College in vow to focus on financial health challenges

Wolverhampton College was subjected to two intervention visits earlier this year after concerns were raised over finances and the delayed move from its dilapidated Paget Road site.

In the new report, the FE Commissioner said the college’s financial health remained “inadequate” due to “high” debt and flagging growth levels, with turnover falling by 40 per cent over the last eight years.

It made recommendations, including that the college’s “tight cash position” needed to be monitored. It also urged the board of governors to find a solution to the long-mooted move from Paget Road to the city centre learning quarter.

The report also called for a review of the board’s composition “to ensure it reflects a suitable balance of skills and experience that provides appropriate scrutiny in board meetings”. Wolverhampton College entered a partnership with the city council in 2016 with the aim of reducing debts that were understood to be around £20 million at the time.

Nightclub

It is set to move from Paget Road to a new purpose built development at the site of the old Faces nightclub next year.

Mal Cowgill, chief executive and principal of the college, said: “The FE Commissioner team was able to highlight there are excellent systems and controls designed to develop relevant curriculum, monitor quality and allocate resources. Our governors, staff, students and apprentices were positive about their College experience and are proud of its achievements.

“The college is making good progress on our improvement journey since its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2017, with students numbers growing steadily in recent years.

“Amongst our normal activity, it was also recognised that the college is responding well to the Covid-19 pandemic and students say that they feel safe. Our challenges do however remain with legacy inadequate financial health, but we continue to work with the appropriate agencies for monitoring and support.”