Nelson and Colne College offers 'golden hellos' to new teachers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Nelson and Colne College offers 'golden hellos' to new teachers

11:10am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Nelson By Nafeesa Shan , Reporter

AN East Lancashire college is offering 'golden hellos' of up to £2,500 in a bid to attract 'exceptional' new teachers.

Nelson and Colne College is advertising for chemistry, maths and physics teachers in the Times Education Supplement after it was awarded STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Maths) Assured status by the New Engineering Foundation.

It recognises the college’s excellence in its STEM provision and its focus on industry relevance and embedding STEM skills across a range of learning areas.

The recognition has allowed the college to expand its science and maths subjects after a growth in applications.

According to the advert, each position carries a salary of around £33,281, with an additional payment of £2,500 for 'exceptional candidates'.

Funding for the ‘golden hello’ will be taken out of the recruitment budget already set by college bosses.

Anita Ghidotti, director of HR and Assistant Principal, said: “The college is very excited to have received STEM Assured Status, which recognises the long-standing tradition of excellence in our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curriculum and our outstanding reputation and relationship with pioneering industries in these areas.

“Recently, we have experienced a surge in demand in relation to application to these subjects, hence our decision to recruit additional teachers for mathematics, chemistry and physics.

“In order to continue to offer the best possible education in these subjects, and to further develop our STEM provision, we are seeking outstanding candidates for these job vacancies.

"We hope our ‘golden hello’ will further encourage high-calibre individuals to join us at Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form.”