Strategic Plan

Bath College empowers people of all ages to learn, grow, and succeed, delivering high-quality education, values, and training that strengthen our community and prepares learners for bright, meaningful futures.

By 2030, Bath College will be recognised as an inclusive and outstanding college at the heart of our community — transforming lives and shaping the future:

• Transforming lives through exceptional teaching, learning, and skills development.
• Co-creating curricula with employers, schools, universities, and civic partners.
• Leading in health, creative industries, engineering, green construction, and digital innovation.
• Ensuring every learner has a pathway to employment, higher education, or enterprise.
• Investing in staff and celebrating inclusivity as our strength.
• Contributing to the cultural, social, and economic prosperity of our community.

Bath College exists to inspire and transform lives through lifelong learning — providing inclusive pathways for all to gain the confidence, knowledge, and skills they need to thrive. We equip people to succeed in a changing economy, we support employers with a skilled workforce, and we strengthen the cultural, social, and economic life of our communities.

We do this through the delivery of HEART values.

H - HONESTY

• We act with integrity, fairness, and transparency in everything we do.
• We keep our word to learners, staff, and partners and make decisions with clarity and accountability.
• We build credibility with our community through honesty in order to strengthen Bath College's reputation.

E - EQUITY

• We ensure inclusion and fairness so that every learner, apprentice, and staff member has the opportunity to succeed.
• We celebrate diversity, value lived experience and actively remove barriers to participation.
• We tailor our support so that everyone has what they need to thrive.

A - ASPIRATION

• We encourage ambition, curiosity, and a growth mindset in learners and staff.
• We value innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking approaches to respond to changing skills needs.
• We aim high in terms of our aspiration for personal progress, for the college, and for the communities we serve.

R - RESPECT

• We value people as individuals, treating everyone with dignity, kindness, and professionalism.
• We learn, teach, collaborate, and engage with employers, partners, and our wider community with respect.
• We foster a positive culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and inspired.

T - TOGETHERNESS

• We place collaboration at the heart of Bath College, with learners, staff, employers, schools, universities, and community partners all working side by side.
• We reflect our civic role by building stronger connections with Bath, BANES, Wiltshire, and the West of England.
• We work together so that we achieve Excellence as the outcome of living our HEART values.

OUR STRATEGIC AMBITIONS FOR 2025 - 2030 ARE TO:

TO ACHIEVE THESE AMBITIONS, WE WILL DELIVER INSTITUTION-WIDE INITIATIVES INCLUDING:

• Implementing our Quality Improvement Plan and embedding a culture of excellence.
• Raising attendance and achievement rates through robust monitoring and support.
• Expanding apprenticeships and employer partnerships across all curriculum areas, supported by the creation of an Employer Advisory Board.
• Enhancing personal development, wellbeing, and employability support through the new Employability Hub, which will provide careers advice, work placement coordination, and links to Bath College Works micro-businesses.
• Develop a robust 14-16 offer specialising in the Creative, Performance and Digital Arts at the City Centre Campus, and Engineering, Construction and the Rural Economy at Somer Valley Campus.
• Expanding Bath College Works as a showcase of student-led enterprise including hospitality, retail, and creative ventures, giving learners practical business experience.
• Driving digital transofrmation and blended learning opportunities across all subjects.
• Grow the 'Love to Learn Again' offer for Adults and Community learning.
• Establish a Sustainability Strategy and Green Skills Centre to lead on net-zero skills at Somer Valley.

BY 2030, BATH COLLEGE WILL HAVE:

• Achieved Ofsted Strong/Exceptional and achievement rates consistently above national averages.
• Delivered 90%+ attendance across all provision, with strong outcomes in English and maths.
• Expanded curriculum in priority growth sectors, including retrofit, health, creative, and digital.
• Opened 14-16 centres at both campuses.
• Doubled apprenticeship numbers and employer partnerships to over 300.
• Grown Bath College Works as a regional leader in student- led enterprise, linked to the Employability Hub.
• Ensured that 100% of learners engaged in work experience, placements or social action activities.
• Invested in high-quality facilities across both campuses to meet future skills needs.
• Developed a reputation as the region's leading inclusive, innovative, and sustainable college, working in partnership with anchor organisations.