‘East Riding College is no longer the Humber’s best kept secret, but it’s time to move on’

RETIRING: Mike Welsh

Mike Welsh’s tenure as Principal of East Riding College comes to an end next month. He told Rick Lyon why it is the right time to leave, and why he is so proud of what has been achieved in his time there

It won’t be easy for Mike Welsh when he leaves the job he has loved so much.

As Principal of East Riding College, he has widened its curriculum offer, led it through a successful merger, and secured numerous external accolades.

The college currently has 93 per cent of students progressing into positive destinations, including employment, apprenticeships, and higher-level study.

It is recognised as a strong education provider by both Ofsted and the Quality Assurance Agency [QAA], and the latest National Student Survey [NSS] recorded overall student satisfaction at 93 per cent.

Mike and his team also had to contend with the unprecedented challenges presented by the pandemic, with the college emerging from the other side stronger than ever.  

So why walk away now, when things have never been so good?

“First of all, I always wanted to leave it in a great place, and I am,” says Mike, who will retire at the end of May.

“When I reflect on the brief I was given by the board of governors when I became Principal four-and-a-half-years ago, it was to maintain the direction of travel to improve, and we’ve definitely done that.

‘IN A GREAT PLACE’: East Riding College

“We’ve developed and delivered a clear vision for the college. We’ve improved our apprenticeships, we’ve grown our high needs provision, we’ve significantly increased our higher education numbers, we have new curriculum areas, and we’ve built the IoT [Institute of Technology]. We’ve also led the sustainability agenda across the partnership.” [East Riding College is now a member of the TEC Partnership, which also includes Grimsby Institute, following the merger]

“We’re no longer the Humber’s best kept secret. Maintaining all that at such a high level is a great role to have but, for me, if I’m going to commit to some of the really big plans the college has – such as our industrial campus and other major projects – that would mean staying another four, five or six years to follow these things through. I can’t start something and not finish it.”

Mike, who is being succeeded as Principal by Danny Metters, the current Vice Principal at Bishop Burton College, accepts it will be a wrench to leave, having put so much into the role.

“I still really enjoy it,” he says, speaking from his office at the Flemingate campus in Beverley. “I guess I’ll have very mixed emotions on my last day here.

“There will be a little bit of sadness that I’m leaving something we’ve worked so hard at, but there will also be a lot of pride.

“I’m really pleased and proud about what we’ve achieved as a team, because you’re only ever as good as your team – and it’s been a massive team effort.

“We’ve probably achieved much more than I expected to when I started, and that’s been down to the support I’ve had from the board, my senior team and middle manager team.

“I’m proud to be leaving the college a really good place.

MOVING ON: Mike Welsh is proud of the improvements made at East Riding College

“Everything we’ve built has been sustainable. With the right leadership going forward, along with the brilliant organisational culture we have at the college, East Riding College within TEC Partnership will move forward.

“Danny will have the platform to build on the success we’ve achieved and I’m sure he’ll do a brilliant job.”

Mike says there is little he won’t miss about the job, other than the sector-wide issue of being under-funded by the Government.

“We can’t go much further as a sector without being properly funded,” he says. “Knowing you can do something better, without being able to afford it, is very frustrating.”

“We’re continually having to do more for less because successive Governments have under-funded further education. You can’t keep asking people to do more for less and I’m not prepared to compromise on quality or our values.”

Mike and his wife, who is also retiring from her role in the education sector, will be staying in the area and dedicating more time to volunteer work.

He is also joining the board of governors at another college outside the area, and is considering a number of consultancy roles.

“Like many people, the pandemic made us reflect as a family about what it is we want to do,” says Mike.

“We’re going to be doing more to help others and we’re still going to be around.”