Frances Wadsworth
Principal and Chief Executive, East Surrey College
Frances Wadsworth was appointed as the principal of East Surrey College in 2004, having had previous successful experience as a deputy principal in turning around a college in difficulty.
East Surrey College had had arguably the worst Ofsted outcome in the sector in 2003, with a £2.7m deficit and Frances led the college and its staff out of difficulty to its current strong position where it is now judged by Ofsted as being Good, with the deficit cleared and £60m new build well underway.
Frances believes passionately in the absolute priority of ensuring outstanding provision for all learners, whatever their ability. She has been a Surrey LSC council member, governor of University of Winchester and of Warwick School.
Frances sees leadership as a skill that requires developing and nurturing. She achieved a Masters in Management Practice and was very pleased to be able to take her reflection further when she was chosen as one of the first to take the Principals qualifying programme. The emphasis on tailoring a challenging development programme with a pace setting coach to support the personal leadership journey is one that has helped her both now and for the future, and she looks to mirror this support for her own management team.
Upon graduating from University Frances worked initially in retailing before determining upon a career in education. Completing her postgraduate qualification at Bath University Frances taught first in schools before entering further education in the South West. She broadened her experience by working in Washington DC, USA for the British Council at the British Embassy.