Students and staff at Exeter College have voted for their 2019-2020 charity of the year. This year they voted to support a national charity, Cancer Research UK and a local charity, Exeter Foodbank.
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity which aims to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world’s largest independent cancer research charity it conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
“Cancer Research UK are delighted to be chosen as charity of the year, and I am very excited to be supporting Exeter College with their fundraising. We have exciting research happening in Exeter which is benefiting patients locally and across the country. 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime. We receive no government funding for our life saving research so our work simply wouldn’t be possible without this support. Together we will beat cancer.”
Kim Hammerton, Local Fundraising Manager – Devon and North Cornwall
Exeter Foodbank provides local people in crisis with three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced emergency food.
Students and staff will be working hard to raise as much money as they can for these charities. Past charities have included Mind and Devon Air Ambulance. In 2018/19 the college raised an amazing £10,939.14 for Nightstop.
“It’s really important for our students to get involved with social action events and activities and to give back to their community. Activities like this enrich our student experience at college and ensure they go above and beyond in helping others. It is also great for tutor group bonding and in helping students come together to work on a project and there’s no denying that it gets a little competitive!”
Megan Snell, Deputy Head of Student Experience
Our Exeter College Students’ Union will be collecting money for these charities at the colleges Festival of Carols on Thursday 5th December. The service is free to attend and open to anyone who would like to come along and celebrate with us.
Businesses Rate Exeter College Top in South West for FE Apprenticeship Employer Satisfaction for Second Year Running
The Department of Education has released results of its annual survey that ranks Apprenticeship providers based on business feedback and Exeter College has topped the South West table for further education colleges once again.
“Our industry partnership approach means that our students get the very best out of their experience, while employers also gain access to a dynamic and creative workforce,”
John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive
This is the second year running Exeter College received the highest rating from employers across the region, within the four counties of the South West, and the third year in a row it has scored above 97.5%.
John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “The feedback from our employers is vitally important to us. Our aim is to be a partner to employers that makes a tangible difference to their business, which goes far beyond being a provider of training. These stellar results show that our approach is working. I would like to thank our employer network for their feedback. Our industry partnership approach means that our students get the very best out of their experience, while employers also gain access to a dynamic and creative workforce.”
In the published responses the University of Exeter answered: “Exeter College are an outstanding training provider who work with their employers in partnership. They are professional and attentive to employers’ needs and provide excellent quality training and assessment.”
A company representative from Newton Abbot-based engineering firm MB Aerospace stated: “I am extremely pleased and consistently impressed with the commitment and focus Exeter College gives to Apprentices. The welfare, quality of learning and the 360-educational experience is considered, thought through and supportive.”
Exeter College’s exceptional customer service has also been recognised by the Association of Colleges in their coveted Beacon Awards, having been shortlisted and undergoing judging for the next phase of the College Engagement with Employers category. These awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among the UK’s further education colleges and reaching the shortlist alone is a huge honour.
Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College explained: “I am delighted that employers feel they are receiving a consistently good experience. I have read the fantastic comments left by all of the companies surveyed, as well as taking on board feedback so that our Apprenticeship Team can continue to improve its service and strive for excellence.”
Record Breaking Recruitment
The exceptional achievement is also reflected in the popularity of Exeter College Apprenticeships, with record recruitment numbers of 1150 for the 2018/2019 academic year, numbers which are particularly impressive in a challenging environment for many education providers.
The dedicated Apprenticeship Team at the College has continued to grow its provision year on year, offering over 90 programmes across a variety of sectors and roles, giving more choice for individuals looking for support in their chosen career pathway.
There has never been a better time to think Apprenticeships. Are you an employer looking to work with an exceptional Apprenticeship provider? Or are you looking to develop your career with an Exeter College Apprenticeship? Call our Apprenticeship Hotline on 01392 400800 today.
Exeter College Launches Personal Development Programme for Students
Exeter College has celebrated the new academic year by enhancing their tutorial system with a Personal Development Programme designed to further develop a whole person approach to learning with the College.
At a time when tutorial sessions are increasingly under pressure at many schools and colleges throughout the country, Exeter College has made a commitment to further improve the provision available for the individual progress of each student studying with the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ education provider.
“The rationale behind the Personal Development Programme is that we provide a real focus on the holistic nature of education and get students thinking about their own long term progression,”
Dee Rowett, Project Manager for Teaching, Learning and Performance
The new Personal Development Programme has been launched for students at the College at the start of this academic year and the scheme aims to look more deeply in to the long term progression and wellbeing of all those studying at the College as well as help students engage with activities around citizenship, equality and the environment, among others.
The Project Manager for Teaching, Learning and Performance at Exeter College Dee Rowett is delighted with how the new programme has been taking shape for the benefit of students.
“It’s great for us to be able to enhance our tutorial system in this way,” said Dee.
“The rationale behind the Personal Development Programme is that we provide a real focus on the holistic nature of education and get students thinking about their own long term progression and destination as well as helping to engage students in key themes throughout the year.”
In addition to building skills to help students’ engagement with learning, pupils at Exeter College will also learn about different topics throughout the academic calendar.
Dee said, “The really nice thing about the Personal Development Programme is that it’s precisely that – personal. Students get something that is quite bespoke to them. Of course, there will be whole group sessions that are led by their tutor but students also get access to one-on-one sessions and they are encouraged to monitor and track their progress via their Personal Development Log.
“It’s about creating an environment where students participate in the creation of learning. These sessions won’t be teachers dictating the content; they will be interacting with students and working together on how the themes they’re looking at can apply to work they’re putting in.”
Despite having a large focus on the personal development and wellbeing of students, Dee is confident that the sessions will also positively impact academic performance.
“Getting this time with tutors is also about making sure everyone is on track with their studies. In many ways this programme is about underpinning the fundamentals around teaching and learning while also making sure there’s a space for students to have good conversations with their teacher about their wider college experience.”
Your College, Your Citizenship
As part of the Personal Development Programme, Exeter College students have been exploring the idea of citizenship, sustainability and the environment over the last few weeks. Students have been learning about the values and ideas that underpin society and have even been raising money for charities and volunteering for local initiatives.
Students have been exploring their own ways of interacting with citizenship, with music students using citizenship as a launch point to write their own songs as well as perform some jazz improvisation.
Travel and tourism students used the opportunity of exploring citizenship to volunteer with Farmwise Devon, an organisation that helps educate children on where their food comes from and how the farming industry works.
Performing arts students decided to perform monologues, songs and dance pieces that centred around the idea of citizenship.
A particular focus for many students across the College has been the relationship between citizenship and the environment. Students have been reviewing the College’s sustainability priorities and will be sharing their thoughts on what they consider to be their priorities in the next ‘Learner Voice Conference’ with Principal John Laramy.
The next topic Exeter College students will be exploring as part of the Personal Development Programme will be equality, diversity and British values.
The Progression and Employability Team are a team of impartial careers advisers supporting 16-19 year old students to take their next steps to either university, employment, an apprenticeship, gap year or further studies at college. We encourage any learner who feels they need help and support in finding the right direction to come and talk through their options with us.
University application
support
All 2nd
year students applying to university should now have their UCAS applications well
underway. UCAS started accepting applications in September and therefore we’d
like to encourage students to complete their application as soon as possible.
They should also keep in contact with their tutor and regularly check their
college email for UCAS updates.
We send over 1000
university applications a year, please be aware that we process applications in
the order they are submitted – once submitted, please allow up to 10 working
days for applications to be sent.
The college’s internal deadline for UCAS applications is Friday 6th December.
During term time we run daily UCAS drop-in sessions, from 12:00-14:00 in the Progression and Employability Hub, Tower Foyer, Hele Road. We can provide guidance on:
Researching universities and courses
Completing the UCAS application
Writing a personal statement
As well
as support from the team, students can access a wealth of information and
resources via the Careers and University SharePoint page which is located on
the student SharePoint homepage.
We also look
forward to hosting several of our 2019 top ten university destinations for bespoke
workshop sessions at the end of October and throughout November.
Receiving offers
and making decisions
After submitting their UCAS application,
students will receive decisions from universities via their online ‘track’
account. Once all decisions have been received, students will be able to select
two offers from the maximum of five original choices. Therefore, we recommend
that students ensure that they are certain about their programme choice,
university location and accommodation before accepting an offer.
If students don’t receive
offers or change their mind about their choices, they can take advantage of
UCAS Extra which opens in February 2020 and enables them to make additional course
choices.
For more
information about UCAS Extra, students can visit www.ucas.com or contact the Progression and Employability Team.
Student Finance
for Higher Education
It is important to
be aware of the financial costs associated with higher education. Student Finance England provides
information on the financial support available to students, such as:
Loans (Tuition Fee and Maintenance)
Repayments
Additional financial support
Students may also be eligible for university specific bursaries and scholarships but please ensure you check what’s available with your chosen universities.
The application for student finance is separate to the UCAS application. The student finance application can be done online from Spring 2020 and should be completed by the end of May, to ensure arrangements are in place for the start of your course.
Need
Further Support?
Students
can book a careers appointment via their own eILP by clicking on the
Progression and Employability booking page. Parents/guardians are welcome to
come in for any booked appointments – please remember to visit our college
reception to sign in as a visitor.
At Exeter College we know that keeping parents and guardians updated on progress is key to ensuring that our learners thrive and succeed with us.
To enhance this communication, we have launched a new Parent Portal, an online space where parents and guardians can track the progress of their young person at college. Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to this service and is engaging with us on this new platform.
On the Parent Portal you will be able to see what course(s) your young person is enrolled on, along with attendance data, timetables, progress reports and tutor contact information.
The Parent Portal provides a great way to keep in touch with the college and flag any potential issues before they become a more serious issue for the young person or college.
If you haven’t already registered, then please see below for how to do so.
How to join
Our Parent Portal can be accessed via our website here. To register you will first need to enter your details. From your home page you will be able to link yourself to your young person(s) using the following three pieces of information.
The unique Parent Portal reference number found on your personalised letter (these were sent out in October to the learner address)
Your young person’s date of birth
Your young person’s student reference number at Exeter College, which can be found on their college ID (it will start 9900)
If you have lost your letter, or if you are a listed next of kin that lives at another address to the learner, you can still register using the date of birth and student reference number. (Please note, where you do not have the parent portal reference number it may take a day or two for the account to be activated).
We hope that you find the Parent Portal a useful and convenient way of accessing information about your young person’s progress throughout the year.
For further useful information for parents, including dates for Parents Progress Evenings, please visit the Parents page here.
Galliford Try Partnerships First to Benefit from Employer Fund for T Levels
Leading regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships is the first to benefit from a government-backed initiative to encourage employers to provide valuable industry placements to T Level students.
The FTSE 250 business has partnered with Exeter College to provide industry placements to T Level construction students studying with the College from 2020.
T Levels mark a revolution in the provision of technical education for the UK and Exeter College have been selected as an ‘early adopter’ of the new qualifications. The aim is to provide students with the technical skills required to move in to employment, providing a true insight into life in the industry, while still providing UCAS points to support an application to study at university.
Exeter College is the only provider in Devon selected to deliver T Levels for 2020 entry, with full-time, two year courses available in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare. By signing up to take on T Level students, Galliford Try Partnerships have agreed to provide industry placements for construction students for 45 days over a two-year period and will receive a £750 grant per student from the government to help facilitate the placements.
Galliford Try Partnerships have previously worked with Exeter College offering work experience placements and are looking forward to a more formal arrangement thanks to the new T Level qualifications.
Charlotte Olver, Development and Communities Manager commented; “We are eager to work with colleges to deliver T Levels for the learners of today, it gives us the opportunity to build, shape and mould young people and prepare them for work in the industry.
“T Levels promote the variety of careers available within construction and break down stereotypes of the onsite world and we can set aside time and space to help students grow while also getting them working in an industry they’re interested in.
“Our partnership with Exeter College provides the perfect platform to address the industry skills shortage and encourage students to enter the industry.
“We’ve been delighted with the calibre of students that have joined us in the past, and what’s exciting for me is that you get access to people who are eager to learn and can genuinely provide a great resource to businesses.
“The funding from the government will ensure that we can put in place excellent resources to help the students with us make the most out of their experience.”
T Levels are being launched at selected providers like Exeter College in 2020 before a national rollout the following year, when Exeter College will be offering a wide variety of courses with a view of providing students a direct line of sight to industry following their studies.
Exeter College Assistant Principal Sam Hillman, who is leading on the college’s T Level delivery, was delighted Galliford Try Partnerships volunteered to take on students studying the Construction T Level and be the first to access the money available to employers who provide industry placements.
“It’s great that our students will have access to such a proactive and forward-thinking construction company like Galliford Try Partnerships,” said Sam.
“It’s vitally important for us to be able to offer students valuable industry placements that are meaningful, worthwhile and full of learning opportunities. I’m certain that’s exactly what our students at Galliford Try Partnerships will get and I can’t wait to see the progress they make in the construction business.
“I firmly believe the experience will be a positive one, not just for students, but for businesses themselves that want to be involved with T Levels. Businesses will get access to enthusiastic students who genuinely want to progress in the industry and learn as much as they can as well as provide a tangible contribution to the company.”
Adam McIntyre did a work placement with Galliford Try Partnerships during his Level 3 course Construction and the Built Environment, immersing himself in different areas of the business to learn which part of the construction industry he was most interested in.
Adam said, “It has definitely been a great experience for me. The staff at Galliford Try Partnerships have helped me out a lot, not just with industry experience but also with my coursework and assignments at college.
“I did some work in the office learning about the pre-build processes that take place at a company like this. I then went and did some on-site work, learning more on how a professional construction site works and getting a feel for the industry.
“I knew I was interested in the health and safety side of things but my placement with Galliford Try Partnerships has really helped to confirm that I want to go that way in terms of my career. I went around sites with an expert and learnt about what they look out for when it comes to the safety aspects of a construction site.”
Adam is set to build on his expertise as he enters his second year at Exeter College, as he gears up to undertake 300 hours of an industry placement with Galliford Try Partnerships in the current academic year.
Exeter College is actively seeking employers willing to provide industry placements to T Level Students on Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare courses. Those interested should contact Alison Brown on alisonbrown@exe-coll.ac.uk.
Let our courses inspire you
Exeter College offers a wide range of courses for adults, starting throughout the year.
Whether you are looking to upskill and progress in your career or want a new hobby, we have something for you. Our Adult Advisers are on hand to offer guidance on the right course for you. You can talk to them at one of our Open Events or give them a call today on 01392 400170.
Below are some courses starting between November and January. For a full list of courses, please take a look using the links below.
Want to know more about our adult courses? Come along to an open event, where you can speak to our adult advisers. The next Open Event is on Wednesday 20th November, with further events happening in January, April and June. To find out more and to pre-register, click here.
Funding:
For information on Fees and Funding and what Financial Support may be available, please click here.
How to Enrol:
If you have found the course you want and are ready to apply then visit our How to Apply page to get started.
Why I Love My College…
This week, 14-18 October, is national Love Our Colleges Week. The Love Our Colleges campaign is supported by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and is an opportunity to highlight the brilliant work that goes on in colleges, and the inspirational students and staff that make it all possible.
To celebrate this campaign, we have been sharing some of our favourite news stories from the year on our social media channels. To end our week of celebrations, we spoke to Performing Arts student Natasha Pavey. Natasha is in her second year at college and is also the Communications Officer for Exeter College Students Union (ECSU).
Here’s what she had to say about her experiences at Exeter College…
I wanted to get involved with the ECSU as I thought it would be a great way to have my voice heard and help make college the best place it can be, creating positive change and ensuring every student enjoys their time here. I also thought it would be a great chance to join a team of likeminded young people and gain lots of transferable skills that I can take with me as I progress onto university next year.
The ECSU run events throughout the year. For example last week, we ran a stall outside the Hele Road building giving out free tea and cake for #WorldMentalHealthDay. We hope that through running these events we make students’ time at college that bit better. We also have a say in how to improve the overall student experience. This means that students can give us their feedback on college life and we do our best to improve this. In past years, the ECSU Committee have initiated the installation of flip down chairs in buildings across campus, added more water fountains across college sites, memorial benches, lockers and additional furniture in the pop-up LRC.
Students messages outside the Hele Building for World Mental Health Day and the Exeter Campaign, Let’s Chalk.
I chose to study at Exeter College because I wanted to be around lots of different new people. Through college, I have met many amazing, creative and talented young people my age that push me to do my best through my course, enrichment, academy and different projects. Exeter College is also in the centre of Exeter so you can go into town whenever you want which is ideal when you need a break from work or need a new study spot.
As a Performing Arts student, being in the heart of Exeter means we can just walk up the road to see a show at the Northcott Theatre and walk ten minutes the other way to perform in the Barnfield Theatre. I also feel like there’s so many fantastic opportunities at Exeter College to challenge yourself and get your voice heard through clubs and societies, trips, becoming a tutor rep, and joining the Student Union! There’s so much to get involved in and so many pathways you can take.
I love my college because it’s a hub of creative, diverse, inspiring and determined young people. In terms of further education – it’s the place to be!
By Natasha Pavey, Exeter College student.
Secretary of State Visits Exeter College to Talk T Levels
The Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson MP visited Exeter College to learn more about the impact new T Level qualifications will have on the region’s learners.
As a government-selected ‘early adopter’ of the new technical-based qualification, Exeter College is the only provider in Devon offering T Levels for 2020 delivery, with courses initially available in Construction, Digital and Education and Childcare. Further T Level courses will launch from 2021 as part of a national roll out.
T Levels mark a revolution in technical education in the UK as the qualification, which is the equivalent of three A Levels, provides learners with a clear line of sight to industry thanks to technical skill acquisition both in the classroom and as part of an industry placement undertaken during studies.
(L-R) Rob Bosworth (Exeter College Vice Principal), Janice Kay (University of Exeter Provost), Gavin Williamson MP (Education Secretary), John Laramy (Exeter College Principal) and Sam Hillman (Exeter College Assistant Principal).
Secretary of State Gavin Williamson spent time at Exeter College talking to college leaders on how preparations were going for the launch of T Levels and how the new qualification would address the changing needs of industry.
“It was an absolute pleasure to visit Exeter College. They are doing brilliant work helping thousands of young people across the region to get the skills they need to thrive,” said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.
“Our new T Level qualifications are a game changer – a once in a generation opportunity to revolutionise technical education in this country and put it on a par with top performing countries like Germany.
“It was great to hear first-hand how they will help even more young people to get a head start in their careers, and ensure industry can tap into the pipeline of talent they need for the future.
“I was really impressed with the passion and enthusiasm of the students, staff and senior leaders and I wish them all the best for the future.”
Secretary of State Gavin Williamson spoke to college leaders and students about how T Levels would impact education.
Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to the college. He said, “It was a real pleasure to host a visit from the Secretary of State so that he could see first-hand the impact of the college and the clarity of the educational eco-system in Exeter.
“We spoke about our college’s enthusiasm for T Levels and how we see these integrating with a wider academic and technical offer. The college was able to share its strategy for delivering an exceptional student experience, through enrichment, excellent teaching and a clear line of sight to industry.”
In addition to the acquisition of technical skills, a T Level qualification can also be used to support an application for degree level study, with the qualification recognised by UCAS to provide points to apply to study at university.
Book in for an Open Event to find out more about life at Exeter College and explore our course options.
Institute of Technology Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College Gets the Green Light
The South West Institute of Technology (SWIOT) Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College has been signed off as part of a wider plan to revolutionise digital, engineering and manufacturing technology education across the region. The new £10.3million building will be at the heart of the college and located on its Hele Road site in what is great news for the college, city and region.
The SWIOT has now officially been granted approval by the Department for Education, meaning government funding has been formally allocated to support projects across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset with the aim of providing world-class technical education for the next generation of students.
An artist’s impression of the new Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College.
Funding from the SWIOT will help support the development of a new multi-million-pound Digital and Data Centre on Exeter College’s Hele Road site. The new state-of-the-art facility, which is match-funded by the college, will provide learners with opportunities in the digital sector, including courses around data analytics, cyber security and software development.
Planned work with the SWIOT will now be carried out across the South West, with the University of Exeter also set to develop their computer science building, complete with a computer lab and artificial intelligence arena.
The government has supported a small number of Institutes of Technology across the country, following a rigorous selection process. The aim is to reinvigorate the technical education landscape, especially at Levels 4 and 5, to meet the changing and complex needs of businesses. As part of the development process, Institutes of Technology have engaged with employers to identify current and emerging skills challenges.
The core aim of the SWIOT is to provide the education opportunities to proactively plug those skills gaps in industry. The key ‘anchor employers’ who are working with the SWIOT on curriculum objectives are Oxygen House, Babcock, the Met Office and TDK Lambda, with Oxygen House and the Met Office playing a key role in the development of the Digital and Data Centre located at Exeter College.
(L-R) Stephen Mariadas (SWIOT CEO), Andy Correy (Babcock Head of Production) and Professor Janice Kay (Provost of the University of Exeter).
Exeter College’s new facility will provide a nationally significant and prestigious digital learning centre in the heart of the city of Exeter. The new building, which will be at the front of the Hele Road site, will have digital learning laboratories, IT workspaces, seminar spaces and lecture and presentation facilities. Learners will have access to cutting edge equipment to help gear them up to transition successfully in to the digital or data sector.
Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy said, “We are delighted to be at the heart of a new technical skills revolution. The SWIOT has been supported by employers and our key aim is to ensure that the employers in the locality are able to access the right training to support their staff and business.
“The SWIOT is a true example of a partnership where education and industry have been able to work together to create something special.
“This project aligns perfectly with our work as an early adopter developing T Levels. The new SWIOT building here will bring a benefit to all students, creating a new home for higher level and technical adult learners. In addition, this project will enable us to enhance our existing estate to meet the needs of Apprentices and sixth form learners.
“This building also marks the start of our estates masterplan to transform our campus so that we can continue to support the ambition of our students, employers and region.”
The SWIOT consists of a partnership of a number of education providers, including the University of Exeter, University of Plymouth, Bridgwater & Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Exeter College, Petroc and Truro & Penwith College. All partner institutions are also announcing their own plans which have been developed with the SWIOT.
In addition to the ‘anchor employers’, this bid is also supported by both Heart of the South West and the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
Oxygen House is one of the ‘anchor employers’ backing the work of the SWIOT. Director of Oxygen House Glenn Woodcock said, “We’re delighted to be working with the SWIOT on this project and can’t wait to see these plans for the region develop over the coming years.
“The partnerships formed as part of the SWIOT will enable businesses to work proactively with education providers to lead curriculum development and meet the skills challenges of the future in a positive way.
“The Digital and Data Centre at Exeter College will play an important part in establishing the South West as a national centre for digital and engineering education and development.”
The development of the Digital and Data Centre is the first phase in Exeter College’s wider campus masterplan, which will see the Hele Road site transformed in the coming years. The ambitious overarching plan details five key phases of redevelopment that will improve pedestrian access between the city centre college sites as well as provide new buildings complete with updated teaching and learning spaces.
The Exeter College masterplan was recently granted unanimous approval by Exeter City Council and the long-term strategy will see the Hele Road site regenerated with new teaching spaces, rejuvenated social areas and an open plan site map.
Work is expected to begin on the new Digital and Data Centre in late 2019.
