First Principal of brand new Callywith College appointed
The first ever Principal of the new Callywith College in Bodmin has been appointed and he has given a rallying cry to the young people of north and east Cornwall.
Mark Wardle, for the last six years Truro and Penwith College’s Director of Curriculum, said the “vision for Callywith is very clear”. “It’s about raising life chances for young people in north and east Cornwall.”
He continued: “Our aspiration, our determination, is to bring the quality and outstanding provision which Ofsted confirms is available at Truro and Penwith College much closer to young people in these areas, including the many who currently have to travel nearly four hours a day to receive the outstanding education they clearly want.”
Mark, who has worked in a number of post-16 institutions, including sixth forms in Leeds and Eastbourne and a college in Hastings, will use his extensive knowledge of the sector to deliver “a vibrant, dynamic learning community”. “We want Callywith College students to achieve their full potential with outstanding outcomes, enabling them to take control of their future, and to progress into higher education or employment,” he continued. “If you live in north and east Cornwall and you want to experience exceptional post-16 teaching and learning in a brand new exciting environment, Callywith is for you.”
Chair of Trustees for Callywith College, and Truro and Penwith College Principal David Walrond, said he was “delighted at the appointment of Mark as the first Principal of Callywith College”.
“He is absolutely the right person to deliver this new College and the wealth of opportunities it will bring to learners in north and east Cornwall,” he said. “Mark knows the effort, inspiration and unwavering commitment it takes to provide an outstanding post-16 education and he has been instrumental in the continued success of Truro and Penwith College. We are in no doubt that he will use his knowledge and experience to forge the very best experience and education for Callywith College’s students.”
The new Principal gained his initial inspiration to pursue a career in education from his mother. “I studied law at Reading University, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t want to take it forwards as a career. My mum was a teacher and she seemed to really enjoy her work and was really passionate about the teaching vocation and the opportunity it gives to change life chances, so when I completed my degree I decided to undertake a PGCE focused on further education - and here we are 17 years later.” Mark is also experiencing life at the other end of the education system as his five-year-old twins are getting ready for year one of primary school in Cornwall. He also brings to the role experience as a school governor and his recent Ofsted inspectorate training.
It will be a brand new and world-class experience for the first ever students at Callywith College, who amongst other opportunities, will get to use state-of-the-art science labs, a purpose-built theatre, and a 3G sports pitch. “The College is designed by the architects responsible for Truro and Penwith College, so they are utilising 23 years of experience of working on buildings for young College students to develop the Callywith campus,” Mark added. “The students will also have access to a broad curriculum including 26 A Levels and 11 Extended Diplomas, and are going to benefit from some of the best post-16 teaching available, all built on the formula and foundations of Truro and Penwith College.” And it is delivering this outstanding package that will be the primary focus for the new Principal.
“I want to ensure that the students who choose Callywith get the experience they expect and deserve, and that they enjoy their post-16 education as much as the students that come to Truro and Penwith do,” he said. “The right post-16 education, the best colleges, can set you up for the rest of your life, providing the opportunity to study courses that interest you, giving you the control over your future ambitions, whatever they may be.”
Callywith College is launching its prospectus on 17 September at a special launch event at the Shire Hall in Bodmin. Mark and other members of the Callywith team will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the College, including a presentation for members of the public at 1pm.
“We will also be holding a whole range of events over the next few months to make sure people will have as many chances as possible to come and meet us and talk about all the opportunities,” Mark added.
Applications for Callywith will open in the autumn and the first intake of students at Callywith College will be in September 2017.