• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Wednesday July 5 2023
• Author Name: Peter Davison

New College Swindon principal announces retirement as College achieves University Centre status

New College Swindon principal and chief executive Carole Kitching has announced her retirement from the role at the end of the academic year after five years with the college.

The announcement came in the week when the college secured University Centre status.

Carole has worked in further education and skills for twenty-six years, and as principal for the past fifteen, in six colleges, taking the helm at New College in 2018.

Although she is retiring from full-time college leadership, Carole is planning to stay actively involved in the sector in other capacities, with more time to contribute in different ways in areas that matter most to her.

Carole said: “Since joining back in 2018, I am proud the college has supported over 45,000 learners, including my own daughter, to succeed and fulfil their potential.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside so many committed professionals and I thank them for their support and dedication in making everything we do possible.”

In August 2020, Carole oversaw New College’s merger, over fifteen years in the making, with Swindon College.

This replaced confusing competition and duplication of courses with a single access point to a broad curriculum meeting local needs.

Carole has positioned the college as an important civic institution offering a mutually supportive ‘family’ of specialisms covering academic 14-16 and sixth form, technical, professional and trade teaching and apprenticeships for adults and young people, community learning, basic skills and leisure classes.

There is also a fast-growing range of degrees and higher technical qualifications which has now won New College and its Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology official University Centre recognition.

Course innovation has also flourished with recent diverse introductions covering: T-Levels, e-sports, cyber security, VR healthcare, and training for green jobs

The College successfully has attracted more than £25 million of investment in new facilities since merger including a state-of-the-art T-Level Hub pioneering the provision in Swindon and Wiltshire, the Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, the SWITCH health initiative, and a new Animal Management Centre.

Carole said: “We’re certainly far more than a big school, or sixth form college. Visitors are amazed when they see our facilities and how much is happening. With so many opportunities to pursue there’s no need to travel to get where you want to go in life.”

Leah Palmer, New College’s current deputy principal curriculum & learners, will be appointed as interim principal and chief executive while recruitment for a permanent principal takes place.

Leah joined New College last October having spent the previous twelve years working in two Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated colleges.

Meanwhile, the College’s Higher Education Centre will be re-branded as the New College Swindon University Centre with immediate effect after its programmes were granted granted University Centre status by the Department for Education..

Lynne Plested, vice principal for higher education and curriculum, said: “For many years, we have been delivering higher education with first-class teaching and excellent facilities.

“Gaining this new title of University Centre highlights that New College Swindon University Centre is the provider of higher and degree level study for the town and surrounding area.

“Swindon is often cited as the largest town without a university, but we want to raise local aspirations and make people realise that they don’t need to move or travel out of the area, or pay excessive fees in order gain a university-level qualification.

“At the New College Swindon University Centre, there are local, affordable opportunities right here on their doorstep.

“I am incredibly proud of our higher education management team and lecturers, whose hard work and skills ensure we secure great outcomes for our students”.

The qualifications offered across our North Star and Queens Drive Campuses, including the state-of-the-art Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology, open up a wide range of career opportunities in areas such as creative arts; media; science and healthcare; engineering and construction; teaching and childcare; business and ICT.

In response to growing demand, the University Centre is already looking to expand its provision, with new qualifications in e-sports, animal management, and mental health in development.