About Us
With more than 5,000 students, over 300 courses and an extensive range of subject areas and qualifications, we’re one of the largest and leading providers of education and training in Liverpool and Merseyside.
About Hugh Baird College
Expect state-of-the-art learning spaces and outstanding support alongside exceptional teaching and unique industry connections, as part of every course at Hugh Baird College.
We deliver courses across an extensive range of provisions, from 14-16 year olds and apprenticeships, to A-levels, university levels courses and adult learning, with dedicated campuses and employment-focused results.
Our purpose-built, multi-million pound L20 building houses our University Centre, whilst South Sefton Campus is home to our dedicated Sixth Form Centre. We also have a specialist hotel school and flagship restaurant, industry-focused hubs, and a unique enterprise village with a salon, florist, café and gym. All of our exceptional facilities are enhanced with the incredible personal support we offer to every one of our students.
Parents, Guardians & Carers
Each of our courses is focused on getting our students ready for work, and our latest Ofsted report reinforces our commitment to high quality teaching and the outcomes for our learners.
Student Life at Hugh Baird College
College is about more than just learning. We’re proud of the exceptional support we offer and the opportunities our students can enjoy during their time with us.
Centres of Excellence
Our outstanding facilities and dedicated, state-of-the-art buildings are spread across several campuses, each with its own unique educational focus.
Located across three campuses; Balliol Road Campus, South Sefton Campus and St Winefride's Campus, our Further Educaiton provision provides a wide range of vocational subjects and A-levels.
Helping students to embrace a different way of learning away from school, our 14-16 College gives students a head-start on their career.
Our purpose built L20 Building is home to our University Centre, where students benefit from a unique environment to study for degree-level qualifications.
Our Business Development team advise, coordinate and deliver apprenticeships, training and funding options to employers across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Key Partnerships
The partnerships we forge with local employers, regional industries and leading institutions help us to continually provide exceptional teaching, outstanding facilities and unique courses.
We work closely with the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership to ensure the content of our courses keep up with the growing areas of opportunity and employment.
The University of Central Lancashire is a world class institution and the partner university for our higher education courses.
As one of the newest and most exciting concepts in education, Career Colleges is focused on providing more opportunities for students from age 14 onwards.
CITB is the Industry Training Board for the construction industry and a partner in ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council.
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Rachael Hennigan
Principal & Chief Executive
Rachael joined Hugh Baird College in February 2020 as Principal and Chief Executive. Rachael has over 15 years’ experience in the further education sector and is no stranger the Liverpool City Region, having grown up in Bootle and completing her A-levels at Hugh Baird College.
Rachael has overall responsibility for the strategic direction of the College. She is passionate about ensuring students develop relevant knowledge and skills that will enable them to progress in the future.
Sonia Stirling
Deputy Principal - Curriculum, Quality and Recruitment
Sonia is an experienced senior leader within the FE sector and joined Hugh Baird College in June 2021. She has held a number of roles in colleges across the North of England including Head of Sixth Form and Vice Principal.
Sonia has responsibility for ensuring that students at Hugh Baird College have a high quality experience and that the College provides a relevant curriculum offer which meets the economic and social needs of the local community. Sonia also has overall responsibility for student recruitment.
Matt Larkin
Vice Principal - Finance & Corporate Services
Matt is a Chartered Accountant who joined the College in April 2015. He has held a variety of roles including senior finance roles at a large charity and a national firm of estate agents and as an external auditor.
Taking overall responsibility for managing the finances of the College, he also oversees key support areas, including MIS, ICT and Services.
Carol Nield
Executive Director - Human Resources and Organisational Development
Carol is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Carol joined the College in 2012 from Manchester Metropolitan University where she was Head of Human Resources Operations and has an extensive Human Resources background gained from various roles in Higher Education and the service sector.
Natalie Connor
Assistant Principal - Technical Skills, English and Maths
Natalie joined the College in 2005 as a Community Development Worker and subsequently trained as a Teacher. She delivered maths to adults both at the College and within the community. She has been part of the management team for over five years in various roles such as; Senior Practitioner, Assistant Director for Quality and Director of Languages, Maths and Adult Studies before becoming Assistant Principal in 2018.
Colette Mawdsley
Assistant Principal - Higher Skills and Access
Colette is responsible for the strategic leadership with operational management of the Hugh Baird University Centre, with a clear focus on quality and demand led growth, ensuring the student experience is at the heart of everything they do.
Lynn Masterton
Assistant Principal - Business Engagement
Lynn had worked for 17 years as an Accountant before joining Further Education as a Teacher. She progressed to various roles such as: Advanced Teaching Practitioner, Head of Business, Head of Humanities, Accounting, ICT and Management. Lynn joined the College in 2016 as an Assistant Director of Quality (Construction and Engineering) before becoming Director of Business Engagement in 2017.
Joe Poole
Assistant Principal - Sixth Form, Thornton and 14-16
Joe joined the College in August 2018 as Director of South Sefton Campus. Prior to this Joe worked for 4 years as Assistant Principal at a Sixth Form College in Manchester. Joe has a legal background, qualifying as a Solicitor within an international commercial law firm in 2008, before making the move into education to teach A-level Law.
Martin Kerridge
Assistant Principal - Quality and Learners Services
Martin joined the College in November 2020 as Director of Quality. He has held leadership posts in secondary, further and higher education, including two secondary headships. Martin is a Chartered Manager and holds MEd and MBA degrees. He has Fellowships of the: Chartered Management Institute, Higher Education Academy, Royal Society of Arts and Chartered College of Teaching. His focus is on improving quality across the wide-ranging provision at the College.
