Hull College Chair: ‘We’re at the start of something special after some tricky years’
PROGRESS: Hull College Chair of Governors Rob Lawson OBE. Picture by Tom Arran Commercial Photography
EXCLUSIVE by Rick Lyon
The Chair of Governors at Hull College insists it is now finally on the right path after experiencing “some really tricky years” and overcoming “significant challenges”.
Rob Lawson OBE joined as Chair last September and brings a wealth of experience in the education sector, having been a National Leader in Governance for the Department for Education (DfE) and the FE Commissioner for four years.
He says he was conscious the college had experienced a turbulent recent history when he took on the role.
Hull College was rated by Ofsted as “requires improvement” after its last two full inspections and an FE Commissioner Intervention Summary report published in October 2021 detailed a culture of fear, lack of leadership and financial difficulties.
The college has also experienced multiple changes in leadership and job losses over the last few years.
IMPROVING: The Hull College campus in the city centre
However, there are now signs of improvement under a new Board of Governors and Senior Leadership Team.
A recent Ofsted monitoring visit reported “significant” progress in the quality of provision for 16 to 18-year-olds and implementing a personal development plan for students. It also reported “reasonable” progress in improving punctuality and attendance, as well as ensuring apprentices receive good career advice.
“The college has had some really tricky years, and some significant challenges to get through,” says Rob.
“There’s an awful lot of work to get through, but I do think we’ve got the right team here now.
“We’ve got a strong board and a relatively young, ambitious SLT. They know what they’re doing and I like the way they put the student first. That should always be the case.
PROGRESS IN QUALITY OF PROVISION: Students at Hull College
“I’m convinced we’ve got the structure in place, the right governors and the right SLT to really take the college forward.
“There’s plenty to do, but we’re at the start of something special here.”
Rob accepts it will take time to repair Hull College’s tarnished reputation among local communities, businesses and stakeholder groups across the city, but insists that work is ongoing and he is confident the college is turning things around.
“I’m conscious we’ve got a lot of work to do with stakeholders to reassure them we’ve got the right team in place and we’re now going in the right direction,” he says.
“We’ve got to rebuild a lot of relationships, some of which we’ve already started on, including with some major employers. That’s going to take some time.
‘DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION’: Hull College Principal and CEO Debra Gray OBE
“You can’t just rebuild a reputation overnight. It will take a period of stability, which we can offer with the Principal and the new governing body.
“We’re ready to kick on. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s about people. It’s getting the right people in the right jobs at the right time, and I think we’ve done that.
“Now, we need to convince the local communities and stakeholders, but it’s an exciting time to be at the college, and I’m really enjoying it.
“I just want the college to be the very best it can be, for its students and the local communities.”
The college’s financial performance was a particular area highlighted for improvement in the FE Commissioner report, with concerns raised over the spend on agency staff, among other things.
ON THE RIGHT PATH: Teaching at Hull College
Rob insists the correct personnel and procedures are now in place to make sure the college is spending its money wisely, to the greatest possible benefit of its students.
“It’s very unfortunate what’s gone on before,” he says. “We know it’s public money and we’re extremely serious about ensuring it’s spent in the right places, particularly with the recent history.
“All I would say is that the level of expertise we have now on the board means that I can sleep at night regarding Hull College’s finances.
“We’ve got some very talented people who understand the funding regime. I’ve already seen the level of questioning and the level of challenge and scrutiny at finance committee and full board, which gives me the reassurance I want, and that staff would want as well.
“It’s not something we take lightly at all. We want to account for every penny and make sure the money’s spent where it’s needed, and that’s in the delivery of excellent education and training for those who come to Hull College.”
‘ANCHOR INSTITUTION’: Hull College is now under new leadership
College Principal and CEO Debra Gray OBE, who joined 10 months ago, spoke exclusively to The Hull Story last month to launch plans for a wide-ranging “digital transformation”. It aims to prepare students for successful careers working with new and emerging technologies.
It is, says Rob, an indication of the positive direction the college is now heading in, under new leadership.
He also believes he and the rest of the Board of Governors have an important role to play – along with the SLT and everyone who works there – in championing Hull College.
“The college is an anchor institution in the city and everyone involved should be an advocate, but especially the governors,” he says.
“The role of governors is to carry out the checks and balances, and monitor the SLT’s performance against the strategy. We don’t get involved in the day-to-day, but we should absolutely all be advocates – that’s why we’re here, as far as I’m concerned.”
BRIGHT FUTURE: Hull College Chair Rob Lawson says everyone is doing their best for its students
The college recently appointed seven new Governors, nearly doubling the size of the board, because Rob didn’t feel it collectively had the necessary local knowledge and contacts to take the college forward.
He himself is from Sunderland originally. Having started his career in journalism at the Driffield Times, he later returned to his home city to be Editor of the Shields Gazette and the Sunderland Echo, before taking on the role of Editorial Director of the Johnston Press publishing group.
He left journalism in 2012 and became Chair of Governors at Sunderland College in 2013, before taking up his national governance role.
Rob was awarded an OBE for services to education in the 2021 New Year Honours List, something he describes as “the proudest moment of my professional life”.
He is keen to praise the work of his predecessor as Chair of Hull College, Lesley Davies, but wants to make the role his own.
“It’s vital for Hull College that the Chair has a profile and an advocate’s role in the local community, not just the Principal or the senior team,” he says.
PROFILE: Rob Lawson is convinced Hull College is now heading in the right direction
“I’ll be doing everything I can to promote Hull College at every opportunity.
“I know the area a little, from my time at Driffield, but I don’t know the networks here in Hull well enough yet. That’s something I’m desperate to change and I’ll be coming here as often as I can.”
Robs says he is well aware there may be some scepticism among staff at Hull College who have experienced multiple unsettling changes in leadership over recent years.
“I’ve got every sympathy for members of staff who’ve gone through a difficult period,” he says. “I understand the challenges they’ve had and the uncertainty created by so many changes in SLT and the governing board. It must have felt very unnerving and worrying.
“What I’d like to say is, I’m not going anywhere, Debs isn’t going anywhere, we’ve rebuilt the SLT, we’ve rebuilt the governing body, we’re determined to get it right and take the organisation forward for the city of Hull and our staff.
“We appreciate the work they put in, and we particularly appreciate those who’ve stuck with us through thick and thin. We’re determined to get it right for everyone involved and I’m absolutely convinced we will.”