In meeting the educational and training needs of the community and within the context of the College’s mission statement, the strategic aims for the planning period are:
A. Governance and Management
To strengthen the governance and management of the College and to ensure that the major educational policy objectives of the Government and national agenda are met at a local level openly and transparently.
B. Finance and related Issues
As a minimum, taking one year with another to operate a balanced budget by matching operational income and expenditure, whilst taking opportunities to augment the financial reserves of the College subject to the availability of funding.
C. Estates and Environment
To implement the College’s Estates Development Strategy, taking account of changes in funding and local circumstances and to conduct the College business in a manner that promotes positive action and respect for the environment.
D. Equal opportunities
To promote equality of opportunity for students and staff in all aspects of College life, concerning gender, race, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and age, and to promote positive race equality, gender equality, and disability equality to ensure a learning and working environment free from discrimination.
E. Quality and Excellence
To promote a high-quality learning experience for all students, offering varied and stimulating opportunities for learning, that take account of individual learning styles and incorporate new technologies and flexible modes of delivery where appropriate, and high-quality support services, underpinned by effective quality management systems and professional development arrangements for staff.
F. Wider Access and Participation
To promote education and training opportunities for individuals, communities, and employers by offering flexible, up-to-date courses and incorporate new technologies and flexible modes of delivery where appropriate; to work with others to increase access to lifelong learning opportunities, and promote social inclusion by removing barriers to learning.
G. Progression and Articulation
To work with schools, universities and other providers to foster easier and faster progression and articulation of students to and within further education and between further and higher education, including the provision of appropriate vocational courses for school pupils.
H. Local Skills Base
To contribute to the research and development of the local skills base and to address local skills requirements and shortages by collaborating with and responding to employers, other training providers and agencies and to foster employability and enterprise skills, as well as vocationally specific skills, where relevant and appropriate.
I. Collaboration and Partnerships
To strengthen communication and collaboration with public, private and voluntary sector partners and other providers in the compulsory, further and higher education sectors by contributing to community planning and promoting a coherent approach to the delivery of education and training services.
J. responsive and Flexible Curriculum
To work with others to improve access to College services by researching, exploring and anticipating the needs of individuals and providing a range of services to support students with additional requirements, thereby promoting social inclusion and social justice, while meeting the needs of employers in all areas served by the College.
K. Learner Progress and Achievement
To ensure that high-quality tuition and support are provided to students to help them achieve their potential in terms of qualifications and vocational, employability, citizenship and personal and social skills.