Recent Achievements

There have been a number of key developments and activities during the 2004/05 academic year.


The following list is indicative of some of the developments that have taken place over this period:

• Improving quality and success rates – most benchmarks in 90th percentile.
• Overall achievement and retention rates continue to increase – college’s success rate is currently 74%.
• All financial targets met – surplus in excess of £700k against budget of £604k.
• Enrolment and Development Plan targets achieved - full-time student numbers continue to increase – overall will exceed the LSC funding agreement by around £400,000.
• Good/Excellent LSC Provider Review – the college is seen as a very high quality and high performing WBL provider.
• Motor vehicle and logistics CoVEs established, on budget and opened on time.
• Seen as the leading provider of sports education in the region, with an excellent reputation and profile.
• Seen as the regional college for automotive and manufacturing training – excellent reputation and profile with NEPA, ONE, SMMT and LSC – appointed preferred training supplier by Nissan.
• Continue to maintain an excellent relationship with Gateshead Council.
• Our Teaching & Learning Initiative is seen as outstanding – DfES support and leading new national Initial Teacher Training scheme.
• College has grown organically and is currently the 4th biggest in the region based on size of LSC contracts – student population has doubled in just over five years.
• Property Strategy is progressing and is being well managed. Very effective project team in place.
• Almost £6 million of external funding secured, made up of Single Programme for capital projects and ESF for revenue and programme delivery.
• Various quality awards ie. the Front of House Team awarded a Government Charter Mark for their outstanding level of customer service; successful reassessment for the Investors in People award; and the Positive About Disabled People award in recognition of the college’s commitment to providing opportunities for people with disabilities.