our learners, knowing that the skills, knowledge and behaviours developed here will influence workplaces and communities for years to come. We are dedicated to creating positive experiences that help students grow both academically and personally. Our community is central to our purpose. We believe that inclusive, high quality education transforms lives, and we recognise that learning extends far beyond the walls of our campus. That is why we are expanding both our physical and virtual environments, strengthening partnerships with local employers, and working with international collaborators to
enrich the opportunities available to our students. As an anchor institution, we understand the we hold in shaping the local area. We are part of the community, we influence it, and we strive to be a positive force within it. We work closely with our students to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the places in which they live and
We are intentional about the opportunities we provide, supporting students to build knowledge, develop resilience, and gain the confidence to navigate life and their future careers. Our strong relationships with employers help us to co design our curriculum that reflects real industry needs and opens clear logical pathways to good, sustainable employment in well paid jobs.
Our campus, both physical and virtual, is a vital part of the learning experience. We invest in high and provide safe and sustainable environments that support excellent teaching and while ensuring the long term financial
are our greatest asset. We have incredible colleagues that make a positive difference to our students lives. We will continue to invest in staff development and wellbeing so that everyone within our College community feels valued, supported and able to grow. This commitment helps make Darlington College a great place to work and
Together, we will ensure the College continues to thrive, delivering high quality education that truly inspires and enhances the community we serve.
Emma Wright | Chair of Corporation
David Gartland | Principal and CEO
OUR MISSION
Provide a high quality, inspirational education experience for all.
To provide exceptional opportunities that will inspire and enhance the community that we serve.
“ The resources available at Darlington College are fantastic
OUR VALUES
Our values are encapsulated within a single word “INSPIRE”
Provide an inclusive environment that celebrates difference, reduces inequalities and creates a safe space for all
Ensure our learners have the tools, skills and resilience to navigate life, education and their future careers
Have in place extensive, responsive, wraparound care and support for your learners as and when they need it
Take pride in being a part of the college, the work we do and understand the impact we have
Learners become independent, ready to progress and thrive in their destination of choice
We are respectful of each other and ourselves in every aspect of our work
We strive for excellence in all aspects of our work and study
OUR STRATEGIC THEMES AND PRIORITIES
Quality
We focus on providing high quality education enabling all learners to achieve excellent outcomes. We reduce inequalities, focus on inclusion, provide an inspiring, inclusive and safe working environment for all. We provide a range of opportunities to develop cultural capital ensuring our learners are ready to succeed and progress to their destination of choice.
Community
We understand and are proud of our role within the local community. We take pride in our work and are respectful of one another. We will work with stakeholders to shape education in the town, to strengthen further the links with industry and co design our curriculum so students are work ready with a clear line of sight from education to the work-place.
Opportunity
We work tirelessly to provide a range of opportunities for our students and support them to become capable independent learners. We provide a range of experiences that support them in navigating their route through education, into their careers and beyond. We work collaboratively with local & regional stakeholders to support the college to grow in a sustainable and efficient way, whilst maintaining excellence across the organisation. We are central to the development of the town and support the local community to access opportunities that become available to them.
Resources
We will invest our financial resources effectively and prudently to provide a high quality and resilient physical and virtual infrastructure that focuses on enhancing further pedagogical practice, systems and processes that enable everyone to excel. We continue to modernise, enhance and improve our working environment for the benefit of our community. We continue to create inspirational, world class and safe facilities that help embed excellence in daily practice.
People
We will provide a highly productive, supportive environment that allows all members of the College community to thrive. We will develop further our reputation that makes us an employer of choice. We will invest in our colleagues and provide opportunities for them to develop within the organisation and beyond.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Quality
We focus on providing high quality education enabling all learners to achieve excellent outcomes. We reduce inequalities, focus on inclusion, provide an inspiring, inclusive and safe working environment for all. We provide a range of opportunities to develop cultural capital ensuring our learners are ready to succeed and progress to their destination of choice.
Ensure curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and aligns to local, regional and national skills needs, incorporating employer and stakeholder feedback.
Deliver consistently highquality and inclusive teaching and assessment that enables all learners to make strong progress and achieve positive outcomes.
Prepare learners effectively for their next steps so they can navigate life, through excellence in skill development, knowledge and behaviours for work.
Widen experiences and opportunities for learners, including development of their cultural capital so they are able to make a positive contribution to their community.
Reduce inequalities in achievement and progression through effective adaptation and responsiveness to learner needs which leads to greater personal independence.
Embed a culture of excellence and continuous quality improvement.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Community
We understand and are proud of our role within the local community. We take pride in our work and are respectful of one another. We will work with stakeholders to shape education in the town, to strengthen further the links with industry and co design our curriculum so students are work ready with a clear line of sight from education to the work-place.
Position the college as a trusted, visible and inclusive community anchor, that provides social cohesion, economic resilience and enables learners to navigate their civic life.
Champion the needs of learners and the local area with pride, at regional and national level, influencing policy and funding decisions.
Actively remove barriers to education and skills development for underrepresented groups, supporting lifelong learning and improved life chances that positively impacts the community
Work in collaboration with employers and local stakeholders, local and mayoral combined authorities, schools and the third-sector to codesign provision and share excellent resources.
Continue to support local and regional initiatives to provide social value and support the communities in which we work and live.
Sustain a positive college community that we are proud to be a part of, where we are aware, celebrate and value differences and support our learners to develop their respect and kindness.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Opportunity
We work tirelessly to provide a range of opportunities for our students and support them to become capable independent learners. We provide a range ofexperiences that support them in navigating their route through education, into their careers and beyond. We work collaboratively with local & regional stakeholders to support the college to grow in a sustainable and efficient way, whilst maintaining excellence across the organisation. We are central to the development of the town and support the local community to access opportunities that become available to them.
Provide opportunities that unlock life chances, including experiences beyond the classroom, so learners become increasingly independent and progress in life, into sustained employment, apprenticeships or higherlevel study.
Provide inclusive and flexible learning opportunities to meet the needs of adults, working learners, carers and those returning to education so they can economically contribute to the community.
Remove barriers to participation/success through reducing financial, digital, academic and personal barriers so learners can engage and excel.
Be first-choice provider for school leavers, adults and apprentices/employers.
Equip learners with high-value skills and widen opportunities for the changing economy, including technical, digital and transferable skills to meet current skills needs.
Seek opportunities to grow the college in a sustainable and viable way, supporting the economic development and growth of the town and be at the forefront of new ventures.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Resources
We will invest our financial resources effectively and prudently to provide a high quality and resilient physical and virtual infrastructure that focuses on enhancing further pedagogical practice, systems and processes that enable everyone to excel. We continue to modernise, enhance and improve our working environment for the benefit of our community. We continue to create inspirational, world class and safe facilities that help embed excellence in daily practice.
Invest strategically in our physical and digital environments to enable inclusive, high-quality learning, effective support and long term financial and environmental sustainability
Embed purposeful and innovative use of technology to enhance educational quality, inclusion and organisational effectiveness and break down barriers to learning
Continue to strengthen our cyber security posture to protect our community and enable safe digital transformation
Retain a minimum of good financial health status
Provide a safe working environment that allows individuals to excel in their chosen field
Optimise the use of our estate, facilities and resources to deliver value, sustainability and impact
Provide high-quality, industry aligned equipment, resources and facilities to support outstanding teaching, learning and professional practice
Deliver our net zero ambition through sustainable estates, digital innovation and responsible resource management
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
People
We will provide a highly productive, supportive environment that allows all members of the College community to thrive. We will develop further our reputation that makes us an employer of choice. We will invest in our colleagues and provide opportunities for them to develop within the organisation and beyond.
Provide a positive and supportive working and learning environment that we are proud to be a part of and to excel and thrive in
To give people the trust and autonomy they deserve to navigate their careers and develop into excellent practitioners
Invest in our people through wellbeing initiatives and individualised CPD; including strong digital capability and pedagogy to enhance teaching and professional practice.
Maintain a culture of pride and excellence in all aspects of our work, where our people take responsibility for their role within the college
Remain an attractive employer, ensuring we attract and retain great talent
Provide opportunities for colleagues to develop, and for effective succession planning
Identify talent and critical roles closely aligned to our succession planning
Governance of the college remains strong and effective
OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK
We have a structured approach to our strategic planning, ensuring that our key documents are aligned and are joined by a golden thread and informs our monitoring and reporting processes.
HOW WE WILL MEASURE SUCCESS
We will review the Strategic Plan annually to ensure it adapts to the changing needs of the region, government and regulatory landscape. Each year the Corporation will set and monitor strategic objectives and Key Performance Indicators aligned with the strategic priorities.
This plan is aligned with the Accountability Statement, Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan and Risks.
Operational plans will be developed annually to underpin these key corporate documents.
