Annual Report 2011/2012
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011/2012 Expectation Askham Bryan has always looked beyond the campus at York. Involving Newton Rigg and other centres are examples of our aim to provide high quality land-based education over a wide area, if we believe that there is call for it. This is a policy we intend to continue. It is satisfying that Newton Rigg is returning to its position as a source of highly regarded rural education but it is equally satisfying that it does so as part of a larger organisation. Rivalry, for example, on the sports field with York adds to the fun of IAN YOUDAN - CHAIR life and is welcomed but just as important are the regular and friendly contacts between staff and students at the different centres. “Highly effective strategic Providing up-to-date facilities is a challenge for any college in these austere times. We are happy to now have leadership and governance the opportunity to start a capital programme using a combination of grant aid and our own resources. To spend with ambitious and challenging this money wisely and economically will be a challenge for targets have led to significant management and staff but it falls to governors to oversee the planning and execution of all the projects. To do so improvements since well is one of the Board’s main tasks and is what good governance is all about. the last inspection.” Individual governors of course have their own particular Ofsted passions but it is crucial to the good running of the College that they put the interest of the whole organisation first whether they hail from Yorkshire, Cumbria or as in my case Nottinghamshire. I am fortunate in being helped by outstanding governors who really do see the bigger picture and they do bring to governance a very high degree of commitment and professionalism. My grateful thanks to them. I would particularly like to mention our student governors. They bring a viewpoint which is valuable. In 2012 they did so very ably. 2 ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 Inspiration It gives me real pleasure to present the 2011/12 Annual Report of Askham Bryan College Corporation. A year full of change, challenge and achievement. Askham Bryan goes from strength to strength driven by an absolute belief in our core mission – to provide first class education and play a key role in the farming and rural community, both nationally and regionally. LIZ PHILIP - PRINCIPAL Success has come in many guises – educational, reputational and financial but we do not rest on our laurels. We continue to be the fastest growing college in England providing land-based education - a position “The Principal, governors and which has been strengthened by the addition in August 2011 of Newton Rigg College to the Askham Bryan family. senior managers have a clear Our student numbers have grown substantially, including and inclusive strategic plan in higher education, with an impressive 93% retention. And, as we recruit for next year, I am confident that this that is fully understood and trend will continue. supported by staff, including We have assembled an incredibly strong staff to whom I am very grateful for their hard work, dedication and those from the newly acquired tireless attention to their students’ education. Newton Rigg campus. The We are also very grateful to our governors who have guided the College, steering our strategy, honing college’s mission and values are our quality and overseeing our financial and capital owned by the whole college developments. Governors give their time and advice on a voluntary basis and we are very fortunate to have such community.” depth of expertise to call on, given so freely. But it is our students who really inspire us; their ambition Ofsted and determination, their wicked sense of fun. A cracking bunch of students leave the College this year with our best wishes for the future. ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 3 Direction The board reserved two vacancies for Cumbrian governors prior to the transfer of Newton Rigg. After Mission external advert, membership was increased to 19 to accommodate four able governors from Cumbria. Members have now determined to reduce this number To be the college of choice back to 17 and agreed to appoint members based on ability and skills need whilst broadly representing our for land-based and land- catchment. related learning across the Staff and student governors are appointed by election. North of England Currently one staff governor is based at York and one is based at Newton Rigg. Strategic Priorities Governor’s Home County Full Co-opted Members Members 1. To provide an outstanding, enjoyable North Yorkshire 5 educational experience which changes people’s lives, exceeds expectations and achieves the West Yorkshire 3 highest grade by external assessment East Riding of Yorkshire 3 2. To inspire and nurture ambition within students, City of York 2 1 staff and corporation which builds confidence and maximises potential Cumbria 5 2 3. To develop a high-quality learning and Nottinghamshire 1 social environment which is safe, healthy and sustainable 4. To grow student participation, in an inclusive manner, recruiting with integrity and around a sound curriculum 5. To empower a single staff to drive the College forward and who both earn and receive respect 6. To build effective and stable partnerships which contribute to our mission JUDITH CLAPHAM - CLERK 7. To communicate effectively with key stakeholders both internal and external and act on feedback. 4 ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 Corporation Name Date Appointed Date Resigned Status Committees Served Mr J Banks 1/3/12 31/8/12 Student Mr D Black 1/8/11 External Newton Rigg Mr A Bowe 26/5/11 External F&GP, Newton Rigg (Chair) Mr I Brown 1/8/11 External F&GP, Newton Rigg Mr A Brownlow 20/1/11 20/1/13 Staff Prof A Cobb 1/8/11 Co-opted Newton Rigg Dr A Davies (Vice Chair) 24/9/09 External F&GP, Search/Remuneration (Chair) Mr J Davies 16/7/09 External Audit Mrs J Downes 24/9/11 External F&GP Mr P Grant 15/7/10 Staff Dr A Humphries 1/8/11 External Newton Rigg Ms E Kershaw 1/9/12 Student Mr N Lawson 24/9/11 12/7/12 External F&GP Mr C Manson 9/12/10 Co-opted Audit Mr P McKenzie 9/12/10 External Audit (Chair) Mr J Morris 1/3/12 31/8/12 Student Mr D Mortimer 31/3/10 31/3/12 External F&GP (to 19/12/12), Search, Remuneration Mr S Oliver-Watts 1/8/11 Co-opted Newton Rigg Mrs E Philip 1/8/07 Principal F&GP, Search, Rem, Newton Rigg Prof J Rayner 13/11/08 13/11/12 External Audit Mr I Snowden 21/1/13 Staff Mr M Steel 1/9/12 Student Mrs H Swiers 16/7/09 External F&GP (to 15/12/11 and then Search) Mrs J Willers 23/9/11 12/7/12 External Remuneration (Chair) Mr I Youdan (Chair) 24/9/09 External F&GP (Chair), Search, Rem, Newton Rigg ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 5 Education A total of 5,240 individual students, including 48 internationals, enrolled onto 15,300 qualifications. Askham Bryan is the largest provider of specialist land- based further education (SSA3) in England. Recruitment continues to grow in all streams in particular, at 16-18 where year-on-year increases seem to show no sign of slowdown. Success rates for the year returned a favourable 93% with particular improvement in retention. TIM ENGLEFIELD DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Higher Education grew by 14% through direct Additional CURRICULUM & PLANNING Student Numbers and from during the year with the University of Cumbria. In 2012/13, despite the introduction of student loans accepted places increased by 22% bucking the national trend which showed a fall of Student Numbers (FTE) 6%. Apprenticeship contracts were exceeded by 11% at 16-18. Askham Bryan now delivers 18% of England’s Agricultural Apprenticeship and 47% of England’s Game- keeping Apprenticeships. Students The new Equine Academy is trained by Chris Bartle, FBHS Olympic German Eventing Gold Medal Coach based at Harrogate. Five riders and 20 grooms participate in the Academy which is aimed at the equine competition sector. Academic Year Prince’s Trust courses were a new addition to the portfolio to fill a need for disadvantaged young people through “Get into Rural Skills” providing a much needed bridge into further education, apprentice- ships or employment. 6 ASKHAM BRYAN COLLEGE ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12 Amalgamation August 2011 saw the successful amalgamation of Newton Rigg College, Penrith transferred from the University of Cumbria to Askham Bryan. Newton Rigg has a sound academic heritage and lies in a very beautiful and deeply agricultural county. The decision to acquire the college was based on strong synergies of mission, curriculum and expertise coupling the two colleges to intensify our specialism and WES JOHNSON AND ALAN BOWE CAMPUS PRINCIPAL AND CHAIR NEWTON RIGG widen our geographic reach. Initial recruitment of 305 full-time further education “The integration of the students was modest though we had high expectations of a bounce back and are pleased to report that Newton Rigg campus is being under the leadership of Wes Johnson, 420 students skilfully managed. Staff are enrolled in September 2012, an increase of 38%. supportive of the open and The capital plans are advanced to reinstate the dairy herd lost during foot and mouth to be housed transparent management in a brand new high health and welfare dairy building, to modernise Lowbeckside and to and are focused on raising restructure the campus.