Principal’s Update
It was good to get back to work on the 5th of February, after my Kenyan adventure. Many staff have been asking me what it was like having read my journal so I will give you all an overview and future steps in our staff meeting. I promise not to go on too long! 😊
So, the highlight of the first week back was indeed the Inter-Island Skills Competition and congratulations go to Nick and the Construction and Engineering team, as well as to events and marketing, for such a successful competition. It was enjoyed by colleagues, their apprentices and indeed our political representatives who came during the day to observe.
Lucy Fosse our Head of Marketing and Communications is leaving Highlands College after five years with us. During that time marketing has developed in “leaps and bounds”, so thank you to her for all her efforts in making Highlands no longer a hidden treasure.
Kate Hobbs, as you know, joined us as our new Vice-Principal for Curriculum on Monday the 18th of February. Kate has been Deputy Principal and before that Assistant Principal at Bath College. Kate is settling in very quickly and coming round to meet colleagues during her induction weeks. It is great to have fresh eyes on our work and gain from her insights and knowledge of the FE sector. Kate is passionate about the role FE plays in learners’ lives, so she fits in really well with us all.
This week, SLT prepared for the Self-Assessment Review validation panel which will be held with CYPES and external stakeholders to scrutinise our assessments and current priorities for development. We have also looked at this year’s budget which is largely unchanged from 2023, except for improved inclusion funding, (not covering all high needs students, more of that another time) but of course we still have high inflation and are waiting to see how pay increases will be fully funded. Risk was also on our agenda this week, this is where the risk committee feeds back on our current organisational risks, and how we are managing and mitigating them across every area of work. For example, the 6 million pounds needed for maintenance to our old buildings, for which GoJ has identified 50% funding so far, and which will require a great deal of estates supervision and some potential disruption.
On Monday, the pay and renumeration review meeting for teachers and lecturers took place again. There is modelling work around a better starting pay for new entrants to teaching as well, a shorter scale so you make progress more quickly. I will let you know should these things go to policy, rest assured, all teaching unions are there to explore impact with CYPES and Heads.
On Tuesday, some colleagues and I, together with Highlands College students, attended a leadership talk by Lord Digby Jones. I think HC were the only students there and of course there was food for thought for them and us. Credit to Laura Simpson and Julie Zimmerman for accompanying their students.
UCJ held a very successful employer engagement event focusing on securing the right placement provider for our Digital degree students. Every employer told me how great the UCJ students were, confident and skilled. Shaun Heslop headed that event with our lovely Academy Restaurant offering a great lunch.
This week and next, the Governing Body meetings of sub-committees will be taking place. Also, we have shortlisted from 22 applicants for the Marketing role, so 6 will be invited to an assessment centre here soon.
Looking ahead, we have set up a HE Advisory Board for on-island HE providers where I hope we can establish a unified voice for students and colleagues and this meets next week.
I hope you have a wonderful week, and the sun starts to shine.
Best Wishes
Jo