A NEW principal brought in to help make improvements at an East Lancashire college said it can become ‘outstanding’ once again.

St Mary’s College in Blackburn was downgraded to ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted after an inspection earlier this year.

At the same time, it was branded in ‘financial failure’ by the Education Funding Agency and given a notice to improve.

Interim head Jenny Singleton, who is also principal of Cheadle and Marple Sixth Form College in Cheadle Hulme, and will remain so, said the Shear Brow college was now on a sound financial footing and has an exciting future.

Ms Singleton, who has 21 years’ experience in education and has been brought into the college to get it back on track, said: “I come from a college that was graded ‘requires improvement’ with ‘inadequate’ leadership and within 14 months it was judged to be ‘good’.

“I have been asked to do the same at St Mary’s and work to improve standards and ensure we achieve the highest grading for our students.

“I have been in post for a few weeks and found the staff and students to be very friendly and the behaviour is excellent. It’s a lovely college community.

“I am looking forward to working with colleagues and sharing good practice.”

The 47-year-old said her focus will be on innovative teaching and learning, while using experienced Ofsted inspectors to give advice and guidance on quality improvements.

Addressing the financial notice to improve, she said four members of staff have taken voluntary redundancy and a decision is to be made on the fifth.

“We have made the necessary savings that were required on a voluntary basis and the financial plan for the next year is sound,” she said.

She added they are looking to diversify into apprenticeships and further level two vocational programmes, which will support students who do not achieve A to Cs.

Ms Singleton said she hopes the college will regain its ‘good’ rating within 18 months.

“The work we’ve already done has put us in good position for the foreseeable future.”