The head of a Truro college has announced his retirement after nearly a decade in the role.

David Walrond announced to Truro and Penwith College staff that he would be retiring in August 2020 at the end of this academic year.

The principal of the Ofsted-rated outstanding college will stay involved in education through his governance roles.

Governors are now seeking to appoint a new principal.

David first joined the college in 2003 and served as its director of curriculum and quality before becoming principal.

During his ten years in the role, the college has seen major growth in its 16 to 19 apprenticeship numbers and the completion of its new Penwith and Callywith campuses.

Student numbers at the new Callywith College, on whose board of trustees David sits, have exceeded expectations and are projected to reach 1,400 next year.

After establishing a teaching school in 2013 to support schools across Cornwall, the college was chosen to lead the Cornwall and West Devon Maths Hub in 2014.

It was selected to lead Cornwall’s Computing Hub this year. Other accolades during this period include National Beacon Awards for Leadership and Governance, in 2016, and Support for Mental Health and Wellbeing, in 2017.

That year Truro and Penwith was also awarded the AoC’s (Association of Colleges) top “Leading Light” Award. David was appointed to the Board of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) in 2018.

David leaves with the College poised to expand further, creating additional opportunities for learners in Cornwall, and building new partnerships with businesses, colleges and universities across the South West.

Truro and Penwith College is the only provider of the new T (Technical) Levels in Cornwall and the Cornish representative in the new South West Institute of Technology whose partners across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset work with employers to boost the region’s supply of higher technical skills. As part of that initiative, Truro and Penwith recently announced the building of its new £7 million technology and engineering hub.

Reflecting on his time in college leadership, David Walrond said: “It’s not an easy decision to leave something that has been such a part of your life for 17 years, but as the college enters the next exciting phase of growth and development, I feel the time is right to hand over to a new principal.

“We all work as a genuine collective here and I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of an exceptional team of staff and governors who are all instrumental in the college’s remarkable success and who will continue its vital work for Cornwall.

"I’m now optimistic that, after a decade of disinvestment in colleges, there’s finally hard-won political consensus around something which this college has always understood: the socio–economic prospects of individuals and their communities depend on investing in outstanding education and skills.

“I’m going to keep my involvement in education and training in various governance roles, and I look forward to seeing Truro and Penwith College go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”

Truro and Penwith College’s Chair of Governors Bob Crossland praised what he called David Walrond’s “inspirational leadership”.

“David’s time as principal has been one of incredible success and growth for the college,” he said. “His leadership has been inspirational in driving that success and as a governing body we thank him. We will miss his drive, energy and commitment to staff and especially students.

“As a college we have enjoyed stability and continuity both in governance and senior management. Our task now is to recruit our third principal since the college was formed in 1993, ensuring that we find the very best person to continue to build on our success and take on the new challenges we will face. We hope David enjoys a well-earned retirement.”