Turning around the fortunes of Redcar and Cleveland College has proven something of a mercy mission for its principal Jason Faulkner.
Now, it seems the hard work and determination has paid off, as the college boss has picked up an education leadership award for his efforts.
Named winner of the UK Education Leadership Award at the Educate North Awards in Manchester last night, Jason said: “It is a good feeling to see the college in such a great place, with so many exciting plans in the pipeline.
“This award might be for leadership, but in my mind, it very much represents a whole team effort.”
Taking the helm of the college in 2018, following a merger with Stockton Riverside College, under Jason’s watchful eye the college in Redcar has undergone a rapid transformation.
Today it is listed as good with outstanding features by Ofsted, and is on the cusp of launching its brand-new Clean Energy Education Hub, a training facility that will meet the demands of the region’s emerging renewable and low carbon industries.
For Jason, who is also an executive principal of the Education Training Collective (Etc.) and a born and bred Teessider, the group’s plan was always to secure the future of the college for the people of Redcar and Cleveland, and in doing so, bolster opportunities for the wider community.
The Educate North Awards celebrate excellence, world class achievement and improvement across the university, higher education, further education and sixth form sectors in the North.
Redcar and Cleveland College, which is part of the Etc., was also named a finalists for FE College of the Year. The group were finalists in three further categories, Employer Engagement, The Sustainable Green Initiative and Mental health and Wellbeing.
Etc. chief executive and group principal Grant Glendinning said: “We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved at Redcar and Cleveland College and Jason has played a key role in making that happen. It is fantastic to see Jason and the group recognised.”
