In an exciting development for the city, Exeter College has recently launched the new Exeter School of Art – reviving more than 150 years of tradition.

Since 1854 there has been a strong history of art and design education in Exeter. Sited in Queen Street, very close to where the original Art School was established all those years ago, Exeter College has worked with partners to bring Exeter School of Art back to the cultural heart of the city.

The launch of the new Exeter School of Art was celebrated at a recent event held at Exeter College’s Centre for the Creative Industries and saw the unveiling of a new identity for the School. The branding was created and designed by two former Exeter College students Robert Boyd and Jimmy Ginn who worked on the project while at the College last year as part of their University level course.

The launch event was attended by Professor Dafydd Moore, Executive Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Plymouth University, Ross Anderson, Acting Director, University of the Arts Awarding Body, members of the Senior Leadership Team from Exeter College, Governors, Staff, current and former students and many others from the wider art and design community in Exeter.

Richard Atkins CBE, Principal of Exeter College, said: “I am delighted that Exeter College has launched the new Exeter School of Art, which celebrates our links with Plymouth University through our Foundation Degree partnership and the University of the Arts London, and brings back more than 150 years of creative heritage. We are very proud to be able to play our part in developing further the artistic and cultural life of the city and our community.”

Professor Dafydd Moore, Executive Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Plymouth University, said: “It was great to be a part of this important event in the life of the College. The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Plymouth University is very proud both to trace its roots back to 1854 and the Exeter College of Art and Design, and also of our continued involvement in Arts education in Exeter in partnership with Exeter College. The reassertion of that heritage and tradition in the shape of Exeter School of Art opens an exciting new chapter in the cultural and educational life of the city.”

Ross Anderson, Acting Director, University of the Arts Awarding Body, said: “I was delighted to be asked to speak at the launch of the Exeter School of Art on behalf of the University of the Arts London (UAL)

“It's an extremely exciting initiative and hugely positive for the arts in Exeter. Exeter College – and now Exeter School of Art – are a fantastic partner for UAL and we value the relationship hugely.”

The Exeter School of Art will be located within the Faculty of Art and Design at Exeter College. The School of Art will be an integral part of the existing dynamic faculty and will be the home for Art and Design University Level provision and the UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design. We will also continue to work with partners across a wider artistic community within Exeter and the South West, with Plymouth University and with the University of the Arts London, Awarding Body.

Nigel Watts, Head of the Faculty of Art and Design at Exeter College, said: “This is a very exciting time for us. We hope that the launch of the new School of Art will build on the growing sense of pride within Exeter in which creativity and art is flourishing. We have some very exciting plans for the next few years taking the new School of Art forward. I would like to thank our former students Robert Boyd and Jimmy Ginn for their fantastic work in producing the dynamic branding for the Exeter School of Art.”

As part of the launch event we were delighted to show works by Ruth Carpenter, Volkhardt Muller and Peter Randall-Page.

The Exeter School of Art has lots of exciting courses on offer to potential students and there is still time to apply for September 2016.

The courses include two year University Level courses in Fine Art, Graphic Communication and Photography and Digital Arts, as well as a one year Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

For more about the Exeter School of Art, see www.exeterschoolofart.co.uk To find out more about studying at the new Exeter School of Art, please contact: Exeter School of Art, Centre for the Creative Industries, Exeter College, Queen Street Exeter, EX4 3SR, telephone 01392400500, or email visualarts@exe-coll.ac.uk

Fourteen Exeter College students have been offered places at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge for September 2016.

The offers are across a wide range of subjects including Engineering, Maths, Biology, Music, Law and Philosophy.

Seven students have won places at Oxford and seven at Cambridge, beating off tough competition from across the country. The students went through an intensive and challenging selection process, including formal interviews and additional entry exams to win their places at Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge).

All students at the college are supported with dedicated and personalised support and advice with their university applications. Those who are wishing to apply to Oxbridge universities are able to benefit from the college’s close links with Oxford and Cambridge, including an Information Day held at the college by the two universities every year and bespoke Open Days.

Richard Atkins CBE, Principal, said: “I am delighted that so many of our students have been successful with their Oxford and Cambridge university applications this year.

“Exeter College has a dedicated careers service and a specialist Reach Academy which attracts students of the highest academic abilities and provides them with the necessary support and encouragement to progress to our top universities. Our excellent A Level and International Baccalaureate results mean that increasing numbers of students from the college move on to leading universities and successful careers.”

Emma Fielding, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, said: “I'd like to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication and ambition of our students in winning their offers to go to these world class universities. Their achievements are exceptional.

“We are truly passionate at Exeter College about supporting all our students to achieve their potential and it is fantastic to see our students realising their ambitions in this way.”

Ben Fisk, from Exeter, who has won a place to read Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford, said: “The college has been supportive, they have lots of staff in place to help with the application process, and there are plenty of people to go to for advice.”

Hannah Munday, from Tedburn St Mary, who will be reading Music at the University of Oxford, said: “I was really shocked but excited to receive an offer of a place at the University of Oxford. I have very much enjoyed being at Exeter College and found the staff really supportive with the application process for university. There was a lot of guidance available, especially with interview techniques.”

Oliver Bilbie, from Uplyme, East Devon, who is set to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, said: “I never really expected to get a place at one of these top universities but I’m really glad that the college has been there to support me and other students to get the places.”

Out of the 14 students who have been offered places at Oxbridge, 10 are members of the college’s Reach Academy for the academically gifted. This programme, supported by the Met Office and other Exeter-based firms, provides the students with opportunities designed to stretch and challenge the college’s most able students. In doing so, students are inspired to reach or even surpass their academic potential.

Exeter College has been shortlisted for the prestigious Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards 2016.

The judging panel selected the college to go forward as one of the top providers of Apprenticeships in the country. The awards celebrate those organisations who have had an outstanding influence on post-16 education.

The nomination comes during an exceptional time for the college’s Apprenticeship team. The college’s Apprenticeship programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years and last year saw significant increases in terms of both new apprentices, success rates, and our first World Skills and VQ Leaner of the Year award.

Richard Atkins CBE, Principal of Exeter College, said: “I am so pleased that Exeter College has been shortlisted for this prestigious TES Award, which comes during another very successful year for the College, our Apprentices and the employer network of over 850 businesses that we work with. Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly important progression route for young people, and are very important for our business community and the local economy.

We are delighted that Exeter College plays such a key role in this element of education in the city and across the South West. Last year’s performance was exceptional, it saw us take on over 700 Apprentices, which was our highest intake to date.”

“Our success rates were amongst the best in the country; to achieve 17% above the national average is exceptional.”

The nomination comes off the back of being named the 2015 Apprenticeships 4 England Gold award winner and national recognition by OFSTED. The award recognised Exeter College as the top college in the country last year for its support, delivery and engagement of Apprentices and Employers. OFSTED selected Exeter as the only college in the country to feature in its short films highlighting the quality and commitment to its employers.

Josh Ellis, Exeter College Apprentice and World Skills UK Gold Medal Winner and VQ learner of the year, said: “Exeter College have great staff who offer lots of support and encouragement throughout my course. I’ve received a lot of support from the college, especially my skills officers who I have great communication with.

They come to see me regularly on site and check that I am doing the correct work. I received many hours of extra support and training from my lecturers whilst training for my World Skills competitions, which inevitably contributed to my success.”

Mike Blakeley, Head of Business Solutions and Enterprise, who manages the Apprenticeship provision at the college, said: “An award of this nature not only recognises the college but the outstanding commitment of our local employers and the efforts of all our Apprentices.

“Without the support and dedication of all involved we couldn’t achieve what’s already been recognised. This is the first time an Apprenticeship category has been included and shows the growing status of Apprenticeships for young people and employers alike.”

James Cross, Managing Partner at Kitsons Solicitors said: “Exeter College have a strong, high quality Apprenticeship programme. Their flexible approach has huge benefits for the business community in the region. Exeter College exemplifies all that we need in a partner to ensure the success of our young people into their lifelong careers. We are delighted that their efforts have been rewarded by this shortlisted nomination.”

TES FE editor Stephen Exley said: “The sheer range of entries for the 2016 TES FE Awards is a real showcase for the phenomenal work and groundbreaking initiatives that are going on within training providers and colleges throughout the UK.”

Exeter College currently has more than 75 opportunities for young people to link up with their programme and would welcome those interested to get in touch.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday 22 April at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The Governors of Exeter College are pleased to announce that they have appointed John Laramy as the new Principal at the College. John is currently the Vice Principal at Exeter College and will take up the post on 1st April 2016.

The Board of Governors appointed John to the role after a rigorous, national recruitment and selection process.

Philip Bostock, Chair of Governors said:

“We had a strong field of candidates and a robust selection process and I am delighted that John Laramy emerged from that as the unanimous choice of governors. Working alongside our hugely respected retiring Principal, Richard Atkins, John has been instrumental in driving our relentless progress towards outstanding teaching and learning for all our students and our position as one of the country's foremost Further Education colleges.

He is passionate about the vision of Exeter College as a truly exceptional education and training hub playing a key role in the economic and community life of a dynamic, rapidly growing city and its wider region. I and the Board greatly look forward to working with John and the hugely talented team at the College to achieve that vision.”

Speaking about his new role, John Laramy said

“I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the Principal of Exeter College. I am privileged to have the opportunity to lead one of the best colleges in the country. Exeter College is exceptional, and I look forward to working with students, staff, governors and stakeholders to build on its success in the future.”

John Laramy is Vice Principal of Exeter College, a position he has held since 2009. John started his career in the construction industry and after teaching Karate in his spare time decided on a change. He studied for a full-time PGCE at the University of Greenwich in 1996, whilst teaching part-time at North West Kent College. He started as a Lecturer at North Devon College in 1997, progressing through various roles to join their Senior Management Team in 2005. John sits on the Exeter Mathematics School Board, a partnership between Exeter University and Exeter College. John holds an MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester and is a full corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Building.

John will be replacing Richard Atkins, CBE who joined the College in 2002, and is currently retiring in March 2016.

Current Principal Richard Atkins, CBE said

“I am delighted that John Laramy has been appointed as the next Principal of Exeter College and will take up his post on 1st April. John has been an excellent Vice Principal at the College over the past seven years and has made a huge contribution to our many successes. I am not surprised that he came through a rigorous national selection process successfully. He is passionate about teaching, learning and the student experience and I am sure that he will lead Exeter College forward to achieve many future outstanding successes.”

Exeter College was both the first tertiary college in the UK to be set up in 1970 and the first college to gain “outstanding” from Ofsted in a pilot “no notice” inspection in 2012 and then officially graded as Outstanding across all areas in a full inspection in 2014.

The College was also awarded FE Provider of the Year in 2014-2015 and Apprenticeship Provider of the Year in 2015.

The outstanding achievements of inspirational students at Exeter College have been celebrated at its Annual Student Awards ceremony with guest of honour Spencer Dale, a former college student himself and one of the UK’s leading economists. More than 170 students, family, friends, college staff, community and business leaders attended the glittering gala event on Thursday 7th January. The College was delighted to welcome back one of its most successful former students Spencer Dale, Group Chief Economist for BP, as its guest of honour for the awards.

Spencer Dale was previously Executive Director for Financial Stability at the Bank of England and a member of the Financial Policy Committee. Between 2008 and 2014, Spencer was Chief Economist of the Bank of England and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.

The 28 student award winners at the ceremony held at the Rougemont Hotel represented the college’s broad offer of full time and part time courses and the growing range of apprenticeships. The winning students also came from Exeter and across Devon, reflecting the wide geographical reach of the college. For the full list of winners, please Click Here

Richard Atkins, CBE, Principal of Exeter College said: “Exeter College is very proud of the achievements of all its students and staff, and each faculty celebrates their own successes in a number of ways through the year, including their own awards events. “The Annual Exeter College Student Awards Ceremony is the culmination of a highly successful year and gives us the opportunity to acknowledge, in particular, those students who have achieved excellence in their studies, or persevered under difficult circumstances and/or having contributed positively to their peers, and the wider community. Congratulations to all of our award winners.”

The award categories at the awards ceremony ranged across the college’s broad offer, from Higher Education, Adult Community Education, 14-16 Student, Apprentice of the Year to Sports Academy Student of the Year, and much more.

The winning students were nominated for a wide range of factors, including overcoming significant barriers in their studies, achieving excellence, as well as making a positive contribution to the wider college.

The sponsors joining the college at the event were: Alcoa Howmet, City and Guilds, Devon County Council, Express and Echo, Exeter International Airport, Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter City Football Club, Exeter City Council, Foot Anstey, Jones Lang La Salle, the Met Office, Pearson, Santander, and Saxon Spence CBE.

The Principal of Exeter College, Richard Atkins, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours Listing announced today.

The New Year’s Honours list recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.

Richard Atkins, who joined the college in 2002, has been recognised for his service to further education having spent 35 years working in further education and schools as a teacher, lecturer and manager. He was previously principal at Yeovil College for seven years. Prior to his principal role in Somerset he worked in teaching and management roles in schools and colleges in York, Surrey and Sussex. He has held a number of national positions within the further education sector, including sitting on the Association of College’s board from 2007 – 2013 and as a commissioner on the Commission for Adult and Vocational Teaching and Learning. Most recently, Mr Atkins completed a year as President of the Association of Colleges – the national representative organisation for England’s 330 further education, sixth form and specialist colleges representing college interests to government and it is for this work, as well as his work at Exeter College that he has been honoured. He was presented with an honorary degree in 2015 from the University of Exeter in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of education – regionally, nationally and internationally.

Exeter College was both the first tertiary college in the UK to be set up in 1970 and the first college to gain an ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted in a pilot no notice inspection in 2012 and then was re-inspected in 2014, again being graded as Outstanding across all areas. The College was also awarded FE Provider of the Year in 2012 by the Times Educational Supplement, BTEC College of the Year 2014-2015 and Apprenticeship Provider of the Year 2015.

“I am very proud of this personal honour,” said Mr Atkins “since I strongly believe that it is a reflection of the hard work and achievements of the college’s students and the dedication of the staff and governors at the college whom I have had the privilege to work with over the last 14 years here in Exeter. The College’s successes have attracted local and national attention and these accolades and the individual successes of our students and staff have given me a huge sense of pride and passion for the College which touches so many lives in the city, across the wider Devon area and the region.”

Mr Atkins will be retiring in March 2016 and announcing his retirement Philip Bostock, Chair of Governors recently said “Exeter College continues to record strong student recruitment, exceptional results and a sound financial profile year on year. Richard Atkins, as Principal, has been the powerhouse for the sustained focus on teaching, learning and assessment at the college.”

Exeter College Apprentice Yasmin Bennellick was honoured last week as part of her employer’s annual staff awards.

The Guinness Partnership Star Awards are a celebration of remarkable people and outstanding achievements. They recognise the difference Guinness’s employees have made to the lives of customers and colleagues over the last 12 months. The awards received over 200 nominations across nine categories including Apprentice of the Year.

Yasmin Bennellick, winner of the Apprentice of the Year award said “There were nine awards presented on Friday 27th November and I was nominated and shortlisted for the ‘Apprentice of the year’ award. I think I won this award mainly due to my involvement in a major project based in Newton Abbot.’

Chris Coldrick, Planned Delivery Manager for The Guinness Partnership, said: “Yasmin joined Guinness two years ago and in her short time here she has developed into a strong-minded, conscientious, trusted and loyal member of the Exeter Planned Delivery team.

“She was heavily involved in the procurement and onsite management of recent works across a number of care homes. Her contribution was a major factor in the works being carried out to a high standard with minimum disruption to our customers.

Yasmin has also been successful in obtaining her BTEC Level 3 in Construction & the Built Environment, achieving seven distinction and five merit grades which is a credit to her and her college”

Mike Blakeley, head of Business Solutions and Enterprise at Exeter College said “We are delighted that Yasmin has won recognition for her hard work during her Apprenticeship. We have seen our Apprenticeship provision go from strength to strength and to see our Apprentices winning awards as part of their employers’ staff recognition programme is highly rewarding for Exeter College and proves the high standard of our Apprenticeship provision.

Nominations are now being accepted for the prestigious Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards, which will take place at the home of the Exeter Chiefs, Sandy Park, on 13th May 2016.

The awards, which are held in association with Active Devon and in partnership with Exeter College, celebrate the best in sport throughout Devon, with all funds going to the Exeter Foundation.

Organisers of the event are keen to celebrate a wide cross-section of sport from community to elite level and there has been a reorganisation of the categories from previous years to reflect this.

Performers and teams will be recognised in the ‘Community Sport Performer of the Year’ category, which this year will aim to acknowledge achievements from teams or individuals across a wide range of community sports in Devon thanks to additional support from various governing bodies.

As in previous years, coaches and volunteers will also be commended with the Devon Young Coach and Devon Coach of the Year awards, and Devon Young Volunteer and Devon Volunteer of the Year. In addition, those who have successfully increased opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in activity and sport in Devon can be nominated for the Contribution to Inclusive Sport award.

Outstanding clubs and elite performers can also be nominated, and there will be an Outstanding Contribution to Sport award decided from the winners of all of the other categories.

Exeter Foundation Chairman, Tony Rowe, said: “The Exeter Foundation Devon Sports Awards aim to recognise as many people as possible who contribute to all levels of sport throughout Devon.

“The county has a proud sporting history and it is a privilege of the Exeter Foundation, with Active Devon and Exeter College, to be able to celebrate this and the bright future of sport in Devon.”

“The level of entries we have had over the past few years has been outstanding,” said Matt Evans, Chief Executive of Active Devon. “It is always amazing to see the amount of voluntary effort that underpins sport in Devon and enables the teams and performers to achieve great things.”

The nomination form can be accessed at www.activedevon.org/dsa2016 and should be submitted online before the closing date of 31st January.

For any queries with the Devon Sports Awards, please contact active@devon.gov.uk

The revitalisation of a former disused building in the centre of Exeter was celebrated this week when Exeter College’s new Maths and Science Centre was formally opened by Prof Sir Steve Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter.

The former Job Centre building on Queen Street had lain unoccupied for ten years until the college acquired it in 2013. The building of over 2,000 sq metres, which is located on one of the major gateways into the city, now boasts six maths classrooms, a computer science suite and 12 purpose built science labs covering biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, geology and forensic science. These have all been designed to the highest specifications to enable and support inspirational and innovative teaching. The centre also houses a student cafe, learning hub, interview rooms and a staff room.

“These facilities will support our faculty to move beyond our current outstanding provision as measured by Ofsted, to fulfil its vision of being the premier destination of choice for post 16 maths and science education in the region” said Nick Anderson, head of the maths and science faculty at the college. The faculty currently delivers a strong programme of eight A levels in physics, maths, geology, environmental studies, computer science, chemistry, biology and further maths as well as the BTEC applied science (forensic science) extended diploma and access to higher education courses.

The official opening saw education, science, business and community leaders from the area join Prof Sir Steve Smith in a tour of the facilities hearing from staff and students about how the new Centre was already enhancing their science and maths experience and inspiring bright young minds from across the south west to deepen their passion and develop their talent for maths, science and computing.

“This is an important additional development for the college, the city and county” said Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College. “We continue to provide an outstanding student experience through our focus on teaching, learning and up to date industry standard resources and facilities. This new centre demonstrates the importance of maths, science and computing to the college, the city and to the national and global economy. We were proud of being awarded the prestigious STEM Assured Award in 2013 which validated the high quality of our science, technology, engineering and maths provision as well as our partnerships with employers. This new centre, together with our work with the University of Exeter on the specialist Maths School continues our commitment in this crucial area and further raises the profile of Exeter City as the regional capital for science and innovation. This investment has also injected new life in to what was a redundant building in such a prominent part of the city.”

Sir Steve Smith continued to highlight the importance of investment in skills and knowledge that benefits not only the individual and the city but the national economy. Praising the vision of the city’s council and the leadership of Richard Atkins he went on to say “What you are teaching here could not be more important for the individuals and the country. This is not just an Exeter facility but is a south west destination and is an incredible asset for the city. What you are doing here is equipping individuals to succeed in high value jobs. We’re proud of our relationship with the college through the Maths School and our involvement with the college and the city council and other partners in Innovation Exeter which aims to provide a base for working on data analytics and STEM subjects, to build scientific excellence. I’m honoured to be here, this is a fantastic building, beautifully designed and you can tell it has great teaching.”

The refurbishment during 2014/15 also saw installation of passive ventilation systems and photovoltaic panels to improve the building’s energy efficiency with additional cycle racks, showering and drying facilities to support the growing number of staff and students opting for the eco travel options to get to college.

The tenth Royal Marines Carpentry and Joinery Course for serving members of the AE’s branch (Assault Engineers) drew to a close on Friday 26th November, with seven members of the branch completing their 11 week course.

“Exeter College has facilitated this training for the Royal Marines since 1999,” said Nick Spreckley, deputy head of construction at the college “Since that time over 60 members of the Assault Engineers branch have passed through our doors on this course that looks at both bench joinery and site carpentry activities. As usual the group all display a real commitment to developing additional skills and learning techniques in the workshops and classrooms.”

The 11 week practical course provides the Royal Marines with both hand skills as well as wood machining skills which can be utilised in the UK within one of the Commando Units, in operational theatres across the world as well as for the many humanitarian crises and purposes the Royal Marines are involved in.