Key areas of
Discussion
- Town centre campus
- Strategic planning
- Governance compliance
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Student enrolments and successful completion rates for Further Education, Higher Education, Apprenticeships (from Junior Apprenticeships up to Degree Apprenticeships), Work-based Learning and all other areas managed by the College
- Campus developments and estates management
- Financial performance
- Welsh Government funding
- Key Performance Indicators (both financial and strategic)
- Pay awards
- Health, safety and sustainable development
- Safeguarding
- Mental health and wellbeing of both staff and students
- Estyn
- Audit arrangements
- Student engagement
About Governing Body Meetings
The Governing Body meets at least six times a year and the Audit, Curriculum & Quality and Resource Planning Committee meetings are also held at least termly. Search & Governance Committee meetings are held at least twice a year and also when new members are being considered/interviewed. The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year and the Selection Committee meets when a Senior Post-holder/Clerk vacancy arises.
A copy of the calendar of meetings for 2022/23 can be accessed by clicking here.
Bilingual minutes of Governing Body meetings are made to record the discussions and resolutions/decisions made.
In addition to the minutes, the Clerk prepares an Annual Report which is presented to the Governing Body and submitted to the Welsh Government on request. This report includes details on membership, meeting dates and attendance, members’ declarations of interest, discussion topics and training received for both the Governing Body and its committees.
Recent decisions made / approved by the Governing Body
- Ongoing discussions are taking place on the town centre campus.
- The building of a £30 million STEAM Academy on the Pencoed campus. This is the biggest decision in financial terms that the Governing Body has made in many years and very detailed discussions have taken place on this.
- The College’s inclusion of land at the Pencoed Campus in Bridgend County Borough Council’s Local Development Plan.
- Adoption of own set of Instrument & Articles of Government.
- Approval of amended Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Terms of Reference for the various Committees.
Training
Members receive regular training and updates at the start of most meetings, either from external bodies or from College staff.
Recent training/updates received include presentations on the College’s curriculum areas (including Engage and Work Based Learning), the new town centre campus, the Curriculum for the Future, the new Estyn Inspection regime and the impact of these on learners and staff.
Awards and
Accolades
The College has won numerous awards in recent years and the Governing Body has played a strategic role in these successes. Details of these awards can be found in the ‘Latest News‘ section of the college website.
Our most recent awards include:
- Ranked in the top 25 ‘best large companies to work for in the UK’, being placed at number 22 in the Best Companies list (August 2022)
- Viv Buckley, Deputy Principal, was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics World Congress Leadership Summit held in Spain (June 2022)
- The Princess Royal Training Award for the College’s person-centered leadership programme
- Achieving Gold in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Awards for three years running – 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22
- Paul Croke, former Chair of the Governing Body, won the Non-Exclusive Director of the Year Award in the Institute of Directors Awards 2022 for his role of Chair of the Governing Body (May 2022)
- Highly Commended in the Intentional Green Gown Awards (April 2022)
- Simon Pirotte, Principal, awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List 2021.
- Ranked #45 on the National Diversity Awards’ Inclusive Top 50 Employers List 2021/22
- Commended at the 2021/22 AoC Beacon Awards for Effective Use of Digital Technology in Further Education.
- Finalists in the CIPD Wales Awards 2021 for the Best Learning and Development Initiative 2021.
- Being placed 24th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Not For Profit Organisations to Work for 2020
- Shortlisted for the What Uni? Student Choice Awards for the FE Sector (April 2020)
- Shortlisted for 3 awards for TES FE Awards 2019: Apprenticeship programme of the year. FE leader of the year – Simon Pirotte (Principal) and Specialist provider of the year – Weston House
- Being awarded TES FE College of the Year (March 2019)
- Simon Pirotte, Principal, shortlisted for TES FE Leader of the Year (March 2019)
- FE Week and AELP Apprenticeship Programme of the Year for Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland (March 2019)
- Viv Buckley, Deputy Principal, winning the Leadership in Public Sector Award at the Leaders in Wales Awards 2018 (September 2018)
Student Engagement and Learner Walks
There are two student governors – Ruby Llewellyn (studying Level 3 Public Services) and Joshua O’Sullivan-Woodward (studying HND in Countryside Management). The role of the student governor is to provide the “student voice” at meetings as they provide a perspective that no other governor can give. The Governing Body members are very keen to listen to the student governors and their input helps shape discussions and decisions.
Below is a quote from one of the previous student governors at the end of their year of the office:
“I just want to say one massive thank you for the opportunity you gave me, I felt very welcome in the meetings and had a great year partly thanks to the opportunity I was given! I will never forget the meetings I was a part of and the many things I learnt thanks to being a part of them!”
Another way in which Governors are engaged with students is through the termly learner walks. These allow the Governors to obtain a more detailed insight into student life at the College and many take up this opportunity. The feedback is that they have an enjoyable experience where they get to see the day-to-day operations of the College.
Governing Body Members are also invited to attend, as observers, the termly Student Academic Representative (StARs) meetings which are held with the Principal.
Fellowships
Each October, the College holds its Higher Education Ceremony where it awards up to two Honorary Fellowships to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to either the College, to education or the wider communities across Wales. The Fellows are always delighted to have been nominated and the College is aiming to work more closely with these Fellows going forwards.
Recently awarded Fellows include Ms Suzanne Packer, Professor Uzo Iwobi OBE, Professor Helen Langton, Ms Claire Birkenshaw, Mr David Roberts CBE, Mr Neil Robinson MBE, Mrs Madeleine Moon, Mr Richard Parks and Mr Charles Middleton.
Suzanne Packer
For her services to the creative arts.
Professor Uzo Iwobi OBE
For her dedication to Public Service.
Professor Helen Langton
For her service to education.
Useful Links
Governing Body meeting minutes
- 23rd May 2022 English – Welsh
- 7th April 2022 English – Welsh
- 17th February 2022 English – Welsh
- 9th December 2021 English – Welsh
- 14th October 2021 English – Welsh
- 1st July 2021 English – Welsh
- 25th May 2021 English – Welsh
- 20th March 2021 English – Welsh
- 11th February English – Welsh
- 10th December 2020 English – Welsh
- 1st December 2020 English – Welsh
- 15th October 2020 English – Welsh
- 3rd September 2020 English – Welsh
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