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.
David Rigby
Vice Principal - Curriculum & Quality
David has overall strategic responsibility for the delivery of the College's quality initiatives, including overseeing the work of the academic Directors in relation to quality matters. His key responsibilities include managing the College's quality improvement strategies, the deployment of the Teaching and Learning and leading on ensuring that the College is fully prepared for the new short-notice Ofsted inspection.
Cath Sullivan
Vice Principal - People, Organisational Development & Culture
Cath is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, with over 25 years’ experience in various sectors. She joined Hugh Baird College in May 2012 having previously been Head of Human Resources for Leeds City Council. Cath is accountable for the provision of Student Services, Learner Support, Learning Resources, Marketing & Admissions and HR.
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.
Pat Farrell
Corporate & Capital Development
After having previously worked part time at two other colleges, Pat joined Hugh Baird College in 1987 as a full-time lecturer. He progressed through different roles, including Head of School, to the post of Vice Principal - Estates and Resource Development. Pat’s current area of responsibility is Capital Estates Development which includes major refurbishment projects as well as new building developments, together with responsibility for Health and Safety.
Vicky Edwards
Assistant Principal - Technical Skills
Vicky joined the College in 1998 as a part time Lecturer whilst managing and owning successful hair and beauty salons, as well as operating a property development and management company. Vicky’s key drive lies in providing improved life chances through quality education. Vicky has undertaken a number of different roles in the College including; Curriculum Leader, Senior Tutor, Senior Practitioner - Pastoral and Assistant Director for Teaching and Learning before becoming Assistant Principal in 2017.
Natalie Connor
Assistant Principal - Life Skills & Young People
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.
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.
Colette Mawdsley
Dean of Higher Education & 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.
Joe Poole
Director of South Sefton Campus
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.
Christine Snape
Director of Foundation Learning
Christine moved into Further Education following a successful career as a manager in the Early Years sector. After several roles in the College, with a focus on quality and teaching and learning, Christine was appointed Head of Thornton College and SLDD, which she manages with a passion to ensure that all students develop independence and life-enhancing skills.
Victoria Wickington
Director of Quality
Victoria joined Hugh Baird College as Head of Quality in 2016 before becoming Director of Quality in 2018. She has worked in Further Education for over 15 years, qualifying as a teacher of ICT in 2005. She has held various teaching and leadership positions over her career, with the current focus of improving quality across the wide ranging provision at the College.
Carol Nield
Director of 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. She is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the Human Resources function and student disciplinary matters. 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.
Andy Howard
Director of Curriculum (Young People)
Andy joined Hugh Baird College in July 2019 as Director of Curriculum (Young People). Prior to this, Andy has led a variety of schools, with 8 years’ headship experience. Initially trained as a Science Teacher, Andy has extensive experience in a wide range of areas, from curriculum planning through to behaviour management, and is also a recognised leadership coach/mentor. Andy has also been a founding board member of Microsoft’s Global Advisory Board for Education and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.
