High hopes for UCO

ALL smiles . . . Debbie Bridge (centre), retired

HELEN Mathers has taken over head of University Campus Oldham.

She replaces Debbie Bridge, who retired last year.

Mrs Mathers is looking forward to the continuing development of UCO, which is 11 this year.

The university campus currently has more than 500 full-time students, a figure she hopes to increase to over 1,000. Under her leadership, UCO is working with local employers to provide custom-made courses so students will have jobs to go to on completing their studies.

Mrs Mathers, who has worked in further education for more than 30 years, was previously the dean of higher education at Hugh BaIrd College in Bootle, Merseyside.

While she was there, the college underwent a review from the national Quality Assurance Agency — the college equivalent of the school Ofsted inspection. And it was awarded two commendations.

“That was a significant accolade,” said 58-year-old Mrs Mathers.

“I finished my career there on a high. I want to do all of that again here in Oldham and to grow provision significantly.”


You can read a more detailed article on Mrs Mathers’ new post in the Chronicle’s education supplement, The Knowledge, on February 24.