THE principal of Bradford College has swapped his suit for a security uniform as part of an 'undercover boss' project at the college.

David Harwood joined members of the security team on patrol around the college's buildings to get a taste of how students and the security team interact.

He went on patrol at the college's campuses, including the David Hockney Building, Trinity Green, and Bowling Back Lane.

Mr Harwood said the day was an "interesting and useful exercise".

He said: "I chatted with lots of students, telling them it is my first day on the job with the security team. I asked them to tell me what security is like in college and the feedback was brilliant.

“The students said the security officers were friendly and welcoming. I asked students if they felt safe in the college and they overwhelmingly said they do and said they welcome security being around.”

Mr Harwood joined the college 18 months ago, and in that time has taken part in a series of job swaps, including working as a cleaner, as a receptionist, and even swapping roles with one of his students for the day.

“It is part of a programme I have got of trying out other people's roles across the college," he added.

“It gives me as principal a real insight into the daily challenges people face in doing their job.

“We make decisions at executive level and it is interesting to see how they impact on the ground.