This achievement showcases the dedication and hard work of the college’s staff who have driven this success, positioning Warrington & Vale Royal College as one of only four Further Education colleges in the country to hold Platinum status, and the only college in the country to receive the Employer of the Year Award.
At the annual Investors in People awards ceremony, CEO Paul Decoy shared a powerful reminder: “When you invest in people, everything gets better.” Warrington & Vale Royal College’s success is testament to that philosophy.
Feedback from the recent Investors in People Platinum assessment praised the college as a “vibrant, high-performing organisation where people are deeply aligned to purpose, motivated by values, and committed to continuous improvement.” Assessors noted that the college has “created something exceptional – a culture where people are empowered, performance is owned at every level, and innovation thrives.” This insight came after a rigorous accreditation process, including a college-wide survey and many staff interviews.
These combined achievements celebrate years of strategic investment in professional development. Flagship initiatives such as the Aspiring Leaders and Career Progression programmes have driven internal promotions, strengthened operational efficiency, and kept staff turnover significantly below the sector average.
The impact extends beyond staff development. Student success has soared, with satisfaction rates reaching 95% and achievement rates climbing to nearly 92%. These results demonstrate the strong alignment between the college’s people strategy and organisational goals, and the tangible benefits of workforce investment.
For Warrington & Vale Royal College, this award is more than worthy recognition. It is reaffirmation of its commitment to excellence, collaboration, and growth. As a proud part of the Investors in People community, the college firmly upholds the highest standards of leadership and development, because when people thrive, so does the organisation.
Tracy Callaghan, Director of Human Resources, commented: “We are immensely proud to have achieved Platinum status for the first time and, on top of that, to have been awarded Employer of the Year. This success is a direct result of our commitment to ensuring our people thrive in their working life, which is what our involvement with Investors in People has always been about.”
Echoing this is college Principal and CEO, Nichola Newton. She says: “We are incredibly proud of these remarkable achievements. They are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire college community, reflecting our commitment to creating an environment where both staff and students can thrive. We couldn’t be more delighted to see these college-wide efforts recognised on a national stage.”
Winning Employer of the Year: Platinum is more than an award. It reflects the college’s vision and the dedication of its people. Notably, it comes just twelve months after the college’s best ever Ofsted rating of ‘Good with Outstanding Features’ - underscoring that Warrington & Vale Royal is not only an exceptional place to work, but also an exceptional place to study.
Click here to learn more about working with us
