The city college's netball pride is on a high this week with news of national successes for both teams and a trio of individual stars.
While the city college's Netball Academy team was battling it out in the semi finals of the National Schools Netball competition in Bournemouth last week, three of their individual players were returning from a challenging weekend in Newcastle where, as part of the British Colleges Netball Squad, they beat the National Talent league team 21 – 15.
Emily Steer, Kate Gardiner and Yasmin Hodge-England have been selected in the final British Colleges Netball trial beating players from all ten national regions, and are now involved in training weekends away as well as matches against Northern Ireland and finally a tour in Gibraltar in 2013.
“This is a massive achievement as only 18 players from across the country get a place” said Chris Wall, Sports Academy Manager “We have had players before from the college on the netball national team but to have three in the same year is outstanding – so we're very proud. This is down to the consistent hard work by all the players and coaches in the College working together to get the players to this high standard.”
The Netball Academy team, meanwhile, is riding high following their success in the national semis, beating Hartpury College and Millfield School and are now off to Basildon in March in the National Schools Netball final play offs. Both 1st and 2nd Netball teams remain unbeaten in their British Colleges league competitions.
Exeter College has been ranked the best performing further education college in Greater Devon for the forth year running in the latest league tables released by the Government for students studying level 3 courses, using total points score per student and average points per exam – the key measures used by the media.
The new government league tables have become far more detailed and complicated, but what has not changed is the essential ingredient that is required to progress to further study, employment or University. Exeter College is delighted that 92% of students on level three programmes (a combination of A level, International Baccalaureate and BTEC level 3 results), achieve this key measure which enables them to progress once they complete their studies at college. Exeter College is the top performing college in the Devon Educational Area by a staggering 14%.
In a year when the college was named Outstanding Further Education Provider of the Year by the Times Educational Supplement and been rated as outstanding in a no-notice pilot inspection by Ofsted; the college’s league table performance in the measure that counts for progression is further testament to the commitment and talent of the staff and students at the college.
Principal Richard Atkins said. “I feel very proud of Exeter College's achievements and these statistics are just one of the many ways we demonstrate continued success. The data shown in the Government's performance tables this year, however, is more complex and there has been national concern that this means that the tables do not provide a clear indication of where the best choice and chance of success lies for our young people at 16. We believe that, as a college, our priority must be equipping young people with the qualifications and skills they need to progress, and a sector-leading 92% of our level three students are leaving the college with the qualifications they require for their next steps. These performance tables, our student results and our pair of national accolades, are all measures of the excellence in teaching and learning that the College now offers to students in Exeter and across Devon.”
Students from West Exe Technology College and Exeter College will be striking up the right notes at their joint concert at West Exe this Friday at 7.30pm.
The school's Jazz Band and the college's Big Band have been rehearsing hard on a packed programme of favourites including Fly Me To The Moon and Route 66. Also a first for this years' concert is Lovely Day by Bill Withers and the ensemble of over 70 students are looking forward to playing to packed crowds.
“This joint concert is an important event on the college's Big Band calendar” said Laura Wright “We've been performing with West Exe for 24 years and each year the concert gets better and better – it's always a really fun night.”
Tickets are £3 adults, £2 concessions and available from West Exe Technology College reception, West Exe Music Department , Exeter College Music Department in Queen Street or on the door at West Exe on Friday February 8th.
Students of all ages wanting to find out what engineering, aerospace, automotive and construction courses and careers are on offer get the chance to talk to experts and find out for themselves as Exeter College opens the doors of its dedicated Technology Centre and Construction Training Centre on February 5th 5pm – 8pm.
The brand new Technology Centre at Monkerton and the recently extended Construction Training Centre at Sowton are opening for a dedicated public event designed to showcase the industry-standard training facilities as well as ensuring that students and the general public can ask about the full range of full time and part time courses the college now offers.
“We have a programme of Open Events throughout the autumn and spring term at our City Centre sites”, said Iain Hatt, Assistant Principal “but this year we realised that people wanted to see for themselves the fantastic facilities in these specialist centres. We’ve put on this additional open event just for our engineering, aerospace, automotive and construction courses in response to the demand from school leavers thinking of an apprenticeship or full time courses as well as adult learners thinking of a higher education course in these sectors or part time courses. The event is an excellent opportunity for potential students and their families to meet the staff at the Technology and Construction Centres and to talk to experts about funding, travel and the wide range of student support. We’re keen to give students the chance to talk to lecturers on a 1:1 basis to find out more about what they can expect from their chosen course”
The event will give visitor's a tour of the various workshops, lecturer rooms, learning centres and social spaces with plenty of opportunities to quiz the lecturers, tutors, welfare and college advisers about how the college’s courses link to industry and career opportunities.
Around 30 Year 9 pupils from schools across Devon attended the Women in Construction event last week at Exeter College to find out more about the many exciting opportunities available to them in the Construction industry.
Clearly demonstrating that the construction industry is open for all – not just males, Exeter College construction teaching staff and existing female construction students, showed the pupils, all girls aged 13 and 14, from Honiton Community College, Southbrook, Isca College of the Media and Arts, and St James School the broad variety of study and career options open to them.
In a series of workshops which took place throughout the day, they were treated to taster sessions in everything from brickwork and carpentry and joinery to professional careers such as surveying.
They were also given a tour of Exeter College’s Construction facilities at the faculty's Sowton-based skills training centre. Presented with certificates at the end of their visit, prizes were then awarded to those who performed best over the three subjects experienced.
The event, organised through the Devon Education Business Partnership, and supported by a number of female employees from local companies aims to provide an enjoyable experience so that some of the girls may feel inspired to take up construction as a career at all levels.
Delighted that Exeter College was hosting the event for the tenth year running, Chris Whitaker, Head of the Construction faculty, said: “While there are more women going into construction now than perhaps a decade ago, there are still not enough. Female employees do very well within the construction industry. This may be either working on building sites, in households, or for large construction organisations as part of their design or management teams, covering topics such as quantity surveying, structural engineering, or site management. It was great to see female students already here studying, who are not much older than the visitors today acting as ambassadors for Women into Construction and offering them such positive encouragement and support.
“We hope this extremely popular event has stimulated the young pupils' interest in construction and will enable them to make more informed decisions about their future education and careers.”
Exeter College staff, students, invited guests and local artists gathered together to celebrate the opening of the city's latest gallery space last week.
The Yard Gallery, located in the college's Centre for Creative Industries, was formally opened by Ross Anderson, Quality Manager at the University of Arts London, which works closely in partnership with Exeter College as an awarding body. Cutting the ribbon and announcing the gallery officially open, he invited guests to view the work of seven local artists who are featured in the gallery's first public exhibition, titled “Current”.
“Exeter College is renowned for it's excellent creative arts provision, and University of the Arts London Awarding Body is delighted to be strengthening its relationship with the college via our new Level 3 Extended Diploma qualifications. The fantastic new gallery will provide an aspirational focal point for students, and also give them some insight into the realities of working in the visual arts” said Ross.
The new gallery will form a showcase for celebrating students' creativity, as well as featuring the work of artists from across the region to inspire learners. Head of Art and Design at Exeter College, Nigel Watts, hopes that the gallery will become a key art space in the city. “It is intended the gallery will have a rolling programme of work throughout the year; exhibitions will be a mixture of work generated at the college, exhibitions in collaboration with our creative partners and showcases of regional and national artists. We are very excited that students will not only be involved in creating work for the gallery, but will also be offered opportunities to choose work, curate exhibitions and promote the space.”
The creation of the gallery space was part of an extensive investment in creative arts facilities in the college over the summer break. Visitors were given a tour of all the new facilities, including a new radio station, dark room and photography studio, extended textiles and art workshops and additional dance studios. Guests were also treated to live music by first year Music Production students and refreshments served by students from the college's @thirty-four training restaurant.
Managers from Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline, attended a Master Class delivered by an internationally renowned expert in leadership management and co-founder of the One Planet MBA, Professor Jonathan Gosling, on 23rd January 2013 at The Flybe Training Academy. The students are members of the innovative Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Leadership and Business Practice degree developed by Exeter College and Flybe and validated by the University of Exeter. This one-year programme enables managers to develop their leadership practice and achieve a degree from one of the UK's top business schools, whilst working full time.
Professor Gosling, Director of the University's Centre for Leadership Studies and ranked 24th in the national HR's most Influential thinkers list for 2012 will deliver the January Master Class session on ‘Leadership and Organisational Learning.' Trained as an anthropologist, Professor Jonathan Gosling worked for several years as a mediator in neighbourhood conflicts in London, founded the UK‘s first community mediation service and was the founding Secretary of the European Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution. After taking a mid-career MBA, he moved into management education at Lancaster University, where he directed the MBA and other programmes for British Airways and other major companies.
Professor Gosling, who is described as “hurdling the management of academia, theoretical excellence and practical relevance” has published extensively on leadership including articles in The Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review and for the Academy of Management Learning and Education and is also Visiting Professor at McGill University, Quebec and Lund University, Sweden. His industry experience also includes advising several companies, international agencies and government departments on their leadership-related issues. As director of the Centre for Leadership Studies, he works with a first-rate team of researchers, teachers and consultants collectively making a significant impact on both the understanding and practice of leadership.
“Our students were inspired by the opportunity to debate the 'big issues' with one of the leading thinkers in the field,” said Sam Delbaere Exeter College's Programme Director. “Most importantly the students will apply what they learnt in the Master Class to their own role in industry and use Professor Goslings' research to develop their own effectiveness as managers and leaders. This is one of a series of Master Classes designed to have a positive impact on leadership and management practice in Flybe and we are honoured that the course has attracted such a renowned expert.”
Local residents and college students will benefit from an investment of £14m in sports developments and facilities as Exeter College announces their progress with a four year sport health and physical activity plan developed with important local partnerships, particularly Devon County Council.
The plans which will prove the Olympic Legacy is alive and well in the city will benefit community groups as well as the growing number of students at the city's college who are choosing sport either as a potential career or want to take part in sports and physical activities as part of the demand for health lifestyles.
Phase one of the college's sports plans has already seen £1m invested into converting an old engineering workshop into a state of the art fitness centre at the college's Queen Street site.
Phase two is also well under way where Exeter College will manage the new £5.6m Outdoor Education Centre at Haven Banks which is being built and paid for by Devon County Council and is the biggest single sum to be allocated from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport. The project is due for completion this summer and will ensure local people of all ages can benefit from the world class facility on Exeter's historic quay as well as contribute to the continued development and regeneration of the Exeter Canal Basin.
The third phase of the plan involves two projects; firstly working in partnership with Exeter City Council and local sports clubs in Exwick to establish a 'Sports Hub'. The plan is to build a new £1.4m sports pavilion at the site of the existing Civil Service Sports Club that will enable local students and sports club users to have access to high quality provision. By taking the premises on a long term lease Exeter College ensure the local sports community can continue to have access to such facilities.
The second part of this final phase will see around £6.5m invested into a state of the art sports hall complex at the Queen Street campus. Exeter College has received a £2.6m grant from the Skills Funding Agency to support the plan to establish a six badminton court sports hall, two classrooms and a sports science and rehabilitation laboratory. The facility will allow sports users access to one of the very best indoor facilities in the region and unlock the need for facilities in growing areas such as Fustal, which is the world's fastest growing indoor sport.
“The latest news about our Sports Hall proposal follows a number of important developments for sports and fitness at Exeter College in the last year and we're delighted that, working so closely with our partners, we're able to celebrate these significant investments. Sport has always been very important to the college with our individual students and teams recording important successes in local, regional and national competitions. These new developments will not only be of benefit to these elite sportsmen and women but, through the work of our partners, benefit the local and regional community. It is a great way to build on the Olympic legacy and how the whole country seemed to be celebrating a summer of sport last year.”
Working in partnership with Sport England, the Association of Colleges and Active Devon, Exeter College has also appointed a College Sports Maker with the remit to increase levels of participation in physical activity across the college as a whole. The post, initially funded by Sport England, will ensure sustainable infrastructures for the next five years.
Richard Atkins Principal of Exeter College said “Active Devon is tremendously excited that Exeter College have secured the necessary funding and commitment to appoint a College Sport Maker, said Matt Evans, Chief Executive, Active Devon. “The drop off in participation in sport has been well documented amongst teenagers and so the opportunity to work with young people in College to help them to get active, keep participating in sport and contribute as volunteers is really important. I am sure that the new post will add a further dimension to Exeter College's already impressive provision for its students.”
– A fifth of pupils will board so pupils from across the region benefit –
A new maths specialist School approved by Education Secretary Michael Gove will be a regional centre of excellence preparing students for rigorous degrees.
The Specialist School, to be run by Exeter University and Exeter College, will recruit the 16- to 19-year-old mathematicians and will be based in Exeter.
It will cater for 120 pupils, a fifth of whom will be able to board at the university from Mondays to Thursdays. This will allow the school to recruit from across the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset).
The school's aim is to create a regional centre of excellence for the South West, combining the mathematical expertise of university academics and the curricular and pastoral support of the college.
The specialist School has been awarded a development grant and is scheduled to open in September 2014, subject to receiving funding agreement. It would be the second planned specialist maths School, following King's College London proposal to open a 16-19 school in London, announced last month.
The Government is committed to raising standards in maths to create the next generation of designers, scientists and engineers who will contribute to driving the economy forward. Students will take maths A level, as well as the STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) advanced maths exam, a pre-requisite for undergraduate entry to some of the leading university maths departments.
The ultimate aim is to create a network of schools that operate across the country which identify and nurture mathematical and scientific talent. This is similar to the Russian model, which includes the renowned Kolmogorov School in Moscow, established by Andrei Kolmogorov – one of the 20th century's most respected mathematicians.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said:
“I am delighted that a new specialist maths School is being opened by Exeter University and Exeter College. If we want our mathematicians to prosper, we must encourage innovative approaches to maths teaching and create an environment that allows them to flourish.
“I am particularly pleased that the goal is to educate pupils to take the STEP paper – arguably the most respected exam in England. We need many more pupils educated to this level of maths.
“This is an excellent proposal and I look forward to it becoming one of the premier institutions for maths teaching in England.
“The group has joined King's College London in seeking to open a specialist maths School. I look forward to more world-class institutions being inspired to do the same.”
The announcement forms part of the Government's strategy to increase universities' involvement in what pupils learn before applying for a university place.
The university, a member of the Russell Group of leading universities, will provide students with at least 13 hours of maths, physics and computer science teaching a week.
The college, rated outstanding by Ofsted and awarded the Times Education Supplement's ‘Outstanding Provider of the Year' in 2012, will provide students with access to a wider curriculum, extra-curricular activities and pastoral support.
Janice Kay, deputy vice-chancellor of Exeter University, said:
“This partnership will bring together two institutions which have both won prestigious national accolades this year, to create a hub of educational excellence in the South West. Students will be exposed to mathematical problem-solving which will contribute to the economic development of industry and the digital economy, and build crucial employability skills. The school will raise aspirations amongst talented young mathematicians and help enhance the supply of capable undergraduates, whose work will underpin the technological innovation of tomorrow.”
Richard Atkins, principal of Exeter College, said:
“Exeter College is a large and highly successful A level centre with extensive experience of providing enrichment and support to 16- to 19-year-old students. We are delighted to be working in partnership with our neighbouring Russell Group university to provide a regional centre for the most able young mathematicians so they can develop their knowledge and skills and study maths and related subjects at top universities in the future.
“In today's global economy it is essential that the UK develops the potential of our most able maths students and this initiative is a much needed response to that challenge.”
Academics from the university will provide an enrichment and critical thinking programme. The emphasis will be on applied maths, with students given the opportunity to work with academics to apply mathematical concepts to scientific research on subjects like advanced engineering. Each pupil will also have access to one-to-one “maths mentoring”.
The Met Office, the UK's national weather service, works closely with Exeter University to advance the science and skill of weather and climate prediction. It hopes to involve the specialist School students in its work.
Rob Varley, operations and services director at the Met Office, said:
“The subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are vitally important to the work we do at the Met Office and our staff are passionate about encouraging the next generation in these areas. We currently have around 100 STEM ambassadors doing just that in schools all over the country.
“We welcome the establishment of this specialist maths college in Exeter and look forward to it producing some first-rate future staff for the Met Office and other local employers in Devon.”
The Education Secretary has also agreed in principle to give the team from Exeter an outreach grant to support the teaching of maths in schools in the region, running maths workshops and to identify potential applicants.
The Department for Education has already announced plans to boost maths education including:
Overhauling the primary and secondary mathematics curriculum to be much more rigorous and in line with the best countries internationally. The new Programmes of Study will be out for formal consultation in due course, for first teaching from September 2014.
Funding good quality mathematics professional development for primary, secondary and post-16 teachers, through the National Centre for the Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM).
Giving primary schools the opportunity to employ teachers who have been trained as specialist mathematics teachers. We have launched a primary mathematics specialist programme, on which the first trainees start in September 2013. Primary mathematics specialist trainees with at least a grade B at A level receive an extra £2,000 bursary.
Working with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), the London Mathematical Society (LMS) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) to offer around 150 scholarships, worth £20,000 each, to graduates with a 2:1 or a first-class degree wanting to train as a mathematics teacher.
With the New Year just started, some of last year's greatest success stories were being celebrated in style at the Exeter College Student Awards 2011- 2012 event held at the Thistle Hotel last night.
The real stars of the evening were the 27 award winners whose high achievements were honoured in the presence of their families, VIP guests, including community and business leaders from across Exeter and Devon, and college staff.
The award categories spanned across the College's broad curriculum, ranging from Higher Education, Adult Community Education, 14-16 Student, Apprentice of the Year to Sports Academy Student of the Year, and many more.
Academic successes included Madeleine Edwards, originally from Maynards who completed the challenging International Baccalaureate course at the college with an impressive 37 points – within the top 5% world scores. Now studying midwifery at Oxford Madeleine, the college's International Baccalaureate Student of the Year, was described by her tutors as one of the most conscientious students she has ever taught with an outstanding work ethic”.
Jingwei Zeng, Maths and Science Student of the Year not only gained four of the highest A* grades possible in his A level results but also completed this Extended Project to a very high standard whilst also taking part in the college's Reach Academy. Originally from Dawlish Community College and now studying Medicine at Cambridge, Jingwei's tutors congratulated him on his undoubted academic talents as well as outstanding time management skills that helped him cope with his demanding workload.
Another former Dawlish Community College student among the award winners was Louise Rayment who, as Humanities student of the Year gained straight A grades for her Geography, Law and Politics A levels and was described as a reliable and determined student.
The Awards night also celebrated the highest standards of vocational achievements with winners recording industry standard achievements in Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing, Catering and Health and Social Care.
Former Queen Elizabeth's Community College Crediton student Bethanie Lloyd won the Foundation Students student of the year presented by Councillor Saxon Spence who sponsored the award. She was nominated by the team for her dedicated attitude and was described as a 'joy to teach' . Successfully progressing from her Vocational Studies course now to BTEC Level 1 in health and Social Care she was also nominated for the fantastic feedback she gained from her work placement at Leap Frogs Nursery in Crediton with offer of further opportunities.
Meg James, originally from St Peters won the college's Hospitality, Hair and Beauty Student of the Year award and is no stranger to winning prizes since on top of completing her Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy with a Distinction grade she also won first prize in the regional finals of the UK World Skills competition during her course.
St Peter's School pupils figured in an impressive five of the awards with Robert Downer winning the Flybe student of the Year award, Dan Martin winning Heathcare, Childcare and Public Services Award, Simon Rendell as Reach Academy Student of the Year, and Ben King being able to place his Sports Academy Student Award trophy with his recent college and University England Rugby trophies.
Many of the award winners were nominated not just for their academic and technical achievements but often for their support for their peers with many of them being congratulated for team work and their positive contributions to class discussions and project work.
Completing his Fine Art and Graphics A level courses with the highest honours of A*, the Art and Design Student of the Year Matthew Hindle, was described by tutors as”an exceptional student displaying total and complete commitment to producing his best possible work, while still taking time to explain a process or technique to his peers.” Originally from Sidmouth, Matthew returned from his Degree course in Graphic Design at the University of the Arts, London to receive his award saying”I enjoyed the enthusiasm and passionate drive within the college. My tutors have been a great inspiration to me and I wouldn't be where I am now without them.”
Emma Tyler won Construction Student of the Year particularly for her enthusiastic involvement and support for other women in her department acting as an advocate and role model for young girls in the construction industry – still a male dominated environment.”I'm hoping to go to university to study Construction Management, Emma said”I gained skills and knowledge that will help me pursue a career in construction and I really enjoyed the happy and friendly atmosphere in the department.”
Citing his two years at college as the 'best years of his life' Brendan Fitzpatrick, the college's Sports Leisure and Tourism Student of the Year was nominated for his commitment to both his studies and his sport. During his time he was part of the Rugby Academy, an active member of the Coach Academy and played a key role at the Paralympics as one of the college's successful Young Games Makers team who joined with the nation as we celebrated our summer of sport. Now at Bath University studying Sports and Social Science, Brendan accepted the Award from Bruce Henderson of Exeter City Football Club who sponsored the award – one of the many community and business leaders at the college's top award ceremony.
The top students from the college's prestigious academies were also honoured during the evening. Christie Beech scooped the Music Academy Award for her exceptional contribution to a range of musical activities through her course including her star performance for the Queen and HRH Price Philip as part of the Queen's Jubilee visit to Exeter last year. Ralph James from the Met Office presented Simon Rendell with the Reach Academy Student of the Year Award recognizing the outstanding achievements Simon had made to the initiative for academically gifted students which had earned him an internship at the Met Office.
The brand new Michael Caines Academy marked its first year by honouring one of its many elite star students in the presence of their mentor Michael Caines and Darren Sinclair from City and Guilds one of the sponsors of the exciting initiative. Connor Saunders, from South Molton Community College has ambitions of working with the very best chefs in the world and has already been offered a part time post with Michelin starred Mark Dodson as a result of his work with the MC Academy.”What I have loved most about studying at Exeter College is being able to find out what I want to do for the rest of my life. Doing this day in, day out with teachers that love the industry as much as you do yourself is amazing.”
Also honoured was the 14-16 practical Learning Student of the Year Brendon Tweed – the youngest star student at the ceremony who attended the college's construction course one day a week while at Exmouth Community College. His ambition is to start his own carpentry business and he is well on the way having used his skills he gained on the course to now be at LP Carpentry as carpenter and joiner Apprentice.
Presenting the awards to all the winners, Richard Atkins, Principal of Exeter College said”This Annual Student Awards Ceremony is the culmination of a highly successful year and we are acknowledging particularly those students who have achieved excellence in their studies, persevered under difficult situations and have contributed positively to their colleagues, faculty and the community.”
“We are also celebrating a year in the college has gained national recognition for our Outstanding pilot Ofsted Inspection and finished the year hearing that we were judged as Outstanding FE Provider of the Year by the Times Educational Supplement. We are particularly proud of the college's role in the wider community, reflected also in the wide range of sponsors joining us tonight and are delighted that Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council was here as our Guest of Honour.”
The sponsors joining the college at the glittering evening were: aBode Exeter, Devon County Council, Exeter Chamber of Commerce, Exeter City Council, Exeter City Football Club, Express and Echo, Jones Lang LaSalle, Foot Anstey, City and Guilds, Exeter International Airport, Mansell, the Met Office and Foot Anstey.
Cllr John Hart praised the students, staff and families represented at the event saying “I want to pay tribute to the college not only for their standards of education and training but also for their work in the many partnerships they have including with Devon County Council. The best educated and trained workforce are a key driver for the economic health of Devon and the students we are honouring tonight reflect the diverse range of opportunities on offer at the college. Students from Exeter and Devon face competition from booming economies of the world but I hope they think of this as an opportunity.”
