Top Marks for First Graduate of Exeter College’s Data Analyst Apprenticeship

Exeter College’s cutting-edge Data Analyst Apprenticeship department is celebrating as the first student to have completed the course has achieved a Distinction grade for her efforts.

Liz Houihane, 24, has been part of the first cohort of Exeter College learners studying on a Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship and has been the first student to complete her end-point assessment; achieving the highest possible grade classification.

“After completing university, I felt like I was done with that kind of learning. I wanted to get out there and achieve things in the workplace,”
Liz Hourihane, Former Data Analyst Apprentice

The two year course teaches learners how to become assets in any industry, with data analytics skills fit for the workplace of the future. Students are taught how to collect and interpret data to provide businesses with meaningful takeaways to improve performance.

Liz is the first of a number of students who will be completing the course in the coming months and completed her Apprenticeship with the Met Office while studying at the College one day a week.

Having already completed a degree in Psychology with the University of York, Liz decided she wanted to use some of the analytics skills from her degree in a different way, and that led her to Exeter College.

“When I finished my degree, I knew I wanted to work in a slightly different field. I still loved psychology, but I wanted to use some of those skills in a different way,” said Liz.

“I knew I was interested in science and statistics, and that’s where I wanted my career to be. I thought this course would be a good option for that. It has actually turned out to be a lot more suited to my interests than I first realised.”

The Data Analyst Apprenticeship, which is proving to be popular with learners of all ages, sees students earn while they learn, with valuable work-based learning topping up the skills learnt in the classroom. Liz thinks the mix of learning styles helped her develop her skills.

Liz continued: “I learnt a lot of things in College that has been incredibly valuable about how I have gone about doing the job with the Met Office. The statistics side of things has especially helped me, and I’ve gained a lot more knowledge out of that area than I thought I would. That knowledge has all helped me in the workplace on several different projects.

“I also found it beneficial to have classmates at College who were doing the same job in different organisations. That gave me different perspectives and a more rounded view of how other places were using data analytics in their business.”

While working with the Met Office, Liz got the chance to be a part of various teams within the nationally leading organisation. Her analytics skills were put to task on different projects, including the science behind a meteorological observation, the technical side of the business and with marketing projects.

“I learnt a lot of new skills at the Met Office, backing up what I was doing in College,” said Liz, who now secured full time employment as a Data Analyst with an economics consultancy business in London.

“I was supported in the role by the College. We had monthly reviews, where my Skills Officer at College would visit me at work and check on my wellbeing and progression since the last meeting. My line manager at the Met Office would come along too, so that we all knew what I was doing and how I was getting on.”

Liz believes that more businesses are switching on to the power of data, with improved technology leading the charge for even small companies to make the most out of the data at their fingertips.

“Personally, I think previously a lot of businesses weren’t sure how to use someone who called themselves a data analyst,” said Liz.

“But with advancements in technology helping people make sense of it, most organisations now have data available to them; they’re just not always sure how to use it. The fact that businesses can have that capability to access data, in all its forms, means that people recognise the value of data analytics to improve business performance. There’s still a long way to go in terms of places understanding what this discipline is and how it can be fully utilised, but it’s definitely improving.”

Liz also reflected on her Apprenticeship route into the industry, having previously completed a degree.

She said, “After completing university, I felt like I was done with that kind of learning. I wanted to get out there and achieve things in the workplace. I also wanted to earn money and support myself, and this course was a great way of doing that.”

Liz’s Skills Officer Darren Stevens paid tribute to the work ethic of Liz on the course. He said, “Liz has been fully engaged with the Apprenticeship from the beginning and has never been afraid to ask the difficult questions.

“She has taken the lead on projects within the Met Office and presented data and recommendations at senior level and to clients. It is a pleasure to see her achieve the award she clearly deserved.”

Find out more about the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship with Exeter College.

Find out more about the new Digital and Data Centre which is being built at Exeter College as part of the South West Institute of Technology.

“It’s not something everyone does with their mum!” – Family Reflects on Graduation with Exeter College

As part of Exeter College celebrating 50 years as the UK’s first ever tertiary college, we’re talking to some of the inspirational students, staff and alumni who have helped make us the Ofsted Outstanding education provider we are today.

In celebration of our 50^th year as a tertiary college, we caught up with an inspirational pair of 2019 university level graduates, Mother Stephanie and Son Ethan, to hear their story.

A higher education graduation is a momentous moment in any person’s life. It’s the culmination of years of hard work, and the official awarding of degree level qualifications can transform a career.

But, for Devon-based mum Stephanie Lewis the day was especially moving, as she watched her son collect his degree, before following him on stage to be awarded her own degree-level qualification.

“I absolutely cherished going through graduation with him,” said 52-year-old Stephanie from Dunsford.

“It made me quite tearful. To be sat in the crowd with my group and watch him graduate and then walk up there and do it myself as his mum can’t happen very often, and I’m so pleased we got to celebrate together.”

Despite graduating together, Stephanie and Ethan, her son, studied very different higher education subjects at TEF Gold-rated Exeter College. Stephanie studied for a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care while Ethan completed a BA (Ord) degree in Business Management. He has since gone on to top-up his degree with the University of Exeter for a year and earn a BA (Hons) degree in Business.

Ethan said, “Having my mum graduate with me definitely made the experience more unique, and now I have a story that not many others will!”

“The emphasis on support at Exeter College helps you get the most out of your studies, and that was definitely the case for me,”
Ethan Lewis, BA (Ord) Business Management Graduate.

Ethan, 22, initially joined Exeter College in 2014 to study for his A Levels in History, Chemistry, Geography and Environmental studies. He decided to continue his education journey right at home with our Higher National Certificate in Business, then the Higher National Diploma, followed by a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. His graduation represented the culmination of five years of studying with the College, and he was delighted with how he was supported during his higher education studies.

“The biggest positive for me was the small class sizes at Exeter College compared to how they can be at other places,” said Ethan.

“The support enabled me to focus on making sure that I understood each bit of content completely before moving on to the next thing. I had a lot more one-on-one time with my tutor than I think you’d expect doing a degree at a different place.

“The emphasis on support at Exeter College helps you get the most out of your studies, and that was definitely the case for me.”

While Ethan’s degree level studies with Exeter College followed a somewhat typical route of study for many young people, his mother took the step of returning to education to help her with her voluntary role working with the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Stephanie said, “While doing my voluntary role, I realised that I wanted to get some qualifications for me personally.

“I never got my GCSE Maths the first time around, so I wanted to get that under my belt and also study for a degree. The Health and Social Care course seemed to suit me most. I studied for that and my Maths at the same time.

“Everyone at the College was so supportive, and the small class sizes definitely made a difference. I started a little daunted by being the oldest in the class, but I have to say that the support I received from lecturers was second-to-none.”

Stephanie’s time with Exeter College was a roaring success. She picked up her long-awaited GCSE Maths qualification and came out of her Foundation Degree with an impressive Merit grade.

“I had a bit of a tricky time in my personal life during my studies, but I managed to come out of it with some amazing grades and that is definitely, in part, down to the supportive environment at the College.”

Ethan earned a 2:1 in his degree with Exeter College and plans to complete his top-up year with the University of Exeter before going on to study a Master’s in Business.

Ethan said, “After I’m done studying, I think I want to start up my own business or perhaps go into quantity surveying. Thanks to my studies, I’ve theoretically started hundreds of businesses, but I haven’t taken that leap in the real world just yet. I’ll have to see what I think when I finish my studies.”

At Exeter College, we work with a range of renowned partners to deliver university level courses in a variety of subject areas. With a commitment to smaller class sizes and accessibility to lecturers, the College provides learners with a way to study for a degree differently and supercharge a career or develop transferable skills for the workplace.

Our courses range in level, with full and part time study options available. Financial aid is also a possibility for eligible students, whether in the form of a bursary or a loan.

Find the right course for your future by requesting our University Level Prospectus today.

Contact our dedicated Adult Advisers if you’re interested in studying as an adult with Exeter College. Email adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk to talk through your options.

Exeter College is celebrating 50 years since being named as the UK’s first tertiary college. Although our roots date back to the 1800s, our status as a tertiary college marked a revolution in further education and 2020 marks our 50 years of excellence since that landmark. If you have a memory of Exeter College through the years that you’d like to share, contact marketing@exe-coll.ac.uk or get involved on social media using #ExeColl50.

Exeter College Students Recognised at 2020 BTEC Awards

Five inspirational Exeter College BTEC students have been recognised at the prestigious Pearson BTEC Awards.

Cain Spiller, from Honiton, received a Silver Award, while Alex Dixon, Rachel Hamilton, Cleopatra Gatting, and Tinka Dos Santos all received bronze awards in their respective categories, recognising their exceptional work during their programme of study.

Their hard work was celebrated at the tenth anniversary of Pearson’s annual BTEC Awards hosted online in the last few weeks.   

The 2020 BTEC Awards comprised of 17 categories and was hosted by the presenter of the United Stand, YouTube influencer and BTEC Ambassador, Flex, with awards presented by Double Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock as well as actress and former BTEC Drama student at The BRIT School, Kellie Shirley. The expert panel of judges made up of Pearson’s senior leadership team, journalists and external experts, carefully considered the nominees before deciding on the winners.   

19-year-old Cain Spiller, who won a Silver Award for Public Services Student of the Year, said, “When I was awarded the BTEC Award, I was filled with excitement and pride. It stood as a reminder to me that all the hard work I had put into my course had paid off and was recognised.”

Cain also thanked his teachers for their support during his studies saying, “All my tutors went above and beyond to help me gain the skills I needed to become a police officer. They would keep me up to date on all training days and recruitment and have given me the best possible chance of getting into the police service.”

Rachel Hamilton, 17, from Holsworthy, achieved the Bronze Award in BTEC Child & Social Care Learner of the Year. She said, “I was honestly surprised that I was nominated, let alone won Bronze, so I was incredibly shocked. I would like to thank Kelvin Edwards for nominating me, and all of the teachers who have helped me over the past two years.”

Exeter College’s Head of Healthcare and Public Services Heidi Amor said, “We’re incredibly proud of Cain and Rachel’s achievements. They’ve both shown a remarkable commitment to their studies throughout their time with us.

“Cain has been a true champion of his course and is always looking at how his studies can push him further in his career aspirations.

“Rachel has been an amazing learner during her studies, constantly pushing herself to be the best she can be and learning new skills all the time. She thoroughly deserves this award and is sure to be a success in her future career.”

Alex Dixon, 28, from Tiverton, was awarded a Bronze Award for BTEC Engineering Learner of the Year. Alex said, “I was thrilled, and if I’m honest, surprised to see that I had received a Bronze Award for Engineering Student of the Year. However, I can’t take all the credit; this is an amalgamation of effort not just by me but from my lecturers at Exeter College as well who have helped me reach my potential and deserve half of this award.”

Andy Wells, Head of Engineering, Aerospace and Automotive at Exeter College, said, “We’re incredibly proud of Alex’s achievements. He’s a fantastic role model for what can be achieved with hard work, endeavour and a selfless attitude. He’s a truly exceptional ambassador for engineering Apprenticeships and has already achieved so much throughout his studies. Alex is already excelling in his chosen career; he is an innovator, and I can’t wait to see where his efforts take him next.”

Alex’s latest accolade follows on from him being named as a Green Gown Award winner in 2018, recognising his work around sustainability.

Two of Exeter College’s Construction students won Bronze Awards, as Cleopatra Gatting and Tinka Dos Santos were recognised in the BTEC Construction Student of the Year category.

Chulmleigh-based Cleopatra, who studied her Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment with Exeter College, said, “It felt amazing to win the award and to be recognised for my hard work.

“The College has been great in supporting me throughout my course, and I was honoured that they nominated me for this award.”

Tinka Dos Santos, 41, said, “It felt great to be acknowledged for the hard work I had put in; it can be tough working, studying and maintaining a balanced family life.

“I really enjoyed studying at Exeter College, I was sorry to leave, all the tutors and assessors were so supportive, and I wouldn’t have done so well if it wasn’t for their help.”

Exeter College Head of Construction Dave O’Connor said, “As a department, we’re thrilled to have two students recognised at the BTEC Awards. It’s a huge testament to the character and commitment both students have shown during their studies, and I’m sure they’ll both go on to achieve incredible things.”

Reflecting on the online event as a whole, Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President BTEC and Apprenticeship, said: “This year I’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of BTEC Award nominations we received, and I am delighted to celebrate this year’s winners and the achievements of all learners who will be awarded a BTEC this year.  Over the past few weeks and months, we’ve seen how the current pandemic has highlighted the critical role of key workers and individuals who are likely to have followed a vocational educational pathway such as BTEC.”

Find out about courses offered at Exeter College for school leavers.

We’re ready for enrolment for a September 2020 start. Find out what to expect at enrolment 2020.

There’s still time to apply online to join Exeter College for the next academic year.

Success for Exeter College Medical and Oxbridge Applicants

Students from Exeter College applying to study medical-based courses at university are celebrating, as a massive 70% of applicants to these highly sought-after courses have been successful in securing offers.

“These courses are incredibly tough to get in to and achieving an offer to study any of them is a great achievement that is a result of months of hard work on the part of students,”
Jade Otty, Exeter College Vice Principal.

Applications to study medical-related classes at university typically begin earlier in the academic year than normal courses, and it can be a demanding process as students outline their ambitions in the field.

Fortunately, thanks in part to the work of Exeter College’s exemplary Reach Academy, students have excelled in their applications, with 22 students holding offers to study medicine, two for veterinary medicine and one for dentistry. This means that 25 of the 36 applications made have been successful, which is a great result.

The College’s Medical Society, which specifically focuses on students seeking careers in veterinary, dentistry or medicine has also supported these students to achieve their goals. This has included specific talks from medical professionals and university admissions teams. Find out about the Medical Interview Masterclass the society attended in January 2020.

Exeter College Vice Principal Jade Otty, who leads on academic performance at the College, said, “I’m thrilled we’ve been able to support these incredibly talented students to achieve their goal of going on to study their chosen courses at university.

“These courses are incredibly tough to get in to and achieving an offer to study any of them is a great achievement that is a result of months of hard work on the part of students.”

The Reach Academy at Exeter College supports academically gifted students to achieve their aim of getting into their first choice university with a range of skill-building workshops, seminars and application-building sessions. During the exceptional circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic, support from the Reach Academy moved online and worked with students through online seminars and activities to support their university applications.

Jade said, “The Reach Academy has done tremendous work in helping these students to achieve their goals. It’s great that it has had such an impact for these students and helped them to go on to their chosen universities. I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve in the future.”

Students with Exeter College also get the chance to take Extend an option alongside their academic studies to build skills outside of the curriculum. The Medical Technologies Extend option allows medically minded students to develop background knowledge on all things medicine, including diagnostic and therapy techniques.

Oxbridge Success

The medical application success follows on the heels of Exeter College’s Oxbridge applicants having received the news of their offers to study with the world leading universities.

Rose Smith has been offered a place to study Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Oxford.

Over half of students invited to interview at Oxford and Cambridge were offered a place, with a total of 14 students offered a place at one of the world leading universities. These students were also supported by the Reach Academy, helping students to navigate the lengthy process of applying to these universities.

Eight students hold offers to study with the University of Oxford, with courses ranging from Biochemistry to Ruskin Art. Six students have been given offers to study with the University of Cambridge, which is a remarkable conversion rate of 75% from the eight students who were invited for an interview.

Rose Smith, who studied the International Baccalaureate with Exeter College, has been offered a place to study Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford. She said, “It’s great to have an offer to study with Oxford. There has been a lot of hard work, but the support from the College has been second-to-none.”

Tom Matthew has an offer to study Human, Social and Political Science with the University of Cambridge.

Bideford’s Tom Matthew has an offer to study Human, Social and Political Science with Cambridge having studied A Levels in Geography, Sociology and Politics with Exeter College. He said, “It feels quite surreal to have got an offer, to be honest.

“Going to Cambridge is always something I’ve had in the back of my mind but didn’t always think it would be realistic. However, I’ve been helped by the teachers at Exeter College to put together a competitive application, and I am really happy to say that I’ve got an offer to study at Cambridge.”

The outstanding Oxbridge application success follows on from the news that International Baccalaureate student Charlie McNamara has received an offer to study Liberal Arts at Harvard University.

Exeter College Vice Principal Jade Otty said, “I would like to congratulate each and every student that has been offered one of these highly sought-after places at world leading universities.

“To receive an offer to study at an Oxbridge university is an incredible achievement and the result of years of hard work on the part of the students.

“It’s not enough to only show academic excellence to join Oxford or Cambridge, these students have also demonstrated exceptional work outside of the classroom, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to help these talented students on their educational journey.”

Offers made to students will be subject to them achieving the required grades when results are revealed this summer as part of the Government’s reformed method for calculating grades following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Find out about the Reach Academy at Exeter College.

We’re preparing for enrolment for students joining us in September. Find out what to expect at enrolment.

How Being a Centre of Online Excellence Has Helped Our Students Achieve Their Goals

Following the Government’s lockdown of all schools and colleges from mid-March, education faced a huge, unprecedented shift to online teaching and learning.

For many, this leap to digital education was an immense learning curve. However, thanks to our longstanding commitment to digital transformation, we at Exeter College were remarkably well-placed for the transition.

From the very beginning, we made it our priority that all our students and Apprentices continued to receive the outstanding education they joined us for. Our online learning portals became a key tool in providing students with expert online tuition through recorded lectures, live interactive seminars, and independent study sessions.

Our readiness for using digital learning to its full potential was aided through our long-term digital strategy. Due to this, our students and staff were able to quickly become fully-fledged digital citizens and were able to utilise online learning and unlock its full potential. Although the shift to digital learning came much quicker than anyone could have expected, our digital strategy meant that we already had the building blocks in place to ensure the process would be a success.

Microsoft Showcase College

We’re proud to be one of only a handful of further education providers in the country to be named as a ‘Microsoft Showcase College,’reflecting our commitment to providing outstanding online learning opportunities. During the lockdown, our Microsoft Showcase status helped to enable both our staff and students to confidently move to online learning, with great results.

Students studying subjects from Barbering to Maths, and everything in between, were able to receive tuition purely online. Sam Pestridge, A Level student studying Spanish, Politics and History has been very impressed with the transition to digital learning during the lockdown.

“Teachers have been calling us online, this is especially useful for a subject like Spanish where it’s important that we keep practising our speaking,” said Sam.

“Teachers have been doing PowerPoints and recording sessions for us. I feel I’m supported in my learning and the teachers are always available for us if we need them.”

As a College, we’ve received an exceptional amount of positive student feedback, proving the success of our digital strategy. We aim to continue using our digital prowess in future by helping other schools and colleges make the most of remote learning opportunities, throughout the current pandemic and beyond.

EdTech Demonstrator College

We were recently announced as an EdTech Demonstrator College by the Department for Education. This means that we will be using our digital expertise to help other education providers deliver exceptional teaching and learning online.

The EdTech Demonstrator Programme, which is backed by the Department for Education, The National Grid for Learning, The Education Foundation and Sheffield Hallam University, provides a platform for peer-to-peer support in education. We are very excited to now be tasked with providing tailored support to other schools and colleges to upskill their staff, technology and, ultimately, their online teaching.

Exeter College Assistant Principal Jenny Leach, who led our offer of help on the Programme, said, “We wanted to get involved in this scheme to help other schools and colleges in any way we can. We aim to deliver the best possible online learning experience for their students.

“The EdTech Programme is in response to some of the challenges schools have faced during the Coronavirus lockdown, but this will also be an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how education works for a lot of schools.

“The aim is obviously to help schools through the current uncertain period, but online learning can be used to enhance teaching, learning and assessment beyond this, and that’s one of the secondary aims of the programme. We want this to have a lasting impact on schools and help enhance the learning environment of their learners for many years to come.”

Exeter College – The College of the Future

Here at Exeter College, we have a reputation as an education innovator, continually developing in line with the needs of our learners and the local area. In addition to outstanding online learning resources ready for the future, we are also evolving our education offer, helping individuals and businesses to thrive for the economy of the future.

The construction of our new Digital and Data Centre is currently underway, which is due to be completed by early 2021. The new Centre forms part of a South West Institute of Technology plan to revolutionise digital, engineering and manufacturing technology education across the region. The bespoke digital facilities will provide skills training to create the digital and data professionals needed for the economy of tomorrow.

Next Steps

We are currently preparing for enrolment for a September 2020 start.

There is also still time to apply online to study with us. Once all completed documents have been sent in and reviewed, students will be given a conditional offer.

Exeter College Launches Summer Walking Tours of City Centre Sites

If you haven’t had a chance to visit our award-winning facilities and buildings, don’t worry. There’s still time.

Exeter College’s College Advice Team are pleased to be able to offer walking tours of the Exeter College city centre sites over the summer, starting 20 July 2020. This is an exciting opportunity to see our outstanding facilities and to gain advice from the specialist college advisers.

These walking tours aim to help any school leavers’ hoping to join us in September 2020, who have not had a chance to attend an open event or have a face-to-face interview at college.

As the tours will be happening during the college’s summer holiday period the college will be closed to students and teaching staff will be unavailable, however, our College Advice Team will be able to give you quality advice and guidance on your course selection and application process.

Tours are available daily, Monday to Friday from 20th July- 14^th August. There are two tour sessions available per day; 11am and 2pm.

Due to social distancing measures we do have limited capacity and tours will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please click here to book your space.

If you would like to bring a parent or guardian with you, please be sure to add their names to your booking for the purposes of the NHS Track and Trace system. To ensure both visitor and staff safety, the tours will be capped at a maximum of 4 participants.

For additional information on the walking tours and to book your space, please visit the school leavers’ tours page on the Exeter College website.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the College Advice Team directly on 01392 400600 or email CAT@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Exeter College Apprenticeships sets out plan to support employers through recovery period

Exeter College was extremely pleased to hear the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs 2020’, announced by the Chancellor at the recent mini-budget. This scheme allocates £1.6 billion towards Apprenticeships and Skills, to both support individuals into work and incentivise businesses.

To summarise the Chancellor’s support package for Apprenticeships and Skills:

£2,000 payment to an employer taking on an apprentice aged under 25yrs. This is additional to the £1,000 incentive already paid for an Apprentice aged under 19 or under 25yrs with an Education and Health Care Plan.
£1,500 payment to an employer taking on an apprentice aged over 25yrs.
£1,000 payment to an employer taking on a trainee or pre-Apprentice aged under 25yrs.
£1,000 for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed through to the end of January 2021

As an Ofsted Outstanding Training Provider, consistently rated in the top three nationally for employer satisfaction, we recognise that these are exceptionally tricky times for employers, and we must ensure that we respond quickly and provide businesses with the support that is required.

As the Government itself states ‘the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest threat the UK has faced in decades. The virus has caused tens of thousands of deaths, has affected the lives of everyone in the country and has had a devastating effect on businesses.’

We welcome backing for businesses to take on Apprentices of all ages; our company has grown exponentially in this area over the last five years, and we are proud to work with over 950 employers and support Apprentices from Penzance to Paddington.

Our dedicated sector specialists continue to work hard with employers to identify, market and fill Apprenticeship jobs, and we are currently advertising over 125 live vacancies.

The Exeter College Pre-Apprenticeship programme has also had incredible success rates in recent years, enabling young people to gain access to Apprenticeships while building their confidence in Maths and English.

Exeter College Learning Support Specialist, Philippa Charlton, praised candidates on the Pre-Apprenticeship programme. She said, “These young people show determination and resilience. We are delighted to have seen them go on to fulfil their potential in Apprenticeship roles – as electricians and bricklayers, and within early years education and hospitality, to name a few examples.

“They bring new insight, creativity, and absolute dedication to their employers and the Chancellor’s support for this programme is extremely encouraging. The extension of the scope of the programme further widens the opportunity for young people with a Level 3 qualification. This is welcomed.”

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at the College, will explore the role of Apprenticeships and technical education in the economic recovery in our upcoming employer webinar, on Thursday 23rd July, 10:00am – 11:15am. We are delighted also to welcome Rob Nitsch, Chief Operating Officer for the Institute for Apprenticeships, and Nicola Drury UK Apprenticeship Manager at Amazon.

If you would like to join us, please register in advance.

For further information on accessing the government’s support for Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships, please contact the Exeter College Team on 01392 400800 or email Apprentices@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Improved Bursary Support Announced at Exeter College

Bursary support

In response to the ongoing financial impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, we’re extending our bursary support to make more students eligible to apply for financial help through the scheme.

Our Bursary Fund is used to provide financial support to 16-19-year-old students from low-income households, helping to cover some of the costs associated with their further education. Our funding can help to cover resource fees, travel costs and access to free school meals.

If you’re a school leaver who is due to start with us in September 2020 and you come from a household with a combined income below £24,000, you are now eligible to apply for support via the Bursary Fund which would include a free travel pass to get to and from College. Similarly, you would be eligible to receive a 50% contribution towards fees and, if required for your study, a DBS check and a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.

On top of this, we’ve also expanded the scheme so that more learners can benefit. Those from households earning £17,000 or under are eligible to apply for free travel as well as 100% of costs covered for resource fees, DBS checks and the CSCS card. Those from households in receipt of certain means-tested welfare benefits are eligible for all of the above, plus free College meals.  

Director of Student Experience Kristyn Woodward said, “We’ve moved all of the boundaries to include more students to be eligible for this funding support.   

“As an organisation, we’ve worked to support the community through this challenging period with our supply of PPE to the NHS, our work with Food4Heroes to provide free meals to NHS staff and now this shift in bursary support moves to support our next generation of learners to get the exceptional education they deserve, no matter what the circumstances.”   

We allocate our Bursary Fund on a first-come, first-served basis, and students will need to provide evidence of household income when applying for support. Get the bursary application form now.   

We would also like to remind students that even if they’ve completed a year of study at different further education provider, they’re still eligible to join us at Exeter College to restart or continue their chosen courses. 

Wellbeing and Support

The changes to our Bursary Funding is just one of the many ways we look after our learners, inside and outside of College.

From application to graduation and beyond, we’re proud to support our students throughout their studies.

Here at Exeter College, we have specialist teams in place to guide, support and mentor students. Our College Advice Team is there to support applicants from the start of their college journey, helping them decide on their course choices and answering questions on study requirements and life at the College. If you’d like to speak to a member of our Advice Team, you can contact them on CAT@exe-coll.ac.uk.

When students join us, their first point of contact is their Personal Tutor. Our tutors are there to guide, monitor and support students’ progress, helping them to achieve their goals. Additionally, they also oversee the implementation of our Personal Development Programme, which is designed to help learners think about their long term goals and how best to achieve them.

We also have a fantastic Student Experience Department at our college. This team supports students with wellbeing, enrichment opportunities and financial support during their studies. Furthermore, we have a team of counsellors offering our learners a safe and confidential space to review anything that might be bothering them and to help them work out tangible steps to help support them and their student experience.

Our learners are similarly supported after college when they’re looking for their next steps. Our Progression and Employability Team provide expert advice on anything from how to ace that first job interview, to help with university applications.

We will be enrolling soon for the September 2020 start. To find out more information, check out our enrolment page.

If you’re a school leaver, there’s still time to apply online to study with us. Once all documents have been sent over and reviewed, applicants will receive a conditional offer.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Students Celebrate 100% Pass Rate

Exeter College students are celebrating after achieving a 100% pass rate in this year’s International Baccalaureate (IB) results.

“I wish the students well in their future endeavours and would like to thank them for being such a key and vibrant part of the Exeter College family for the past two years,”
John Laramy, Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive

This year over a third of students (34.3%) achieved 40+ points. This is the equivalent of five A Levels at A/A*, putting them in the top five to ten per cent of students in the entire world. One candidate, Julietta Harris, achieved an incredible 45 out of 45 possible points and will be heading to Oxford to study Law with European Law in September.

The IB is an internationally recognised qualification which allows students to study six subjects across a wide range of disciplines spanning languages, arts, humanities, maths and sciences. Students are also required to study theory of knowledge, complete an extended research essay and a portfolio, which are all graded to calculate final points.

While some might point towards the fact that this year’s results were a combination of calculated grades and actual grades, we must not take away from the exceptional results that this year’s students have achieved; they mean that many of Exeter College’s IB students are now going on to fulfill their dreams of studying at world leading universities.

John Laramy, Principal and Chief Executive of Exeter College said, “This year we celebrate running the IB for 20 years and our students have delivered world class results, fitting of our 20^th anniversary year of delivering the qualification.

“The fact that the outcomes on the IB are calibrated internationally, across a broad and demanding range of subjects mean that these students really do exemplify our vision of becoming an exceptional college. I wish the students well in their future endeavours and would like to thank them for being such a key and vibrant part of the Exeter College family for the past two years.

“I would also like to thank all of the staff who teach on, coordinate or support the delivery of the IB, these outstanding results are the result of talented and passionate staff working with excellent students, this year, during an unprecedented time.”

This year the cohort had an average point score of 36.8, way ahead of the world average which is currently 29.65 (2018/19).

Find out more about the International Baccalaureate at Exeter College.

You can still apply online now to study with Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College.

Exeter College is enrolling soon for a September start.

Exeter College Apprentices in National Spotlight, As Apprenticeships and Traineeships Climb to Top of Government Agenda

Two Exeter College Apprentices contribute to the national debate, speaking at the House of Commons Education Select Committee and on Radio 5 Live, as the Government looks to boost skills development and employment for young people post Lockdown, through Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

“Both my boss and Exeter College have been really supportive. The College has absolutely aced it during lockdown – I couldn’t have asked for any better,”
Jamie Taylor, Project Management Apprentice

Jamie Taylor, a Level 4 Project Management Apprentice at Radio Exe, shared his experience of furlough and the challenges ahead, alongside another Devon youngster on the Radio 5 Live Breakfast Show, in the build-up to the Chancellors’ budget announcement in Parliament.

His story, like so many, is one of mixed fortunes; experiencing furlough and job uncertainty, while continuing training with the help of online provision through Exeter College.

Jamie said, “The news from the Chancellor today is fantastic. Support for the next generation of workers is really important. While on my Apprenticeship, I have seen how the initiative offers a real alternative to university and provides opportunities for so many.

“Both my boss and Exeter College have been really supportive. The College has absolutely aced it during lockdown – I couldn’t have asked for any better. I have never had such an attentive tutor throughout my education and can pick up the phone any time and they will be there.

“I had a real panic and considered quitting studies, so I could start looking for a new job. My tutor talked through my options and made me realise how important this qualification will be for my future career prospects – if I get made redundant at the end of my programme, I will be one of a small handful with an APM certified Project Management qualification.”

Radio 5 Live also invited Sharron Robbie, Managing Director of the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network, to contribute to the feature. When asked whether she had any words of advice for the youngsters, Sharon said, “There is lots of support out there for individuals who find themselves in this position. Jamie is an Apprentice with Exeter College and they have a fantastic support mechanism in place.”

Coinciding with the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement, the House of Commons Education Select Committee met, inviting six Apprentices and students from across the country to give evidence, which will be reported back to the Government to influence their response to support the sector as the recovery from COVID-19 continues.

Jess Edwards (pictured above) a PTSO (Customer Service) Apprentice, represented Exeter College and her employer GWR at the session, offering an insight into the lack of information about Apprenticeships at secondary school at the start of her journey, through to what she can expect on completion of her programme and the impact of COVID-19.

Following the session, Jess said, “I felt really honoured that I had been asked by Exeter College and GWR to represent them at such a high-profile event. It was a great opportunity to promote Apprenticeships, talk about the process I have been through and share my opinion on what the Government should do next.

“I believe they should be engaging with employers, encouraging them to take on Apprentices. That would be a good way to get more young people in. The employer should also operate with the mindset of keeping them on as a full-time employee at the end of their Apprenticeship.

“I think I have been supported really well by GWR and Exeter College. I’ve attended virtual College sessions and been taking e-learning courses, so I can continue to develop skills. The regular reviews, with both the College tutors and my employer are a great way of getting feedback and ensuring everyone is on the same page – and my tutor has been calling every week to check in with work, but also to make sure I’m alright, which is really nice.”

Both Apprentices highlight how the Apprenticeship route has enabled them to achieve without a degree, and how important it is that these opportunities continue to be made available.

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College said, “The College is ensuring it invests during this time, to make sure we are able to safeguard opportunities and offer skills development, even in a period of real economic uncertainty, having the support from Government will make a real difference. I was really proud to see both Apprentices speak so eloquently today and I’m delighted the Select Committee took the time to listen to Jess and her contemporaries.

“We work with over 1500 high quality Apprentices across the region and it has been a pleasure supporting both the Houses of Commons and the BBC in their quest to understand more about Apprenticeships, their wellbeing and how best to support young people in these challenging times.”