City College Southampton: New principal vows to turn it around

Reducing student numbers, several previous merger talks collapsing and a campus too big for its needs have left it facing severe financial difficulties - along with a requires improvement rating from Ofsted.

But now with experienced principal Martin Sim at the helm, there are signs of change and talks on a new merger proposed by the Department for Education are progressing.

An educator with four decades of experience, Mr Sim took over in July from former principal Sarah Stannard.

The possible merger with Eastleigh College and Fareham College would help shore up the city institution.

Work on talks is “going forward” Mr Sim told the Echo.

READ MORE: College's plea as damming report says it has no money and growing debts

He added: "I'm here until the situation is sorted. There's one word missing from my job role and that's 'interim'.

"I will see this college into its next iteration - that's stabilised and moving up, or the college has undergone a merger and we're working towards a merger next academic year."

Nothing has yet been agreed but a joint steering group has been set up between all three colleges.

Principal Martin Sim (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Sim - who said ensuring the survival of the college is 'essential' - is focused on 'weaning' the college off emergency Education and Skills Funding Agency funding previously said to have neared £8m.

Accounts due to be published in December will reveal the state of the finances - but Mr Sim is confident the college is signed off as a going concern.

Key to ensuring that is boosting student numbers - with this academic year already seeing a growth in recruitment.

This has come with increased retention, attendance, and a vital reduction in staff costs without compulsory redundancies.

READ MORE: Troubled Southampton college appoints new principal

Mr Sim, who was brought in to turn the college's fortunes around, says the financial situation is 'challenging but not impossible'.

And he has reason to be optimistic. Such is the increase in recruitment that a long-mothballed building has been brought back into use for bricklaying students in a six-week turnaround.

Trades are one area of growth Mr Sim has identified, along with teaching English to foreign students.

He is keen the college serves Southampton’s economy.

"The job we have today is looking where there are shortfalls in the economy in Southampton and give people the skills so they can move into that particular area," Mr Sim said.

The troubleshooting principal is confident in his staff and 'fantastic facilities' - and told the Echo he does not fear an Ofsted inspection.

"The big thing for me was recognising the staff," Mr Sim said on his approach at the college.

He added: "The staff were fed up of being told by external agencies that they weren't good - and it's wrong.

"They're operating better than good because of the challenging environment they were operating in.

"They've risen to the challenge."

He added: "There are people here who want the college to be successful.

"They recognise how important it is to this local area, and that will be the case for the next few years."

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