Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Oaklands is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all our students, staff, friends and visitors. Our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) ensures that teaching and learning provision and standards are in line with the current educational curriculum and national levels of expectation. The SLT is responsible for steering and supporting the strategic direction of the college.

Andrew Slade

Principal and CEO

Andrew has extensive Further Education experience having held a number of senior positions, including Principal at South Thames College and Deputy Principal at London South East Colleges. He is passionate about education as a key to unlock people’s potential. He feels privileged to work in a sector that makes such a significant difference to people’s lives and that contributes so much to our society and economy.

Prior to working in Education, Andrew has worked in the Health & Safety Industry, Leisure industry and has been a Sport Psychologist. He has represented his County in a number of Sports and competed nationally in Martial Arts.

The chief accountabilities of the Principal and CEO are: governance; strategic development and direction; people; knowledge management and Chief Accounting Officer.

Andrew is responsible for making proposals to the Corporation for the College’s educational character, vision and mission, working closely with the Corporation to achieve the strategic goals of the organisation.

Claire Dolan

Deputy Principal Strategy, Partnership & Business Development

As Deputy Principal of Strategy, Partnership & Business Development at Oaklands College, Claire is responsible for overseeing business operations across the College. This includes developing and maintaining stakeholder relations by attending local advisory and employer boards, as well as generating commercial business to contribute to the College’s requirement to diversify income streams.

Claire's responsibilities also encompass marketing and communications, which includes managing the College's brand, profile, and reputation, as well as admissions, student recruitment, and the Strategic Annual Operating Plan.

She maintains a strategic focus on increasing the number of adults accessing provision to support them in reskilling or upskilling.

Jacqueline Page

Deputy Principal Curriculum, Performance and Student Experience

Jacqueline is a respected senior leader and a key member of the Senior Leadership Team at the college. Known for her dynamic leadership and commitment to student success, she has extensive experience in curriculum management, development, and partnership growth.

Starting her career through an apprenticeship, Jacqueline became a vocational teacher and holds an MBA from the University of Portsmouth, specialising in leadership in Further Education. She has partnered with the British Council in South Africa, China, India, and Vietnam, focusing on teaching quality and apprenticeship advice.

Jacqueline’s responsibilities include overseeing curriculum, quality, student welfare, and career guidance. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving digital learning and creating an inclusive environment. She believes in the transformative power of education and is dedicated to providing students with the support needed to succeed.

Her previous roles include Vice Principal, OFSTED/Adult Learning Inspector, and Quality Improvement Advisor. She currently serves as the College’s OFSTED nominee.

Barbara Jones

Executive Director People & Culture

Barbara is an accomplished Human Resources professional with extensive experience in strategic management within large, complex organisations. Over the past 15 years, she has successfully led HR and Operational Teams through significant organisational change projects, resulting in enhanced performance and efficiency improvements.

At Oaklands, Barbara’s primary responsibilities include overseeing Human Resources and Staff Development, where she focuses on driving initiatives that support employee growth and organisational effectiveness.

Andrew Moore

Vice Principal Safeguarding, Behaviour, HE & Academies – St. Albans Campus Lead

Andy plays a crucial role in the Senior Management Team, driving excellence in education and student welfare. He provides strategic leadership for higher education, ensuring exceptional student experiences and successful outcomes. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, he is committed to upholding the highest standards of student safety and welfare.

In addition to his safeguarding and higher education responsibilities, Andy oversees student behaviour, promoting a positive and inclusive college culture. He also leads Oaklands' renowned sporting academies, ensuring that student-athletes receive comprehensive support both academically and athletically. This dual focus enables student-athletes to excel in their sports while preparing for future educational and professional opportunities.

With extensive experience in Further Education across various curriculum roles, Andy is dedicated to the transformative power of education, fostering an environment where staff and students feel valued, empowered, and inspired to achieve excellence.

Rob Metcalfe

Vice Principal Quality & Student Experience

Rob serves as Vice Principal with a primary focus on maintaining the highest standards of education at Oaklands.

He is responsible for overseeing the quality of teaching and learning, developing and implementing strategies for continuous improvement. His commitment to delivering a comprehensive and enriching education is unwavering.

In addition to his dedication to quality, Rob is deeply invested in the student experience. He collaborates closely with students, parents, and staff to create an environment that fosters growth, inclusivity, and respect.

Rob's career in education began 22 years ago, and his passion for nurturing a high-quality learning environment has continued to grow. Rob has a track record of exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a profound understanding of the educational landscape. He is proud to work in a sector that transforms lives and positively impacts the local community.

Ana Guimaraes

Vice Principal Curriculum Innovation & Digital Transformation – Welwyn Garden City Campus Lead

Ana serves as the Vice Principal of Curriculum Innovation & Digital Transformation and is the Campus Lead for Oaklands College in Welwyn Garden City.

In her role, she oversees a diverse range of academic areas, including Business, Computing & IT, Construction Management, Engineering, Electrical, Land-based Industries, Plumbing, Public Services, Sport, and Travel & Tourism.

Her leadership focuses on enhancing curriculum development, implementing digital transformation strategies, and ensuring alignment with industry standards to provide high-quality education. Ana's work also aims to maximise student outcomes by supporting innovative teaching methods and ensuring that the curriculum remains current and engaging

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