New centre principal to lead transformed Accrington and Rossendale College

Progress on the multi-million pound transformation of Accrington and Rossendale College’s facilities is continuing apace, and a new centre principal has been appointed for the campus.

Morag Davis, assistant principal for technical curriculum across the Nelson and Colne College Group, has taken up the position and will be the designated lead from the Group’s Senior Leadership Team for the Accrington site which is currently undergoing £4m of improvements.

This includes brand new industry-standard Hair and Beauty salons, innovative study spaces, a revamped specialist Learning Resource Centre, dedicated Learner Services and Careers areas and a remodelled and modern student Refectory. Coming soon is the redevelopment of the Construction and Technology building and transformational green space creation to enhance the campus environment.

Within the newly-formed Nelson and Colne College Group, Accrington and Rossendale College has been positioned as the Technical and Skills Centre because of its strong reputation for delivery of vocational and technical training, with Nelson and Colne College sitting as the Sixth Form and academic centre within the organisation.

Morag has been with Nelson and Colne College for 18 years, beginning as a college Lecturer before working her way up to head of division for creative and digital and then the assistant principalship role.

She also has experience of leading on projects on outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, working with the Department for Education on a national communications strategy group and writing for national subject journals and publications on a range of topics.

Morag said: “I am extremely excited about the plans for Accrington and Rossendale College, and progress on our £4m campus transformation has already changed the feel of the site, creating a new advanced and specialist curriculum plans in place, and the collaboration with our ‘Outstanding’ partner College, Nelson and Colne College.

“I am passionate about the importance of vocational and technical qualifications and curriculum in preparing East Lancashire’s young people for their future, and ensuring they develop the essential industry-focused skills and knowledge that our evolving economy and society need.

“I am currently working closely with the Department for Education in leading the introduction nationally of new ‘gold-standard’ T Level qualifications, developed in collaboration with employers and businesses and which will launch in Education & Childcare and Digital at our College later this year.

“Here at the Group we are committed to a broad curriculum offer for students across East Lancashire and beyond. We continue to increase the range of high-quality education, training opportunities and progression routes available to students, and strive to create a College that raises aspirations and shapes future career choices among our young people.”

Accrington and Rossendale College’s doors will open up to visitors again on Monday 10 February between 5.30pm and 7.30pm for the final Year 11 Open Event of this academic year.

This is another chance for prospective students and parents to come and discover what life is like at one of the top 10 colleges in the country for Level 3 learner achievement and Apprenticeship achievement, and a College which is being significantly improved with £4 million of investment.

Accrington and Rossendale College is in the top 10 colleges in the country for 16-18 timely Apprenticeship achievement, at all levels, and classroom learning achievement at Level 3. The College improved by 50 and 91 places, respectively, in those measures in the 2019 National Achievement Rate Tables published by the government.

If you would like to apply to study at Accrington and Rossendale College, contact 01254 389933 or visit www.accross.ac.uk