Up a LevelBecome a College Governor
Governors have a widely ranging remit in shaping the strategy and character of the College.
A governor is responsible for the mission, educational character and solvency of the College.
The role involves:
• serving on at least one Corporation Standing Committee,
• taking part in Corporate Strategic Planning sessions,
• reaching Corporate decisions,
• giving priority to attending Corporate Board and relevant Standing Committee meetings,
• supporting College events,
• attending leadership training sessions.
The existing governors at the College are:
Mr Eddie Anderson (Chairman of the Corporation)
Dr Roger Finney (Vice-Chairman)
Ms Elizabeth Birchenough
Mr Julian Parkes
Mrs Susan Adams
Mr RajVinder Singh Gill
Mr Brian Newell
Mrs Pam Jones
Mr David Gleed
Mr Olu Oguns
Ms Daniela Wroblewski
Mr Robbie Higgins
Mr Graham Moody (staff governor)
Mr Nick Butterfield (staff governor)
North West Kent College is at the forefront in its comprehensive provision of further and higher education for students over the age of 16. It runs full-time and part-time academic and vocational programmes covering most areas for over 9,500 full-time and part-time students from two main College campuses approximately 13 miles apart in Dartford and Gravesend. The College is involved in extensive school links, providing for 14-16 year-old pupils. Improvement programmes on both campuses have enabled the College to increase its student roll; with full-time students increased from just over 2,000 to 4,000 since 2002 and part-time students are approximately 4,500. Annual turnover is in the region of £34M.
North West Kent College had bids approved by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) for major capital redevelopment of both campuses at Dartford and Gravesend, including new buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. The capital project, in relation to the Gravesend campus, at a value of £32M is now complete – two new buildings, R and C Blocks have been constructed. R Block houses a new Reception area, Refectory, the Gallery Training Restaurant and office accommodation. Leading from R into S Block, there is refurbished Sports accommodation including the BodyMatters fitness centre. C Block is the main teaching accommodation for the campus and houses Foundation Studies, Computing, Secretarial, Art and Design, Skills for Life, ESOL, Professional Care, Childhood Studies Vocational Training Centre, a fully equipped Lecture Theatre and a modern Learning Resources Centre.
The major capital project at Dartford will cost £52.6M and will cover the construction of two new buildings, B and S Blocks and the refurbishment of Block H. Block B will be the main teaching block and will house Hair and Beauty, Foundation Studies, Computing, A Levels, Business and Secretarial Studies, Professional Care and Skills for Life. Block S will house all Sport, Public Services and Travel and Tourism programmes and Block H will be the home of the Miskin Theatre and house all Performing and Technical Arts provision, including Music, Music Technology, Dance, Drama, Technical Theatre etc.
The Oakfield Lane campus in Dartford specialises in Access to Higher Education, Art and Design, Accounting, Business and Secretarial Studies, GCE “A” Levels, Higher Education, Education and Professional Development, Foundation Studies, Hair and Beauty, Media Studies, Multimedia, Performing and Technical Arts, Photography, Professional Care, Skills for Life, Sport, Public Services and Travel and Tourism and Science.
Gravesend’s Dering Way campus caters for Air Conditioning, Computer-aided Engineering, Construction and Building Services, Electronic Engineering, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Foundation Studies, Hair and Beauty, Health and Safety, Hotel and Catering, Management Studies, Maritime Operations and Logistics, Motor Vehicle, Refrigeration, Retail Studies, Skills for Life, ESOL, Professional Care, Art and Design and Sports.
The College’s School of Foundation Studies offers programmes for students with learning difficulties and disabilities at Dartford and Gravesend.
A smaller College site in Gravesend at Denton Wharf caters for specialist Fire and maritime training. The College’s educational initiative at The Learning Shop in Bluewater operates many programmes, including IT, Literacy, Management Skills, Numeracy and Personal Development, with a particular focus on Retail provision. Part-time students attend short course programmes offered by two operations that cater for national training needs – the Hall Training Centre, which covers specialist refrigeration and air conditioning training, and Maritime Operations and Logistics, which caters for the British mercantile industry.
The College - in partnership with the University of Greenwich - develops full-time Higher Education programmes and Foundation Degrees.
Please contact David Holland, the Clerk to the Corporation, on davidholland@nwkcollege.ac.uk or 01322 629538 if you are interested in the voluntary role of Governor.
May 2010
