Your council
Agenda item
Presentation on the Strategic Direction of Epping Forest College
To receive a presentation from Penny Morgan, the recently appointed Principal of Epping Forest College to speak on the strategic direction of Epping Forest College, its vision for the future and its relationship with the Community.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Penny Morgan, the recently appointed Principal of Epping Forest College; she was appointed in December 2013. She was there to speak on the strategic direction of the college, its vision for the future and its relationship with the Community. She noted that she was working with the governors to create a long and short term strategy for the college. The college had made great strides over the last five years, taking in over 3,500 students each year and had hundreds of visitors that come in to use the college for various events etc. Over 85% of the students live within 10 miles of the college. The college was also a major employer for local people, over 59% of staff live within 10 miles of the college, thus contributing to the local economy.
They provided a wide range training, skills and educational provision, such as Business, Childcare, Construction, Media and Music, IT, Maths and English and Sport, ensuring that they were giving students the best opportunity to become work ready and gain employment. They also work with local employers and help to provide apprenticeships in local businesses, an achievement they were very proud off.
They had a 93.4% retention rate, putting them in the top 5% of FE Colleges in the country and an 87.7% success rate, putting them in the top 10% of FE colleges in the country. They were always striving to improve on the range of courses and opportunities offered to their clients whilst additional demands were placed on them by the government. They had about 417 students currently sitting their English and Maths GCSE and over 1800 students sitting functional skills. Needless to say Ofsted had included this in their grading for colleges. They will also continue with their ‘A’ level programme that compliments their full time courses, the students would need these ‘A’ levels to move on to university.
When the college was redeveloped some years ago the Debden library was situated just off the main reception area. The opening hours were somewhat limited and some members of the local community were not comfortable coming into such a busy area. Clearly they would want to assist as many people as possible to have access and are therefore considering a space that would give the library its own entrance and provide special offers at their restaurant and other facilities.
They were also forging closer ties with the Loughton Youth Centre establishing a whole breath of activities with the local community and were involved in a number of new joint initiatives with the LSP and other local organisations.
They were currently writing a report on the future of the college, targeting 2017; this had still to be submitted their board of governors for their consideration and as such she could not share its contents with the meeting just yet.
The meeting was then opened out to questions from the members of the committee.
Councillor Angold-Stephens asked that in view of the potential creation of the new 6th form consortium in the area involving Roding Valley High School, Debden Park School, King Harold School and St. Johns School, how did she see the future for ‘A level’ provision in the College going forward? Ms Morgan replied that she had looked at the post codes of the students attending her college and noted that there were about 50 ‘A’ level students but only four were from local schools.
Councillor Murray noted that there would almost certainly be a 6th form consortium for the schools mentioned. As the bulk of students would not want to do ‘A’ levels, how would you let them know that you also do vocational courses? Ms Morgan said that this was a big challenge for the college. They have a full time officer who goes to the schools to get the college’s message across to the children about what they had to offer; but they were not always sure that they got their message across.
Councillor Lea asked what did she envisage for the future of the playing field opposite the College in Borders Lane and in what timescale? Ms Morgan noted that their growth area was sport, this also applied to the participation of the community. This area will have to go to the board of governors for discussion on its future.
Councillor Girling noted that the playing field had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years. Could she reassure the local residents that even without any development, that the area would be kept up? Ms Morgan said that this would form part of their discussion on the green.
Councillor Murray added that when this document was agreed by the governors, would it be acted upon or would it firstly go out to consultation. His advice was that it had never been public land but it had always been used as such. He would like to see sort of buffer strip of land put in for community use. Ms Morgan replied that it would be consulted upon and it would indeed include some form of communal land on it.
Councillor Sartin said that she had visited the College last year for an art exhibition and the opening of the hair salon and was impressed with the high standards. The achievements and standards of the College had risen significantly in recent years with the last Ofsted inspection rating the College as ‘good’. Did she intend to continue the approach of her predecessor to improve standards still further or was she looking towards a change in focus for the College. Also, in the presentation you stated that the college had an 87% success rate, what did this mean? Ms Morgan replied that it meant that of the 93% retention rate, 87% were retained and had achieved their programme. They have now reviewed and developed strategic aims for the college. Two of these aims were focused around continuing to improve the quality of teaching and learning within the organisation.
Councillor Wixley noted that some years ago the relationship between the College and local residents was poor. In recent years the College had made strenuous efforts, including a zero tolerance approach towards bad behaviour, in order to improve relations and significant progress had been made but there were still some lingering tensions which will take time to be resolved. Do you have any initiatives in mind to further break down barriers and continue to improve relations with residents? Ms Morgan noted that they were always working on this and continued to engage with the community. They are on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and are involved in local projects and local youth groups such as E15.
Councillor Angold-Stephens asked if Ms Morgan could enlarge on the problem of the library. When the College was re-developed there was, it was thought, a good initiative to bring gown and town more together by locating the library in the College. Unfortunately this had not worked and it has proved difficult to get local people to step over the College threshold in order to enter the library even though it was more welcoming than its previous incarnation and they can even use the café if they wished! There are thought to be a number of reasons, including elderly people (who are likely to be amongst the biggest users) not feeling comfortable in the presence of younger, more boisterous people but also poor signage. Many local people do not seem to be aware that the library exists and that they would be welcome to enter without going through security. Although this was not a College responsibility, did you have any ideas on how this can be improved? Ms Morgan noted that the library now has its own entrance and there was also an opportunity to move the library to the other end of the restaurant to give it its own entrance and also to use the Student Ambassadors to go out into the community to promote the use of the facilities.
Councillor Surtees commented that local social interaction was important in Loughton, but could she also engage with the local communities beyond Loughton. Ms Morgan agreed with the sentiment and added that part of their courses was to do voluntary work around the district and they were definitely encouraging that.
Councillor Girling noted that the upper site of the college was being developed and residents had reported some problems in the past about anti-social behaviour in the evenings; how had this been addressed? Ms Morgan agreed that the site had been vandalised and that they now have security guards that patrol the site. This area will form part of their upcoming accommodation strategy.
Councillor Wixley wanted to know what the college’s current financial position was. Ms Morgan replied that they were not in deficit but it was challenging as funding had been reduced by about £600,000 over the year. They needed to grow and develop and look to the provision of part time courses and other new ways of providing their services.
Councillor Murray commented that had put paid to the much lauded governments policy to protect the education budget. He had an idea that could help the college in that residential development brought in money and that the district was desperate for 2 and 3 bedroom accommodation.
Councillor Sartin commented that it was pleasing to note that we now have a student from the college sitting on our Youth Council as an independent. We are looking forward to the 6th form consortium that may be part of future elections. Ms Morgan said she looked forward to that.
Councillor Surtees asked if she could say something about how multi-faith issues were dealt with within the college and also would she welcome a liaison between a multi-faith forum, this council and the students, with the aim of publicising the forum and getting people together, especially young people. Ms Morgan agreed they would like to do that and they did, through their ‘enrichment team’ work with multi-faith groups and anything we can do to grow that work and encourage joint partnership working.
Councillor Bassett made a personal statement on the work done by the food task force. He found it quite informative when the college worked with us to identify job opportunities and create the jobs and also working on creating the NVQ that went with it. Also they worked with the local employers and the schools and the Department of Works and Pensions and helped them work with young people and hopefully produce some 300 jobs over the next couple of years within the food industry. I would like to thank the college for the work they had done on this.
Ms Morgan said it was just one example of how the college wants to change and broaden what it offers. We want to work with local industry and the local task force groups and with the Lea Valley growers to develop career opportunities for the young people.
Councillor Mitchell wanted to know what the college’s induction courses were for new pupils. Ms Morgan replied that they have an officer who went out to talk to schools and arrange try out days on Saturdays for pupils to try out the college facilities.
Councillor Breare-Hall noted that the quality of the college was paramount to the governing body. They also wished to see the college developing at the heart of the local community and were very aware of local feelings particularly about Luctons fields and we will consult about this.
The Chairman thanked Ms Morgan for her excellent presentation and for answering all the questions put to her.