Carole Kitching appointed as New College Swindon’s next Principal and CEO

New College Swindon is delighted to announce that Carole Kitching has been appointed as its next Principal and CEO.  Carole will commmence her new role in July, taking over from Graham Taylor, who announced his intention to retire last December. 

Carole joins New College from Lewisham Southwark College where, as Principal and CEO from 2015, she led its impressive turnaround, galvanising staff and local stakeholders to lift it from “inadequate” Ofsted gradings at two consecutive inspections, to delivering outcomes in line with the best London colleges last year.  Prior to this she had also been Principal at Newcastle College and Yorkshire Coast College. 

Carole gained an MA (Hons) in English from the University of St Andrews and achieved postgraduate teaching qualifications. She has taught extensively in both the UK and overseas – including Greece, where she established a successful private language school and co-authored several course books for second language learners.  She began her Further Education career at Abingdon and Witney College and became an Additional Inspector for Ofsted. Carole has completed management training for college leadership and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford’s Said Business school, where she undertook the FE Strategic Leadership programme. 

Charlotte Mannion, Chair of Governors said:

“The Board looks forward to working with Carole to build on the success New College has enjoyed under Graham Taylor and to steer it through future challenges and opportunities.  We are in a strong position and confident that Carole’s experience, expertise and local knowledge will make a significant contribution to our aim of becoming an outstanding college for the benefit of our learners, businesses and communities.”

Carole Kitching said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed Principal and CEO at New College Swindon. It is my local college and the one I chose for my own daughter, based on the quality of the learning and the commitment of staff.  I share their passion to deliver the very best for local students and businesses, enabling them to reach their full potential.  Swindon is strategically placed along the M4 corridor and is a dynamic and fast-growing town.  New College needs to embed itself in the very heart of the community – contributing, shaping and sharing in its success. In doing so, we will maximise the opportunities that are open to students, whatever their aspirations in life.  I am looking forward to working with the College’s staff, partners and stakeholders to help realise this vision.”