Nurturing learning environments among key aims of new CEO at WCG

The new leader at Warwickshire College Group (WCG) has outlined her priorities, which include fostering nurturing learning environments, supporting communities, and responding to the needs of the local economy.

Sara-Jane Watkins was appointed the new CEO earlier this year and has now officially joined. She was previously college principal (since2015) at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).

"This is a college group of great diversity and significant strengths, from our large international department, strong employer engagement and ambitious degree provision, to excellent specialist facilities, provision for learners with high needs and our work in responding to the regional skills agenda," she said of the Midlands group.

"Local skills needs are an area we will continue to place great importance on, and we will be positively embracing new opportunities that provide learning routes that are aligned to the needs of employers.

"It is essential we are seen as the first port of call for employers seeking their workforce, but also an anchor institution which provides resources for the communities in which we are based.

"We already excel at a number of our colleges in providing nurturing learning environments for learners who may have struggled in mainstream education. This is something we want to further develop, so our colleges are places that give everyone the opportunity to succeed."

WCG includes six colleges across Warwickshire and Worcestershire, including Royal Leamington Spa College, Rugby College, Warwick Trident College, Moreton Morrell College, Pershore College and Evesham New College.

Sara-Jane, who is establishing a new senior leadership team at WCG, also said that, longer term, plans include developing direct recruitment for 14 to 16-year-olds, repositioning Pershore College as an international destination for students passionate about sustainability, and developing sports academies at college sites.

"We are aiming to make our offer as inclusive as it can be, with one method being to expand our range of entry level and Level 1 courses," she said.

"There are many learners who struggle in a traditional school setting, and over the next couple of years we will be exploring opportunities to provide an alternative pathway for 14 to 16-year-olds.

"Every college across WCG is different and we place great importance on supporting aspirational learners to exceed their potential, with a pathway from entry- level all the way to completing a degree with our university centre," she noted.