Whilst England’s ex Rugby Captain, Phil Vickery is celebrating his BBC Celebrity Masterchef success, Exeter’s own rugby stars are trying out a culinary masterclass of their own at Exeter College this week.

A group of 14 Chiefs players, from both the senior and academy teams, joined the chef lecturers at the college to find out how fresh food, cooked well is the essential start to preparing for the challenges of top standard rugby.

Organised through the Rugby Players Association, the teams were challenged to focus on new ways of catering for themselves with healthy options being top of the menu.

Ian Biggar, one of the chef lecturers welcomed the Exeter Chiefs adding “It’s great to be able to teach a new group of people about how easy it is to cook fresh food well which will have a direct benefit on how they feel and perform. Exeter College has won the Healthy FE Colleges status and this is just another way that we can get the key messages across that healthy food isn’t difficult. Whilst we work on some very high level culinary skills with our young students during the day this taster event tonight was hopefully whetting the player’s appetite for some more sessions in the future.”

Josh Frape from the Rugby Players Association, who also attended the session said, “This is a great opportunity for the players to not only find out about healthy food but also to hone some of their culinary skills or discover new interests. We organise these event as part of the players’ development programme and we’re hoping that this may trigger interest in setting up restaurants or pubs as part of their future.”

Learning how to make focaccia bread and how to dice a rabbit may not be part of the normal training regime for Exeter Chiefs but Henry Slade, fly half, said “It’s good to get ideas about different and unusual food. I normally cook chicken or steak so cooking a rabbit is definitely different”

Aych Hoani Tui, who recently shadowed the star chefs at Michael Caines’ Abode, added “I’ve been able to do more ‘hands on’ cooking here – I know I’m not going to be playing rugby all my life so this will really help if I’m thinking of setting up my own restaurant in new Zealand.”

Haydn Thomas added “Cooking isn’t my strong point so I’m keen to learn – I love fishing but often give all the fish away!!”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585, 07800 745855 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

Exeter College is celebrating following the news that it has been shortlisted for three national awards in the new Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards which were announced last Friday. These awards mirror the longstanding “Times Higher Educational Supplement University Awards” which recognized the University of Exeter as University of the Year in 2007/2008. Exeter College has been shortlisted for the top award of “Outstanding Provider of the Year” as well as for awards for “Leadership & Management” and for “Innovation in Teaching & Learning”.

“We are proud that we have been shortlisted in these three categories,” said Richard Atkins, Principal, “as it shows that we are delivering an outstanding service to the community. These national nominations show that Exeter College is now one of the top performing colleges in the further education sector, not only in this area but across the country. This is well deserved recognition for our excellent staff and governors”.

Gerard Kelly, editor of The TES said “The TES FE Awards are an opportunity to recognise the dedication and expertise of staff in FE who transform the lives of learners. These nominees represent some of the best of this amazing and dynamic sector.” A judging panel will select the final TES FE Award winners, which will be revealed at a ceremony on November 11th in London.

The news comes on top of the College’s record breaking A level results at the end of August and the recent news that it has been awarded ‘Centre of Excellence’ status for the A Level Extended Project for high achieving students who plan to progress to top UK and international universities.

“This is a great way to start the academic year,” said Richard Atkins “but we’re not complacent. There are challenges for students of all ages in the current economic climate but we see this national recognition as the assurance that students and employers need that the college is determined to continue to support them to achieve their full potential – whether that is through adult learning and higher education courses, through apprenticeships or through our wide range of 16 – 18 courses.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

Around 180 Exeter College higher education students donned their caps and gowns on Friday 21st October to attend their Graduation Ceremony, held at Exeter Cathedral at 2pm.

Joining them to celebrate their achievements at the spectacular event were around 650 guests, including the Lord Mayor, representatives of Exeter College and its Board of Governors, VIPs from Devon schools, colleges, business and community partners and the graduates’ families and friends.

The guest speaker was Midas’ chairman Steve Hindley, CBE, who addressed, among others, senior representatives of the Universities of Exeter, Plymouth and Marjon who, with Exeter College’s Principal officially acknowledged the graduates of 2011.

The students from all over Devon and the south west were awarded qualifications ranging from BA to Foundation Degrees, HNCs and HNDs in a broad range of subject areas offered at the college including Business Management, Health and Social Care, Performance Production, Legal Practice, Sports Therapy, Early Years, Engineering and Construction.

Speaking at the ceremony, Exeter College Principal, Richard Atkins, praised the graduating students saying “We are very proud of our higher education courses at the college which, in partnership with the universities and awarding bodies, provide exciting and challenging experiences to a range of students each year. We have just announced a new degree in English starting next year so the opportunities continue to develop. Many of the students are juggling work and home commitments with their academic studies and they tell us that they chose Exeter College because it is a friendly and purposeful college with small class sizes. With university fees being in the news so much at the moment we are proud that these students have achieved higher education success locally .”

The Cathedral provided the spectacular backdrop to the formal ceremony witnessed by hundreds of proud parents and partners and, after the inevitable photo calls on the Cathedral Green, the graduates rubbed shoulders with visitors and shoppers as they walked through the town centre to the nearby Thistle Hotel to complete their celebrations with afternoon tea.

Julie Skinner, head of Higher Education and Quality Office at Exeter College said, “This is the fourth Graduation Ceremony at the Cathedral and each year more and more students and their families celebrate their higher education achievements in this prestigious occasion which truly reflects the quality of the range of higher education courses we offer at the college.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585, 07800 745855 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

The Learning Support team is promoting Dyslexia Awareness Week this week at Exeter College as part of the British Dyslexia Association’s (BDA) Dyslexia Awareness Week whose theme is ‘Focus on Dyslexia’.

Staff and students are being encouraged to explore and use the dyslexia friendly Assistive Technology that is available in the college and also software downloadable free from the internet. The Dyslexia team is available to staff and students throughout the week across the college to answer any questions or queries specifically on dyslexia and provide practical tips and strategies to help with study skills or other common issues.

“We have a strong focus on disability awareness and support,” said Malcolm Walsh, Assistant Principal, Exeter College, ” and our teams work with students across the college and throughout the year. The Dyslexia Awareness Week helps us raise the profile of the issue and the support we can give – it is reported that Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 people in the UK. Making text accessible is an important step in providing equal access for students with dyslexia and reading difficulties and technology can provide the solution – that’s why we’re encouraging staff and students to use the assistive technology we have that provides support for reading and writing.”

Staff at the college are also trained to recognise the affects of dyslexia, particularly if students are not already aware. Many students do not reveal their difficulties, but the college is keen to ensure all get the support they need. The pressures of studying can lead to a high level of anxiety and dyslexia can accentuate this and create even more stress.

Malcolm Walsh added “It’s important that a student gets the chance to talk, to know they are being listened to and understood. Our Learning Support team can give them the chance to see practical solutions to the issues they may be having with their assignments and work.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585, 07800 745855 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

THANKS to a partnership between Exeter College Business Solutions and training provider Formative Consultancy & Training Services Ltd, over 30 security staff at Yeovil Town FC’s Huish Park are celebrating – having gained their Level 2 NVQ qualifications in Spectator Safety.

In order to gain the qualification, they each had to complete six units of the course, which covered topics ranging from preparing for spectator events and dealing with accidents and emergencies to crowd monitoring, controlling entry and exit, and conflict management training.

Richard Atkins, Principal at Exeter College and season ticket holder at Yeovil Town, said: “The College, Formative Consultancy and Yeovil Town Football Club worked highly effectively together and, as a result, ensured that the safety stewards were able to successfully work towards achieving these qualifications. Not only will this benefit the staff and club, but also all the supporters who regularly cheer on The Glovers at every home game.”

Congratulating all those who completed their qualifications, Ian Reed, Training Director for Formative Consultancy & Training Services, said: “It doesn’t matter what event is taking place, stewards are there to ensure people do not get injured. At the same time, they must also be prepared to deal with any eventuality on the terraces. The fact that all the security team have passed these qualifications is great news for all at Yeovil Town Football Club”.

No stranger to providing training to well-known football and rugby clubs across the UK, as well as to the NHS and other major clients, Ian added: “Working with both the club and the staff at Yeovil Town Football Club and Exeter College has been brilliant and we found ourselves working in a really nice atmosphere. We are delighted to have been involved in this partnership with Exeter College and Yeovil Town FC to provide the training.”

Speaking on behalf of the club, Chairman, John Fry added: Effective training is vital for all our staff at Yeovil Town and we are delighted how successful our first batch of Stewards have performed thanks to our association with the College. I hope our relationship can continue for many years to come with similar success rates from future students.”

For further information, please call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585 or 07800 745855 or email sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

Photo caption:
Exeter College Principal Richard Atkins (lt) with John Fry, Yeovil Town Football Club (rt ) and Ian Reed, Formative Consultancy and Training Services celebrating with YTFC’s security staff

Students, staff, employers and building project managers marked the official start of Exeter College’s latest building project with the turf cutting ceremony for the new £8.5million Technology Centre due to open September 2012.

The start of the construction phase of the world class Technology Centre, based at Monkerton, was attended by a host of interested parties including, College Principal, Richard Atkins and senior managers involved in the build and the new Centre; Mansell South West Regional Director, Andy McAdam and his senior team, Sean Limbrick, Supacat Chief Engineer and Chair of the Engineering Employer Forum at the college, Mansell’s Trainee Surveyor, Melissa Sparkes as well as a small group of students keen to see the start of the new facilities that they will be using in less than a year’s time.

The new facility will provide industry-led teaching space, workshops and laboratories for both practical and academic learning for around 300 students from across Exeter and Devon. The students will be studying a wide range of courses, ranging from part-time introductory courses for 14 – 16 year olds in partnership with local schools; 16 – 18 year old full-time level 1 – 3 vocational courses, university-level courses and dedicated employer training. The Centre will provide an important focus for the training of a range of apprentices who will be able to take advantage of the most modern industry equipment, giving them up to date skills to be used as they work with a range of local and regional businesses.

The Technology Centre has an important link with one college student in particular. Melissa Sparkes, who has just completed her BTEC National Diploma in Construction at the College and is now studying her HNC in Construction is working on the site as Trainee Surveyor for Mansells and is putting her academic knowledge into practice during this project.

The centre will house technical workshops and classrooms including an MOT testing bay, garage workshop area for the repair, maintenance and servicing of motor vehicles and motorcycles. A CADCAM Engineering IT suite, diagnostic testing labs and a three-storey learning and IT centre will complete the centre.

Principal, Richard Atkins said, “It’s a really exciting development for us, for the area and the local economy. There’s no doubt that engineering and manufacturing are absolutely key to the economic recovery so to be investing a significant amount of money in a new facility in Exeter at the minute seems to be exactly the right thing to do. It links very well to the Science Park and all the developments to the east of Exeter. We are delighted to be starting work with a local firm to develop future generations of engineers and technicians. We are very keen to work closely with the new Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and this is a great example of the sort of developments that are going to be needed in the region.”

Sean Limbrick, Supacat’s chief engineer and chair of the college’s engineering forum said he expects firms like his to use the centre for staff training as well as a source of new recruits. “It’s great news,” he said. “One thing we always struggle with is finding good, qualified people. I look to the college as fertile ground for producing apprentices.”

Over 30 guests from partner agencies working with young people joined Exeter College and Careers South West for a joint ‘NEET in the City’ event aimed to raise awareness of the range of programmes designed to help unemployed young people to get into work or further learning this week.

Senior managers from organisations such as Devon County Council, Exeter Foyer, Exeter City Council, Exeter YMCA, Westcountry Housing and Beacon Heath Children’s Centre joined staff from the college and the careers advisory service to showcase how the three initiatives of Princes Trust, Positive Pathways and Directions has already benefited young people in the city. Joined by four of the young people who have completed the programmes and are now in work or further learning, the agencies were able to see for themselves how the various activities are designed to help self confidence and build the very skills that employers are looking for in the difficult economic climate.

“The news is full of very gloomy statistics about unemployment,” said Chris Petheram, head of the college’s foundation studies, “so this event could not have come at a better time. We wanted to show that, with targeted help, there really is a way forward for young people in the city and wider afield who might feel that there’s no hope. It’s important to all of us that the agencies that these young people go to when they find they are out of work or are unsure of what to do are fully aware of the help that is available so they can refer young people for the right help.”

The event was centred around those young people not in education, employment or training – named NEET by the Government – and former NEET students Rebecca Enyioko, Kain Wyn-Lord, Sanisha Renney and Joe Nix were stars for the day telling their own stories through video and interviews.

“Young people need all the help they can get in order to progress into work and training” says Sue Wearne, Local Services Delivery Manager for Careers South West, “this kind of initiative is an example of the collaborative work that is essential in order for this to happen. As an impartial and independent service, we would welcome working with all providers in this way.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585, 07800 745855 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

Photo L-R is
Richard Atkins Principal Exeter College, Joe Nix (student), Sue Wearne Local Services Delivery Manager for Careers South West and Chris Petherham, Head of Foundation Studies, Exeter College

Students and staff at Exeter College and NHS Devon are celebrating after their ‘Love Your Skin’ skin cancer prevention project was shortlisted for Best Social Marketing Project in the prestigious Health Service Journal Awards.

The joint campaign, led by beauty students who had been trained up in using an ‘ultraviolet facial scanner’, revealed early signs of sun damage on the skin. The girls gave advice to students and tutors on finding out their skin type, how they can protect their skin in the sun and avoid burning, and they gave fake tanning demonstrations to show a safer alternative to sunbathing or sunbeds.

Devon has some of the highest rates of malignant melanoma in the country and nationally rates are disproportionately high in 15-34 year olds. Virginia Pearson, NHS Devon Director of Public Health said “Eighty percent of skin cancer could be prevented by avoiding overexposure to ultraviolet from the sun or sunbeds. This project was a really interactive way of visibly showing the damage that the sun can do to skin. Younger people might feel a tan looks good now, but UV exposure is the biggest cause of early ageing in the skin, making it look coarse, leathery and wrinkled.”

Student Candy Walton, said “I used to go on a sunbed sometimes five times a week for twenty minutes, but now I know the damage it can do to my skin I’m trying to use fake tan instead. I used to worry about the streaking so it was good to have the application explained.”

Nick Bridge, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Exeter College, said “Being shortlisted for this award for the project we ran in partnership with NHS Devon showcases the excellent partnership work that took place between the two organisations on this important South West health issue. Special thanks should go to Sarah Bird (Health Improvement Project Officer) and Tracey Bennett (Level 3 Beauty Tutor) and her students for all the hard work they put into designing, producing and running the project.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk

To celebrate Exeter College’s 40th year, Exeter Leukaemia Fund was chosen as their charity partner for 2010/11. Over the 12 month period many activities to raise money and awareness of the charity took place which resulted in a staggering £9,622 being raised.

Starting with the Freshers’ Fair momentum quickly grew with students and staff organising a wide cross section of fundraising events and talks by the ELF staff about the charity. The events included the annual Festival of Carols, Jailbreak, bucket collections, running in the Great West Run and skydiving to mention but a few.

Dale Edwards, CEO ELF said “Working in partnership with the students and college has been fantastic, we thought that we could raise £5,000 over the year but to raise over £9500 is truly remarkable. It has also been great to be approached by so many students at our events who recognise us as their Charity of the Year. A big thank you to all those who helped make the year
such an enjoyable success.”

“It’s amazing that even in these hard times students and staff have managed to raise an unbelievable amount of money.” commented Sebastian Turner, Student Liaison Officer. “I feel that everyone has really made a connection with our Charity of the Year and has made a great effort to raise money for ELF and I would like to thank them all.”

Students and staff arriving for lectures across the Exeter College sites on Friday morning were greeted with colourful cakes and creamy coffee as groups of Arts Management students served up their version of the Macmillan Charity’s Coffee Morning.

As their first project of the new term, the organisers – around 30 students, aged 16 to 18 and studying for their BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Production Arts (Arts Management) – had only ten hours in which to prepare and finished the day in high spirits after they raised over £500 for the national charity.

The volunteers were among thousands across the UK taking part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – an event held annually to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Their programme manager, Viv Finer, says: “I was really impressed by the huge amount of enthusiasm shown by the students, and by their innovative approach to organising such an event in only a short amount of time.

“Such an exercise urges them to think on their feet and work as a team, helping prepare them for a future in arts and events management. They had to change the drinks offer for example, to cold drinks through the morning since it was such great weather. Most importantly, however, this is a real opportunity for the students to do something for a charity which helps people and their families through some very rough times. I’m very proud of their fundraising efforts and thank all the staff and students who helped us raise the money for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

For further information, call Sylvia Jarman on 01392 205585 or sylviajarman@exe-coll.ac.uk