By: Jane Davison, Assistant Principal for Quality and Education, Elevating Student Success through a WorldSkills Approach at New College Swindon
Introduction
At New College Swindon (NCS), student success lies at the heart of our mission. Last year, Jane Davison, Assistant Principal for Quality and Education, took on the challenge of increasing student engagement in competitions while expanding participation across curriculum areas. To achieve this, Jane established a competition group, creating a platform where teachers and students could exchange insights and experiences.
The College also joined the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence in October, gaining access to expert advice and training to support this initiative. Jane’s involvement with WorldSkills UK and her attendance at the WorldSkills Finals in Lyon reignited her passion for competition work, reaffirming its vital role in skill development, raising standards, and fostering life skills such as time management, confidence, and resilience.
Achievements and Initiatives
Over the last academic year, NCS entered 20 students from three curriculum areas into WorldSkills competitions. Twelve of these students successfully advanced to the regional finals, providing an invaluable opportunity for both teachers and students to observe competition standards and better understand key criteria. Inspired by these experiences, teachers have introduced weekly enrichment activities that allow students in their departments to practise skills and prepare for competitions.
These initiatives aim to ensure every student, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to progress from competence to excellence. Reflecting on the WorldSkills UK Finals, Jane highlighted the remarkable display of technical and soft skills, which set a benchmark for achievement and inspired staff and students alike.
To further embed a culture of excellence, NCS refined its competition strategy following Jane’s visit to Lyon. This updated approach incorporates pressure tests, a planned skills week in January 2025, and a comprehensive CPD programme integrating WorldSkills training. The strategy also prioritises promoting the WorldSkills Learning Lab as a resource and establishing NCS WorldSkills Ambassadors to support ongoing initiatives.
South West Inter-College Competition Group
Motivated by her visit to Oldham during the WorldSkills Technical Leadership Learning programme, Jane initiated the creation of the South West Skills Challenge Competition Group. This collaborative initiative unites 15 colleges across the region, from Cornwall College to Gloucestershire College, to organise competitions in areas where local skills gaps have been identified.
WorldSkills UK is supporting the group by providing resources, training, and guidance to enhance the quality of these competitions. The group is also working to adopt the WorldSkills Competition Endorsement Framework, ensuring alignment with both national and international standards.
Transformative impact
Although NCS is in the early stages of its WorldSkills UK journey, the impact on students and staff has already been significant. One example is a High Needs Learner who, despite facing initial challenges, competed in the regional finals. This experience dramatically improved their confidence and independence.
Attending the WorldSkills Finals has also been transformative for Jane and her team, offering valuable insights into the standards and criteria required for success. These insights have since been shared with colleagues across the college, further driving improvements.
WorldSkills UK International Exchange Visit, Lyon 2024
The WorldSkills UK International Exchange event in Lyon was a pivotal experience for NCS, providing Jane with the chance to learn from global initiatives and share her own work. Presentations explored thought-provoking topics, including inclusive competitions, the application of virtual reality in higher education, and embedding sustainability in education.
Inspired by the event, Jane has partnered with NCS’s sustainability lead to assess the College’s current position and explore ways to incorporate sustainable practices across all competitions. Internal competition planning now includes sustainability as a criterion, with these efforts extending to the South West Skills Challenge Competition Group.
Jane is also working closely with the Inclusive Learning Curriculum Manager to ensure that competitions are accessible to all students, regardless of age or ability. The event provided Jane with her first opportunity to present at an international level, where she shared details of an innovative project she recently led: SWITCH (Swindon and Wiltshire Innovative Technology Care Hub). This £7 million initiative, funded by the Department for Education, aims to enhance teaching environments and accelerate skills development in health, care, and life sciences through technical innovation.
Future goals
Looking ahead, NCS is committed to embedding sustainability into all aspects of its operations, including competitions. The College also aims to increase the number of students engaging in WorldSkills UK competitions, with a particular focus on inclusive opportunities to ensure participation for all, regardless of age or ability.
Building on insights from the Lyon exchange event, NCS will continue to foster international collaboration and knowledge-sharing to further enrich its approach to education and skills development. Jane and her team remain dedicated to creating a culture of competition and excellence that empowers students, drives innovation, and contributes to the growth of a stronger local and national skills sector.
