South Hertfordshire Children’s University and Disabilities The College runs and supports a number local community are met is critical to meet is run by and Oaklands We are a nationally recognised centre of of events for the local community a flavour the mission of Oaklands College. Through College. It is aimed at 5-14 years olds to raise excellence in making a real and tangible of which are listed below: working with a wide range of local partners and aspirations and to get them involved in learning difference to these members of the community. stakeholders including the district and borough outside of the normal school environment The focus of the College is ensuring full l Annual Summer Fayre at St Albans – councils, the police, housing associations, We currently have six local primary schools integration of these students into the life of the June 2013 event was attended by the voluntary sector, the health sector, local from our catchment area and will be looking the College, enhancing their experience and 7,000 people job centre plus and the like, the College is to increase this in the coming years with a learning opportunities and developing the life l Annual Food Festival at Welwyn – the May well positioned to meet emerging needs. For particular focus on those schools and children skills of the rest of our students. The College 2013 event was attended by 5,000 people who would most benefit from exposure to this instance, over the last year it has run budgeting is committed to ensuring that we support l Hosted the Children’s University graduation initiative. We will also be placing more of an workshops to support the introduction of students to live and learn locally, to provide for 97 graduates between 7 and 14 years of emphasis on providing opportunities for the welfare reforms, and technology courses to them with what they need to develop be that age and 250 guests support older people in accessing vital services. children to access activities at the College communication skills, independent living The College has also provided real benefit to to raise their awareness of the educational skills or pathways to employment. The College l Annual Lambing Day which attracts the community by undertaking projects such as and employment opportunities that are currently supports over 200 students who are up to 2,000 visitors the refurbishment of a primary school library, available to them. deemed to be high needs and a further 100 l St Albans Steam Rally – the May 2013 event which not only supported our local community with more moderate learning difficulties and was attended by approximately 6,000 people but offered real life work experience to our 14-16 provision disabilities. The provision will be maintained l Rotary Cycle Ride – the May 2013 event was students which significantly enhanced their and enhanced to enable all students who need The College is planning to recruit 14 years attended by approximately 1,500 people employability. This is an area that the College olds directly from September 2015, again in to access this provision to be able to do so. will look to develop further to the benefit of our light of recent changes in the education sector. l The World School Games event in June 2013 students and our community. The ambition will be to provide an offer which was attended by 150 local primary school is complementary to that currently available children, staff and parents at schools. The curriculum will incorporate l The Herts School Games in June 2013 a core academic offer of the key GCSEs and was attended by 1000 local secondary will be enhanced by access to the vocational school children and staff specialisms and opportunities that are unique l Hosted 2013 Young Chef of the Year as to the College. It is envisaged that this will part of St Albans Food and Drink Festival- be a relatively small cohort who will better St Albans Campus venue for 2014 achieve their potential outside of a normal school environment and with different learning l Hosted St Albans Chamber opportunities. This will sit alongside the of Commerce AGM more traditional offering where school l Hosted St Albans and Harpenden School based students at key stage 4 access Awards attended by 280 guests and the College provision for half-day per week. Welwyn and Hatfield Schools Awards attended by over 150 guest l The Mansion House is opened to the public as part of the Heritage Open Weekend. These events serve a number of purposes but the two key ones are ensuring that the College plays an effective role at the heart of its communities and that the communities are fully aware of the opportunities and facilities that the College has available to enhance their skills and employability.

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People

Oaklands College is a people business, and it is only through the commitment, skill and professionalism of the workforce that we Oaklands College is a people business. will realise the potential of our communities. The College strives to be a “values led” organisation and much It is people focusing on supporting other people to emphasis is placed on ensuring that all staff are aware of the reach their potential. The values and culture of the values of the organisation and that people who embrace the organisation are therefore critical to its success. values are recognised through awards and rewarded through the career framework structure. Zoe Hancock, Principal Our values are embedded throughout the organisation and are included in the recruitment process, in staff induction and in staff appraisals. The ambition is to have a challenging but supportive culture where everyone takes ownership of the mission, vision and values of the College.

Staff engagement: Staff development: Everyone in the organisation has an essential The College is committed to ensuring that role to play in supporting our students to all staff have the opportunity for continuous succeed. It is therefore vitally important that professional development. This will be we have forums to enable staff to raise any determined on an individual, departmental ideas they have to make improvements to the and College basis. It is expected that all College, to deal with any issues that arise and curriculum staff spend at least one day each to provide opportunities to discuss any new year back in industry so that they have up to initiatives or proposals that are developed. date skills and experience which will enhance There is a staff forum that meets six times per our students’ employability. annum with faculty level representation. There is a staff development forum which has a wide Talent Management and Succession Planning: cross-section of staff from across the College The College has many outstanding and who meet to shape the staff development plans. committed individuals. The College is There are also other mechanisms such as the committed to identifying and investing in these staff bulletin, strategic leadership attendance talented individuals to help them develop their at team meetings, departmental meetings, staff careers and to ensure the College benefits briefings and the like to ensure that all staff are from their skills, expertise and commitment. aware of and feel ownership for the success of In many cases the managers, lecturers, the College. co-ordinators of the future are already employed by the College – we must provide opportunities and development to enable these individuals to progress in the organisation.

Oaklands staff Shine Award winners. The Shine Award scheme recognises achievement in line with College values.

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Money

Reward and Recognition: Equality and Diversity: In order to ensure that the College can achieve its mission, The College will continue to look to reward its The College is committed to achieving equality staff to ensure that they are paid fairly and in and diversity in an inclusive and supportive vision and values it needs to ensure that it achieves financial line with sector norms. The pay system will environment. There is zero tolerance of any sustainability. There are a number of funding challenges that the be transparent so that it is clear what criteria form of behaviour which contravenes the are needed to enable them to develop through College’s Equality & Diversity Policy. The College is facing, like many public sector organisations, and so the career framework. The highest pay level College’s Equality & Diversity Committee meets there needs to be a continued focus on driving efficiencies and for each role will be linked to the values of the regularly to monitor the College’s position pursuing relevant opportunities for income growth. organisation to ensure that those members of in this regard and all members of staff and staff who consistently display the values of the students are actively encouraged (including College are rewarded. The College will seek to via the College’s whistleblowing policy) to Ensure that income received in year is Ensure the build-up of funds to support make annual consolidated pay rises whenever challenge and raise any issues which may arise. supporting existing students: continued improvements in the College: possible to ensure that staff can meet the rising costs of living. The College will also seek to The Corporation has adopted the principle The Corporation has adopted the principle make an annual bonus to all staff when the that the budget should aim to deliver a small that the budget should generate £1-2m in College has been successful to reward their surplus each year but should at least break- cash each year to enable re-investment in contribution to that success. even. On-going changes in funding mean the College as required. This is supported by that the College has to be rigorous on costs the Reserves Strategy that states the College Making Life Easier: and develop opportunities for income growth should hold at least £4m in cash reserves, of to reduce reliance on government funding which £2m is for operating purposes. This is The College has moved its Management and to ensure that the student experience considered sufficient given the current funding Information Systems to ProSolution and has is not impaired. To this end the Corporation methodology where the majority of income invested in the full suite of products such has supported a new post to drive forward is known at the start of the year and costs as ProObserve, ProMonitor, ProVerify and the income potential of the College’s assets, are relatively evenly spread. The £2m is to so forth. The benefits of these systems are estate and activities, being mindful that the support one-off College needs as required as that they provide a fully integrated data and needs of the curriculum must be a priority. The determined by the Corporation. reporting system reducing the need for double development of the Masterplan at St Albans entry; improved monitoring enabling students, Campus will provide some new opportunities, tutors and managers to track progress more particularly in relation to the residential effectively; fully integrated resource planning building which should allow for conferencing modules and enhanced quality assurance hire and the like outside of term-time. The functionality. In addition to the cost of the College will be reviewing opportunities that systems the College will continue to invest may arise internationally but does not see this resource in the development of and training as being a significant income generator over in the software so as to reduce the amount the course of this plan. of administration required and increase the amount of time available to focus on the student and their experience. The College will continue to develop technology across the College to make the lives of its staff easier and to enable all staff to focus on their primary role of enhancing the student experience and enabling student success.

20 Oaklands College Strategy Oaklands College Strategy 21 Endless Possibilities