Exeter College @34 Restaurant Receives Highest Possible Accolade with an AA Highly Commended College Rosette

Exeter College’s fine dining @thirty-four restaurant has achieved the highest accolade for a college restaurant having recently been awarded a Highly Commended AA College Rosette.

The AA College Rosette Scheme, developed by People 1st International and AA Hotel Services, recognises college restaurants for the quality of the food they produce and the level of service they deliver. The scheme has been designed to reflect current industry trends in the realistic working environment that college restaurants provide.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and CEO at Exeter College said;

“Our vision as a College is to be exceptional and this is truly an exceptional achievement. This recognises the excellence that I see from the whole team in @thirty-four and while it would be a great achievement for any restaurant, for a College restaurant to reach this standard is sector leading.

“I would like to congratulate the staff and students on this stunning achievement. They have created a vibrant, passionate, and relaxed dining experience which is now highly regarded in Exeter and beyond.”

The staff and students behind the restaurant were subject to a full restaurant inspection, held to the same standards as other local restaurants and hotels. They were tested on their menu and wine list knowledge as well as the quality of the food and service.

Level 3 Supervisory Hospitality student, Victoria Ames would like to be a Maitre’d when she leaves College. Speaking about the inspection, she said;

“I supervised the service on that day, so I showed them to the table and talked a little about the restaurant before I brought over their waitress for the evening. I do rounds to ask people how their food is, and I stopped at their table once or twice. It’s just nice being able to talk to people like that about the things we do here and nice to be recognised for it too.”

Speaking about what she will take away from the experience, Victoria said;

“It’s the little things that count, giving that extra attention to detail and making sure they get the best experience dining here.

“At Level 1 I was very shy, now I am Level 3, and I can’t stop talking. College has really bought out the good side in me. That’s something I think people would benefit from when they do this sort of course. It’s not just about cooking or serving people, it’s about building your own skills and it is wonderful. It’s the best experience I’ve had in my life so far, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’m very happy here.”

Dylan Fewings is studying for an NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery, and was in the kitchen on the day of the visit, he said;

“I was on the starter section, responsible for the cauliflower soup and the chicken terrine. The experience was quite stressful due to the variety of dishes on the menu and things like chicken terrine are quite complex.

“My lecturer and I tasted the dish and decided it was quite rich and needed something acidic to cut through. It’s helping train my palette as a chef and learn about the balance between dishes.

“After College, I am moving to London. It’s where I want to be to learn my next steps as it’s such an exciting place to be when you are a chef. The end goal is to own a restaurant or to be as high as possible in an amazing kitchen where I am cooking good food and have happy customers.”

The final report mentions several “WOW” moments including;

“Quality of the food, some strong dishes, showcasing sound technique and clear flavour definition.”

“A very enjoyable dining experience, underpinned by pride and purpose.”

“A very supportive learning environment.”

And finally;

“Great value and good to see a busy restaurant.”

Tracey Bennett, Head of Faculty for Hospitality, Hair, and Beauty said;

“I am immensely proud of all the students and staff that have contributed to this accolade. They work incredibly hard and put in countless extra hours to ensure @thirty-four is a success. Their passion for their craft shines through in what they cook and how they serve our customers, and this is reflected in our excellent reviews.

“Our students are very ambitious, so they deserve nothing less than Highly Commended as this truly demonstrates their talent and how exceptional they aspire to be.”

To book a table in the restaurant, please call us on 01392 400334 or email thirty-four@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Exeter College offers a wide range of outstanding hospitality and catering programmes. There is still time to apply for entry this September 2023.

Exeter College Students Complete Epic Trek Across Dartmoor in Ten Tors Challenge

Exeter College had four teams successfully complete the Ten Tors Challenge last weekend, with two teams walking 45 miles and two teams walking 55 miles.

The event, organised by the Army and assisted by the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Teams, is a challenge of team work, endurance, navigation and camp craft and sees teenagers survive for two days completely unaided. Schools from all over the South West and beyond train hard for months before the final event in May.

Exeter College Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE said:

“We are incredibly proud to have had four teams take part in this momentous challenge. We believe we were the only college or provider to have two teams complete the amazing 55 mile challenge too!

“I am always impressed by the resilience and determination these students show when preparing and undertaking this challenge. It is such a commitment, alongside all their studies.

“We know from experience that events like Ten Tors have a real impact in preparing them for their futures. The students have trained in all weathers but have come through the other side and absolutely excelled in working as a team and getting each other across the finish line.

“A big thank you to all the staff who have given up so much of their time to support the students in this endeavour as it couldn’t happen without their knowledge and expertise.”

Training started in November with several day walks before overnight training started in January. The teams experienced wind, rain and even snow on the training weekends. Early in the training the students had shown they were up for the challenge by completing a gruelling 75km coastal walk from Bridport to Budleigh Salterton.

The College’s team at Haven Banks worked hard with students to train and prepare them for the challenge. Harry Newman, Ten Tors Manager, said;

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know these students throughout training. They are a credit to the College. Completing the Ten Tors challenge is no easy feat. The teamwork, leadership, and resilience shown by each and every one of these students has been incredible. I am very proud of their achievement, undoubtedly, they will remember this for the rest of their lives. Well done and congratulations.”

This year’s event started with heavy hill fog on Saturday morning. Teams were awoken at 5am to the sound of chariots of fire playing throughout the campsite. After a hearty breakfast, they made final preparations and then made their way to the start. The anticipation built as the teams were briefed by special guest Jonathan Van-Tam who gave a very inspiring speech, then the countdown began before the event was started by the sound of canon fire.

The teams then have 10 Tors/checkpoints to navigate to during the weekend. Teams are not allowed past their 8^th checkpoint on the Saturday. All Exeter College teams made it to and beyond their 7^th Tor and continued towards their 8^th ready to check in at 6am on the Sunday. The 4 teams were across the finish line by 3pm on Sunday afternoon. An amazing achievement.

In addition to the support offered to Exeter College’s successful Ten Tors Teams, Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre were pleased once again to manage and support St James School (Exeter) Ten Tors training programme and this year the Centre also supported Southbrook School and Orchard Manor School with their Jubilee Challenge triumph.

Southbrook School and Orchard Manor teams each successfully completed the 8.7 mile Jubilee Challenge route early on Saturday afternoon. Whilst 18 students (3 teams) from St James successfully crossed the finish line early on Sunday afternoon to complete their 35 mile Ten Tors Challenge route.

An absolutely fantastic achievement for in excess of 60 students from across 4 educational establishments, made possible by the dedicated and supportive staff team from Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre.

You can read more about the extra opportunities available to Exeter College students.

Our 2023 Ten Tors Teams were:

Exeter College 45 A – Route XF

Seren Vass – Team leader

Astrid Lowe

David Madge

Malik Mursal

Oliver Foxford

Harrison Usher

Exeter College 45 B – Route QG

Ollie Whittingham – Team Leader

Matt Silverlock

Zack Gambie

Finlay Smith

Barnaby Moore

Gabriel Nother

Exeter College 55 A – Route YF

Toby Murphy – Team Leader

Katie Harries

Pip Lawton

Neve Thompson

Corren White

Jakin Talbot

Exeter College 55 B – Route ZF

Abi Hyde – Team Leader

Bryony Keane

Freddie Tancock

Hamish Hutchison

Matt Peters

Ed Bakewell

Exeter College Travel Support Scheme for 16-18 Full Time Learners

We don’t want the cost of travel to be a barrier to you accessing an outstanding education. All full time 16-18 learners who live more than 3 miles from College can access subsidised travel passes for buses and/or trains regardless of household income. However, we know that the cost of living crisis is particularly impacting lower income families in Devon, so Exeter College has increased it’s investment in supporting travel costs for eligible students starting courses in September 2023. The new levels of support will now offer extra travel subsidies to households with an income below £50k per year. This means that travelling to Exeter College might cost much less than you think (and will be completely free of charge for some households). See below for how much a train or bus pass will cost in the next academic year: 2023/24.

Click on your relevant household income below to take you to the correct application form.

Student Rail Ticket

You can choose to pay via one yearly payment OR pay termly as laid out below.

Household income	£50k+	£40k-50k	£30k-40k	£30k and below
Annual price (or pay by term as per below)	£693.00	£543.00	£243.00	Free travel
Term 1	£263.00	£213.00	£113.00	Free travel
Term 2	£263.00	£213.00	£113.00	Free travel
Term 3	£197.00	£147.00	£47.00	Free travel

Stagecoach Termrider Bus Tickets

Household income	£50k+	£40k-50k	£30k-40k	£30k and below
Exeter Termrider Autumn	£186.15	£136.15	£36.15	Free travel*
Exeter Termrider Spring	£186.15	£136.15	£36.15	Free travel*
Exeter Termrider Summer	£186.15	£136.15	£36.15	Free travel*

Exeter Plus Termrider Autumn	£271.15	£221.15	£121.15	Free travel*
Exeter Plus Termrider Spring	£271.15	£221.15	£121.15	Free travel*
Exeter Plus Termrider Summer	£271.15	£221.15	£121.15	Free travel*

South West Gold Termrider Autumn	£292.50	£242.50	£142.50	Free travel*
South West Gold Termrider Spring	£292.50	£242.50	£142.50	Free travel*
South West Gold Termrider Summer	£292.50	£242.50	£142.50	Free travel*

*Please note that Termriders are issued on a Stagecoach Smart travel card, which you will be required to order for an additional fee of £1.

Who is eligible for the Travel Pass Scheme?

You are eligible for the Exeter College subsidised Travel Scheme if:

You will be over 16 and under 19 on the 1st September 2023
You will be studying on a full time course
You live more than 3 miles from Exeter College

Contact Us

Travel

For more information you can contact the College Travel Scheme hotline:
Telephone: 01392 400100
Email: travelscheme@exe-coll.ac.uk

Bursary

If you think you might be eligible for further financial support and want to apply, you can contact Exeter College’s Bursary Advisers on 01392 400526.

Exeter College Football Coaching and Development Degree Achieves Prestigious Status

The popular Football Coaching and Development Foundation Degree course at Exeter College has achieved Higher Technical Qualification status meaning skills are even more aligned to the industry. The course runs in partnership with Exeter City Community Trust, utilising their extensive knowledge of football coaching and development from their community initiatives to their elite performance programme.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and 5 qualifications (such as Foundation Degrees) that have been approved as meeting occupational standards for the relevant sector. With a growing demand for skills from employers, a Higher Technical Qualification is a great way of getting the right training, knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace because HTQs have been developed in collaboration with employers.

Jack Gill, Deputy Head of the Sport Faculty at Exeter College who teaches on the programme, said;

“We are very excited that our Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development will soon include a Sports Coach (Level 4) – Community Coach qualification having recently achieved Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) status.

“During the seven years I have been Programme Manager, the course has benefitted from a strong and productive relationship with Exeter City Football Club. This currently includes students completing a community coaching placement with the Community Trust, four weeks of talent identification observations at the Academy’s Performance Centre and attending fixtures to complete live coding performance analysis. These are just a few examples of the positive working partnership between the College and the Football Club, and the applied vocational nature of the course.

“The new HTQ status helps build on the course’s successful track record of effectively equipping students with the employability skills and experience needed to work in the football industry. This is evident from the many student alumni who now occupy prominent job roles within Exeter City Football Club and further afield.”

Former students have gone on to have successful careers in the industry, these include; Head of Coaching and Player Development and the Women’s joint manager at Exeter City FC, FA Football Development Officer, Director of Football, Programme Leader at Exeter College and a Secondary School PE Teacher.

Jamie Vittles, Chief Executive at Exeter City Community Trust said;

“At Exeter City Community Trust, we’re hugely proud of our partnership with Exeter College and the opportunities that it has provided to both young people and staff for personal and professional development.

“Over the course of the past decade, the Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development has been a shining example of the benefits that this collaboration has brought to the community, and so we are delighted that the hard work and commitment of all involved has achieved HTQ status.

“Massive congratulations to Alex, Jack and the team, and we look forward to this programme going from strength to strength in the months and years to come.”

A current student on the programme, Matt Rowe, describes himself as a “massive Exeter City fan” and hopes to go on to a career in football. He said:

“I was a bit fed up with typical academic study and thought something a bit more practical and hands-on was something that would interest me a lot more and that is what this course has done so far.”

Industry work placements provide students with the opportunity to practically apply their extensive knowledge base gained throughout the course, providing them with excellent progression or employment opportunities. Speaking about this Matt said;

“You get lots of interpersonal skills, you get to meet lots of different people. We’ve done coaching with young people, refereeing and worked with women’s football. We’ve accessed a nice range of football communities and got to learn about all different elements of the game.”

Students also access outstanding, professional standard sports facilities such as the Exwick Sports Hub. This site benefits from continuous investment to ensure the College can deliver industry ready skills and knowledge.

Charlie Dack progressed from A Level PE and the Exeter College Football Academy and hopes to get into the Football Academy at Exeter City.

“I support Exeter City and want to do what I can to help the team and influence the younger players in the academy. The course has allowed me to open my eyes to a lot of different avenues I can go into. Football analysis is something I have been intrigued by recently.”

Find out more about this course at our next Open Event on Wednesday 26 April.

Blazing footballs – the Esports Festival SW is back!

Esports is one of the most rapidly growing industries worldwide. With large scale competitions taking place across the world and big prize money to be won, it is watched by millions of fans.

Exeter College has partnered with Tech South West, Bridgwater and Taunton College, City College Plymouth, Cornwall College and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to deliver the only region-wide corporate esports festival for the South West.

With teams from across the region taking part, the tournament brings the sector together to celebrate the esports industry and showcase the opportunities it heralds for young people, tech companies, and the wider community.

The first Esports Festival SW was held in 2022, with 16 teams competing at Rocket League for the trophy. Bath-based software development firm Rocketmakers defeated Ashfords in the final to take home the trophy.

We’re going even bigger in 2023!

Over 30 organisations from across the South West tech sector will come head-to-head at Exeter College’s state-of-the-art Digital and Data Centre, on 2 June 2023, to decide who will be crowned the champion of the Esports Festival SW 2023.

Each company will be putting pedal to the metal as they vie to be crowned Rocket League champions in the region’s biggest event of its kind in the South West.

The event will not only feature plenty of gaming, but also demonstrations, interactive experiences, networking, roundtable discussions, and insight sessions with industry experts.

Who will be crowned the winner? 32 teams, 96 competitors, only one team can win!

A huge thank you to the sponsors Jurassic Fibre, Program, Filmily and Rowe IT for making the Esports Festival SW possible.

If you would like to sponsor the event or join the waiting list in case a team spot becomes available, please contact Tech South West.

Watch out for 2024…Esports Festival SW goes national!

Exeter College Football Star Signs with Swansea City AFC at age 16

Exeter College Football Academy student, Jack Fanning, has been offered a scholarship with Championship team Swansea City AFC, at the young age of 16. Swansea City Academy develops talented young footballers from age eight to 21. Jack will be playing with the U18 team, having previously played for Tiverton Town U16’s and Crediton United.

Jack, previously from Exeter School, is studying A Levels in Maths, French and PE. He will now make the move to Swansea as part of their Academy. He said;

“The Football Academy has put me in great stead for this new opportunity and my A Levels have broadened my educational knowledge as well so my time at Exeter College has definitely helped me.

“My tutor has been great, really helped me settle in and my teachers and football coaches have helped me and supported me all the way. I’m a little bit nervous but obviously very excited.”

Jack Fanning has previously played for Tiverton Town U16’s and Crediton United.

Jack Gill, Exeter College Football Academy Lead Coach, said;

“Since starting with us in September Jack has been outstanding, not only in terms of his playing ability, but also his attitude and leadership. Jack’s successful progression pathway into professional football makes him a role model for all current and future students. Our coaching team at the College football academy are all incredibly proud of Jack Fanning and wish him every success for the future.”

Based in the shadow of the Swansea.com Stadium, the Swans Academy is situated at Landore, a multi-million-pound facility where the next generation of first team players are being developed and produced from the age of nine.

The extent of the club’s accomplishment is reflected in the city’s immense pride of the club’s recent history with seven consecutive years in the Premier League, EFL Cup winners and reaching the last 32 in the Europa League.

Jack Chapman, Head of Academy Recruitment at Swansea City AFC, said;

“We’re pleased to welcome Jack to our Academy after a short trial period. He demonstrated that he has leadership qualities, is assertive and dedicated to improving himself. It was evident quite quickly that he had the motivation to return to the professional football club setting after a short time out. It’s always important in this game to bounce back after disappointments and have good, supportive environments around you and we feel that this has been the case for Jack through his involvements with Tiverton Town, Crediton United and Exeter College.

“We look forward to helping Jack develop further as a player and as a young man. He’s moving away from home, settling into a new City and group of peers but we definitely have the staff on hand to make that as smooth a transition as possible so that football can be Jack’s main focus. Hopefully he will enjoy his time at the club, grow, develop and make an impact not just in our Academy but in the professional game.”

Find out more about the Exeter College Football Academy at our next Open Event on 26 April.

Exeter College Opens a New Hub for Independent Living and Learning

Exeter College is proud to open The Hill, a new Hub for Independent Living and Learning. On 1 March, students were joined by college staff and professionals working in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) sector to celebrate the opening of this new facility.

Donna Manson, the new Chief Executive for Devon County Council, officially opened the building, unveiling the plaque to great applause. She spent time speaking with students about their experience at the College and finding out about their future aspirations.

The Hill is a dedicated space for young people studying on Exeter College’s Gateway to Independence course. This area has been created with the needs of these students in mind; with a purpose-built kitchen, bright, airy classrooms and green outdoor space. It is a great location for students to build their confidence and thrive.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and CEO said;

“We were delighted to welcome colleagues to The Hill today. One of the magic ingredients of the College is the wide mix of students, including some who are working towards living, operating and travelling more independently. I am therefore delighted to be part of opening this specialist facility today and look forward to the difference it will make to lots of students and, over time, the Community of Exeter and Devon.

“I would like to thank Donna Manson, Chief Executive of Devon Country Council for joining us today as our Guest of Honour. I would also like to thank Devon County Council for their partnership, support and challenge. We recognise that the support of both the County Council and City Council are critical if we are going to realise our vision to become exceptional in every facet of the operation of the College”

Donna Manson, the new Chief Executive for Devon County Council, speaks with students at The Hill opening.

Chris Petheram, Head of Foundation Learning and Support, added;

“I am very excited for our learners to have such a fantastic special needs centre in the heart of the college. It will enable our learners to be an integral part of the college community.

“The Hill is an outstanding facility that has been equipped with our learners needs in mind to ensure they are learning in an environment that is fit for purpose and supportive of study.

“This new site enables our Independent Gateway students to be closer to the wider resources and opportunities available at Exeter College and will give the students a whole new range of exciting opportunities.”

With the aim of building skills in small, supportive groups, students will learn through classroom, community and work-based activities, giving them the opportunity to develop both life and work skills. The space will ensure that all aspects of the College’s independent living curriculum are delivered in a safe and accessible location.

James Crompton, Preparing for Adulthood Lead at Southbrook School in Exeter was one of the guests at the event, he said;

“I think it’s a great stepping stone into a college, after coming from a school where it’s a very enclosed environment, college can be quite daunting. Having a safe space and consistent staff can help prepare students for the next steps and hopefully help them move on to another course at college.

“Meeting the students has been lovely – they’re very proud, showing me some of the work they have done. Just being in the city centre with all those great links is an important step towards independent living.”

Find out more about our specialist programmes and learning support by contacting our Learning Support Team on learningsupport@exe-coll.ac.uk or visit us at our next Open Event on 26 April.

Exeter College Beats National Average with Oxbridge Applicant Success Rates

Students at Exeter College are celebrating their offers from two of the UK’s most prestigious universities, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Sixteen students hold offers for a wide range of subjects including; Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical Science, English Literature, Natural Sciences, Classical Civilisation, and History, reflecting the broad curriculum available at Exeter College.

In total, 66 students applied to these two top UK universities, commonly known as Oxbridge. Seven hold offers for the University of Oxford and nine for the University of Cambridge. To obtain an offer they have had to stand out through a rigorous application and interview process.

The national average success rate for independent schools applying to Oxbridge is approximately 20%. Exeter College applicants have exceeded this by a strong margin, with an overall success rate of 24%.

Exeter College Lecturer Martin Gilbert, who leads on the Reach Academy, said;

“I am so pleased for the students; they have worked so hard to gain the skills and academic evidence that these world-class universities are looking for. With the help and guidance from all the outstanding staff at Exeter College these learners have shown themselves to be independent, explorative, with the ability to think critically and analytically.”

Abby Williams, previously from Chulmleigh School, is studying A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, and English Literature, and has been offered a place to study English Literature at the University of Cambridge. Reflecting on the application process, she said;

“The application process was quite rigorous, first I filled out my questionnaires from Cambridge, then I had to do my interview. I had a mock interview at college prior to this with a subject specialist, which was helpful to get feedback on, as I hadn’t experienced that before.

“The College, and particularly Martin, were so helpful, I feel I wouldn’t have got anywhere near to an offer without them.”

Jade Otty, Vice Principal, said;

“We are so proud and delighted for these learners, and of everyone who made an application for Oxbridge this year. I would like to thank Martin and all our amazing teachers; a huge amount of extra support and wider curriculum experiences go into helping our young people to gain such a great number of Oxbridge offers.”

Therese Walsh speaks about her experience at Exeter College.

Therese Walsh, previously from Torquay Girls Grammar School, is studying A Levels in Politics, English Literature and Film Studies. She said;

“I received an offer to study English Literature at the University of Cambridge and honestly, I am still shocked. I’m the first in my family to go to Oxbridge, so it’s quite hard to wrap my head around it. I feel very grateful and honoured to have this opportunity. From my secondary school education to all the support at college, I’m in a really privileged position that this was a door open to me and to have a place I can go on and study.

“I’ve absolutely loved college. I have loved the freedom of it. I love the academic culture, all the opportunities and extra things you can do. It’s a fantastic step between secondary school and university, it’s a great place to be as a young adult and has been a great step into adult life.”

Students with offers to study will find out if they are guaranteed a place after their 2023 exam results.

Want to join Ofsted Outstanding Exeter College? Apply online today.

South West Female Players Dominate England U18 Rugby Selection

The Exeter College Women’s Rugby Academy has beaten its own record, with six players being selected to represent England in the U18 squad. Last year, the Academy, in partnership with Exeter Chiefs sent five players to the three-day training camps.

The Exeter College Women’s Rugby Academy teams have had a fantastic season so far, just like their professional counterparts. Exeter Chiefs have just secured their place in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final and Exeter Chiefs Women’s side are maintaining their hot streak in the Allianz Premier 15s, having recently won against the Sharks.

So far this season the Academy players have been working as hard off the pitch as they have on it. A concerted effort to improve their strength and conditioning, with some excellent guidance from Harry Wright and the Chiefs coaching team at the Centre of Excellence, has meant a big impact on the pitch.

Players representing squads from all over Devon were selected, with the final six being:

Josie Plant (Exeter Chiefs, Exeter)

Lilly Plowman (Crediton, Exeter)

Kayleigh Priest (Exeter College, Exeter)

Hannah Sams (Ivybridge, Exeter)

Lucy Ward (Exeter College, Exeter)

Ellie Wood (Sidmouth, Exeter)

David Kimberley, Women’s Rugby Academy Coach at Exeter College said;

“The women’s selection for the England Talent Development Group is down to a dedicated attitude, undeniable potential and being part of two excellent programmes in Exeter College Sports Academy and the Exeter Chiefs Centre of Excellence. The partnership between club and college is allowing many young players to flourish in a well-managed environment.

“All players have gone from strength to strength during their time at Exeter College and their selection is down to a work ethic and desire to be the best they can be. Finally, they are supported by amazing teammates, clubs, parents and volunteers who should all be thanked in these early stages of their rugby journey, and we are delighted for them.”

Ellie Wood, selected for the England U18 women’s rugby squad

Ellie Wood is studying BTEC Sport and is hoping to pursue a professional career in rugby. She said;

“What drew me to the course was the time you get with the academy and how you get allocated Wednesdays to play fixtures. It also involves quite a lot of coursework which works better for me.

“We’ve had loads of fixtures this year and performed really well and had some trips away which has been great and the facilities at college are brilliant.”

Lucy Ward has only been playing rugby for four years and is excited about the opportunities this selection may bring. She said;

“I think it will open my eyes to professional sport and help me further my knowledge and it will be good to get to know everyone else on the squad.”

With rugby in the South West being at the peak of the game, it is no surprise that the Academy’s partnership with the Exeter Chiefs goes from strength to strength and these players are benefitting from that expertise.

Lucy Ward is excited about the opportunities this selection may bring.

Susie Appleby, former English female rugby union player and Women’s Head Coach for the Exeter Chiefs women’s side, said:

“It’s great that the pathway for female players in Exeter is mirroring the men’s pathway. The calibre of players graduating from the college is excellent and to have six players representing England at Under 18s level is fantastic. These players are our future and I’m excited to get them involved with us and see where they can take us.”

England’s player pathway programme – of which the women’s U18 is an important part – is a vital development tool for future international rugby and growth of the women’s game, especially during a new era ahead of a home 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Chris Wall, Sports Academy Manager at Exeter College said;

“We are extremely proud of the girls who have been selected. The environment and culture the students and coaches are installing, based around enjoyment and hard work, is creating opportunities for players to start thinking about reaching their potential. Having had five girls selected last season and six this academic year, shows the lengths we are going to in providing the best possible training and playing opportunities we can. This is a testament to the growth of the game, rugby clubs in the area, performance pathway opportunities such as Devon DPP, the Centre of Excellence and our continued effort to work in partnership alongside Exeter Chiefs to strive for excellence.”

The Exeter College Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme is run through the College’s partnership with Exeter Chiefs and is an RFU endorsed scheme for 16–18-year old’s, requiring 12 hours per week of Rugby specific delivery alongside student’s full-time course. Selected students can choose to study a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sport, Sports and Exercise Science, or a choice of A Levels. Find out more.

Colleges awarded grant to improve region’s Maths and English skills

Exeter College, in partnership with City College Plymouth, has been awarded a fantastic grant to run a project focusing on empowering post-16 lecturers throughout the region, so they can best support students who are hoping to gain or improve their English and Maths qualifications.

Teachers and lecturers across the South West will be offered free CPD opportunities that will draw upon the latest research and provide access to some of the most relevant and up-to-date pedagogies that have been devised specifically for the post-16 environment.

Sam Hillman, Assistant Principal at Exeter College, said:

“We are incredibly excited to be working in partnership with City College Plymouth on this project. Outstanding English and Maths provision at post-16 is transformative and these vital qualifications shape the futures of our young people. For many, studying Maths and English at college is their best chance of achieving these qualifications and we are delighted to be sharing innovative practice and working with colleagues across the peninsula”.

Katie Fremlin, Plymouth’s Maths Centre for Excellence Project Manager, said:

“In addition to offering a range of face to face CPD opportunities, we will be setting up a dedicated online platform that will provide teachers and lecturers with access to high-quality digital content. There is also the opportunity to conduct research and we will be leading a series of forums on this.

“It is a very exciting opportunity that we have been given along with our colleagues at Exeter College and we would encourage all those who are supporting post-16 learners to consider being part of this project.”

With numeracy and literacy skills linked to economic growth, there is currently a push across the South West to improve people’s English and Maths qualifications. The regional team is eager to improve outcomes and raise the confidence of both lecturers and students, supporting the career progression of individuals alongside strongly contributing to an ambitious vision to raise attainment levels throughout the region.

City College Plymouth’s Chief Executive and Principal, Jackie Grubb, said:

“Maths is vital for some of the key industries here in Plymouth and beyond. We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Exeter College for the benefit of the wider South West region, and giving more people the skills that will help transform their futures.”

The project started in January and will run until 2025.