West Thames College has entered an exciting new chapter as Marta Gajewska steps into the role of CEO and Principal, following the retirement of long-serving leader Tracy Aust at the end of the 2024–25 academic year.
Marta Gajewska, a passionate further education leader with over 20 years of experience, brings a clear and ambitious vision rooted in student success, inclusive learning, and skills development. Her focus is on ensuring all learners are well prepared for their next steps — in education, employment, and life — through high-quality, responsive, and future-focused education that reflects the diversity of the community and meets the needs of the local economy.
Having already played a key role in shaping the College’s strategic direction, she now leads one of London’s top-performing colleges — ranked number one in the capital for student achievement three years running and awarded an Outstanding Ofsted rating, with a Strong contribution to meeting skills needs, in December 2024.
Marta said: “We are incredibly proud to have been ranked number one in London for student achievement for three years in a row, and to be recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted. These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff, the ambition of our students, and the strength of our partnerships with employers and stakeholders. Our commitment to excellence — our journey beyond Outstanding — continues. We will keep raising the bar to ensure every student receives the education, support, and opportunities they need to thrive, developing the agility, confidence, and skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world and highly competitive job market.”
Marta brings a forward-thinking, inclusive leadership approach shaped by over two decades in further education. West Thames College already works closely with major employers and stakeholders — including Heathrow, British Airways, Buckingham Palace, Curo Construction, and Brentford FC — to equip students with the broad, adaptable skillsets they need to flourish. Marta is committed to strengthening these partnerships further, ensuring students develop the confidence, independence, and future-proof skills to thrive in life, further study, and a dynamic, evolving job market.
She added: “West Thames College is a place where every student, every member of staff, every partner and employer matters. I believe in creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where learners can build confidence, grow in independence, and realise their potential. I genuinely care about students’ experience, their journey, and their future.”
Marta takes the reins from Tracy Aust, who retires after 27 years of service to the College, having led it as Principal and CEO since 2016. Under Tracy’s leadership, the College strengthened its financial position, deepened community partnerships, and set a clear trajectory of improvement, culminating in the recent Outstanding Ofsted result.
Reflecting on her final year, Tracy said: “This achievement means so much to me personally as CEO & Principal. We’ve been on a Journey to Outstanding, and it’s not the Ofsted Outstanding that means the most to me — it’s the fact that we are able to provide an Outstanding Student Experience for each and every student who walks through our door. That has always been my personal goal and what has driven me to do the role I do in a sector which genuinely transforms lives, with the College being an anchor institution serving our community.”
As the baton passes from one dedicated leader to another, West Thames College stands poised to build on its exceptional foundation and continue delivering transformational education to the communities it serves.
