Lesley's legacy

'She's empowered the staff to be

independent. We have the confidence to

know that we can do whatever we set

our minds to.'

'She brought an unrelenting focus on students;

putting them at the heart of the College. She

had such a unique understanding of teaching

and learning. She engendered belief in staff

and students so they were motivated and

inspired to achieve greater success.'

'Where we are now is her legacy.'

'We care a lot more about one another

and look after each other far more too.'

'She brought students out of themselves and

gave them confidence- sometimes too much,

which meant they were in the office all the

time!'

'The morale and the enthusiasm that you see

everywhere is clear for everyone to see. I don't

think that I've ever worked in such an exciting

and creative place before.'

'She was honest, to the point and never hid

anything from anybody.'

'She brought a sense of community and a team

ethos.'

'I have seen a model of leadership that

combines inspiration and compassion and so

she has shown that it's possible.'

'She has created a confident and curious

College that embraces the new and uses

technology wisely and sustainably.'

'She has created such a lovely place to work.

People are friendly and after what had gone

before, the clouds lifted.'

'She encouraged people to have faith in

themselves.'

'Positive change, pushing for excellence,

community recognition and relationships;

especially external ones. I am proud to have

been a part of it. She was inspiring and valued

the individual.'

'She was always in the corridor and talking to

people.'

'Now, Business Support and teaching staff

work together and have the chance to

understand one another and their roles far

more.'

'She was visible. She was approachable. She

was one of us and knew everyone; their names

and their backgrounds.'

'She always had time to talk to people and she

always remembered everyone's name. She

was approachable and listened to people's

ideas. She lead from the front and by example.

You felt inspired to do things you never thought

you'd be able to.'

'The spirit of community between members of

staff irrespective of the departments. It became

about networking rather than silos of people.

It's made people actually dare to be involved

with each other and work together. I never felt

like she managed us- she lead us.'

'She knew every member of staff's name and

would talk to everyone. She always knew

where they were at and what they were up to.

She cared.'

'We've become a more caring institution. She

had personal knowledge of all of her staff.

There was inclusivity of staff and students; not

just professionally but personally too.'

'She inspired everybody: no matter who you

were or what walk of life you came from. She

would listen and act: she was a do-er and she

always followed through. She always had time

for us. She's totally changed the College and its

ethos.'

'She was very personable and approachable.

She made us feel as though we were part of an

important team.'

'I was always impressed that she remembered

people's names and said hello whoever you

were. I remember her popping down to see

how our team were getting on and she made a

point of meeting everybody and asking about

each of them. She had a strong presence at all

events; especially enrolment.'

'It truly became all about the learner. She made

every department feel as though she was more

interested in them than anyone else.'

'She supported anyone who wanted to do

things differently.'

'We became a good team of people; not just

individuals doing their jobs.'

'She created a lively and vibrant College. She

was as happy drinking a glass of wine as she

was a pint of Guinness.'

'For our department, it was always about the

individual learner but she made it all about the

learner for the rest of the College too. She has

belief in me.

She made outstanding achievable for the first

time.'

'She generated opportunities. Furthering of

careers and instilling belief was her way.

Bloody superb.'

'She created a buzzy College. The reputation of

the College has dramatically improved and the

College now feels fantastic.'

'She made staff feel confident and she instilled

belief.'

'She removed the stick from management.'