7 minute read
Croydon Futures propels local development and opportunities
in partnership with
HEALTH EDUCATION ENGLAND VISIT UNIVERSITY CENTRE’S STATE-OF-THE-ART NURSING SUITE
The Chair of Health Education England (HEE), Sir David Behan, visited Croydon University Centre’s state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centre to find out more about the Adult Nursing degree on offer and from some of those who study on the new course.
Sir David was joined by one of HEE’s Non-Executive Directors, Professor Soraya Dhillon, watching the students demonstrate the care they would provide in real-life scenarios. Of the 46 students in the first cohort of the degree, nearly half of them are from Croydon. The course, run in partnership with the University of Roehampton, means local students can remain in the borough to study this course and excel in this career option. Students use a combination of the Clinical Simulation Centre and placements in NHS Trusts to gain experience. The £1million nursing suite, located within our campus in the heart of Croydon town centre, allows students to practice a number of clinical situations including taking a patient’s blood pressure, practising drawing blood, and much more. Sir David and Professor Dhillon spoke to students about their journeys into nursing and experiences on the course so far. Many students had a busy home life to contend with alongside their studies and coursework, some had completed previous degrees, and some had worked in care roles before moving into nursing – but there was one constant throughout - they all had a passion for helping others. One student, Anndel, told the pair: “I didn’t choose nursing, nursing chose me.”
PITCHING IN 60 SECONDS
Management students have been supported by Natwest to explore the differences between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset, pitching business ideas in 60 seconds. The workshop helped students with their Entrepreneurship assessments.
Croydon Futures propels local development & opportunities
Croydon Futures, a careers and education fair, came to Croydon University Centre on 23 March.
The event was the first in a series of employability events piloted by the BIG (Business, Innovation & Growth) South London Partnerships’ employability group headed up by the University of Roehampton. More than 200 visitors attended the College to explore both work and educational opportunities. We were joined by employers from the construction, business, and healthcare sector, including Mott MacDonald, Constructing London, The Princes Trust, ASK Apprenticeships, the Met Police, and Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, among others. Miemie Neethling-Taylor, our Head of Higher Education, said: “We’re proud to host this pilot employability fair as the first of the Careers Future projects aimed at people within the borough. “Through the BIG South London Partnership, we’ve been able to collaborate with like-minded universities, colleges, and employers to help people get into work or develop their skills.” BIG South London is a programme of support that combines worldclass knowledge, expertise and the facilities of London-based universities and colleges to support the economic recovery of South London businesses and communities.
DISCUSSION & DEBATE AT SOCIETY EVENT
Our Business and Management students and staff enjoyed a great evening with The Edmund Burke Society on Friday 27 May at the grand surroundings of The Oriental Club in central London.
The Edmund Burke Society explores and discusses a new vision of society immersed in philosophy, political theory, and sociology. Staff and students were invited by Ian Alston from the Society. Distinguished criminal barrister and writer on the subject of prisons and the legal system, Harry Potter, spoke at the event, which included a discussion proposing Alexander Paterson as one of he greatest penal system reformers.
We hosted the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for an interactive workshop day.
The event welcomed introductory speeches from Fadia Clarke, our Vice Principal Training Skills & Higher Education, and Graham Beesley, IOPC Regional Director, after which case studies and informative talks were delivered to Undergraduate and Access to HE Criminology students. Students worked with a member of the local IOPC to address public concerns in the police complaints system, diversity within the IOPC, and other topical issues. One of the IOPC’s main objectives for this programme is to increase the profile within the community and this engagement day provided a platform for this. It also presented an opportunity for students to find out about careers and the different roles within the IOPC, such as the Aspiring Professionals Programme. Althea Jones, Social Sciences Lecturer, who helped organise the event, said: “The engagement day was certainly very thoughtprovoking and it was good to see students applying the theory they’ve learnt to real life scenarios. We welcome the close collaboration within the local community.” Miemie Neethling-Taylor, our Head of Higher Education, said: “I was really pleased to see this event come to life. We’ve been planning a collaboration with the IOPC for more than two years and to finally welcome Amanda Spencer and the team from the Croydon IOPC offices to work with our students was just amazing.”
DEBATE DAY TACKLES BIG TOPICS
Members of our Business Society took part in a debate day, taking in important issues within the sector.
The Business and Management students used their learning from Management Organisations Behaviour, Contemporary Issues in Management, and People Management modules to discuss management approaches. The debates looked at Carillion and its downfall, asking whether greed was the main factor contributing to it, whether Artificial Intelligence was affecting recruitment in HR, and whether the theory of Taylorism is still alive. Results from the debates were shown through Q&A polling app Slido.
COLLEGE ALUMNI
Even after leaving education, we love to stay in touch with our former students who remain a key part of our community.
Theatre costume designer Celia won the award for Best Costume Design at the UK Pantomime Association Awards, where she was also nominated for Best Set Design.
Celia was awarded for her work on the stage production of Aladdin. Celia trained in Theatre Design at Croydon College and has designed more than 30 productions for Manchester’s Oldham Coliseum, ranging from pantomimes to musicals, plays and comedies, and more. The UK Pantomime Association celebrates panto by reflecting on its past, adopting contemporary practice, and inspiring the future. A total of 27 awards were presented at the ceremony hosted by Christopher Biggins.
CELIA PERKINS CLLR ALISA FLEMMING CROYDON CIVIC MAYOR
Congratulations to former Coulsdon and Croydon student Councillor Alisa Flemming, who has been named Croydon’s Civic Mayor for 2022-23. Photo taken by Brad Merrett - bradmerrett.com, @brad_merrett
NEW FACES
It’s not just students we’re welcoming here regularly at the Croydon College Group; we’re also being introduced to new staff all the time. Find out about two of our new faces below:
Josephine joined us in March of this year. Passionate about working with young people, she has previously volunteered in youth groups leading into her first job in education – combining her passion and interest for planning events into one.
Josephine said: “I have met great students who have a wealth of Ideas for clubs for the enrichment programme and I look forward to developing these ideas with them further.” Josephine enjoys working with external agencies, including open mic ventures and art galleries, so students – after working on projects internally – can get an idea of what is available outside of the College. “I want the students to enjoy rich experiences during their time here. I want to branch out and give them something extra so they don’t just come into the building for class and immediately leave.”
A former professional footballer at clubs including AFC Bournemouth and Colchester United, Mitch joined us in April, with a desire to support young students and be a positive role model to them.
While playing professionally Mitch studied Personal Training and Sports Therapy. When he moved into nonleague football he studied Engineering at PROCAT (Prospect College of Advanced Technology), before working for Transport for London as an electrical engineer on the London Underground for more than eight years. Mitch said: “I worked in schools previously throughout my football career and I wanted to get back to working with students. I found it tough at school myself and I want to share my experience to support students and be a positive role model. “I have started a fitness club with good uptake and I look forward to promoting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing through sport.”
