Education

GOOD TO BE BACK: Students return to Yeovil College Students are welcomed back to college after testing times

Yeovil College students and staff are back following a learning timetable on site and at home. Principal and CEO Mark Bolton said: “It is uplifting to see students return to campus. There is a real buzz on campus, the sun is shining, and you can visibly see that people are happy to be back.” Yeovil College was one of the first colleges to introduce a ‘lateral flow’ test and trace testing centre to a college environment in Somerset, and this, along with many other safety measures, has played a key role in enabling students to return to site safely. Mr Bolton added: “The safety of our students and staff continues to be our priority and our guiding principle to reopening the college has been one of extreme caution. Our testing centre has been a real success and I would like to thank staff who have worked tirelessly. It is once again business as usual for our students and staff, who are now extremely familiar with our blended approach; the result being that not a single day of education has been missed at Yeovil College.”

Sofa so good for furniture designers in bid to fund charity’s SEN teacher

A Mere company is funding the start-up costs for a new special educational needs teacher. Furniturebox UK is helping national charity Field Lane employ its first SEN teacher after a tumultuous year for people in education. The move is part of their ongoing commitment to give back to the community. Field Lane offers a combination of care, accommodation, and support for adults with learning disabilities. The incredible work they do is very close to Furniturebox UK’s hearts, says founder Dan Beckles. He added: “The ongoing coronavirus crisis has devastated all of us, especially our more vulnerable members of society. Many of Field Lane’s clients have had their vital education and life-skills development interrupted by the lockdowns. Those that usually attend colleges or day centres haven’t been able to. Employing an SEN teacher will let these educational services still reach those who really benefit from them.” Montague George and Dan Beckles launched Furniturebox in 2015 at the age of 18, aiming to provide beautiful, quality furniture to homes across the UK for reasonable prices. They’ve built a thriving and growing business up from the ground, going from doing it all themselves to now managing a team of 32.

HELPING HANDS: Montague George and Dan Beckles of Furniturebox

n To see some of the other ways Furniturebox UK are giving back to the community, go to furniturebox.co.uk/blog/ doing-our-bit-to-help.