Simon Pirotte has been Principal of Coleg Powys since April 2010. After studying A levels at a Comprehensive school in Swansea, he graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. His postgraduate study includes a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Nottingham University and a MSc at University of Glamorgan.
Simon has worked in education for 24 years and his experience includes employment in a range of 11-18 secondary schools in England, Wales and the USA. He has also worked at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and in four Further Education Colleges throughout Wales.
Simon is committed to providing excellence for all learners. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to help learners achieve the highest standards possible . He eagerly recites his success stories but he does so merely as proof of his dedication to education and his heartfelt belief in the infinite potential of people of all ages to transform their lives through education.
At Gorseinon College, now part of Gower College, Swansea, his team achieved an Estyn grade 1 in 1994. Simon and his team maintained the standard and they were rewarded with two further grade 1s in 1998 and 2002. He has taught both “A” level and vocational qualifications. Simon left Gorseinon with an impressive first: not only did his A level class obtain 100% A-C pass rate, but 100% of his students achieved full marks for their practical module. Many of his students have progressed to study at top drama colleges including RADA and Guildhall.
Whilst Director of Faculty at Swansea College, the Hospitality and Catering team he was responsible for were inspected as a grade 1 by Estyn – a significant improvement from the grade 3 awarded prior to his appointment. As Deputy Principal at Bridgend College, he contributed to a significant improvement in standards culminating in the college’s Estyn inspection of 2009 which saw 6 of the 8 learning areas inspected achieve a grade 1. The remaining 2 were grade 2.
Simon, now a resident of Powys, believes that all learners in a rural environment should have the same opportunities afforded to them as their peers in more urban settings. He is excited by the opportunity to bring his vision for learners to Powys and said;
“I am delighted that staff at Coleg Powys are so committed to our new mission statement, ‘Achieving excellence in all we do’. We have some of the best successful completion rates in the sector. Every day I am struck by the excellent achievements of our staff and learners. In the 2009/10 academic year, 34 of our students achieved triple distinction at National Diploma level ; the equivalent to 3 A grades at A level. In the same period approximately 680 learners in Powys progressed to Higher Education. 256 of these were learners from Coleg Powys. My management team share the vision that I am committed to and, like me, they have many years of experience of delivering high quality vocational and academic subjects. I am keen that Coleg Powys, together with our partner schools, plays its part in ensuring that we deliver world class education to the people of Powys”.
