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There were celebrations today among staff and students as Exeter College broke all previous records to achieve a 99 per cent pass rate among its A level students.

Of these, half of all 16- to 18-year-olds who had sat their exams this summer had obtained grades A to B across a range of 40 subjects. In 29 subjects, the pass rate was 100 per cent, students notably excelling in the sciences, which saw a 100 per cent pass rate for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with almost half of Physics students receiving a grade A.

Humanities students did not let the side down either, with 100 per cent pass rates for 2009 in History, English, and Geography, and those studying Media Studies and Music were among the many others reporting equally good results.

The pass rate for those taking Further Mathematics was again 100 per cent with 45% gaining Grade A, while of the 116 students who had opted to take the college’s Psychology course – the A level with the greatest number of entrants this year – 40% achieved an A or B.

Speaking as the results of almost 600 Exeter College students who sat their A levels this year were officially announced this morning, Principal Richard Atkins said:

“These results are stunning. Particularly at a time when Science and Maths are in the news, I’m delighted to say that this year our students have achieved excellent results in these demanding subjects, which should enable them to gain places at top universities.”

While Modern Languages is another area currently seeing a demise in interest among school leavers, the College offered great encouragement for the future, recording a 100 per cent pass rate among its A level students in French, German, and Spanish.

With a high pass rate, A-S level students did not disappoint either, providing a firm basis for the performance of those going on to take their A levels at Exeter College next year. In A-S Sociology, for example, 40% of students achieved a grade A.

Vocational results, which many students use as their passport to university through National Diploma qualifications, were also pleasing, showing an indicative pass rate of 96 per cent, with more results to follow.

Of today’s high achievers at A level, Richard said: “This year, we’ve seen the highest pass rate, the highest proportion of As and Bs, and the highest number of students who have secured straight A grades at A level. This follows on from our successful results for the International Baccalaureate earlier this year.

“In this day and age, where there is such great competition for university places, we are delighted to think that we will be able to help all our students go on to pursue their studies further, or to embark on their chosen careers.”

Spencer Dale came home today to meet economists of the future and an old friend from the past – his former a level economics tutor.

AROUND 130 Exeter College students were proud to welcome back to the city the Chief Economist of The Bank of England as he spent an afternoon with them talking about how he came to be where he is today.

Spencer Dale first studied Economics as a teenager at Exeter College before continuing his education at the University Of Wales, where he obtained a BSc in Economics, and then Warwick University, where he completed his Masters in the subject.

Those attending the lecture given by Spencer in the College’s Centre For Creative Industries (CCI) Building and question and answer session which followed were a mixture of A level Economics, Business, and Accounting students, and students preparing for entry into some of the country’s top universities through the College’s new Reach Academy, as well as pupils from local schools Isca, South Dartmoor, and Tiverton.

Richard Taylor, who taught Spencer Economics while he was an A level student at Exeter College from 1984 to 1986, said: “It has been a real pleasure to meet Spencer again. He was an exceptional student and always did seem destined for great things.

“It is wonderful to see that he has made it to the top of his profession. To be a member of the Monetary Policy Committee is an outstanding achievement and I feel extremely proud to have taught him.”

As to the benefits today’s event would bring to the College’s present-day students who attended this afternoon’s lecture, he continued: “This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to meet on of the country’s leading and most influential economists, even more so because they know that he was once a student at Exeter College too.”

Spencer, for whom the visit brought back fond memories, added: “It was a real pleasure to come back and meet both old friends and the next generation of students who have every potential to step into my shoes in the future. “

STUDENTS are not generally well-known for enjoying the idea of getting out of bed early. But on Friday a group of students from Exeter College’s Arts Management group will be among thousands of people across the UK taking part in a charity event from which every penny raised will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support.

From 8.30am until 1.30pm at the College’s Hele Road and CCI sites, they will be serving up refreshments, as well as preparing breakfast, playing live music, making artwork out of money, inviting visitors to take part in some therapeutic Friday-morning sponge-throwing, and getting involved in many more activities – all for good fun, as well as for a vital cause.

As their first project of the new term, the organisers – over 30 students in total, aged 16 to 18 and studying for their BTEC National Award in Arts Management – had only 10 days to prepare for the event, for which admission is free but donations are invited.

Viv Finer, Head of Faculty of Art and Design at Exeter College, has been delighted by the huge enthusiasm and innovative approach shown by the students.

She says: “This is our opportunity to do something towards a charity which helps people and their families through some very rough times. With live music, plenty of games, and a wide range of food and drink, there will be plenty of excitement on the day.”

Two hundred teenagers from 19 schools across the South West will become aeronautical engineers for the day on Thursday 17 September. Organised by Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, the University of Exeter, Exeter College and the Royal Navy, this special event will see youngsters aged 14-18 getting up-close to aircraft and being hands-on with their various components and encourage them to consider a career in engineering.

The visit to Flybe’s state-of-the-art New Walker Hangar at Exeter Airport will allow the students to meet engineers at work, view the airline’s Central Workshops and the airline’s Bombardier Dash 8 – Q400 aircraft as well as a number of Royal Navy helicopters that – accompanied by a mobile Battle Damage Repair unit – will allow them to witness firsthand engineering in action.

At the University of Exeter they will find out more about the science behind aeronautics and aviation and enjoy a taste of studying engineering at University. Working with University engineers, they will build model aircraft wings, discover how the internal structure of a wing helps an aircraft achieve flight and then have the chance to test out their own models to find out which is the strongest. Using the University’s new 3D visualisation suite they will also learn how propellers and wings can be designed, prototyped and then tested in wind tunnels and flow visualisation channels.

A Careers’ Fair, organised by Exeter College, will give students information about various engineering careers and company representatives will talk to students about the wide range of opportunities available and outline their particular needs.

Simon Witts, Flybe’s Director of Safety, Quality & Training says: “Flybe understands the importance of attracting and retaining a skilled and qualified workforce so we are looking forward to showcasing the apprenticeship opportunities we can offer these enthusiastic and talented young people. We hope they will be inspired to consider engineering as an attractive career option, especially in the aviation sector that offers solid well-paid career progression to much sought-after engineers.”

Professor Ken Evans, Head of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, at the University of Exeter, says: “We are dedicated to encouraging young people to consider studying engineering at university. This event is a great way of showing them how a degree in engineering could pave the way to a very exciting career as an engineer in aeronautics and aviation.”

Assistant Principal of Exeter College, Rob Bosworth, adds: “Engineering always has and always will play a vital role in the global and local economy and technological advances for future generations. It is vital, therefore, that young people become engaged in the subject at an early age and that they can see its application to the real world. Events such as this enable this to happen and we are all delighted to be able to bring this exciting event to the South West.”

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has today welcomed Skills Minister Kevin Brennan MP to its Exeter headquarters for the announcement that it has become the first UK company to successfully bid for support to the tune of £4.3-million through the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) new Capital Specialisation Fund (CSF) process.

The much-awaited announcement has in turn unlocked the South West RDA’s (Regional Development Agency) contribution of £2.8-million announced in June meaning that construction of the £24-million Flybe Training Academy is poised for immediate take-off!

In addition to providing world-class training for its own staff, the new Academy will be an international training facility for the airline industry as a whole and provide training for companies involved in the travel-related spectrum.

In announcing the news, Minister Brennan said: “It is great news that Flybe has received funding to provide high-quality training to people who are keen to broaden their skills and improve their employability.

“Britain needs vital investment to improve the skills of the workforce. That’s why we continue to help people access the training they need to get into and get on at work, especially in tougher times, and make sure they are best placed to win those jobs of the future.”

The LSC’s new CSF was launched last November with criteria based on innovation, specialisation and relevance of training to trainees and employer success and bidding for such financial support is a strictly competitive process. The RDA contribution was announced in June as part of its 2009-2011 Capital Projects’ commitment with payment dependent on LSC support.

Months prior to becoming the first UK airline out of 150 leading UK companies to sign the Government’s Skills Pledge in June 2007, Flybe had announced the intention to replace its outdated training facilities with a state of the art Training Academy to incorporate four flight simulators and an independently owned and operated 160-room hotel.

Jim French, Flybe’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are naturally delighted to have now received final confirmation of the funding available to help with this major investment. Now this is secured, we can finally go ahead with fulfilling our commitment to the region by building our world-class training facility here in Exeter.”

The Academy, designed to BREEAM* Excellent specifications, will be a showcase for future developments elsewhere and is scheduled to open in March 2010. It will support delivery of appropriate vocational qualifications for Flybe staff and assist in growing its reputation as a world-class training centre by developing the third party training already offered through its successful Aviation Services’ division. It will also enable the airline to take a lead in moving the Government’s Skills Agenda forward by delivering training and skills’ development to local companies in line with the RDA and the LSC agendas. This will include ‘over-training’ for companies involved in the full spectrum of the sector such as delivering the Skills Shop facility for Exeter International Airport.

John Chudley, Area Director for the LSC South West said: “The LSC is determined to continue to provide focused investment for developing specialist facilities that are critical for meeting employers’ skills needs, whilst at the same time supporting the government’s New Industry, New Jobs agenda.

“Flybe has pioneered the support of this agenda since making the Skills Pledge in 2007 and the airline’s plans for its new Training Academy clearly fulfil all the criteria demanded for a successful application.

“To have such a Training Academy located at Exeter Airport will not only allow Flybe to further develop its commitment to Skills and the local economy, but will also create a facility for the industry as a whole to access.”

Suzanne Bond, Executive Director of People and Skills at the South West RDA said: “We are delighted to be working with Flybe, a company of strategic importance for the South West. This is an excellent example of the public sector working with the private sector to develop a skills project that will not only support a major regional business but also the local community.”

Added Mr French: “The confidence shown by the LSC and RDA in our ability to offer quality world class training is validation of Flybe’s commitment to place training at the heart of its development. In partnership with the University of Exeter and Exeter College, this already includes the only industry-wide recognised Cabin Crew NVQ (National Vocation Qualification), Engineering Apprenticeships, Call Centre NVQ and Foundation Degree.

“Not only will the additional jobs created by the Academy project provide an especially welcome boost for the regional economy but also, importantly, cements our commitment to bridging the skills’ gap. It’s crucial that the employers of today work more closely with the education system to match paper qualifications to the real world of work.

“This is why, with today’s good news, we are so delighted to be able to move one giant step forward to completing this commitment with the creation of our new world-class Training Academy.”

After an application process competing against other FE Colleges Nationally the College has been selected to receive an enhanced level of support by British Colleges Sport and The Football Association in order to develop a high quality and sustainable football development programme. They showed they have the capacity and commitment towards developing a broad range of football initiatives so that they can receive an enhanced level of support from the BCS staff. Ten colleges are selected each academic year to be a part of the programme and the process will work across the four-year national strategy.

Chris Wall the Sports Academy Development Coordinator said ‘This is a fantastic achievement for a City Centre College and supports the work that has been done through our partnership with Exeter City Football Club and other local clubs. Neil Saunders, Andy Gowing and Darren Goff at the College as well as Simon Hayward, Kwame Ampadu, Danny Harris and Aaron Pugh from Exeter City have all worked hard to produce a fantastic Football Development programme here at the College. With the experience of Shaun Taylor from the Club and Somer Manly the Colleges new FESCO (Further Education Sports Coordinator) we will be able to enhance our football provision and provide opportunities within volunteering, officiating and coaching in the future’.

(Express & Echo) Saturday, July 11, 2009, 23:00

EXETER Saracens and Exeter College student Garnet Mackinder started for England’s under-20s side as they kicked off the defence of the Nations Cup with a comprehensive victory over Canada.
The England girls cruised to a 45-0 victory at Brunel University on Thursday night, racking up a 23-0 lead at half-time and continuing their dominance

EXETER College has won four A-level awards award from the Good Schools Guide.
It received the best results for an English school or college for boys taking A-level World Development; A-level art and design achieved by girls; and A-level photography achieved by both girls and boys.
Lynne Butler, deputy head of visual arts at the college, said the recognition had been a boost.
She said: “We are delighted to have the work of the faculty of art and design recognised in this way.
“Being able to inspire students to achieve at a high level is always our aim, and it is wonderful to be informed our students are doing so well in relation to the rest of the country.
“It is also, of course, a tribute to the commitment of the students themselves. They invest a great deal of effort and time in developing their technical skills; their knowledge of established artists’ and photographers’ work and their very individual ideas, presenting that work in a professional way.
The students’ work in all art disciplines can be seen in the CCI building until Thursday.
Maggie Matthews, Acting Head of Humanities at the college, said World Development has become increasingly popular for both male and female students over the past few years.
She added: “We are delighted that the high success rate of our male students has been recognised nationally.
“There is still room for improvement though as the female students still lead the way with 15 of the 25 A grades at AS level last year.
“Exeter College was one of the first to offer the full A level award and has developed a good expertise in this subject.”
The Good Schools Awards aim to highlight excellent teaching in individual subjects.

HEADTEACHERS across the city are coming together to celebrate the successes of their schools and colleges and discuss plans for the future at a conference on Monday.

The second Exeter4Learning Summer Conference will showcase the partnership developments of secondary schools, Exeter College and the University of Exeter over the last year and strategic proposals for years to come.

It takes place at the Peter Chalk Centre, University of Exeter, on Monday, July 6, from 9.30am to 5.30pm.

The Exeter4Learning partnership is a partnership between Exeter College, the University of Exeter, the five secondary schools in the city and special schools.

It aims to raise the aspirations and ambitions of the city’s 14-19 year olds and to further improve levels of achievement at 16+ and 18+.

Delegates will hear the achievements of the partnership and how these can be taken to the next step.

One of the priorities of the partnership is to offer young people more subject choice and career options at both 14+ and 16+. For example, the new Creative and Media Diploma starting this year is aimed at young people wanting to study a broad range of arts while preparing for a potential career in the creative industries.

From next year, the partnership will offer a range of new Diplomas which students will take in schools and at Exeter College.

Local businesses will be working with the schools and college to provide working opportunities for the students.

At Monday’s conference, Steve Maddern, Head of West Exe Technology College, will lead a session on how businesses and governors contribute to the work of the partnership.

There will also be workshops hosted by each school and college on subjects such as creativity in language teaching, engaging families in health-related learning, promoting community cohesion, mobile learning for vocational subjects and personalising the curriculum.

The keynote address will be given by Neville Coles, headteacher of Priory Community School in Weston-super-Mare and a national finalist in the Teaching Awards in 2007.

Terry Hammond, chair of Exeter4Learning and Headteacher of St Luke’s Science and Sports College, said: “This conference demonstrates the learning opportunities created by schools, the college and university working together across Exeter.
“The late Professor Ted Wragg had the vision to create a learning community across the whole of Exeter, and today we are gaining fantastic support from Governors, local businesses and the wider community. We are proud to be part of this partnership enabling that vision to come together.”

Liz Hayes, Partnership Manager for Exeter4Learning, said: “The conference shows the strength of us working together and the exciting developments that are taking place across Exeter schools and Exeter College.”

BUSINESSES are set to benefit from a pioneering new partnership between Exeter Business School and the Exeter Chamber.

Members of the Chamber will get 20 per cent off all courses run by the school, which is one of the biggest business training providers in Devon and part of Exeter College.

They will also get free training business needs analysis, advice on beating the credit crunch and a programme of breakfast seminars featuring guest speakers.

The initiative is being officially launched on July 16 at Exeter Business School, Victoria House, Queen Street.

Chris Lorimer, Exeter College’s Director of Business and Marketing, said: “We will be working in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and its members to provide and deliver high-quality training solutions and business to business activities to aid business growth.

“Our strength is that we deliver training that is flexible – reflecting the needs of both large and small organisations across all industry sectors – and backed by national and international industry standards. We also use the best training professionals in the marketplace.

“We can help businesses access Government-funded, bespoke training, ensuring quality and value for money, and with our scale and strategic objective to operate on a not-for-profit basis, Exeter Business School is of unbeatable value.”

Derek Phillips, Chairman of Exeter Chamber said: ‘We are extremely grateful to the Exeter Business School for offering this discount scheme to Chamber members. Training is a fundamental part of any business for advancing staff development, ensuring the workforce are knowledgeable and well practiced, keeping a company at the forefront of its industry and in turn providing a more effective service. It’s especially important for companies to have training and credit crunch advice at the tail end of the recession, when businesses are finding ways to build recovery.’

Exeter Business School was established in 2006 and is the employer engagement arm of Exeter College, actively working with employers across the South West.

It has a proven track record working with over 1,000 local employers, providing tailored short courses and industry-led, nationally-recognised vocational courses, together with apprenticeships, Train to Gain and work-based learning.