
The Corporation
Colleges are established under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 for the charitable purpose of ‘advancing education’.
Colleges provide high-quality technical and professional education and training for young people, adults and employers, that prepare students with valuable skills for the workplace, helping to develop their career opportunities and strengthen the local, regional and national economy.
The Corporation is the legal entity that operates the College, and the College is an activity through which the Corporation achieves its charitable purpose.
The Corporation’s core functions are to:
- Determine and develop the College’s educational character;
- Set and communicate the College’s strategy and goals;
- Hold the Executive leaders to account for the educational performance and quality of the College, and for the performance of staff;
- Exercise effective control to ensure that funds and assets are protected, the College remains solvent and its legal obligations are met.
The Corporation has ultimate responsibility for all governance matters, in accordance with its Instrument and Articles of Government, however it delegates responsibilities to Committees in accordance with the governance structure below and its governance documents and policies:
The Corporation determines the membership of each Committee, based on the skillsets required by the Committee and the skillsets held by the individual.
Key Policies
Governance Meetings
The Corporation’s meetings and Committee meetings are run as hybrid meetings (i.e. with the option for virtual or physical attendance), with papers circulated in advance (seven days prior) by the Governance Professional. The Corporation’s schedule of meetings and minutes of previous meetings can be found here. Papers and minutes are stored and available on GovernorHub.
Twice a year (in January and May), everyone involved in governance comes together for a Strategic Conference to discuss the strategy for the respective institutions and the Group overall.
In addition to governance and strategy meetings, everyone involved in governance is expected to participate in induction meetings (when new in post) and training sessions (throughout their term of office) to keep up to date with the latest information, guidance and best practices.
Key Information
Purpose / Summary | Mandatory / Advisable | |
---|---|---|
WSC’s Instruments and Articles of Government | Describes the governance framework and requirements of the College. | Mandatory reading |
WSC’s Code of Conduct and Role Descriptions (above) | Describes the standards of conduct and accountability which are expected of Governors and Committee members, including any legal and ethical duties. | Mandatory reading |
The Seven Principles of Public Life | (also known as the Nolan Principles) Describes the principals by which all people involved in governance must uphold. | Mandatory reading |
Key Policies (above) | Describes the governance structure of the College and how responsibility is delegated. | Mandatory reading |
FE Corporations Governance Guide | Describes the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to FE corporations as charities providing education. It also summarises recommended practice for effective governance. | Mandatory reading |
Keeping Children Safe in Education | Describes the governance responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children | Mandatory reading |
WSC’s Ofsted Reports | Describes the outcome of Ofsted inspections including their judgements on (1) quality of education, (2) behaviour and attitudes, (3) personal development, (4) leadership and management; and areas for development. | Mandatory reading |
WSC’s Annual Self-Assessment Report and Quality Improvement Plan | Describes the College’s academic quality and outcomes for the previous academic year and the areas for further development for the current academic year. | Mandatory reading |
College Financial Handbook | Describes the governance and financial responsibilities of Colleges | Mandatory reading |
WSC’s Annual Report and Financial Statements | Describes the College’s financial accounts for the previous academic year and summarises the College’s performance, objectives and strategy, and its compliance. | Mandatory reading |
Role Descriptors
Terms of Reference
Financial Information
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2024
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2024
2023
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2023
2022
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2022
2021
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2021
2020
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2020
2019
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2019
2018
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2018
2017
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2017
2016
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2016
2015
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2015
2014
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2014
2013
Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 July 2013