ESHER COLLEGE NEWSLET TER Summer 2010 A FOND FAREWELL TO PRINCIPAL KEITH BLACKWELL AFTER 12 YEARS AT ESHER COLLEGE Pictured above: Keith Blackwell, OBE, with 6.1 Art students in the Art block; one of the new buildings to be built under Keith’s leadership. Many of you will be aware from our last newsletter that our Principal, Keith Blackwell, will be retiring in August this year. Keith has been Principal of Esher College since September 1998 and during the last 12 years has achieved considerable success leading the College to notable achievements in many areas. Our student numbers have increased by over 30% during this time and the College is now highly oversubscribed, as the first choice for many school leavers from Elmbridge, and neighbouring boroughs in Surrey and South London. We are now a high performing sixth form college of 1,600 full-time, (and 1,000 part-time students), and were awarded Beacon Status after receiving “outstanding” ratings for all areas during inspections by Ofsted in 2005 and again in 2008. During this time, our examination results have shown consistent improvement, with the GCE A level pass rate increasing from 93.1% in 1998 to 99.1% in 2009, enhanced by positive value-added scores for students. Keith has led and developed a team of staff which now comprises over 200 people and manages a budget of over £8m per annum which has given us a sound base to face the current difficult economic climate. He has also led the transformation of our College facilities, with over £7m being generated to improve and enhance the teaching facilities over the last 10 years, alongside the establishment of a highly sophisticated IT system recognised by Microsoft as an exemplar. He has improved relationships with the local community and our facilities have become a valued asset to the community, being utilised by many sports and other activity groups. Outside the College, Keith has been an active participant in a wide range of collaborative activities with other bodies. He established the Elmbridge 14-19 Partnership, led the setting up of the S7 Consortium of Sixth Form Colleges in Surrey, and represents sixth form colleges on a number of regional and national committees. He was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year’s Honours list for his contribution to Further Education at local and national level. Keith has led the College with passion and a willingness to meet challenges with energy and enthusiasm to make improvements for students and staff. His readiness to set out his views on issues and to initiate progress to resolve problems will be missed-as well as his occasionally unusual choice of colour in clothes and shoes!! CONTINUED ON PAGE 3