Rotherham College Principal leaves after five years in post

Gill Alton was praised by Ken Barrass, chairman of the college’s governors, to mark her last day at the college.

He said: “Gill has led massive changes at the college. There has been a 14 per cent point improvement in student success rates since 2009 – in practical terms this means over 600 more students each year now pass their major course.

“Gill has also led efforts to shape plans for Rotherham’s new higher education and skills centre planned for Doncaster Gate, which is supported by over 200 businesses. It is another ‘game-changer’ for the town, increasing opportunities for more local people to gain the higher level skills which will catch us up with the rest of the country.”

Ms Alton has taken up a new post as Chief Executive of the Grimsby Institute, a vocational college on the east coast.