College safety team outstanding

THE health and safety team at a Warrington college has been judged “outstanding” by the Learning and Skills Council.
Warrington Collegiate is one of only 20 North West colleges – out of a total of 600 organisations – to secure this grade in health, safety and welfare.
Gary Lindsay, health and safety manager at the Collegiate has worked tirelessly to improve the college’s previous grade of “good” and has implemented a variety of new systems and risk assessments within the past year in order to achieve the grade.
Supported by Michelle Bradshaw, assistant principal with overall responsibility for health and safety, he has worked closely with Ellen Parry who also impressed the assessors in her management of students’ welfare and safeguarding.
The team has introduced vulnerability assessments for students with learning disabilities, an accident report board in the main reception and ensured that every staff member at the college has successfully completed safeguarding training. They have also been working with other colleges to act as ambassadors in health and safety.
Mr Lindsay’s efforts have led to his nomination as the new deputy chairman of the Greater Merseyside, Cheshire and Warrington Providers Health and Safety Forum, serving under John Bradshaw.
Mr Bradshaw said: “Gary has a passion for health and safety and is always striving for excellence, which I have seen when I have visited the collegiate.”
Paul Richardson, of the Learning and Skills Council, said: “Very few organisations achieve this accolade and The Collegiate is to be congratulated on its well deserved efforts and the transformation that has occurred at the college over the past three years. It really is a magnificent achievement.”