New director to take helm at Buxton and Leek College

Heather Marks has been appointed as new Buxton and Leek College Director of Further Education and Skills.

Heather was born and lives in Staffordshire and is excited to be able to serve her local community, building on the college’s ‘already fantastic achievements’.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a brilliant team at Buxton and Leek College.

“As someone who has experienced the transformative power of both further and higher education firsthand, I am committed to providing a learning hub for all to access education and skills.

“Buxton and Leek College is instrumental in cultivating the skills and expertise, essential for our region’s growth. Our aim is to forge strong partnerships with employers, and educational institutions to create greater opportunities for our communities.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know the highly valued and committed staff team, our students, and partners.”

With a distinguished career spanning over 20 years in the further education and skills sector, the college is delighted to welcome to the two campuses.

Heather is serving as the deputy principal at Boston College in Lincolnshire, and will take over from interim director of FE, Phil Briscoe, following the retirement of long-standing

Principal, Len Tildsley, earlier in the year.

Previously Heather was an Ofsted Inspector and has a great deal of experience in this field of work.

Most recently she led on self-assessment and quality improvement activity at Boston, securing a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in December 2023.

She is currently working on a PhD in Trauma Informed Learning in Further Education and Skills.

Heather is an active member of the American Education Research Association and recently attended the world’s largest annual conference in Philadelphia, where she shared her research findings on social and emotional learning for adolescent learners, post Covid-

19.

Her role at Buxton and leek College will begin on July, 1.

For further information about Buxton and Leek College and the courses available, please visit the website www.blc.ac.uk or call 0800 074 0099.