Vocational teaching and learning for adults should have a 'clear line of sight to work' if it is to help individuals, businesses and communities to grow and succeed.'That is one of the main findings of the newly-released report (Monday 25 March) by an independent commission of vocational education and training experts that included Richard Atkins, Exeter College's Principal.

The Commission on Adult Vocational Teaching and Learning (CAVTL), consisting of leaders and learners, and teachers and trainers, in vocational education and industry, was established in July 2012 and has been investigating how to further improve the quality and impact of vocational teaching and learning for adults in England, in order to support a return to economic prosperity. The 19 commissioners were chosen for their expertise and insight into the area of adult vocational teaching and learning.

“Having worked in further education for 30 years, my career in FE has involved me in the teaching and management of adult vocational learning, stretching across all subject sector areas, and from levels 1 to 5.” said Richard Atkins, “I am a passionate believer that FE is a first choice, second chance and last chance route for adult vocational learners, and as such, consistently transforms peoples' lives. Further education is a key feature of the UK’s social and economic infrastructure.”

“The role of Commissioner has given me the opportunity to contribute to a sector owned policy to support outstanding teaching and learning in FE, including making full use of the potential of technology.”

Richard Atkins joined his fellow 19 Commissioners on a number of visits to see vocational teaching and learning in situ and to draw lessons from practice to theory. Many contributions have also been received through a programme of nationwide seminars, commissioned research, and a rich and diverse evidence base, all of which have shaped the commissioners' conclusions.

The Commission has highlighted that the best adult vocational teaching and learning has four factors in common:

1. It is based on a clear line of sight to work – so that learners see and understand the relevance of what they are learning to the real work context;

2. It is based on the concept of the two-way street so that employers, colleges and training providers work closely together at every level of their organisations, helping to create and deliver excellent vocational programmes;

3. It is taught by dual professionals – people who combine expertise in their occupational area, with expertise as teachers and trainers;

4.It has access to industry-standard facilities and resources – that reflect the ways in which technology is transforming work.

Speaking at the launch of the report, chair of the Commission Frank McLoughlin CBE said: “This Commission has been informed by excellent examples of adult vocational teaching and learning across all parts of the economy. The best provision we have seen has been collaborative in nature, based on what we are calling the two-way street between providers and employers. It is the partners of the vocational education and training system, working in collaboration, who must now act to achieve the vision we are setting out.”

Welcoming the report, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “We have some fantastic examples in this country of vocational education providers working closely with industry and preparing students with work-ready skills but we need to do more to spread best practice. “As the Commission rightly suggests, these excellent examples should be mirrored across the further education sector so each and every student is getting the experience needed to progress into work. This report sets out key challenges that, if tackled successfully, will have a significant and lasting positive impact on the quality of further education and skills.”

Fiona McMillan OBE said: “We have witnessed first-class vocational teaching and learning in a range of occupational sectors. The opportunities for progression to sophisticated higher level vocational learning have been particularly striking. We have seen how by deepening vocational knowledge and skill, occupational standards rise over time. It has been exciting to see how vocational education and training is helping to transform the quality and efficiency of work.”

Exeter College is proving that number 13 can be lucky for some, with 13 of its students being offered places at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in 2013.

This year, more of the college's students than ever before have been offered a place at the two universities, widely considered to be amongst the best in the world. With tough entry criteria including early applications, admissions tests and stringent interviews, the students have beaten off competition from thousands of hopefuls across the country.

David Tomory, 17, from Exeter, had never considered applying to Oxford when he joined the college with just 2 GCSEs after being home educated. “One of my college lecturers is an Oxford graduate and has been really supportive. He suggested I apply, but I really didn't expect anything to come of it. I did well in the test and when I went for the interview I met lots of people and really enjoyed it. I would tell others to go for it – you can get there if you put the time in and you've really got the passion for it.”

With eight students accepted at Oxford and five at Cambridge, the range of subjects the students are choosing to read ranges from Medicine, Maths and Art History to Modern and Medieval Languages.

Richard Atkins, Principal, said: “We are delighted that so many of our students have been successful with their elite university applications again this year, following on from 167 students progressing to Russell Group universities in 2012. The successful progression of our students is paramount and our excellent A Level results and dedicated progression support means that our students reach their full potential.”

Emma McLean, 19, from Seaton has been accepted to read Medicine at Clare College, Cambridge, after adding to her previous A Level qualifications gained at Colyton Grammar School with a one-year fast-track A Level programme. She credits the college's strong tutorial and progression support for her successful application: “The Progression Adviser set up a dedicated Medicine Progression Support Group, which I attended every week in the Autumn Term, which gave us a chance to have mock interviews with current Medicine students and to talk to them about their own experiences. It's a really long application process so it was great to go through it with others and now I'm really excited about the future!”

All students receive dedicated progression advice and guidance and support with their university applications, with those wishing to apply to the so-called ‘Oxbridge' universities benefitting from the college's close links with the universities, including hosting the annual Information Day held by the two institutions each year.

One of the keys to progression to elite Russell Group Universities is extra curricula activities, so the college is thrilled to be celebrating success in the ‘Model United Nations' regional conference at Queens College Taunton, where the Exeter College Delegation representing ‘China' won best committee at the conference and in the same week the Exeter College Debating Team took part in a regional debating competition after winning a local event.

John Laramy, Vice Principal at Exeter College says: “We are delighted that so many of our students have applied to continue their studies to higher education this year. We pride ourselves on our strong progression support for students; helping them to find the right path for their future, whether that is university, training or a job. The increasing number of Exeter College students getting accepted to these highly competitive universities is a great reflection of their hard work and dedication and testimony to the support and guidance offered by our specialist progression team and tutors who support them with their journey from Exeter College to their next destination”.

Of the 13 students who have been offered Oxbridge places, 11 are members of the college's selective Reach Academy programme. Now in its 4th year, the Academy is set up to support academically gifted students reach the top class universities. Sixty-five students commit to a minimum of two additional hours per week to work on research, attend specialist seminars and master-classes and develop their skills.

Sam Dunbavin, aged 17, from Barnstaple, has found the Reach Academy experience to be fundamental to his university application to read Spanish and German: “The Reach Academy has really helped to shape my decision on what to study next and where to go and it's been great to meet other like-minded students. The help and support I have had with my application has been invaluable and having the opportunity to take part in the Cambridge University residential confirmed my decision of which college to apply to.”

Exeter College Netball Academy travelled to Essex for U19 National School Netball Final this weekend. Included 19 teams split over 2 pools.

Exeter had been drawn in a very strong pool and knew they were in for a tough day ahead. Their first game was against The Grammar School at Leeds. Exeter started strong, holding each centre pass but in the second half mistakes were made and they dropped their lead, to draw this game 9-9. After a strong team talk, Exeter were ready to take on their next opposition, Hulme Grammar. With consistent shooting in this game and effective defence, Exeter battled hard and won this game 8-5. The next match was against Heaton Technology College.

With the weather worsening to hail stone conditions, Exeter stepped up their game. With fantastic defence and consistent interceptions, Exeters lead at half time was 8-2. This enabled the substitutions to be played, and Exeter continued to dominate the game resulting in a win of 13 – 3! Exeters forth match was against Aylesbury High school.

After missing 50% of our shots in the first half, Exeter trailed 3-6 going into the second half. With the wind becoming exceptionally strong during this game, it made our shooting very difficult, but with Aylesbury’s consistent defence, they took a win from us at 13-8. The next match was against Bromsgrove School. Again an extremely tough match and again the weather making playing conditions exceptionally difficult.

Struggling around the post again, resulted in a further loss of 8-5. After being in the warm to thaw out over 'lunch' and a hot chocolate, Exeter were refuelled and ready to attack the afternoon ahead. With a change of attack and defence in the next game to Berkamstead School, this gave Exeter a fresh burst of enthusiasm. Exeter went on to win this game 9-4! Exeter pushed on through the afternoon with their heads up and positive in every game resulting in further wins against Oakham School 12-7 and Lady Eleanor Holles School 6-5. This put Exeter in 4th place in their `pool`. Which meant that they didn’t qualify for the semi finals.

However with knowing that they only lost to the two teams that eventually went on to be in the final, they had done themselves proud. Coach Sam White said, “I am extremely proud of all the girls. To play like they did, in these horrendous conditions was amazing! The players were outstanding both on and off court and to be placed 7th in the country is a fantastic result. The talent within these schools and colleges was exceptional and our players shone too! This is the end of a very successful year for Exeter College Netball Academy. The girls should be very proud of themselves.”

Players;
Lizzie Southwood (Captain) Zoe Ash (Vice Captain),Yasmin Hodge-England, Kate Gardiner, Emily Steer, Kerry Angila, Abigail Palmer, Molly Browne, Sophie Shire, Paige Mitchell, Katie Rickard.

Scorer – Jordan Levers

The city's college has been voted as one of the country's top 100 best not-for-profit organisations to work for as announced by the Sunday Times league tables published this month.

The national list highlights the 'happiest and most dynamic' public sector bodies, charities and housing associations in Britain and the national survey of over 60,000 employees across the country ranked Exeter College in 60th place – an improvement from its last position in 2011 when it came 98th. Exeter College is one of only four further education institutions who have made it into the top 100 with the college being pipped to top education spot by St Dominic's Sixth Form College in Harrow, London.

On hearing the news Richard Atkins, Principal said “Our national accolades for excellence are due to our hardworking and focussed students and crucially the support, talent and commitment of truly outstanding staff and this award recognises their achievements and the college they have helped to create.”

The survey of the 839 staff at the college identified best practice defined by eight key indicators of workplace engagement. These covered staff opinions on personal development, their manager, colleagues, pay and benefits, wellbeing, their organisation's leadership and willingness to give something back, plus their sense of affiliation with their employer. As well as being ranked 60th for the overall survey the college scored in the top 25 in the UK for positive scores for staff's opinion of their team reflecting the college's close working faculty and business support teams.

“This survey comes at a difficult time for public sector organisations,” said John Laramy, Vice-Principal, “and while we are not immune to the economic environment, our commitment to our staff and making Exeter College an employer of choice remains consistent. This year we've developed a new gym for staff and student use and introduced leadership and management training across teams in the college.”

The Sunday Times report noted the college's Outstanding Ofsted pilot report also saying “Employees believe they make a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation.”

The Barnfield Theatre audience, on March 26th, will be privileged to see and hear from Exeter and Devon's top performing talent when the combined dramatic and technical skills of the A level and BTEC Drama and Performing Art students showcase their performance work.

The event, Legacy 13, will include a range of genres from the highly popular songs from the Oscar award- winning Les Miserables to excerpts from the 20th century giant of German theatre Bertolt Brecht.

“The performances are a window into each of the drama and performing art courses”, said Nigel Paul, lecturer and co-organiser of the event. “The evening is an opportunity to share and to celebrate the students' imagination, creativity and learning.”

From delivering practical exam work to current audition pieces the event will be supported by Production Arts students all keen to demonstrate their skills in a live performance.

“We're really looking forward to the event,” said Judy Lye-Forster, Head of Faculty of Media and Performing Arts, “This is not a single performance but a kaleidoscope of talent, promising to be one of the key dramatic arts events of our packed college calendar.”

The performance starts at the Barnfield at 7pm, tickets on the door £7 (£4 concession) or from The Barnfield ticket office 01392 27089.

For the second year running Exeter College's rugby team are providing four of the England Colleges Under-19 rugby squad following successes at the national trials.

The national call ups mean that front row Harry Welch, originally from Brixham, Paul Davis, back row originally from Westland School in Torquay, Will Hodgetts, back row from Okehampton and James Bath, scrum half, originally from Taunton will join a prestigious track record of international players from the city College's recent teams.

Jon Hill, Exeter College rugby coach praised the students saying “This is a fantastic reward for the outstanding efforts of these guys over the last 20 months”

“All four of these students are now playing National league rugby as they look to make the next steps in their rugby development, and this recognition goes some way to show how much progress they have made at the college and their respective clubs. We fully support the representative pathways on offer to all our students and offer bursaries to those who represent their countries in their relevant squads.”

Students from Exeter College were given the opportunity this week to improve their financial skills, knowledge and confidence as part of Barclays Money Skills, a money management programme running throughout the Spring Term in further education colleges across the UK.

Barclays and the National Skills Academy for Financial Services are working in partnership to develop the week-long series of money related activities that provided students with the tools they need to stay in control of their budget. In 2012, over 100,000 students participated in interactive money management activities based on topics of interest to young people such as food, fashion and independent living.

The packed programme of activities saw students across the college sites take part in small group sessions on budget skills as well as the popular lunchtime stalls that quizzed students on their understanding of the cost of a shopping basket of basic products. The Financial Awareness roadshow also challenged students to generate top money saving tips in a competition, with suggestions such as 'cut up your credit card' and 'splitting any earnings into categories before you start spending'. The roadshow also linked to the popular Valentine's Day theme with sustainable wooden roses being sold to students as a way of highlighting a fun way to save money whilst also supporting the going green initiative with proceeds going to the college charity NSPCC. The students sold over 100 roses and raised over £110 in donations.

“The roadshow has been really popular” said Hannah Burns, Student Welfare Support Co-ordinator, who has organised the week long programme with the colleges' student representative council. “We know that money matters to our students but this week of activities means we can help with practical tips that have real benefit for them and it raises the profile of the support that the college can give throughout the year.”

The Financial Awareness Week also gave the students the chance to find out about broader issues of wealth and finance. The Global Poverty project team gave talks to packed audiences over the week with the presentation of 1.4 Billion reasons highlighting to the students the issue of extreme poverty and inspiring them to take action.

Sarah O'Shea, Head of Safeguarding, Tutoring, Equality and Welfare said “We were very excited that Barclays Money Skills programme came to Exeter College. This is the third year of this successful programme across 200 colleges. It's a great initiative that helps support our work in delivering money management activities to our students as part of the wide ranging welfare and support programmes. Our Financial Awareness Week helps us to focus our attention on the important money management skills and the Barclays activities are very relevant and real now and we hope in the future.”

Chris Hearn, Head of Education at Barclays, said: “Building on the success of the programme this year, we're determined to help young people develop the skills they need in later life to manage money effectively. For young people living in the UK it has never been more important to learn these skills with the rising cost of university tuition and increased living costs. We are proud to be part of a scheme which gives young people the skills they need for a secure financial future”

Sylvia Perrins, CEO at the Skills Academy said “Last year there were clear improvements in the students' money management skills, with those participating in the intensive tutorial aspect of the project demonstrating strong budgeting skills. It's incredibly important to equip students with these life skills because it will help them take charge of their future and develop their confidence.”

Barclays Money Skills in FE colleges is run in partnership with The National Skills Academy for Financial Services, alongside Scotland's Colleges, Colleges Wales and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults, in Northern Ireland.

For further information about what's been involved in the programme please visit: www.barclaysmoneyskills.com/weeks

This morning, Chiefs became chefs as members of the Exeter Chiefs rugby squad swapped their jerseys for chef whites in a 'bake off' at Exeter College's training kitchens as part of the run up to Comic Relief Red Nose Day.

Chris Whitehead, Jack Yeandle and Carl Rimmer from the Aviva Premiership team were the creative trio who took the opportunity of a day away from the training ground to get baking tuition from the experts at Exeter College's Michael Caines Academy, with the catering students helping them create treats to sell to businesses across the city. The team was raising money and awareness for both Comic Relief and Restart, a charity which aids the families of injured rugby players, emotionally and financially.

“The charity, Restart, is fantastic as it is really supportive of players who find themselves in situations such as serious injury and life threatening illnesses” said Carl Rimmer, Exeter Chiefs prop forward.

When asked about whether he would consider retiring from the world of professional sport to work in a kitchen, he said “It is great fun but quite a lot of pressure; it's excellent that these guys can do such a fantastic job here every day. I'm not the tidiest of workers as you can see. He continued “But as they say, the proof is in the tasting!”

Fenella Gilson, a student at the academy said “It's great fun having them here, they seem to be doing a good job so far but they are a little messy! We were surprised that some of the Chiefs had not baked cakes before, so hopefully they would have learnt how by the time they leave.”

The team of bakers was supported by the Rugby Players representative and Sainsbury and Silver Spoon teams who not only provided the tasty ingredients but also the necessary support when the pressure in the kitchen increased! What a great way to start the Comic Relief Red Nose season!

Celebrating 2012's success the City of Exeter has joined forces and mounted an inward investment campaign. 'Expect success: Invest in Exeter' brings together key business leaders who are passionate about living, working and running a business in Exeter.

2012 has seen the City's Museum, University and F.E College all win prestigious UK wide awards, citing them as top of the UK's offerings. Today, a delegation boarded the First Great Western Exeter St Davids to Paddington, train to unveil the campaign at Paddington Station. The campaign will take place across 10 London Underground interchange stations over a two week period.

Leader of Exeter City Council, Peter Edwards said, “Exeter is so proud of the nationally recognised achievements of the University of Exeter, Exeter College and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, all celebrated as the best the UK has to offer in their sectors.”

Derek Phillips, Vice President of Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Local businesses are delighted to celebrate the outstanding success of three of our most prestigious institutions. This reinforces the attraction of Exeter as the place to invest for a successful future.”

Featuring in UK's 2012 top 2% for job creation, business prospects in Exeter are strong. This is illustrated by the impressive growth programme in place, including the development of an Exeter Science Park, and two new business parks named Skypark and Matford Green Park, as well as further developments taking place across the city and its sub-region.

Business growth sits side by side with residential and educational offers with the first residents moving into Cranbrook recently. The self-sufficient, low carbon new community already boasts a brand new primary school and has an impressive secondary school in planning.

The arrival of global retail giants, John Lewis, at the end of 2012, along with other prime retailers, seals Exeter's success as a prime location to live, work and play.

Industry experts gathered at Exeter College last week to discuss the impact of the Leveson Inquiry findings on the future of media to an audience of journalism students. Guests included editor Andy Phelan of the Express and Echo, feature writer Simon Trump of the Daily Mail/Sunday Times, Nick Constable of the Mail on Sunday and media lawyer Peter Singfield of Foot Anstey who works regularly for Associated Newspapers.

The session hosted at the college's CCI building highlighted moral, ethical and legal issues raised by the inquiry, which came about after the phone-hacking scandal of the News of the World. Results from the 1st part of the inquiry were published on 29th November 2012 by Lord Justice Leveson and examined the culture, practices and ethics of the press, concluding that some form of regulatory body and legislation (whether independent or statutory) is needed to oversee conduct.

As part of the conference, students from the college's new Journalism Academy were put into teams and given a fictitious scenario. Each scenario involved a moral or ethical dilemma related to the press, such as whether or not to hack a phone to out a criminal. Lawyer Singfield helped the teams by explaining the legalities of such crimes, such as the public interest defense. Students then presented their verdict to the guest panel who then gave their own opinion. There was also the opportunity for students to put questions to the panel in a 'Question Time' style round.

Speakers and students debated the extent at which the current law already protects individuals from the invasion of privacy, such as anti-defamation and libel legislation and agreed that if enforced properly, a new regulatory body would not be needed. Students and speakers highlighted the fact that phone-hacking has always been illegal and so the News of the World scandal shows a failure to enforce such laws. The guests discussed how the inquiry has affected how they operate within their job roles, with all agreeing that much more care is taken over which stories to run and many never see the light of day.

College lecturer and organiser of the event Richard Lappas, who has almost 30 years of experience in the national newspaper industry and as a member of the British Association of Journalists, found the event to be a huge success. “It's an exciting time to be studying journalism as everything is changing. The results of the Leveson inquiry will change the way that media operates and students had a valuable insight about how their careers will be shaped by the recent scandals in the press.”