college voice
Summer Term 2020
Your staff magazine
Dear Colleagues,
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elcome to a new term which will be unfolding against the background of a new and very different world. We are navigating unknown terrain, and uncertainty over the length, impact and eventual legacy of the coronavirus crisis is still a major factor. Two things are certain, however. One is that the health and safety of all of you will continue to be our primary concern. Please continue to raise any issues of concern through line management channels and we’ll do our best to respond quickly. The other is that our students will remain at the centre of all we do. Keeping them motivated and engaged, supporting them to deal with any anxieties or practical barriers to learning, and helping them to successfully finish their course this year will be our daily priority. We also need to work extra hard to help them progress on to their next step, whether that’s with us or on to university or elsewhere. Internal and external progression is another big priority for this term. I hope you find this edition of College Voice and it’s new refreshed format interesting and useful. If you have any suggestions for our next edition, please email editor@ cityofbristol.ac.uk Best wishes,
Andy Forbes
contents Your staff magazine
Summer Term 2020
Principal’s welcome News stories
page 1 page 3
Staff provide emergency care and shelter for animals Social sharing supports followers during lockdown College launches Mental Health First Aid course Workforce for the Future Guaranteed places offered to full-time FE applicants In memory of Talal Mansourpour
Reasons to feel proud of our progress
page 5
The Quality of Education Education Programmes for Young People Adult Learning Programmes Apprenticeships Provision for Students with High Needs Behaviour and attitudes Personal Development Leadership and Management
A chat with Andreas Kosmas
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Inspiring students across Bristol
page 9
College Green introduces students to food photography Bristol secondary school students visit City of Bristol College to consider future in Aviation industry
Supporting students to achieve their ambitions
page 11
World of Work talks Promoting higher education progression Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
Adapting to a new way of working Got a question about working from home? Looking after your wellbeing There’s support available, if you need it Run, College, Run Win a three-course lunch or £20 of Hair and Beauty services
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Staff provide emergency care and shelter for animals Several of our staff came forward to look after some of the College’s furry residents during the closure period. Three of our MIS team have rehomed some of the South Bristol Skills Academy Animal Centre’s domestic animals. Rob Bishop, Director of Strategic MIS, has taken home Millhouse the guinea pig, Vikki Wherlock, Assistant ILR Funding Manager, has welcomed a gerbil called Cornetto to the family fold and Laura Coles, Systems and Reporting Manager, has had Jacob the rabbit bouncing around her living room. And it doesn’t stop there. Students have also taken some of the furry animals home along with our Animal Care lecturers who have also temporarily rehomed some animals and Daniel Pollard, Travel and Tourism lecturer, has a rabbit, called Morgan.
Social sharing supports followers during lockdown Several departments have been working with the Marketing team to fill our digital channels with positive content. There’s been quirky travel quiz ideas from Travel and Tourism, home-cooked recipes from Catering and inspiring hair, make-up and nail ideas from Hair and Beauty. Without having reasonable certainty over the period of lockdown, the team are keen to continue working with different departments to share some fun and positive content on social media while hand-in-hand generating interesting content for different courses ahead of the new academic year. If you have recommendations for useful content, please email PR and Communications Officer Ellie Young ellie.young@cityofbristol.ac.uk 3
College launches Mental Health First Aid course A new, two-day Mental Health First Aid course has been launched by our Health and Social Care Department. The course will equip students with the skills to help people struggling with their mental health. This course will support people who have responsibility for the pastoral care and wellbeing of another person. On the course, students will learn how to recognise a wide range of mental health conditions, about the support/therapy provided by professional healthcare providers, how to start a supportive conversation and how to signpost a person to appropriate professional help. Kate Dyer, Students’ Union and Student Engagement Coordinator, was among staff members who benefited from being a student on the new course. She said: “The mental health course provided a good opportunity to learn how to guide colleagues and students who may be struggling with their mental health towards getting the help they need. This is crucial in the current crisis, as many more people are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.” Find out more at cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/mental-health-first-aid/
“…learn how to guide colleagues and students who may be struggling with their mental health towards getting the help they need.”
Workforce for the Future Workforce for the Future is an £8m programme – co-funded by the West of England Combined Authority and the European Social Fund (ESF) – that will work with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them develop their future workforce, meeting their current and future needs. The programme has a number of streams which aim to deliver the overall goal. The college is working in collaboration with a range of organisations to bid for funds in order to support delivery of a range of projects within this programme: 1. Workforce for the Future project led by Bristol City Council specifically for South Bristol SMEs, with targeted activities in the most deprived wards. 2. Community based project with Knowle West Media Centre 3. Apprenticeship training programme led by Western Training Provider Network (WTPN). 4. Apprenticeship specific bid led by Weston College to support colleges’ (CoBC, Weston, Bath and SGS) apprenticeship priority areas where WECA has already made an investment. In case of our college, this will be in the construction area where WECA have already invested £6m into the development of our state-of-the-art Advanced Skills Construction Centre. The programme will help SMEs in the West of England understand, navigate and benefit from the region’s developing skills system, connecting them to the future workforce through apprenticeships, internships and placements. SMEs may also work with training providers to help shape their curriculum, or support schools to offer work experience (or other activities) which will give learners an idea of future jobs that will be available in the local economy and what skills they will need to fill them. Through our participation in Workforce for the Future project, we hope to strengthen local SME networks in Bristol and links between SMEs and their local communities, schools, colleges, universities, employment and business support services resulting in improved talent pipeline and more responsive curriculum and offer.
Guaranteed places offered to applicants With no public exams being held this summer and the current closures of the College, we have adapted our admissions process to help reduce anxiety and be as inclusive as possible to pupils wanting to study with us. In light of this, all new applicants for a full-time FE course starting this September will be guaranteed a place. We will guide applicants through every step of the way. Some applicants may be contacted by phone, text or email to arrange for online or telephone assessment of their calculated grades and prior attainment. Applicants looking for information can get in touch with our contact centre or visit cityofbristol.ac.uk/how-to-apply
In memory of Talal We are very sad to advise that our colleague, Talal Mansourpour, passed away at the end of March following a short illness. He will be sadly missed. Talal joined the College in March 2013 and was held in high esteem. He offered unconditional support to staff and students alike and worked tirelessly to ensure all students made the best of the opportunities available to them. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends for this sad loss. We plan to do something in respect for Talal when we return to College.
Reasons to
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t the end of our last year Ofsted visited and provided us with valuable feedback. As we continue to improve, here’s some positive takeaways from the inspection.
The Quality of Education • •
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Students feel the College is welcoming and inclusive. Students say it is a place where people who have different beliefs, cultures and learning experiences can work together in a tolerant and respectful environment. The majority of students and apprentices enjoy their time. Students are ambitious and well-motivated to learn. Students and apprentices feel safe.
Education Programmes for Young People • • •
Leaders and managers work closely and effectively with a range of partners such as the combined local authority and employers. Creative and digital, the curriculum is responsive and well planned. Consequently, young students produce confident and creative work. Teachers ensure that these students develop appropriate professional, industry standard skills, for example in designing software for computer games.
Adult Learning Programmes • • •
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The curriculum is designed to meet industry and academic standards. Teachers on adult programmes plan and implement this curriculum effectively, which develops their students’ skills well. Teachers have high expectations and use challenging learning activities which engage and interest students and give them clear feedback on their work. As a result, students learn and remember their new skills and knowledge well. Most teachers and assessors are effective and receive useful professional training.
Apprenticeships • •
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Students and apprentices receive useful information, advice and guidance which is tailored to their different needs. Tutors provide effective individualised tutorial sessions.
Provision for Students with High Needs • •
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Teaching staff provide effective practical support for students with high needs. Students with high needs on supported internships gain valuable employment skills through practising them at work rather than in the classroom. Students with high needs become more independent as well as developing their academic and vocational skills.
Behaviour and attitudes • • • •
Students and apprentices are studious, behave well and are attentive in class. Students speak openly about how they enjoy the respect they receive from College staff who treat them as adults. The College makes good use of community learning centres to introduce potential students to learning. Adult students highlight how they gain in confidence from working in such supportive environments.
Personal Development • •
• • • •
Students recognise how the skills and knowledge they are gaining will help them in the future. The great majority of adult students learn new knowledge and skills that are valuable in their everyday lives and which further their career ambitions. Students with high needs on specialist programmes develop useful independent living and work skills. Apprentices and young people develop positive attitudes to work and learning. Most students and apprentices develop the knowledge and skills at least to the levels expected. Students studying English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and health and social care programmes have access to a good range of enrichment activities. These increase the depth of their understanding and knowledge.
Leadership and Management • • • • •
• • • • •
Leaders and managers have secured financial sustainability and are continuing to improve the quality of its curriculum. Leaders ensure that staff receive appropriate checks allowing them to work with young people and vulnerable adults. Leaders have effective links with local agencies which help provide support to students who may be at risk. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders have a clear system for reporting and monitoring safeguarding-related issues. Safeguarding staff have up-to-date knowledge of local issues and have ensured that staff and student training includes information on knife crime and gang-related activities. Leaders and managers have ensured that GCSE English and mathematics achievements have improved for young people and adults. Leaders and managers have developed effective links with employers to meet the needs of their local economy. Leaders and managers have been successful at improving students’ attendance in most areas. Leaders and managers are ambitious for students and apprentices to progress to higher level programmes. Leaders have ensured that students benefit from a good range of resources at the College. These enable students and apprentices to build their knowledge from regular hands-on use of industry-level facilities and equipment.
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ospitality Lecturer Andreas Kosmas, aged 28, started his journey at City of Bristol College back in 2009 when he studied a Level 3 BTEC Catering and Hospitality. After leaving the College in 2011 with a diploma under his belt, he went on to work at a number of different food establishments before coming full circle to return to the College – this time on the other side of the desk as the teacher. We spoke to him to find out what made him come back to the College exactly 10 years after he first joined as a student. Q What do you remember from your three years studying with us? A Tomislav Hernija and Ryan Fernandes taught me when I was a student here – which was a really nice thing to come back to – but back then the restaurant side was not new to me. I had worked in my parents’ restaurant in Greece from a young age. However, the kitchen side was all new as was a lot of the theory. They were fun for me to learn. What I do specifically remember was the support I received even after finishing College. When students ask me what the best thing about my studies were, I would say it was that I learned a lot and it was a really nice course to do. But the support I received after was the best thing. I was able to email my tutors to ask questions after my course had finished and they would help me establish my next move.
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I worked at Border Quay for three weeks for my work experience where they offered me a frontof-house job straight after my placement which helped start me off on my career path in England. Q How did you find moving to Bristol from Greece? A I lived with my family in Skiathos, I finished my A Levels in Greece in 2009 then I came straight here. Bristol was a bigger city and my mum’s side of the family live in Cheltenham. I found myself gravitating to Bristol. I have always spoken both English and Greek my whole life because of my mum. Moving to England was my first experience of living alone and the education system is poles apart from Greece. Back home, all you had in the classroom was blackboard and chalk, if you were lucky you had a flipchart. So, coming here and having access to laptops and computers in every room was a privilege. When I was working in the College restaurant and I was making so many drinks to get it right, I was thinking ‘who is paying for all of this?’ and there was no budget or limit to what we could make to learn how to do it right. Q What happened after you left City of Bristol College? A I was at Border Quay for a year, before I went to the Pump House where I was for five years. There I worked my way up the ranks all the way to Deputy Manager – so the second in command. I then went on to manage a restaurant called The Souk Kitchen in North Street and I was there for a year and a half before moving on to Bosco Italian in Clifton, I was their Assistant Manager for two years. Q How did you return to City of Bristol College occur? A I was at a Chefs’ Forum event where the students happened to be serving and I went with my work. I met my tutor from the time, Miriam Garstang, who bumped into me and was asking how things were going and making small talk. She asked me if I was enjoying it and the next thing I know she mentioned the College was looking for someone. That was how it started.
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I learned a lot and it was a really nice course to do. But the support I received after was the best thing.
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Q When did you start back at the College? A I started on 1 December 2019 and I am really enjoying it. I feel like I have definitely come back into it than it being a whole new job. It is nice to see familiar faces in Tomi, Ryan and some other staff who were here back then too. Teaching is a whole new thing for me and I am enjoying it. There are a lot of things to learn and it is testing my organisation skills. I am doing my Level 5 in Teacher Training thanks to the College. We are now in week six of the course which takes place every Monday night and it is really good. In a dream world I would have had that first before going into teaching but I am learning on the job and gaining experience. The support I am receiving from Sue Foote has been amazing. Q How does it feel teaching students who are in the same position you were in once? A I don’t feel much older than them and I have been where they are now. With that in mind, I feel like I can speak to them in a way where I can share my experiences to help them on their career paths. Q Where do you see your career going from here? A I am really enjoying the change of pace and the path I have taken. I see it as a great career move for me. I am looking forward to starting the new academic year and using the summer period to prepare everything for the new cohort of students.
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s a College, we’re proud to be in a position where we can inspire students across Bristol. The sharing of specialist passions and expertise is something that we see across our College community each term. Last term was no exception, from hospitality staff supporting The Chefs’ Forum to College Alumnus, Ali Bryson, hosting her first art exhibition.
across Bristol collaboration around the College. While the way we inspire people and share information won’t be in shape we’re accustomed to, colleagues across the College are quickly adapting. We’re sure to see innovative solutions in the coming months such as tutorial videos, virtual open events and virtual collaboration between departments. Got a story you’d like to share about virtual cross-College collaboration? Email: editor@cityofbristol.ac.uk
This term, as much as ever, we’re celebrating
College Green introduces students to food photography A new partnership has blossomed between two City of Bristol College departments. The Catering team and the students of the FdA Professional Photography partnered up for a studio photoshoot in College Green’s City Restaurant. The Photography students set up a make-shift studio in the upper section of the restaurant while the Level 3 Professional Cookery students served up a range of delectable dishes for the pilot photoshoot. With the support of a food stylist, the students set up artistic shots of the food with ingredients and took some posed photos of the chefs themselves. Photography Lecturer Chris Rydlewski said: “This is for a studio photography module which is one of the areas which is really employable. We are working with a visiting lecturer who is a food stylist and the students in the kitchen to promote the College. “This work will allow them to practise field work and gain on-the-job training and for our students to understand the pressures of setting up a photoshoot and how to react when things don’t go quite right or the lighting isn’t desirable.” 9
Hospitality and Catering Lecturer Amy Woodrow said: “This is a collaborative project between ourselves and other departments to fill the blank spaces on the walls of our new restaurant. The idea behind this is it tells a story – this is the students’ food, this is a student-run restaurant and this is what we are all about. “We have the hanging system but we are waiting for it to be installed. Once this is in place we hope to be able to display some of their work and the work from other departments – we want to have a fair representation from across all the different subject areas.”
Bristol secondary school students visit City of Bristol College to consider future in Aviation industry Students from Bristol Metropolitan Academy paid a visit to City of Bristol College’s Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC) on 4 March 2020 as part of the Airbus Flying Challenge, which saw the students experience work in the aviation industry and to encourage them to consider a future in the area. The group of 20 year nine pupils were given a tour of the AEC at Parkway which includes three separate workshops as well as the machine workshop, the CAD/CAM room, wind tunnel and the main aircraft maintenance workshop. After being shown around, the pupils were taken through a presentation about ‘What is Engineering?’ and taught the basics of aircraft flight. The pupils were then taken into the aircraft maintenance workshop and given a demonstration about the mechanics of aircrafts. They were then shown how these mechanical systems are put into practice. Each pupil was then invited into the cockpit of the in-house plane at the AEC where they were shown the controls and various buttons and levers the pilot would use in order to fly the plane. It was then time for a bit of friendly competition as pupils were put into their Airbus groups and tasked with building a jet pack engine kit. They learned key skills including teamwork, leadership and task delegation.
The final activity was how each pupil had to pick a different type of paper plane – such as the dragonfly, raptor and concord – and continuously test it and modify it to travel the best distance. Lecturer and awarding body EAL Level 3 Programme Leader, Mark Gabey, said: “We would like to thank those pupils who attended the taster and found out more about what the College provides for those pupils and apprentices who want to pursue this career. “A great day was had by all and hopefully this has helped give pupils a glimpse of what aviation career paths are out there to pursue in the future. This also shows how lecturers in the College can help these pupils gain that knowledge to assist them in their future careers.” Fly2Help Programme Delivery Co-Ordinator, who organised the event, Georgina Godfree, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to City of Bristol College’s Engineering department for kindly hosting the Airbus Flying Challenge students today. The Futures Weeks are aimed at engaging the group with career and further education opportunities relating to aviation, so it was brilliant to showcase where the Airbus Apprentices study. “The students thoroughly enjoyed the ‘Build an Engine’ Challenge and learning about Theory of Flight and Flight Controls - which will come in very handy for their reward of Flying Lessons in the summer!” This activity supported schools in meeting the Gatsby benchmarks – a framework of eight guidelines which define the best career provision in secondary schools. During this taster session, Bristol Met students found out more information about the market and how they can progress into a career following their studies. The College’s taster event would also allow Bristol Met to meet its benchmark for encounters with further and higher education.
Supporting students to achieve their ambitions
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ast month staff from departments across the College hosted our Progression Festival. The four-week festival started on Monday 24 February and encouraged students to consider their career options. Students discussed their goals and ambitions in one-to-one meetings as well as attending key events such as the Jobs and Apprenticeship Fair and UCAS Expo and a number of World of Work talks with professional from a range of industries.
World of Work talks The World of Work talks (which you may know as WoW talks) were run in partnership with My Future My Choice – a charity which teams young people up with professionals to engage and discuss their futures – and saw a number of local and national names grace the halls of City of Bristol College for some inspirational speeches. Among the inspirational talks was one given by Dion Johnson. The WOMANologist left students at South Bristol Skills Academy speechless with her powerful story of self-acceptance and seeking wisdom and understanding of others. Students at College Green were able to listen to and question two local businessmen, including the Watershed’s Head of Facilities Laura Wilder and St Nicolas Market’s vendors John Wheatcroft.
Promoting higher education progression City of Bristol College has a number of higher education courses available for current students to progress onto. University-level study at the College has many benefits, including bursaries for students progressing from Level 3 courses. Last term City of Bristol College had a stand at the annual UCAS fair held at UWE Bristol. Caroline Coombes, who oversees our HE admissions, said: “This was possibly my 10th UCAS fair and was a really busy event as ever. We had brilliant new prospectus and banners and we had a great position. I would think students are more focused on where they want to go now more than ever, and the choice is big, so Colleges like ours can sometimes seem second choice to all the universities. But I reckon we hold our own and it was great to network with other providers, and meet lots of prospective students from all over the South West. “I always pick up new ideas for the following year for how we can look more inviting. So hopefully we will be at many more events like this, promoting what a great place to study we are.” The University Centre is continuing to conduct higher education interviews by phone where possible and is looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of students for the next academic year.
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Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair Students, parents, carers, grandparents and individuals looking for work headed to the South Bristol Skills Academy in Hengrove on Thursday 27 February for the only event of its type in Bristol South. The South Bristol Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair was set up by Bristol South MP Karin Smyth and City of Bristol College in 2017 to help local people access a full range of jobs and apprenticeships opportunities. Now in its fourth year, it builds on previous work by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Bristol City Council, and remains the only event of its type in South Bristol. More than 60 stallholders from businesses, training providers and other employment support organisations were on hand with information and careers advice for the 800+ visitors. Some stalls included apprentices who had found their role at previous fairs. They returned to share their experiences of apprenticeships and encourage other people to become apprentices. City of Bristol College Principal Andy Forbes said: “It’s my first fair, since I’ve only just joined the College as Principal but I’ve been really impressed with the size, the scale and the energy in the event. We’ve seen a really good mix of people coming through the door – parents, youngsters, our own students. It’s such an important event for Bristol South and Karin has been such so helpful in getting this organised, it’s been a great partnership. She is such a champion for South Bristol.”
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I’ve been really impressed with the size, the scale and the energy in the event. We’ve seen a really good mix of people coming through the door – parents, youngsters, our own students.
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ollowing the closure of the College, staff across departments have rallied together to set up home learning and ensure day-to-day running of the College continues.
There’s support available, if you need it
We’ve been introduced to technology most of us have never used before (Microsoft Teams, anyone?) and have found new ways of working and sharing ideas. Here’s a few tips and resources to help you look after your productivity and wellbeing during this time.
Please check the guide to support staff working remotely for additional information about the support available.
Got a question about working from home?
Run, College, Run
From how to use Microsoft Teams to what is happening with your annual leave. If you haven’t had a chance, now is the time to make yourself a cuppa and read the new working from home handbook. Download the Guide to support staff working remotely during Coronavirus
Looking after your wellbeing Make sure you check your inbox for the Wellbeing Newsletter. It has links to resources and information that can support your mental wellbeing. It’s a space for colleagues to share uplifting content, useful links and other helpful content.
If you need someone to talk to, there is support available. We want to let you know that if you’re struggling to adjust to life during the coronavirus crisis, you’re not alone. A lot has changed in a short amount of time and support is available for you.
You can also get in touch with the College’s Multi Faith Chaplaincy on 07440460578 or email Javinder.Singh@cityofbristol.ac.uk
Staying active can boost your mental wellbeing. Take advantage of the College’s virtual running club to keep you motivated to stay fit and achieve your fitness goals. Join the running club on Microsoft Teams here
Win a three-course lunch or £20 of Hair and Beauty services Competition time! To enter, submit a photo of your working-from-home set-up. The winner will be selected at random and can choose to win a three-course lunch for two or £20 Hair and Beauty services at City of Bristol College (to be redeemed by 30/11/2020). Email your photos to editor@cityofbristol.ac.uk We’ll be sharing our favourite submissions in the next edition of College Voice.
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Last week, Partners in Bristol (PiB) launched their new Online Learning Portal
Learn in your own time
from the comfort of your own home
You can study a wide range of courses at little or no cost!
Find your course today: partnersinbristol.theskillsnetwork.com/
Do you support teaching and learning? Did you know that you can study towards a qualification alongside your job? If you’re working as a member of teaching support staff, you can study towards an FdA in Educational Support. This is a great opportunity for learning support assistants, study coaches and personal tutors. For more information, contact Sacha Butterworth: sacha.butterworth@cityofbristol.ac.uk or visit cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/educational-support-foundation-degree/