20th November 2009

Students from Exeter College did their bit for Children In Need today (Friday, November 20) by venturing out into the city in Pudsey Bear T-shirts they had designed themselves.

Pictured are one of three groups of first-year students from the College’s First Diploma in Health and Social Care and pupils from Isca School currently studying for their First Certificate in Health and Social Care at the College who together raised around £400 in total as they eagerly rattled collection buckets at would-be donors.

Health and Social Care lecturer Helen Brant said: “This year’s Children In Need theme was ‘Do Something Different’. The students from the different groups have room-raided with their buckets, made cakes, designed T-shirts, and held raffles.

“I’m extremely proud of them and of the money that they have raised. Today is all about their team-working skills and how the students have worked together to successfully see a project through from beginning to end. I’d also like to thank all the people who have given money to them for Children In Need for their generosity.”

Among those rallying up support from staff and students on the Hele Road campus was 16-year-old Sam Ford, of Exeter.
He said: “There are lots of children out there who are under-privileged, and doing something like this gives us a chance to help make their lives better and to give them the chance in life they deserve.”

Express and Echo 5th November 2009

LEE Croad was on the brink of losing his place on a music course at Exeter College – until he asked for help.
Lee, 21, has dyslexia and it was only after his cry for support was answered by college staff that he was able to discover he was not alone. That was music to his ears – and one very good reason why Lee, is backing Dyslexia Week which is being supported by Exeter College as part of its efforts to help students with the impairment.
The theme of the week, which ends on Saturday, is dyslexia strengths.
Learning-support staff at the college have been on hand all week at the Hele Road campus offering advice to students and staff with dyslexia.
Claire Staveley, dyslexia/dyspraxia co-ordinator at the college, said more and more pupils were being referred to her and that there were now excellent facilities to help people with their learning.
Lee, from Okehampton, who is doing a foundation degree in music and has dyslexia, said: “Last year I was doing a course. It got to the point where I was nearly kicked off, but I knew it was because of my dyslexia so I decided to go for help.
“Claire gave me the courage to get support. She helped me express myself more and helped me understand that I am no different to anyone else.”
He added: “The awareness week is a very good idea. I found it very difficult growing up with dyslexia. I used to be scared of what people might think.
“Last year I finally got the courage to start getting support in lessons. The awareness week should help people understand it more and not be scared about it.”
Now Lee accesses all the help available to him.
He said: “There is a learning support centre where you can get one-to-one individual help. You can also have an enabler in the lesson with you who helps to take notes.”
Lee said he hoped other people would make use of the services at the college.
“If I could turn the clock back I would have done a lot more about being dyslexic and not worried about what other people thought,” he added.
Mrs Staveley said: “We are putting banners and display boards up to make staff, teachers and anyone else aware of dyslexia.
“We are also getting people to look at what it might be like to be dyslexic and look at the positive strengths.
“Exeter College has improved in its awareness and teachers are very good at referring pupils.”

11h Novemeber 2009

AMONG the events taking place locally during national Colleges Week (November 9-13) will be Exeter College’s 14-16 Practical Learning Student Awards.

The 10 young winners, together with one overall winner, have been singled out for the awards, being held on Thursday, November 12, from among around 300 school children who completed two-year courses at the College this year on weekly half-day release from schools within the city and across Devon.

hose taking part in 2009 included youngsters from city-based St Luke’s Science & Sports College, Westexe Technology College, Isca College of Media & Arts, St James’s Secondary School, St Peter’s C of E Aided School, and Southbrook College, as well as The King’s School, Ottery St Mary, Clyst Vale Community College, Broad Clyst, Queen Elizabeth’s Community College, in Crediton.

Each representing a particular subject area – hair, beauty, travel and tourism, motor vehicle, construction, engineering, child care, learning and development, public services, and catering – the prize-winning pupils were among those who gained City & Guilds, NVQs, and BTEC qualifications, or attended pre-apprenticeship programmes from the age of 14 to 16.

As well as being treated to a meal at the College’s restaurant @34 with their parents or guardians – prepared and served by College Catering students, and accompanied by live performances from Music students also from Exeter College – each pupil will take home a Dartington Crystal award and a certificate at the end of the night in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
In addition, one individual will be awarded the 14-16 Student Of The Year trophy.

Principals from local schools, educational body representatives, governors, and the pupils’ College lecturers will also be among around 70 people attending on the night, as well as the College’s Vice-Principal John Laramy and Principal Richard Atkins who will both be speaking at the event.

As the final preparations for the awards were being made, 14-16 Practical Learning Co-ordinator Nikki West said: “I think the most important thing to remember is that all of our 14-16 students have come into an environment previously unfamiliar to them where other learners are much older than them, so in a sense they’ve had to work doubly hard to achieve what they have achieved.
“Our winners this year have not only done this, but have excelled in their chosen fields, and we feel extremely proud to have played some part in their success.”
Exeter College Partnership Manager Samantha White said: “The variety of courses offered to students across the city and beyond complements the curriculum within their own schools. Students are able to learn in a variety of vocational and applied areas which can give them a real insight into the working environment. The success rates this year have risen again, which goes to show through consistent information, advice, and guidance for students, we are getting the right students on the right courses.”

Exeter4Learning Partnership Development Manager Liz Hayes added: “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the achievement that these students have made. They have gained new skills and been able to use the specialist ‘state of the art’ facilities that the College can offer.”

17th November 2009

WHILE multimillionaires continue to search for budding entrepreneurs on one of the nation’s favourite television programmes this week, closer to home Exeter College will be holding a Dragon’s Den-style event of its own – the first of two events taking place on campus as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The Dragons on this occasion will not be TV heroes James Caan, Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden, but rather four representatives of local businesses and firms and Exeter College who have kindly given up their time to listen to the students’ pitches.
In total, around 15 groups will take part in the event which is taking place in Victoria House, Queen Street, Exeter, throughout the afternoon of Thursday, November 19.
All aged 17 and 18 and studying courses at the College ranging from A levels in Business and Accounting to BTEC Nationals in Computing and Business and First Diplomas in Business Studies, the students will have only a matter of hours to practice before giving their presentations in the hope of hearing from the dragons those magic words – I’m in!
In the hot seats listening to all of their ideas will be Dragons for the day: Managing Partner of Michelmores Solicitors Malcolm Dickinson; Exeter College Assistant Principal Malcolm Walsh; Business Development Director of Michael Thorne Construction Graham Easton; and Senior Manager of Specialist Fund Services for Capita Financial Group Mary McGuirke.
As well as a prize of £60 worth of Amazon book tokens, the winning team will also take home the prestige of having been acknowledged by leading moves and shakers within the city as business savvy individuals.
Speaking on behalf of the Business & IT faculty, which has organised the day’s activities, Curriculum Support Facilitator Ian Wallace says: “The day is really about raising the students’ awareness, not only to the kinds of global issues that may affect enterprise, but also to those at local level, which is why this year’s brief to students was to really think about Devon and the areas they come from, and to come up with an idea which would be of benefit to their local communities.”
Looking forward to his role as one of the Dragons, Malcolm Walsh adds: “This will be an opportunity for the young people to be tested in a format that is familiar to them from the TV. The Dragons will be there to provide advice, challenge, and support, but most of all to offer clear and concise feedback to the presenters. It should be a lot of nerve-wracking fun.”

Exeter College had their first AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) Success of the season with an ‘epic’ 3-0 victory over the Worcester Warriors Academy (away) on Wednesday 11th November. Having lost to Worcester in the Pre Season Academy Tournament at Hartpury College, this performance is a signal of the progress that Exeter are making on their counterparts.

A Tom Scott penalty in the second half was enough to seal it for the Exeter Chiefs Apprentices, for whom Prop Nigel Berry, Captain and back row Alex Ford, and centre Ali Hill were outstanding. Scott and Ford had missed earlier penalties to put Exeter ahead in a game where the defences on both sides were outstanding.

A group of Further Education students, led by three student presidents, met Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Exec of Devon County Council, in the council chamber at County Hall this week to get his take on vital issues that will determine their future success and prosperity.

The students, representing local FE colleges, challenged Devon’s Chief Exec on how his leadership would support and improve both skills training and job prospects in the county. In response, Dr Phil Norrey listed supporting Devon’s economy and improving the knowledge and skills of its residents as the council’s top priorities. “Our county’s got a great belief in the fact that we need to skill and equip not just young people, but people who are already in the workforce, in order for you to be able to cope with the challenges you’re going to face,” he said.

Phil pledged his commitment to lobby hard to protect the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) paid to students on low incomes to allow them to continue in education, believing continuing to learn is the key to future prosperity. “EMA seems fundamental,” he said, “You need it just to make it possible to study effectively. It’s an incentive that can tip the balance for staying in education.”

When challenged about how the council will tackle the long-standing problem of Devon’s under-funding from central government, Phil highlighted his support of the ‘Hands up for fairer school funding’ campaign. The campaign is fighting to change the outdated funding formulas that see Devon’s children receive approximately half of the budget City of London children enjoy. “We’re working very hard on influencing that,” he reported.

Phil welcomed national changes to the way FE is funded that will take the majority of spending control away from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and put it in the hands of Local Authorities, stating his confidence in the council’s ability to take on the responsibility. He reassured the students that the council’s track record in handling a £1 billion annual budget, the close relationships it has with Devon colleges and the expertise in educational planning and provision it can call upon was a winning combination that would greatly improve skills and training in the county.

“We’re beginning to determine our own destinies working collectively. We can tailor, over time, what is provided, creating an overall programme which meets the needs of the local economy in a better way than could be done at a regional level.”

Wednesday 15th October 2009

A PARTNERSHIP has been struck between Exeter College and Cullompton Rugby Club, further strengthening an existing bond between the two which has seen a number of players rise through the ranks in recent years and go on to play for Exeter Chiefs.
In return for the use of the Stafford Park ground on a number of AASE and Elite Conference league match days this season, Exeter College will also be offering ad hoc coaching to the first team from its Rugby Academy lecturers, of whom all play, or have played, for Exeter Chiefs and The Cornish All Blacks at National League Level One and above.
Additionally, support will be given to the youth teams, including the mini-junior section, through a number of Sunday training sessions. These will be provided by a team of Foundation Degree student volunteers.
Advice will be available to Under 16s too about opportunities they may wish to take up at the College which will enable them to combine their passion for the game with A level studies or other academic courses.
Cullompton spokesman John Shepherd says he hopes the partnership will continue to help the club play to existing strengths, as a side with a good crop of home-grown players loyal to their roots.
“Many of our players were first together in the junior sides and have stuck together at the club both during games and socially ever since, and that really makes the team work,” he says.
“We are very much a community club. With a well-respected Junior section gaining RFU approval, we like to encourage players to build on their skills once they join us, which can be anywhere from aged six upwards. This arrangement should help with our continuing support of them once they have reached their teenage years and beyond, at the same time as help bring in new blood via the College.”
Cullompton has enjoyed three promotions in four years, famously carrying the EDF trophy back home to the South-West in May this year. In doing so, they made history as the first Devon team to win the title.
Exeter College were the first FE College to win the prestigious Daily Mail Under 18 Cup at Twickenham in 2005. This victorious team contained six Cully boys.
There are now eight lads playing in the first team at Cully who came through the Exeter College Rugby Academy programme – Paul Baker, Alex Brooks, Chris Griffiths, Adam Pearce, Rob Stanley, Lee Powell, Jeremy Turner, and Marcus Busch.
Meanwhile, both the club, known locally as Cully, and the College, can boast a healthy bevy of alumni now playing for the Exeter Chiefs, among them promising prop Ben Moon, who has already played for the England Under 20s three times.
Chris Wall, Director of Exeter College Sports Academy, which includes the Rugby Academy among its fold, adds: “It’s great to be able to continue our relationships with local clubs, particularly with one like Cullompton which has done so well and is making progress within the leagues.
“It’s also good to be working with one in which so many of our students have been involved playing rugby over the years.”
Praising the club’s set-up at Stafford Park, he adds: “To be able to come and use a calibre of ground and facilities such as those available at Cullompton for the quality of fixtures we are now playing is excellent.
“You can see from the first team alone how many Exeter college players have worked on their skills within the Academy Programme and risen through the ranks to be playing a good standard of senior rugby. Hopefully, we will continue to see more youngsters coming through to play at a similar level in future, and I am sure a few will progress on to the same standard as Ben Moon.”

22nd October 2009

HIGH praise has been given to Exeter College students from across the city and South Devon last night at this year’s Skills For Living Celebration Of Achievement Evening, which took place at Exeter College.
The annual event, which has been running for over 15 years, recognises the success stories and progress made by Skills For Living students for their continuing hard work throughout the College year, despite individual learning disabilities or personal difficulties.
This year, two students were awarded the Student Of The Year title. The first was Jennifer Howard, aged 19, of Sticklepath, Okehampton. Jennifer attended Southbrook School and is now at Oakwood Court College in Dawlish. The other was Ayesha Sawyer, aged 19, who is now taking part in the Pre-Foundation course at Exeter College.
The Sarah Stephen Award, awarded in memory of Sarah Stephen, a former student who sadly passed away, has been awarded to Charlotte Keegan for friendship. Charlotte attended Southbrook School and continues to attend the Skills For Living course.
Aimed at students aged 16 to 19, Exeter College’s Skills For Living course provides for young people with a diverse range of learning disabilities or difficulties, and is a bespoke offering tailor-made to suit their specific needs.
As well as seeking to improve their comprehension of English, Maths, and ICT, it is designed to equip them for the wider world as they make the progression from teenager to adult.
While many of those who received awards last night have returned to the course for another year, others have moved on to residential colleges, or other courses at Exeter College.
Skills For Living lecturer Nick Couzens says: “Achievements range from being able to cook a meal for themselves and catching a bus safely, to being able to use money and to live independently.
“The evening is always a fantastic event with an atmosphere filled with pride and confidence. My colleagues and I would like to say a huge thank you and well done to all of the learners who have taken part in the course.”

AROUND 125 Exeter College higher education students donned their caps and gowns this afternoon to attend their Graduation Ceremony, which was held at Exeter Cathedral at 2pm.

Joining them to celebrate their achievements willwere around 400 guests, including the Lord and Lady Mayoress, and representatives of Exeter College and its board of Governors, including Principal Richard Atkins, as well as other Devon schools, colleges, and universities.

The guest speaker the Chief Executive of Devon County Council, Dr Phil Norrey, addressed University Of Exeter, Plymouth, and Marjon senior colleagues among those present, as well as the graduates’ proud parents and families.

The students were awarded qualifications ranging from BA and PGCE to FdSc, FdA, FdSc, HNC and HND, in a broad cross-section of subject areas offered at the College, including Business Management, Health and Social Care, Journalism and Practical Media, Legal Practice, Sports Therapy, Education, Early Years, Engineering, and Construction.

The ceremony began with a procession of dignitaries attending within the Cathedral accompanied by music provided by Exeter College Wind Band.

Once the students had collected their certificates, they were invited to afternoon tea at the Thistle Hotel in the city, held within the Cavendish Room and Devonshire Suite.

Please click here to see more images of the Graduation at the Cathedral…

SCHOOL CHILDREN hoping to learn a trade are being offered an exciting opportunity thanks to a new partnership between Exeter College and Bicton College, and sponsorship from national awarding organisation City & Guilds.
Through the arrangement between the two Devon-based academic institutions, youngsters aged 14 to 16 from Mid and East Devon can now take time out of the classroom to attend lessons one day a week on Bicton’s beautiful rural campus as part of a two-year City & Guilds course in Construction.
And to further spark their enthusiasm at the beginning of term, City & Guilds is providing £3,350 worth of sponsorship towards the purchase of equipment and other resources for the course in recognition of the joint initiative at national level.
The Bicton offering adds to Exeter College’s existing provision at its Sowton campus, which is entirely dedicated to Construction courses of varying levels. At the same time, it enables Bicton College to add a new course to its already broad-reaching curriculum of land-based studies.
The children who have secured places this Autumn will be coming to Bicton from Uffculme School, Honiton Community College, Queen Elizabeth Community College in Crediton, Axe Valley Community College in Axminster, and Cullompton Community College on buses provided. In the first year, they will receive training in subjects ranging from bricklaying and carpentry to plumbing, painting, and decorating, each studied in nine-week blocks before revisiting the various areas in their second year.
Meanwhile, the Sowton-based City & Guilds Construction course for 14 to 16-year-olds, which has been running for two years and this year saw an intake of around 200 students, will continue to run as normal.
Construction lecturer Paul King is being seconded to Bicton from Exeter College’s Sowton site on a weekly basis to teach the first intake.
He says: “Many of the girls and boys who leave school in Devon, particularly in this area, are likely to begin work within rural and farming communities. We therefore identified a natural fit between some of the skills which they would be likely to need once they go into this environment and those which a course such as this one could offer them.”
Paul continues: “The course also sits perfectly with Bicton’s existing 14 to 16 City & Guilds programmes, such as those in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Care, to prepare them either for going to straight into work or continuing into further education in any of these fields.”
Paul adds that the course is ideal for many school pupils living in outlying areas of the county who wish to gain a nationally-recognised qualification in Construction but for whom, until now, there have been few opportunities.
“The huge benefit of this kind of qualification is that it will allow them to try all the different areas of Construction and identify which they are best at and which they prefer, so that when they leave school they have a better idea as to which area they would like to specialise in,” he says.
“While some of our existing students on this course go straight into work as apprentices upon completion of the course, others decide instead to go on to take higher qualifications at the College, such as Level 1 or 2 Technical Certificates in their chosen fields.”
He adds: “We are grateful to City & Guilds for having recognised this as an exciting opportunity and offering sponsorship towards some new equipment to give our first intake that extra boost as they begin their first year.
“It’s nice to think that through our partnership with Bicton, we will together be serving the needs of pupils at schools across Mid and East Devon, and opening up a door for them to gain qualifications in Construction which may have until now seemed closed.”
Also welcoming the move is Selena Burroughs, the Bicton College 14 to 19 Co-ordinator. She says: “Bicton is delighted to be extending its provision of Construction courses, bringing learning to life and increasing the portfolio of courses that we can offer schools.”
Speaking on behalf of City & Guilds, Clive Russell adds: “We are delighted to support this college partnership that will benefit young learners. City & Guilds understands the importance of equipping learners with relevant and work-ready skills. The opportunities offered by this new initiative will be an excellent stepping stone into future employment or further training.”