College principal set to step down

RETIRING . . . Oldham College principal Kath Thomas

Oldham College principal Kath Thomas has announced her retirement a fortnight after it missed out on an £80million revamp.

The 58-year-old who led the Rochdale Road college through an outstanding inspection report will leave at the end of the year.

But a spokesman stressed her decision was not related to the shock news that its campus rebuild had hit the buffers after Government funding ran out.

She confirmed: “When Kath took the post she stated she would do the job for five years.”

Ms Thomas has worked in education for more than 30 years and joined the college as principal in February, 2004.

She has introduced many developments such as an NHS cadet scheme, a career academy in finance and IT, as well as training for victims of redundancy.

Partnerships have been forged with local firms and major companies such as The Bank of New York and The Co-operative Bank.

Last year, the college was confirmed as one of the best in the country, sweeping the board with outstanding grades in an Ofsted report.

It will run the new academy which will replace Counthill and Breeze Hill schools.

Ms Thomas said: “I have found the role as principal demanding but extremely rewarding and enjoyable.

“I feel that I have met some of the best and most inspirational people with whom I have ever had the pleasure to be involved.

“I am confident that my excellent managers, outstanding staff and our new academy principal will take our initiatives forward successfully.”

Work to transform the 40-year-old campus was given the green light in April, 2008, and had been due to start last month.

But it was among more than 160 colleges which missed out when the Government’s multi-billion-pound rebuilding scheme collapsed.

It will now have to wait until 2011 to find out if it will get any money.

Oldham Council leader Howard Sykes paid tribute to Ms Thomas’s leadership and her role within Oldham Partnership which pushes for economic regeneration.

He added: “Kath has overseen and ably steered the college to a legion of successes which include the attainment of Beacon status last year.

“That accolade is only given to the very best further education colleges in the country and Ofsted inspectors at the time rightly highlighted the excellent standards of leadership and management which had driven that accomplishment.

“Kath also had a major influence within the Oldham Partnership. I can speak for all those who worked with her when I thank her for her immense contribution and wish her all the very best for the future.”