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Software Development Students Develop Training App for the Royal Navy Leadership Academy 

Students at Exeter College studying the Software Development in Apple Swift Programming Skills Bootcamp have developed an app for the Royal Navy Leadership Academy (RNLA). As part of the course students were set a live brief and allocated tasks which culminated in them presenting their app to the Royal Navy. 

The brief was to simplify and digitise the marking and scoring system used in the RNLA when carrying out assessments in the field. Seven students worked on the project, they were all allocated tasks such as graphic design, navigation flow, and the data model. 

Paul Barnard, Quality Assurance Chief for the Royal Navy Leadership Academy said; 

“The brief was to digitise our marking scheme that we utilise in the Royal Navy Leadership Academy. We call it ORCE, which stands for observe, record, classify, evaluate. Currently its being done by paper, so instructors are out and about with students trying to write down in the wind, rain etc.  

“This app will massively help the instructors. They will be able to standardise their reports as well as saving huge amounts of time. We’re quite set in our ways and thought some fresh ideas would help, it’s always better to have a variety of people looking into solving a problem as they all bring something else to the table.” 

Speaking about the students work, he commented; 

“What they have achieved in such a short amount of time is amazing. We weren’t expecting them to be this far down the track at all. Within 4 weeks they have produced a prototype with some really good ideas. 

“We’re about 85% of the way there so the next step is to finish it, take some students out in the field so they can see how it’s used and the problems we encounter, and fine tune what they have already produced.” 

Students received feedback directly from the Royal Navy.

Chloe Baker is one of the students working on the project. Her role was in designing the user interface and all the graphic design elements including the layouts of the screens and a colour scheme. She said; 

“It’s been fed back today that the design is really in keeping with the Royal Navy brand, which is nice feedback to have. I think the thing I enjoyed the most about the course was knowing it was a real live brief that was going to be used within the RNLA. Knowing it will benefit people and knowing your contributing towards helping such a large organisation is great.” 

She added; 

“The bootcamp has really helped me with a good base of coding knowledge, coming into it having never written code. From the course I’ve learnt that I really enjoyed the user interface design and the graphic design side of the app development.”  

The project came about when a previous student, who had studied on the Software Development Skills Bootcamp and then the Apple App Development Skills Bootcamp, reached out to the Navy via his innovation role at Capita. The Royal Navy recognised that this collaborative approach of working would benefit them and give students invaluable industry experience. 

Chris Pegg, Apple Certified Educator at Exeter College, said; 

“The students have just blown me away at the pace they have worked on the brief and how they have gelled as a team. They are all different ages (ranging from early 20’s to 75), and life backgrounds yet they have worked in unison and built lifelong friendships. For adult learning it’s so pivotal that the learning experience be cemented in real world examples – and what a lovely side product to have lifelong learning connections generated along the way.” 

Speaking about the benefit of the students working on a live brief, Chris said; 

“The benefit of this is not just so they complete something that is needed, but they get to work through real world problems. It gives them accessibility to problems that would develop naturally in industry, and not just in the classroom. It also builds upon soft skills like resilience, communication, independence, and collaboration, which are invaluable in tackling these challenges.” 

New support for mature students helping them to make the next steps to education or work

New support for mature students across Devon is helping them to make the move on to university and new careers. Experts from the University of Exeter and Exeter College are working together to provide access to specialist information and advice.

The new Mature Access Pathway allows them to experience what university life is like and polish their study skills through workshops, talks, and on-campus activities. There is also access to academic staff, mentors, and current undergraduate students who have given information, advice, and guidance they need to make an informed decision about their future.

The course was set up after University of Exeter analysis showed mature students can lack confidence in applying to higher education and often prefer to study for a degree locally. The review showed the need for mature students to meet those in the same situation and to get targeted information about finances and life as an undergraduate.

The Mature Access Pathway, which was set up this academic year, includes social events and advice about money and living matters. It also includes help on how to choose the right course and study skills. It forms part of the timetable of all Access to Higher Education students at Exeter College.

During the first year 83 students took part in the pathway, which is led by Roisin Quinn, Student Access and Further Education Relationship Manager at the University of Exeter, Marianne Readman, Adult Learner Experience Manager on the Exeter College Partnership Board and Suzy Bell, Access to Higher Education lead at Exeter College.

So far 35 of those who took part applied to the University of Exeter and they were given a guaranteed contextual level offer. University of Exeter mature students get extra support, including an enhanced induction programme and access to mentors.

Ms Quinn said: “Our aim has been to increase progression to university from mature students in Devon– to many Higher Education institutes not just the University of Exeter. We provide support and information to support them to progress to many institutions and courses.

“We hope this will now be a key part of the support for mature students in the South West which will give them the confidence, knowledge and support to go on to higher education.”

Participants take part in face-to-face sessions at Exeter College and the University of Exeter where they get advice on applying for university, study skills such as reading, note-making and paraphrasing, researching, academic honesty and referencing, academic writing skills and higher education assessment.

Ms Readman said: “This opportunity to collaborate with a partner university to support our learners to achieve their ambitions is a fantastic addition to all of the hard work of Exeter College staff to ensure a great experience for all our Adult Learners.”

Ms Bell said: “It has been a pleasure to work closely with Roisin and the University of Exeter to create and launch the Mature Access Pathway. It has been such a success in terms of supporting students making the transition to university. It has also enabled students to further develop essential study skills, find out about the types of support available at university level, and receive additional guidance throughout the university application process.”

Kay Botham, 32, is studying Access to Business. She has applied for Business, Management and Marketing, and Accounting and Finance at University of Exeter. She hopes to go into an element of marketing such as publishing marketing or events. Before this Kay had been out of education since she was 19 and says the pathway has been “greatly beneficial”.

“It gives you that extra insight which gives you a push. Being able to sit in lectures created such a spark at the right time as I was doing my UCAS application at the time. It confirmed it was what I wanted to do.

“Meeting people at the University of Exeter and being able to ask them questions was helpful. A couple of them had progressed from the Access course last year and they were so knowledgeable. We have had some nice honest conversations with them.

“It’s stressful. I have 3 kids, I work, and I do this. But as soon as I said I wanted to go to the University of Exeter I felt like all my tutors at College rallied behind me to make it happen.”

Leon Hill is 23 and studying Access to Humanities (English Literature, History and Politics). They are hoping to study Film at Falmouth University.

Leon said: “I chose Exeter College because I had friends who came here when they were 16 and really enjoyed it. It’s been worth me making the journey from North Devon which is one of the reasons why I appreciate the programme being incorporated into the course, rather than an additional thing.

“I found the visit to University of Exeter really helpful in demystifying the uni experience. I appreciated being able to go and realise universities are not as scary as I had imagined. It was good to get a feel for how things may feel if I went there.

“Going back to studying has been a challenge, but it is not unreasonably difficult. It is manageable alongside other life commitments if you do pace yourself. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a very understanding, welcoming environment. It was a really good decision to come back into education and to do it at Exeter College.”

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 8th checkpoint on the Saturday. All Exeter College teams made it to and beyond their 7th Tor and continued towards their 8th 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£243.00Free travel
Term 1£263.00£213.00£113.00Free travel
Term 2£263.00£213.00£113.00Free travel
Term 3£197.00£147.00£47.00Free travel

Stagecoach Termrider Bus Tickets

Household income£50k+£40k-50k£30k-40k£30k and below
Exeter Termrider Autumn£186.15£136.15£36.15Free travel*
Exeter Termrider Spring£186.15£136.15£36.15Free travel*
Exeter Termrider Summer£186.15£136.15£36.15Free travel*
Exeter Plus Termrider Autumn£271.15£221.15£121.15Free travel*
Exeter Plus Termrider Spring£271.15£221.15£121.15Free travel*
Exeter Plus Termrider Summer£271.15£221.15£121.15Free travel*
South West Gold Termrider Autumn£292.50£242.50£142.50Free travel*
South West Gold Termrider Spring£292.50£242.50£142.50Free travel*
South West Gold Termrider Summer£292.50£242.50£142.50Free 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. 

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