Wiltshire College has parted company with its fifth vice principal in five years after Robert Rees was given a pay-off.

Mr Rees, who was based at the college’s Chippenham campus, was responsible for curriculum and quality, student welfare and partnerships with schools. The Gazette understands Mr Rees was told his job would be divided into two and he would have to apply for one of the roles. It is understood he chose to leave instead.

The college is now advertising two vice principal jobs, a vice principal curriculum and quality and a vice principal student experience, higher education and strategic development projects and partnerships, both thought to attract a salary of around £90,000.

The college has seen departures from vice principals Kevin Smith, Phil Butler, David Holdsworth and Bev Flanagan during principal Di Dale’s tenure. Only Ms Flanagan’s departure was to take up another job.

The college has also drafted in Swindon College vice principal John Evans for a term to oversee the college curriculum. He was part of the management team that took Swindon to an outstanding Ofsted inspection earlier this year.

Wiltshire College has been branded as satisfactory and requiring improvement in its last two inspections.

The college has also been warned by Ofsted over low standards of achievement after just 32 per cent of students at Key Stage 5 met the academic minimum standard, although the college said the Ofsted conclusions were drawn from a low number of student results.

Last year members of the staff union ATL passed a vote of no confidence in the senior management team.

Vice principal Ben Allen said Mr Rees’ departure was not enforced and that the
reason for advertising for two vice principals was to strengthen the college’s management team.

He said: “In no way was Rob pushed out of the college. We have had a restructure of the responsibilities of the senior team and are making it stronger with the two new appointments.

“If you look at colleges of a similar size to Wiltshire and compare executive teams you will see that Wiltshire is a bit light.”

This week the college announced that principal Di Dale is scrapping A-level provision at its Salisbury campus. She is also selling off the site of its vocational training arm Avon Vale Training in Chippenham.

The operation has been moved to its Lackham campus. The move has prompted the departure of popular trainer Rob Aldous, who has moved to the City of Bath College.

Mr Allen denied a claim that a group of 16 trainees, sponsored by industry to the tune of £18,000 each, have moved their training to Bath and added that Mr Aldous’ resignation had no connection with the Avon Vale move.

“It is just a coincidence. Rob has moved on to progress his career. Avon Vale is going from strength to strength,” he said.