The close collaborative work between the city’s college and schools in Exeter and across the heart of Devon won national recognition for raising student aspirations and achievement in a ceremony held in London last week.

Exeter College was presented with the prestigious AQA / Association of Colleges Beacon Award for its partnerships with schools in creating opportunities for 14 – 16 year olds in the county by the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, the Rt Hon John Hayes, in front of MPs and further education colleagues from across the country.

The Award recognised the exemplary partnerships with 20 local schools in the city and the heart of Devon which aims to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to stay in education post-16. The initiative targets 14-16 year olds and offers a unique approach to practical learning with a focus on increasing the quality, accessibility and diversity of under-16 provision.

Successful outreach programmes and effective advice and guidance have helped to contribute to the impressive achievement rates. The College also helps students from rural areas and from disadvantaged backgrounds by subsidizing transport and providing bursaries.

The report highlighted that the school partnerships had enabled the College to be regarded as a hub for 14-16 practical learning with the sharing of facilities, flexible staffing and outreach approaches to delivery of education among the qualities singled out.

Speaking after the awards ceremony – the 17th annual event of its kind – Principal Richard Atkins said: “Today was a day that Exeter College and our local schools should be truly proud of since we have gained national recognition for the work we all know benefits our young learners. We are delighted that our collaborative work with a range of organisations has added significant value to the local and regional learning communities and means young people in our area are now able to take up the opportunities that will be essential for their future”.

Every year, the AoC Beacon Awards provide national recognition for excellence and innovation within the Further Education sector. John Hayes MP said “I am pleased to be part of the AoC Beacon Awards which recognises and celebrates the greatest successes of the further education sector. The Awards highlight the exceptional ability of many Colleges to respond to the needs of students and local businesses and revitalize the communities they serve”.

In sponsoring the Award, Bill Alexander, Director of Curriculum and Assessment at AQA, said “”We are proud to sponsor the AoC Beacon Awards and reward the hard work and innovation of our Colleges”

Further to winning the CoLRiC Beacon Award in 2009, in recognition of Exeter College’s outstanding 24/7 Learning Resources provisions, the College’s most recent accolade was collected in person by Principal Richard Atkins and Assistant Principal Rob Bosworth, together with the College’s 14-19 Partnerships and Collaboration Team. A local celebration with schools and student representatives is planned for later in the Spring to showcase the range of opportunities from construction to critical thinking that the initiative has created for local 14 – 16 year olds

25th January

AROUND 50 Year 9 pupils from schools across Devon attended the Devon Education Business Partnership-run Women in Construction event on Friday (January 20) at Exeter College to find out more about the many exciting opportunities available to them in the Construction industry.

Clearly demonstrating the ‘Not for Girls’ ethos sometimes associated with the industry carries no weight in the modern-day workplace, Exeter College Construction teaching staff, existing female Construction students, and local successful women already working in Construction showed the pupils, all girls aged 13 and 14, 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 painting and decorating to professional careers such as surveying, and basic design principles.

They were also given a tour of Exeter College’s Construction facilities at the faculty’s Sowton-based skills training centre – recently revamped thanks to a £1 million expansion plan. Presented with certificates at the end of their visit, prizes were then awarded to those who performed best over the three subjects experienced.

It is now hoped that, as a result of the enjoyable experience, some of the girls may feel inspired to take up a Construction course at Exeter College with a view to then entering directly into employment in the building trade or going on to university.

Teachers and pupils attended from Exeter’s St Peter’s Church of England Aided School, St James School, Isca College of Media Arts, and West Exe Technology College, and from Cullompton Community College, Honiton Community College, and Uffculme School.

This is the ninth year that Kathy Snow, Partnership Advisor for Exeter-based Devon Education Business Partnership, has organised the event.

She said: “It originally started as an event supported by the Construction Industry Training Board which used to fund projects which promoted the Construction industry in schools but was so successful that we have continued to run it ever since.

“The aim was – and remains – to encourage students to come into a college and get them interested in Construction at all levels, from bricklaying to architecture, finance and marketing. For the last five years, it has been hosted here at Exeter College because of the excellent facilities they can provide for the event.

“While there are more women going into Construction now than perhaps a decade ago, there are still not enough. So it was really great to see female students already at College who are not that much older than the visitors today offering them such positive encouragement, as well as the women employers who have also kindly gave up their time along with College staff to put on the workshops and show them around.”

Delighted that Exeter College was hosting the event for a fifth year running, Chris Whittaker, Head of the Construction faculty, added: “Female employers 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.

“We hope this extremely popular event has stimulated the attendees’ interest in construction and will enable them to make more informed decisions about their future education and careers.”

STUDENTS are now learning the skills and qualities needed to coach would-be sporting heroes and heroines of the future to become top of their game, with the help of the Exeter College Coach Academy.

Based within the College’s Sports, Leisure and Tourism faculty, with the backing of the Youth Sports Trust through the Exeter Schools Sports Partnership, it was initially established by Melanie Jones (pictured) during her time as the College’s Further Education Sports Coordinator. The elite group comprises of 18 initial Coach Academy members.

Melanie says: “Those selected were already coaching in their chosen sport on a voluntary basis several hours a week. Through the Coach Academy, they can gain a national governing body-accredited qualification in recognition of their work as volunteers within the community. This is an excellent way of improving their existing skills and boosting their coaching CV at the same time.”

The Academy boasts eight females and 10 males, all aged 16 to 19 with previous experience of coaching and playing sport, taking part and specialising in a broad mixture of sports, ranging from football, rugby and netball to gymnastics and trampolining.

Meanwhile, their Sports Coach UK workshops focus on subjects as diverse as safeguarding and protecting children, coaching disabled performers and first aid. Combined with the 50 hours of voluntary work as a sports coach they must undertake, this will lead to them achieving either a Level 1 or Level 2 coaching qualification in their chosen sport.

Somer Manley, who is today responsible for the day-to-day running of the Coach Academy, adds: “The Coach Academy is a massive opportunity for any student interested in coaching and who has a passion to teach and support sport – whether as a future career or as a hobby.

“The South-West has a shortage of coaches in certain sports. To be able to gain an award in one of these could lead to an exciting future in sports development. It also enables students to gain more experience in coaching and to demonstrate their enthusiasm for it at a young age. It is proof of their commitment, which is a real plus for any future employer.

“We feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to pilot this scheme. With the school sports partnerships running academies for 11-16 year-olds, it seems a natural process for this to be the next step for these students, with local contacts to help them along the way. In return, through their volunteering, it is nice to think that they are giving something back to the community.”

Kieran Guppy (pictured), aged 17, of Whipton, is a member of the Coach Academy. Currently studying for his CYQ Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness Instructing, he is hoping to make it into the College’s ACES Academy next year.

Already playing volleyball for the South West Under 17s team, his own Exeter College coach, Arthur Moseley, is living proof of how far Kieran could go; now aged 66, he captained the British Volleyball Team between 1967 and 1969, played for England until 1971, and gained 51 international caps.

Kieran says: “I don’t think I’m thinking about reaching Arthur’s level just yet, but I’d love to follow in his footsteps because he’s an inspiration. I joined the Coach Academy because I think it’s a good opportunity to gain an additional qualification. It means I will now have the option of becoming either a fitness instructor or a coach in future.

“The workshops are really useful. Even if you are already aware of some of the important issues in coaching, such as safeguarding and working with children with disabilities, it refreshes your memory. It is also really good being able to teach others what you’ve learnt.”

MUSIC ACADEMY students at Exeter College have been continuing with their fundraising efforts to raise money for the Kesho Charity which enables children from the Kalifi region of Kenya to go to school, with two packed performances at their new city centre venue 26 Queen Street.

Two groups of students, currently studying for their Level 3 Certificate in Music Performance, couldn’t wait to make the most of their new performance space to hold concerts for the good cause. From the Under the Covers and Got it Covered gigs, which were organised by the students as part of a module of their course which focuses on Marketing and Promotion, they raised £250.

Delighted, Exeter College Head of Music Laura Wright said: “Both groups of first-years enthusiastically rose to the challenge. They were very keen to continue our sponsorship of two pupils’ education through Kesho and all the good work originally initiated by our second-year students last year.”

On each night, the students performed their own cover versions of songs by a variety of artists, ranging from Stevie Wonder to the Rolling Stones and Blondie.

Laura continued: “It was really impressive to hear the very different takes on each. It was also a great chance for friends, family, and members of the public who came along to listen to them to see how they are progressing half-way into their first year.”

She added: “The last news from the two Kenyan pupils is that they are doing very well with their studies, and one of them is now also developing a passion for playing football.”
Speaking on behalf of all the students who took part, Music student Sam Stainer, aged 16, of Lympstone, said: “Overall, we thought the gigs went extremely well. We had spent the past five months practicing the songs and organising the events.

“Everyone was given a task to complete that contributed to the success of the gigs. I could tell they enjoyed it, because afterwards we were all eager to start on the next project and do this all over again.

“The atmosphere on the night was one of excitement mixed with nerves beforehand, but after getting on the stage the nerves just disappeared. As I play in a band outside College, I am no stranger to performing in front of an audience. However, for people who have never performed live before, to do so at these concerts was invaluable.”

He added: “As soon as we all heard about the Kesho charity, we felt it was imperative that we began fundraising for it. I think it’s very important to support children in developing countries, and I’m glad we raised as much money as we did.”

Both concerts followed on from the Music Academy Awards night last term where 22-year-old Emanuel Mbaji was the special guest, having travelled to the UK from his native Kenya.

A representative of the Kesho charity – who once benefitted from its support, and as a result is now hoping to go to university in Nairobi – he attended to thank students for their fundraising efforts during the last year and to talk to them about life at the village school which they have helped.

Founded by Kate Noakes, of Okehampton, a former Exeter College student herself, the charity helps pay for transport, particularly as some children live many kilometres from their village school, and provides uniforms, essential equipment, and emergency aid.

Exeter College’s music students sponsor two girls in particular, both called Rehema, who write letters to Laura and the students supporting them to keep them up-to-date with their academic progress.

HAVING sought the opinions of the Foundation Studies Garden Group as to how they would like the Exeter College Urban Garden to be, Project Manager Geoff Brown has now called in students from the Construction faculty to help him finalise plans for the unused piece of land at the Hele Road campus as part of the college’s ongoing sustainability programme.

The students from the BTEC National Diploma Level 3 were able to put into practice their surveying skills under the guidance of lecturer Peter Embley.

Geoff says: “Foundation Studies students contributed the first ideas for the garden, and then developed our final plan. Now, we are busy clearing the site in preparation over the winter. It is great to have the Construction students in this week to help out, particularly as this has become part of a project they are undertaking as part of their coursework.”

A vegetable and flower patch, fruit trees, compost bins, a tool shed and a wormery are all part of the design for the garden, which is expected to officially open in May this year. Other features will include an assortment of raised and flat beds, a seating area, a grill, a pond and an eco-friendly watering system which will use rainwater collected from the roofs of surrounding buildings.

Geoff says that while issues such as the size of the plot and the fact that it is in a Conservation Area stood in the way of some of the students’ more inventive concepts, they certainly impressed him with their imagination.

Among the features expected to be a favourite is the pond. Geoff says: “While rainwater from some roofs will be used for irrigating our crops, that collected from other buildings will flow down a waterfall cascade into the garden pond.”
He continues: “The garden is set in what was once the courtyard of the old Headmaster’s House for Hele School, which was opened in 1850, so we have taken the students’ present-day ideas and placed them into a context which reflects the age of the building.

“As a result, we are looking at a cloister-style design based on those of monastery and cottage garden from the past, but one which is will be engaging young gardeners in sustainable gardening methods that will help prepare them for the future.”

19th January

DURING what has now become an annual awareness week in the Exeter College calendar, students were again invited to learn more about the good work of the many charities in their community during Making A Positive Contribution Week 2010 (January 10-14).

Charitable organisations from across Devon were invited into the College to speak to interested individuals about what their causes were and how they could get involved, either through offering their support, or actively becoming involved in their fundraising efforts or volunteering activities.

Additionally, students were briefed during their weekly tutorials about what would be taking place during the week – one of five themed weeks which fall under the College’s Every Child Matters banner.

Nightstop Project Worker Katie Banwell was among those handing out information to students. Encouraging volunteers to sign up to a sponsored skydive to raise money for the Exeter-based charity which arranges emergency accommodation for young people aged between 16 and 25 across Devon, she said: “This project is a particularly nice one for students to get involved as it is youth oriented.

“Many of the people we help are the same age or not much older than the students themselves, so it is easy to empathise with them. Being invited into the College is really valuable from our perspective, because it is also about getting students to help reverse stereotypes. While some of the people we help are found sleeping rough on the streets, about 80 per cent are referrals through family breakdown.

“Being made homeless can happen to anyone, so it has been great to see students so interested in gaining a better understanding of what we do and expressing an interest in offering to help either through volunteering or fundraising. I think having an awareness week like this at Exeter College is a lovely idea.”

Among the students signing up to find out more about Nightstop’s Big Jump Out 2011 was Elizabeth Woolls, aged 17, of Exmouth, who said: “It sounded like a really good opportunity and it’s for charity.”

Expressing an initial interest too was Rosie Ives, aged 16, and also of Exmouth, who added: “I’ve always wanted to do something like this, and doing it for charity is a good incentive.”

The week also served as a reminder of the many valuable contributions students across the College have already made so far this academic year.

Examples of the many College-led activities include: money raised for this year’s chosen College charity Exeter Leukemia Fund (ELF) through the Students’ Union Jailbreak, the Festival of Carols, fancy dress collections, and community education Guitar class busking sessions; various events held across the faculties for Children In Need; Macmillan Cancer coffee mornings; and a 5km trek across Woodbury Common organised by Public Services students in aid of Help for Heroes.

Meanwhile, Hettie Haliday – who this month won the Foundation Studies Student of the Year title at the 2010 Exeter College Student Awards – set a fine example of charitable behaviour when she asked all her friends and relatives to make a donation to Shelterbox instead of giving her presents for her 18th birthday. In doing so, the former pupil of Southbrook School who is now in her third year at the College, raised hundreds of pounds for the charity.

Student Welfare Co-ordinator Sammy Davies, who works for Exeter College’s Department of Safeguarding, Tutoring, Equality and Wellbeing (STEW), says: “Making A Positive Contribution Week is always an important and enjoyable week at the College and is part of a larger tutorial and Enrichment programme here at Exeter College. But it is also nice to think that lots of our students take part in voluntary events and raise money for charity throughout the year, both through College organised activities and in their own time.”

19th January

ALREADY something of an unique offering, the relationship between Europe’s largest regional airline Flybe and Exeter College has been further boosted by the news that together they have won a prestigious national marketing award for their collaborative work.

Representatives of both parties at a special ceremony in Warwick collected The College Marketing Network FE First 2010 Gold Award for its collaboration with Flybe and a competition submission described by one judge as ‘superb’.

Since the partnership began back in 2007 with Exeter University to offer training through Exeter College as the lead academic partner and hands-on practical experience and training to students through Flybe’s Exeter-based headquarters, it has grown from strength-to-strength.

In his feedback about the decision to give this award to Exeter College and Flybe, judge Donald McLeod commented: “This appeared to be a very high quality submission – clearly demonstrating the synergies between the partners. It detailed a progressive approach towards the project’s development and excellent results.”

He added: “A wide range of staff from both organisations have been involved in the delivery of this project … A superb entry that demonstrated collaboration at every level – the best entry this judge has had the pleasure of reading in five years of judging the category.”

Exeter College Head of Marketing and Communications Sylvia Jarman – who also picked up her own award on the night as FE Marketing Professional of the Year 2010 – said: “In our submission, we demonstrated how Exeter College joined with one of the area’s largest employers, Flybe, and how this ground-breaking partnership went on to be heralded as a ‘national exemplar’.

“We demonstrated how this innovative partnership fits with both the commercial and educational aims and how it has worked together to achieve its joint goals of developing and marketing its world class training academy. This has been done by applying successful marketing and sales techniques, press coverage, documenting achievements, gaining national endorsements and independent evaluation and review.

“We are absolutely delighted to have received this accolade and look forward to continuing this relationship as we move into an exciting year ahead for both the College and Flybe as they open the Flybe Training Academy in the spring.”

Andrew Rosser, Director Flybe Training Academy, adds: “Flybe has been delighted with the support provided to us by Exeter College since forging our educational partnership with them three years’ ago.

“The extensive programme of professional NVQ qualifications, engineering courses, and professional development courses we have developed that cut across the entire spectrum of the aviation industry is testament to the strength of this very robust working relationship.”

AS a new term began for students at Exeter College yesterday, some of last year’s greatest success stories were being celebrated in style at the Exeter College Student Awards 2010 event held at the Thistle Hotel.

The real stars of the evening were the 28 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 management and staff.

The award categories spanned across the College’s broad curriculum, ranging from Higher Education, Adult Community Education, Most Promising 14-16 Student, Apprentice of the Year to Sports Person of the Year, and many more.

While the formal frocks and suits of the 185 guests attending lent red carpet glamour to the evening, extra sparkle was added to the night by one prize winner who couldn’t make it because he was back in his native Spain to celebrate his mother’s 90th birthday.

By pre-recorded video link, Felix Pando, Skills for Life and Learning Student of the Year, sent a heart-warming message of appreciation to those who had inspired him at the College during his studies.

The purpose of the evening was to formally recognise the extraordinary achievements of some of Exeter College’s students from across the entire range of subjects and qualifications during the academic year 2009-2010.

Prizes were presented by one of Exeter College’s most famous alumni, Michael Caines MBE, who was the Guest of Honour.

The sponsors were: aBode Exeter, BoulterBowen WealthCare, Exeter Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Devon County Council, Exeter City Council, Exeter City FC, the Met Office, Mansell, Stagecoach South West, Foot Anstey Solicitors and Barclays Corporate.

Among those speaking on the night was Exeter College Principal Richard Atkins who invited his audience to join him in a retrospective look at the College’s achievements as a whole during the last year.

Beforehand, he said: “The College is very proud of its students’ achievements, and these are celebrated in a number of ways individually by faculties throughout the year.

“The annual Student Awards offer us the opportunity to celebrate the success of those who have achieved excellence in their studies, sometimes in difficult circumstances, and who have made a positive contribution to the lives of others either within the College, the community, or both.”

Please click here to go to our Students Awards page and read more about our award winners for 2010…

With Olympic medalists and other UK champions among its alumni, the good news just keeps coming for Exeter College, which is boasting another sporting triumph as the Jiu Jitsu team return home as Jiu Jitsu National Championship winners.

The Jiu Jitsu Club is part of the College’s Enrichment scheme, which invites students across the College to enjoy free additional activities above and beyond their academic or vocational studies every Wednesday afternoon.

In total, 24 students aged between 16 and 18 from the College entered the contest held at West Exe College, which included 300 competitors aged mostly between 16 and 60.

Those returning with medals were as follows:
• George Greenwood, aged 18, of Exeter, who won Gold in the Orange Belt Male Heavyweight. George is taking A levels in Physics, Politics, Maths, and History at the College.
• International Baccalaureate student Jack Dowell, aged 18, of Topsham, won Silver in the Yellow Belt Male Middleweight.
• Sam Chamberlain, aged 18, of Exeter, won Silver in the Novice Male Lightweight. Sam is studying for his AS levels in Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology and for his BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Music.

Their instructor, Dr Richard Catterick – who today holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt, runs classes from the Exeter Martial Arts, and is the most senior governing body instructor in the South West – began learning jiu jitsu 22 years ago while reading for his first degree at university.
Delighted with the students’ success, Richard says: “Competition was very tough on the day and the students, who were a cross-section from across the College faculties and not only those specialising in sports, were up against teams from Exeter, Leicester, and Southampton Universities, as well as adult city teams from all over the country.”

“I am really pleased with our medal winners and what they achieved. All the students did themselves and Exeter College proud. Even those who didn’t win a medal still had a great experience on the day.”

To find out more about jiu jitsu and other classes for adults and children offered at Exeter Martial Arts, call Richard on 01392 663000 or visit www.exetermartialarts.co.uk.

IT WAS a battle of two counties as Foundation Studies students from Exeter College as they worked their way through games with opponents from five colleges in the South West, only to be pipped to the post at the eleventh hour by Cornwall College during the recent BSC South West Ability Counts Five-A-Side Football Competition held at Torquay.

In his first competition as a Five-A-Side football tournament coach, tutor Andy Whitt admits he was as nervous as some of the members of the two Exeter College teams entered as the tournament began.

In the event, however, the Vocational Studies team, coached by himself, and the Skills For Living team, coached by fellow tutor Nick Couzens, excelled.

On the day, they scored 27 goals in the seven matches they played against Bridgwater College, Weymouth College, Weston College, Bicton College, South Devon College and the day’s overall victors, Cornwall College.

Andy says: “Nick and I motivated the teams with bags of energy, excitement, enthusiasm and get-up-and-go beforehand, so they would have the confidence to show the rest of the football teams from across the whole of the South West that we were best.

“The first match was against Cornwall College. We thought it was going to be easy, but we soon came crashing down to Earth with a 5-2 loss. After a team talk, however, we went on to win the next three games – one of them 10-1 – only to be beaten in the final one by Cornwall again.”

Andy says: “I was so excited on the day that I couldn’t take photos because I was shaking so much. The tension was incredible. The students gave it their all and we came a magnificent second. It was a great day for both teams and for Nick and myself. It was a proud day for Exeter College.”