Update - July 2015

the latest news from around your College

UPDATE July 2015

ART & DESIGN SHOWCASE PRIVATE VIEW - PAGE 03 -

BCS BEDFORD COLLEGE SERVICES

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

02 Principal update

24+ Advanced Learning Loans Information Events

02 Corporation news

Thursday 16th July 2015 Wednesday 5 August 2015 5.30pm-7.00pm Bedford College

03 Centre for the Creative Arts news 05 Centre for Enterprise & Technology news

Bedford College and Shuttleworth College August Open Day Thursday 20 August 2015 12noon-7.00pm Bedford College and Shuttleworth College

06 Shuttleworth College news 07 The Bedford Sixth Form News 07 People news

End of Summer Term Staff Social

07 Spotlight... Marketing

Friday 3 July 4.00pm-5.00pm Bedford College Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/bedfordcollege www.facebook.com/shuttleworthcoll www.facebook.com/bedfordsixthform

05 Centre for Professional & People Services news

Find us on Twitter www.twitter.com/bedfordcollege www.twitter.com/shuttleworthcol www.twitter.com/thebedfordsixth

Want to contribute? If you have something to contribute, please email shyde@bedford.ac.uk by Friday 11 September

PRINCIPAL UPDATE Summer

At the art of the community The arts play a major part in our lives. This is now recognised by those involved in regenerating towns and cities. Wealth creators in particular want to live in interesting places and then jobs tend to follow.

Bedford has a thriving arts scene, and our staff past and present are heavily involved. Over the last few years we have seen the creation of BedFringe, The Bedford Film Festival and Animal Studios, and we even have our own listings magazine The Clanger. These projects can only succeed if there is a strong partnership ethos, and Bedford is now recognised as being world class at this. Recently our former staff member Kayte Judge was asked to address the Royal Opera House on this subject.

I am really pleased to see how our College has embraced that notion of partnership, in line with our strategic aims.

We are bringing in new plays to our South Bank Arts Centre, including one about Yarl's Wood and we are hosting and supporting the workshops for the Film Festival. These are just two examples. We make a good partner because it is in our DNA, but also because the quality of our student work shows we are world-class too. In recent years we have got used to winning one prestigious world-recognised Yellow Pencil Design award each year. This year we won six! That tells you all you need to know about the strength of our teams. Go and see for yourselves while our end of year exhibitions are still running.

Aspiration in action Aspiration has become word of the year after the postelection recriminations. We cannot be accused of lacking ambition for our students, with our progression and success guarantees.

This year, for the first time ever, our independent destination survey showed that when full-time students leave our College (rather than leave their course to progress upwards) 51% (the majority) now go on to higher education and university, with only 7% still unemployed the autumn after they leave. That is an astonishing statistic.

The survey also confirmed the importance of guaranteeing and ensuring progression. Those who left us after Level 4 showed 2% unemployment; if you left after Level 3 that figure was 7%; after Level 2 it was 13% and after Level 1 it was 38%. We need to find a way of retaining all students until they achieve Level 3, to ensure they are able to find well paid and secure employment.

At a time when each week seems to see another College in crisis, and after the sector as a whole produced its first overall financial deficit ever, I would like to thank you for continuing to ensure we remain successful and solvent, and focused on serving our community. We are close to securing a new 40-year lease for Shuttleworth and by the autumn we will have our new farm buildings there and our new High Needs Students building in Bedford (name still being considered!). This shows our confidence in the future, and that confidence stems from knowing we have a great team of highly committed people.

Thank you for another very strong year, and enjoy a great summer.

CORPORATION NEWS The summer term committee meetings are progressing well with continued discussions on shaping the future of the College.

The governors have enjoyed celebrating the achievements of the students and a number of governors attended the Hair and Beauty Evening on Thursday 21 May at Bedford Corn Exchange. The event lived up to its reputation as one of the highlights of the social calendar.

There were further demonstrations of student achievement enjoyed at The Bedford Sixth Form Art Exhibition where the visiting governors were made very welcome. One governor following his meeting with students said they were "excellent ambassadors of the Sixth Form, enthusiastic about their time spent there and even more enthusiastic about where they were going‌ The students could not speak highly enough of the Sixth Form, its environment, the facilities, the opportunities it has given them".

As indicated in the last issue of Update, a number of valued and long standing governors are leaving the Corporation in July. Adverts have been placed externally on social media sites and a number of individuals have now applied. The College is always keen to talk to individuals who want to become involved in the College or its associated undertakings. If you know of anyone who is interested Rachel Nicol, Clerk to the Corporation, is happy to provide further information.

Call 01234 291003.

Jane Dudeney, one of our staff governors will be entering into her second year as a governor. Noki Nyoni is coming to the end of her two year term and has confirmed she is not standing for re- election. The nominations for a new staff governor are now in and voting is open on the staff intranet until 3pm on Friday 26 June.

If you have any questions about the Board or any of the meetings please feel free to contact the Clerk to the Corporation or one of your staff governors, Jane Dudeney and Noki Nyoni.

You can follow Ian on Twitter @ipryce

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UPDATE ¡ JULY 2015

CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS NEWS Bedford College arts achieving higher than universities across Europe

The Art of Fashion: Art & Design Showcase Private view LEFT: Art & Design Fashion Show in action.

FAR LEFT: HND Graphic Design students and staff.

Bedford College students demonstrated that the South Bank Arts Centre is the place to study for exciting careers in fashion, photography, animation, design and more. The end of term show on Friday 19 June was a celebration of the creative talents and achievements of a wide range of young people.

The purpose-designed South Bank Arts Centre allowed for art and designs to be displayed across multiple floors. The Fashion and Textiles catwalk was staged in the large multipurpose theatre space. Following the display of fabrics and fashions, Director of the Arts Sue Blackman gave out a series of awards to students across all disciplines.

LEFT: Student viewing this year's exhibition.

Year on year HND Graphic Design students beat UK universities in industry-set challenges for creative solutions in advertising and marketing. This year the College has topped all records by taking six awards in the European YCN awards where international companies like Santander, Syfy, Save the Children and Topdeck Travel sought solutions to business challenges.

Jeffrey Tribe, Advanced Practitioner in the Arts said: “Bedford College HND Graphic Design students are winning the most prestigious and commercially recognised awards, making them highly employable within the creative industries.

“Bedford College offers Further Education but sets a higher standard in the arts than many universities. In terms of this year’s YCN European design competition we were beaten only by the London College of Communication – but more importantly half of our students won prizes. This included those in the first year of their two year course which speaks volumes about the potential to achieve a very high level of work.”

If you have any news to be included in the next issue of Update please email details and an image if possible to shyde@bedford.ac.uk by Friday 11 September

Director of the Arts Sue Blackman said: “We have won one of these YCN awards every year for the past five years but this is the first time we have achieved multiple awards beating some of the best known universities in the UK. Well done and congratulations to staff team Jeffrey Tribe, Danny Stijelia and David Litchfield in supporting our students.”

The students will receive their awards at the Barbican Centre in London on 2 September. Their work will be included in the YCN Student Annual, which is seen by agencies who are talent-spotting.

UPDATE · JULY 2015

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CENTRE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS NEWS Make-Up masterpiece

Following our story in the last issue about Make-Up student Veronika Helamanovam making the finals of the Jane Iredale National Student Make-up Competition, big congratulations are in order after she became first runner up at the final at the Savoy Hotel in London on Monday 15 June.

Veronica’s model is pictured here in the green dress. Thanks go to Veronika’s tutor Melissa Peacock, for supporting her and representing the College so brilliantly.

LEFT: Music students performing at Bedford Esquires.

Hospitality students find the right ‘balance’ Hospitality students were on the street on 21 May celebrating National Waiters’ Day. They decided to practise their craft in Harpur Square, Bedford, creating much entertainment for the lunchtime crowds.

LEFT: Hospitality students celebrating National Waiters' Day.

Music students take over all three stages at Esquires

FAR LEFT: Equires main stage sign.

Sam Ranasinghe, Senior Trainer said: “We wanted to join in this celebration of the art of service, which is so important to all hospitality businesses large or small. In Bedford and the county as a whole there are hundreds of businesses who benefit from employing Bedford College-trained young people".

Music students across all levels were at Esquires on 18 June for their end of year show/party. The owner granted them all three stages including the upstairs main stage so it was a great opportunity for everyone involved. Performing Arts Lecturer Charlie Luscombe said: “The students all performed fantastically and they all had a great time from the opportunity to perform at such a renowned music venue. It was a great end to the year and we want to once again say a massive thank you to everyone who made this event possible - especially staff technicians Andrew Marshall and Lee Head for doing the sound engineering and technical support.”

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UPDATE · JULY 2015

CENTRE FOR ENTERPRISE & TECHNOLOGY NEWS Engineering: A Mini Project!

2015 World Skills Regional competitions for computing and website design On Friday 12 June, the computing department hosted the World Skills regional competitions for the second year running. As last year, there were four IT competitions but new this year was the website design competition.

FAR LEFT: Student of the year Niall Barnaville accepts his award from Stuart Boyer of Mercedes AGM.

LEFT: Students taking part in the 2015 World Skills Regional competition for Computing and Website Design.

The Engineering department linked with Hybrid Air Vehicles and Airlander during June, with the majority of their Level 3 first years partaking in a mini project.

They all met on Monday 8 June to be presented with their task. Students were placed into groups and given one of four tasks investigating Cranfield-based Hybrid Air Vehicles’ ‘Airlander’, reportedly the world’s largest aircraft: 1. Dyson – Investigate the environmental benefits and potential uses of the Airlander.

2. Edison – Investigate the feasibility of a solar powered Airlander 3. Whittle – Investigate the practicalities of both Airlander and other conventional travel methods 4. Marconi - Investigate the feasibility of deploying the Airlander as a remote environmental sensing/monitoring solution The groups were let off after having some time to brainstorm, set tasks and come up with team names, while keeping in touch on Twitter (@EngMiniProject #BCMiniProject).

On Wednesday 17 June six groups were ready to present their findings to a panel of judges: Dan Bickerstaff; Jenny Rea; Hugh Rea; Dave Pridmore; Barry Robertson (STEM Ambassador for Hybrid Air Vehicles) and Stuart Farrell (Head of Engineering Production for Hybrid Air Vehicles).

The overall winners were Team Inocram (Marconi task).

Many other awards were given out during the prize giving on Friday 19 June with winners receiving a certificate and a ‘Golden Ticket’, inviting them to meet Airlander and her team on Tuesday 23 June!

Student of the Year went to Niall Barnaville and was awarded

by Stuart Boyer from Mercedes AMG, who handed Niall a £500 cheque, with a week’s work experience in the summer and a guaranteed interview for their Apprenticeship scheme beginning September 2016.

UPDATE · JULY 2015

Five staff were guest judges and 11 Bedford College students took part, together with three student ambassadors.

25 competitors from around the country, including two from Scotland, spent the day working under pressure to produce high quality websites and networks etc. Seven Bedford College students gained a first, second or third place. All the students involved enjoyed the day and learned important skills, including not giving up when the going gets tough.

By the end of July we will know who has been selected for the national competitions in November, part of The Skills Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

Adult Learners’ Week award Computing student Stephanie Lowe was nominated by Joe Sullivan, Computing Lecturer, for an Adult Learners’ Week Award in June. NIACE (The National Voice for Lifelong Learning) received over 1,200 nominations, which were shortlisted by various partners and stakeholders throughout England. NIACE have said that the standard of nominations was exceptional, which meant that on this occasion Stephanie was not selected for an Award. However, Stephanie has been presented with a Certificate of Achievement from NIACE as an acknowledgement of her hard work.

SPOTLIGHT

If you would like your department to be featured in Spotlight for the next issue of Update please email details to shyde@bedford.ac.uk by Friday 11 September.

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CENTRE FOR PROFESSIONAL & PEOPLE SERVICES NEWS Anyone for afternoon tea?

unable to attend, however they had the excellent excuse of being abroad, as they have already started their careers as Overseas Reps for Thomas Cook and TUI (Thomson). 2015 has been the best year for student employment to date and the travel team could not be prouder.

LEFT: Travel & Tourism students have already secured employment in the industry.

Inclusive skills competitions allow students with learning difficulties and disabilities to compete against other colleges with students with similar skills and ability. It is an ideal opportunity for them to socialise with students from a variety of backgrounds and to visit other colleges. The competitions provide a safe environment for the students to enjoy the buzz and to stretch their imagination while learning and perfecting a variety of skills.

In April the College hosted the competition to make afternoon tea. Attendance was phenomenal. Huntingdon, Central Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Peterborough attended bringing 70 students and staff and several mini buses. The competition was to make sandwiches and scones and present them on stands as for an afternoon tea. The students read through their instructions and began to plan their display.

Having made ingredient choices and decisions about group working the teams began to prepare.

FAR LEFT: Student competing in Inclusive Skills competition at Bedford College.

SHUTTLEWORTH COLLEGE NEWS Archbishop of Canterbury visits Shuttleworth LEFT: The Archbishop of Canterbury with senior staff at Shuttleworth College.

After an hour of hard work the cake stands were overflowing with luscious sandwiches and cream filled scones. When the judging began staff from each college tasted and compared the fayre before the final decision was made. Although we did not win everyone had an amazing time.

Travel & Tourism team get glammed up Travel & Tourism have marked the end of the year with a bang at our annual Oscars Award Night. Students (and staff!) glammed themselves up to Kardashian level and celebrated a very successful year.

Students were awarded in a number of academic categories including Hard Work and Effort, Dedication and Consistency, Leadership, and Best Piece of Work. Each academic programme awarded a student of the year and Jasmine Eeles was awarded overall Travel Academy Student of the Year. Jas has worked her way through Level 3 and now the HND, maintaining an impressive standard of work throughout.

Students voted for winners in the student choice awards and Oscars were handed out to the winners of 'Best Banter', 'Best Dressed' and 'Student Most Likely to Become a Reality TV Star'. Sadly, a number of travel students were

The Archbishop arrived at Shuttleworth just before 3.00pm on Friday 19 June. He was met by Mike Johnston and Margaret Curry along with senior staff. There were four mini presentations; from Diane Armitage of the NFU, local farmer Kevin Morgan-Jones, Rural Issues Officer Rev Coralie McCluckey, as well as one of Shuttleworth’s own students, who talked about encouraging young people into this vital industry. The group then visited Kingshill farm where they had the chance to discuss what had been presented. Here they met Agricultural students, farmers who support the College and students from Africa who are on special study visit to Shuttleworth via Marshal Papworth Trust.

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UPDATE · JULY 2015

THE BEDFORD SIXTH FORM NEWS Diploma is ticket to University

PEOPLE NEWS Starters and Leavers Since we last reported there have been a number of changes in staff.

FAR LEFT: Business students celebrating success.

We have said goodbye to:

Business students have been celebrating winning places at prestigious universities – months ahead of A-Level results anxiously awaited by school pupils in the county. Because the diploma course they have taken is recognised as the best foundation for business degree studies, a range of universities have guaranteed them places for the autumn.

“The success of getting guaranteed places to their first choice universities means our students are months ahead of the game,” said Business Teacher and Advanced Practitioner Kirsty Maidment. A good percentage of students have been offered places at prestigious Russell Group universities and many more their first choice places on course most suited to their future careers.

Fast developing talent

James Bateman Christopher Etheridge Karolina Cicharska Mehwesh Ahmed Grace Dial Peter Rolph Tina Joyce Shannelle Coulson Phyllicia Salmon Paige Dearman Stefanie Lillie Jocelyne Newman Rebecca Robinson Molly Whitlock Hanna Forbes Riah Gascoyne Cleo Young We are saying hello to: LAND BASED SERVICES:

Sarah Di Lorenzo SALES & MARKETING

Liz Woznicki

Students demonstrated their talents for Art and Design at their end of term exhibition when they invited parents and friends to view their works. Among them was Alex Duffill, who will study Editorial and Advertising Photography at Gloucestershire University. He took the portfolio of pictures of the exhibition, including the above, in a commission by the College’s professional PR consultants, Manners PR Ltd.

UPDATE · JULY 2015

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FAR LEFT: Art & Design end of term exhibition.

SPOTLIGHT

What challenges will you be facing this year?

With a new team in place, the biggest challenge over the coming year will be quickly getting everyone up to speed so that we are ready for the new academic year in September.

What does your department do?

The Marketing team provides a wide range of services to departments across the College, and is responsible for: • Managing the College’s CRM platform, which holds information on stakeholders/employers the College works with.

• Organising Open Days, the College’s Achievement Ceremony and attending community events to raise awareness.

• Producing the College’s key publications, newsletters and prospectuses.

• Providing market research, customer insight, competitor analysis and labour market information to support curriculum planning and new course development.

• Supporting the achievement of College recruitment targets through marketing campaigns.

• Managing the College’s website, online presence and social media platforms.

• Managing the College reputation through media relations and branding.

• Keeping staff up to date through internal communication channels: Update and Update Extra.

Where are you based?

On the sixth floor of the Tower Block at the Cauldwell Street Campus.

How many members are in your team?

There are 11 members of the Marketing team and we also work closely with Jacquie Manners of Manners PR. What roles does each team member have?

Sarah Baxter – Director of Sales & Marketing Marketing & Branding Team: Liz Woznicki – Deputy Director of Marketing Account Management: Samantha Bennett – Marketing & Communications Business Partner; Bedford College and Shuttleworth College Michelle Tilley-Sanders – Marketing & Communications Business Partner; Bedford Technical Academy, The Bedford Sixth Form and UTC Central Bedfordshire Gareth Leaman – Marketing Assistant

What were the main achievements last year?

Last year’s key achievements were: • Winning two awards at the Further Education Marketing Network Conference for our full-time prospectus and website.

• Achieving enough support from the local community to get our application to open Bedford Technical Academy approved by the DfE. • Significantly growing our website visitor numbers and social media presence.

What is it like to work in your department?

The Marketing department is an exciting and fast-paced environment to work in. There are lots of deadlines to meet, but also plenty of opportunities to be creative as we are always looking for new ways of marketing the College’s different brands.

Any interesting facts about the group?

• Rich is related to an Olympic-gold winning hurdler.

• Michael played darts live on Sky Sports in June 2012 in the UK Open Finals where he beat Tony West 4-2.

• Katie’s first job was working for an electronic component kitting services company where she had to obtain a Level 2 qualification in Electronic Engineering.

• Trudie lived in Abu Dhabi from the age of 10 and met Prince Charles and Lady & Dennis Thatcher at embassy parties.

• Paul has played football for ‘AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College’ for the past four years.

• Liz once undertook the public relations for ‘Dolly the Sheep’ – the world’s first cloned mammal.

• Gareth has been interviewed and had music he made played on Radio 1. ­ • Sam went to Thailand for a month as part of her Marketing & Communications degree.

• Sarah H used to compete in Acrobatic Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing and train in Sweden each year.

• Michelle often gets mistaken for Sam’s sister or cousin because people seem to think they are very similar!

Central Services:

Meet the Team...

Rich Hemery – Digital Marketing & Web Executive

(Left to right) Liz Woznicki, Samantha Bennett, Katie Featherstone, (sitting) Trudie Tebbutt, Sarah Hyde, Gareth Leaman, Michael Burgoine, Paul Garrett, Rich Hemery and Michelle TilleySanders. (standing)

Michael Burgoine – CRM Database Administrator Sarah Hyde – Content Editor Paul Garrett – Graphic Designer Planning & Corporate Communications Team: Katie Featherstone – Market Research Executive Trudie Tebbutt – Corporate Communications Co-ordinator Jacquie Manners – Manners PR

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UPDATE · JULY 2015