Buckinghamshire College Group Impact Report 2024-25

Buckinghamshire College Group

Impact Report

FOREWORD OUR IMPACT GOALS

We are excited to share our latest Impact Report, which demonstrates how Buckinghamshire College Group is delivering on its strategic objectives and making a tangible difference for learners, employers, and the wider community. Below, we highlight our key achievements, ambitions, and the real stories that bring our mission to life.

Jenny Craig Principal and CEO

Buckinghamshire College Group

Create exceptional learning experiences for our students.

Develop and deliver a future proofed, careers-focused curriculum.

Empower and support our people to thrive and achieve personal and professional goals.

Grow our impact in the local and regional economy and enhance our reputation.

Strengthen our financial resilience supporting investment for a sustainable future.

GOAL 1: Creating Exceptional Learning Experiences

Our commitment to exceptional learning is evident in the breadth and quality of opportunities we offer.

Over 5,000 learners across our three campuses benefit from hands-on, real-world experiences. This year, students produced live TV, hosted inspiring conferences, and participated in a major incident simulation with local emergency services, bringing learning to life and building vital employability skills.

• Industry Engagement: Our Level 3 Film & TV students interviewed actor Robert Wilfort in a live studio broadcast, gaining unique insights into the creative industries.

• Employer-Led Events: The Velocity event brought together over 300 students and local employers for a day of collaboration, idea generation, and feedback, helping students develop work readiness and confidence.

• Achievement: Digital & Media programmes achieved a 99% pass rate, with 80% of students earning high grades. Creative programmes also saw a 99% pass rate, with three-quarters of students achieving high grades—well above the national average.

• Apprenticeship Success: Our carpentry and joinery apprenticeship achievement rate stands at 12pp above national average, ensuring our graduates are highly competitive in the job market.

99%

80%

12pp above national average achievement for Carpentry Apprenticeships Creative programmes achieved a combined pass rate of 99%, with threequarters of students earning high grades, well above the national average.

Digital and Media programmes achieved a 99% combined pass rate, with 80% of students earning high grades

5,000+

Learners across our 3 campuses

300

students attended Velocity

75+

trips, workshops, guest talks and live briefs

GOAL 2: Developing a Future-Proofed,

Careers-Focused Curriculum

We are proud to offer a curriculum that is both innovative and responsive to the needs of employers and the economy.

• New Programmes: This year saw the launch of new T Levels in Civil Engineering and Marketing, and the opening of our state-of-the-art Health Wing, which includes a dental suite, hospital ward, and immersive training spaces.

• Work Placements: Students completed over 26,000 hours of work placements, and 1,900 adult learners engaged in upskilling across our campuses.

• Outstanding Results: 100% of T Level students in Education & Early Years achieved high grades and secured either employment or a place at their firstchoice university. Level 3 Beauty Therapy students also achieved a 100% pass rate, progressing directly into industry.

• Employer Partnerships: Our curriculum is co-designed with industry partners, ensuring learners are prepared for real-world challenges. The Bucks Skills Show, which we proudly sponsor, welcomed 7,000 students to explore career paths and meet employers.

1,900

95%

100%

T Level students in Education & Early Years achieved a 100% pass rate, with every learner earning a high grade and securing either a permanent role in the sector or a place at their first-choice university.

100%

Level 3 Beauty Therapy students also achieved a 100% pass rate, with all progressing directly into industry following exceptional trade test performances.

Adult learners on Level 3 Access to Higher Education courses achieved a 95% pass rate, with 100% progressing to university.

7,000

students attended the Bucks Skills Show

10pp

Our Apprenticeship achievement rate is over 10pphigher than the national average

GOAL 3: Empowering People to Thrive

We believe in empowering every member of our community, students and staff alike, to achieve their personal and professional goals.

• Ofsted Recognition: We are delighted to have received an “Outstanding” rating for Initial Teacher Education and “Good” overall.

• Inclusion: As a Disability Confident Leader (one of only 15 FE colleges in the UK), we are committed to accessible facilities, inclusive teaching, and tailored support for all.

• Wellbeing & Volunteering: Staff wellbeing days, charity fundraising (over £3,000 raised), and community projects such as the creation of a sensory garden for Brainkind’s Kent House demonstrate our commitment to wellbeing and social responsibility.

• Personal Development: Volunteering is embedded in our culture, helping students and staff build teamwork, communication, and leadership skills while making a positive impact in the community.

GOAL 4: Strengthening Financial Resilience for

a Sustainable Future

Our financial resilience enables us to invest in modern facilities, innovative technologies, and sustainable practices.

• Strategic Partnerships: Our partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction and the Buckinghamshire Highways Alliance has brought new expertise and resources to our new Civil Engineering T Level, providing students with invaluable industry insight and practical experience.

• Sustainability: Students are actively involved in sustainability projects, such as the Green Schools Challenge, where carpentry students developed a practical solution to repurpose timber offcuts, reducing waste and supporting local businesses.

• Health Sector Innovation: The Positive Steps Programme, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and JobCentre Plus, offers unemployed adults a route into healthcare careers, with outstanding employment outcomes for participants.

• New High Wycombe Campus: Planning is progressing for the development of a state-of-the-art new campus in the heart of High Wycombe.

GOAL 5: Growing Our Impact in the Local and Regional Economy

We are proud to play a leading role in the economic and social development of Buckinghamshire.

• Ofsted “Good” Rating: Our latest inspection praised our strong leadership, welldesigned curriculum, and the significant progress students make during their studies.

• Employer Engagement: We work closely with employers to address skills gaps, particularly in healthcare and digital sectors. The new Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship, developed with the NHS, was celebrated by Ofsted as an example of health partnership innovation.

• Community Projects: Students led fundraising for Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, raising £734 and donating nearly 200 pairs of pyjamas to Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Carpentry students restored a 1930s hay wagon for The Horse Trust, applying learning to a real community need.

• Digital Innovation: Tech Support Squad joined as a Cornerstone Employer for our Digital Support & Security T Level, ensuring our digital learners gain real-world experience and industry insights.

Celebrated

1,715

500 employers

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Throughout every initiative, our values of ambition, innovation, integrity, and respect shine through. Our ambition is to be a sector leader—not just in outcomes, but in the experiences and opportunities we provide to every learner and staff member.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are building a future-ready college that delivers real impact for Buckinghamshire and beyond.

Impact Report