Hopwood Hall College Annual Review

Hopwood Hall College annual review took place on Friday (9 February) with guests attending including the Mayor and Mayoress, Ian and Christine Duckworth, Tony Lloyd MP, Liz McInnes MP, Hopwood DePree, Reverend Mark Coleman, Chairman of Governors Councillor Robert Clegg and the Leader of Rochdale Council Councillor Allen Brett.

Derek O’Toole, the college principal, spoke about the successful year the college has had; receiving a grade two Ofsted inspection in November 2016 and later in the year being cited as sixth best in the country for the progress students make on their vocational courses.

Principal Derek O’Toole said: “Outcomes like this are only achieved through the hard work of our staff and students.

”Over 80% of our students progress to higher education or training and we currently work with 400 local businesses who provide apprenticeships, bringing the total investment in our learners to £25 million.

“The strength and character of Hopwood Hall College starts with the people in it, so I would like to thank you all for our success this year.”

Principal O’Toole quoted the Ofsted report explaining how the college was delighted with the feedback and with one of the many positive comments:
'Your leadership team and governors set high expectations for your learners and staff, with clear priorities to improve the quality of provision, develop the skills of teaching staff, improve the college estate and maintain a strong financial position.

'Study programmes provide learners aged 16-19 with high quality work-related activities and purposeful work experience which link to their longer-term employment aspirations.'

Chairman of Governors, Councillor Robert Clegg OBE, spoke and said: “With a degree of sadness, this is the last annual review I will attend.

“We have been very busy recently and have a set of new governors who will be joining us, including Nazir Afzal who will be joining the college and bringing a high profile with him.

“It has been a real joy and pleasure to work here and I am so glad we are recognised as a good college and can maintain this reputation within the Rochdale Borough.

“Our financial health remains outstanding, so thank you.”

Assistant Principal, Julia Heap, said: “91% of our teaching staff were graded good by Ofsted and this is the seventh year running that we have had a good financial grade.

“We are really proud of the college and it is pleasing that the college is remaining profitable, with investment in the estate, students and our security.

“All of our apprentices are an asset to our workforce and we are continuing to provide them with up to date high-tech equipment for them to practice with. We are also continuing to invest in upgrading IT resources and have recently upgraded all of our CCTV and placed new entrance barriers at our Middleton campus. We hope that this will make more of our students feel like they are within a safe and secure environment.”

Three students also gave accounts of their time at Hopwood Hall.

Josh Cooper, who is studying Level Three Performing Arts, thanked the college for helping him succeed, even though when he first started at the college he did not have his English or Maths GCSE qualifications.

He said: “I have now been at Hopwood Hall for four years and passed my Performing Arts Level One with flying colours. My tutors have always helped me and adapted my assessments to my ability, so I could achieve the best outcome.

“Whilst being at Hopwood Hall, I have achieved two UK Skills Competitions, a Level Two in Acting, a Level Two in Dance and have completed work experience at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

“Four years ago, I never would have thought I would be going to university to achieve my dream of being an actor but thanks to the teachers and tutors here who helped me, I have progressed so much.”

Level Four Teaching and Education student, Elise Mitchell, shared her positive thoughts on the college, she said: “For me, Hopwood Hall opened my eyes to endless possibilities and changed my life.

“The kind, caring and considerate nature of the tutors is the kind of attitude that made me want to progress. They challenged me to aim high and achieve my full potential and I am so thankful to them for teaching me to be the person that I am today.

“Hopwood Hall is unique – always going above and beyond. This college and its tutors are what any student could wish for. The teachers are role models and have given me so much more than education.

“In all my life’s accomplishments, this journey is the one I have been most grateful for.”

The afternoon ended with a showcase of the college’s next dance production ‘Thumbelina’, portrayed by the Performing Arts students.

A premiere of the 2018 Hopwood Hall College DVD, created by five of the college’s media students, was shown which will be used as a marketing activity for schools.

There followed a lunch in the Henry West Conference room for all attendees.

 

‘Thumbelina’, portrayed by Hopwood Hall College Performing Arts students

 

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