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.

Multiply your Maths knowledge with a Free Course or Workshop

Are you an adult that struggles with Maths? Are you looking to improve your Maths skills to help you with budgeting, progress in your job, or to support your child in their Maths studies?

Whether you are new to Maths or simply want to brush up on existing skills, Exeter College, in partnership with the Urban Learning Academy, is offering a whole host of free courses, workshops and events.

Multiply is a government initiative aimed at increasing the levels of functional numeracy in the adult population across the UK. If you are aged 19+ and do not already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in Maths, Multiply is available to you.

It includes:

Pop Up Maths events
Maths for life (budgeting, managing bills etc)
Pre-GCSE Maths (6 x weeks)

Come and say hi

Maths is out in the community soon with Pop Up Maths beginning in February in various Devon Libraries. You could be in with a chance of winning a Lenovo Chromebook through a fun and simple Maths challenge. Visit our Facebook page to find out which library we are visiting next.

Book your place today

There are a series of workshops and courses running throughout February and March. These are free and available to book through Eventbrite. Find out more and book your place.

More about Multiply

Multiply offers easy access to free numeracy courses and initiatives that can help you brush up on your Maths skills and help you become more confident with numbers.

Multiply offers easy access to free numeracy courses and initiatives where you can gain a qualification and build your confidence in using numbers at work or in everyday life.

You will be able to learn at a pace that suits you.

Retrofit Expert Joins Exeter College

Exeter College is delighted to announce the signing of Paul Brown as the College’s lead lecturer in Retrofit and Green Skills. Paul is delivering vital training to upskill the local workforce through the College’s Green Construction Skills Bootcamps. The 12 week bootcamps offer hands-on training for domestic retrofit, providing a strong understanding of the retrofit agenda and a Level 2 Award in Domestic Retrofit. As suggested by local businesses, the bootcamps offer added value modules through the National Energy Action (NEA) charity to support upskilling in fuel poverty, energy efficiency, decarbonisation and more.

Paul started as an Apprentice plasterer restoring ornamental plasterwork and installing external wall insulation. He then moved into management and through further education and career development, obtained senior directorship roles across companies in the housing, commercial, retail, and renewable sectors.

In 2016, Paul designed and developed an innovative new product for the insulation sector and took it to market, launching SWIFIX. Following this, Paul took a role in the social housing sector, leading large teams across the South West as regional Head of Operations.

In the last 15 years, Paul has been involved in renewables and insulation works and recently became a retrofit coordinator. As a member of the training committee within the Insulated and Cladding Association (INCA), Paul is at the forefront of change in the sector, developing the skills needed for the retrofit requirements.

Paul also plays an active role in the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP), collaborating with businesses across the South West, encouraging the development of industry specific qualifications and skills. Paul told us;

“The development of Green Skills through short qualifications, upskilling and Apprenticeships is key to ensuring the future growth of the sector. Establishing a curriculum that is adaptable, flexible, and responsive to the needs of businesses is critical to meet net zero targets. Through GCAP, we are not only upskilling the current workforce but also educating the next and future generations of the construction industry.”

We welcome Paul to Exeter College and thank him for the outstanding contribution he has made to the College in the brief time he has spent here.

Learn more about GCAP and the people responsible for creating change across the region:

To find out more information about the Green Skills Bootcamps, please contact Laura Hutton on 01392 400800 or email laurahutton@exe-coll.ac.uk.

Exceptional Exeter College once again awarded “Outstanding” by Ofsted

Exeter College is celebrating after a full Ofsted Inspection, which has resulted in the College retaining the impressive accolade of Outstanding.

Eight years since its last inspection Ofsted again confirmed that Exeter College is an Outstanding College. The College also scored the top assessment of ‘strong’ for its approach to meeting the skills needs of the area. This makes Exeter College the first college in the country to achieve the highest judgement in both elements of Ofsted’s new enhanced inspections.

The 21-strong Ofsted inspection team visited every College site and reviewed every facet of the College offer from 29 November to 2 December 2022.

Exeter College Principal and CEO, John Laramy CBE said:

“At a time when the national press is talking about Ofsted raising the bar for their top grade the team at Exeter College has demonstrated that we have sustained Outstanding, even in the new rigorous enhanced framework.

“I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who contributed to this exceptional sector-leading outcome, especially our amazing learners, apprentices, staff and governors. Ofsted has recognised what I see from our students, apprentices and staff every single day.”

Students and staff celebrating their Ofsted Outstanding rating.

Bindu Arjoon, Chair of the Board of Governors, added:

“We are delighted that the hard work of everyone at the College has been recognised in this way. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all the students, staff and stakeholders for their personal contribution to our Outstanding College.”

The College achieved the top Ofsted rating of Outstanding in all four cross-college judgements; Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership and Management. The College’s Sixth Form provision, adult learning and apprenticeships were also rated as Outstanding. The Outstanding grade for apprenticeships is extremely hard to achieve, with very few colleges nationally having achieved this.

The report praises the standard of teaching and learning across the College as well as the standards of behaviour and culture, citing that teachers and other staff are excellent role models who work tirelessly to meet the needs of learners.

Zakia Volschenk, from Exmouth, is studying A Levels at Exeter College and is part of the Learner Leadership Team. Speaking about the Outstanding grade, she said:

“I believe it’s well-deserved and feel extremely proud to be a part of a constantly developing institution that really takes into consideration the student’s opinions. I know that the opportunities at Exeter College will give me an advantage when it comes to applying to university or finding future jobs.”

As national exams returned last year, Ofsted’s inspection included scrutinising learner results and outcomes in exams. This meant that the summer’s record-breaking A Level results and top 10% value added performance were assessed as part of the inspection process.

Jade Otty, Vice Principal and Ofsted Quality Nominee, said:

“I am so pleased that the exceptional work of our teachers and support staff has been recognised by Ofsted. The College is Outstanding thanks to their expertise, care and commitment. I am proud too that this report reflects how amazing our learners and apprentices are in working with us to create a college community in which everyone can thrive and develop. We were also delighted that the report credited the support and work of our community and industry partners”

You can read the College’s full Ofsted report here.

Ofsted Inspections

The new Education Inspection Framework (EIF) came into force in September 2019. This rigorous inspection framework means fewer schools and colleges have been awarded outstanding nationally.
Ofsted’s new enhanced inspections of Further Education providers and Sixth Form colleges came into force in September 2022. It means that in addition to the EIF focus on Quality of Education, colleges are also judged on how well they link with community, civic, industry and education partners to meet their region’s skills needs.
Exeter College is the first college in the country to receive the top grade of Outstanding and the top grade of ‘strong contribution’ to skills needs.

Exeter College Alumni Celebrated at Glamourous Awards Night

Exeter College was delighted to return to an in-person event for this year’s Student Awards. Over 100 guests attended the 2023 awards ceremony at the Mercure Rougemont Hotel, celebrating the very best from a wide range of courses and achievements.

This group of students emerged from the pandemic and managed to deliver a set of exceptional results from all areas of the College. Their level of ambition has ensured they have achieved what they set out to do, with students progressing to an impressive list of universities, graduate schemes or directly into employment.

John Laramy CBE, Chief Executive and Principal at Exeter College said;

“I would like to congratulate all of tonight’s award winners, last year’s students and apprentices across the college combined to create one of the most successful years in our long History – thank you! Students delivered our best ever A Level results, outstanding T Level results and a stunning range of achievements, that covered every facet of college life. We are proud that you now become an Exeter College alumni.

“Our partners continue to work positively and proactively with us to make a meaningful difference to the student experience. I would also like to thank our sponsors and our employers; their ongoing support is, simply superb!”

College Patron Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice Principal Jade Otty, Chair of Governors Bindu Arjoon, Principal John Laramy, Simon Jupp MP and Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust.

The College was delighted to welcome Suzanne Tracey as guest speaker to the awards. Suzanne is the Chief Executive Officer for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and has been instrumental in creating a sector leading relationship with the College which means that students can access work experience opportunities and occupationally specific pathways, such as midwifery.

Suzanne Tracey, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:

“I’ve been delighted to be part of these special awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of students at Exeter College.

“We are really proud of our partnership with the College, which offers students the opportunity to find their future career, through a number of innovative qualifications and hands-on work experience, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.

“The students we work with are fantastic and we are excited to see what we can do together next.”

Students from the 2021/22 academic year were invited back to celebrate their impressive achievements and have the chance to catch up with past tutors and teachers.

Lily Tomlinson achieved the outstanding accolade of being the highest performing A Level PE student in the country.

Lily Tomlinson studied A Levels in Maths, Biology and PE and won an award for Academic Excellence. She is now studying at Loughborough University doing Sport and Exercise Science and is hoping to work in elite sport. She said;

“It’s an honour to be here, the college is so big, and all my friends did very well too so it’s a nice surprise.

“College really widened my horizons; it was a great steppingstone from school before university and made me take more responsibility for myself but there was still a lot of support when I needed it.”

Louis Skilton captained the College’s Esports League of Legends team in two national Esports finals.

Louis Skilton studied Esports Production and Management at College and is now doing a degree in Coaching and Management at the new College of Esports in London. He is planning to play internationally and is already speaking with companies about managing teams. Louis won the award for Esports Academy Student of the Year. He said:

“I’ve never seen as much passion and enthusiasm as I did at Exeter College in all my years of education, it changed learning for me. I had amazing opportunities like being interviewed by BBC Spotlight and competing in National Championships.

“This award feels like gratification for all the hard work, but I also feel like anyone could have got it as the whole team was amazing.”

Joshua Dyer studied the T Level in Software Development and did his work placement with Teignbridge Propellors where he now works as a Junior Software Developer. He won an award for Vocational and Technical Excellence and said;

“I’m really happy to be here tonight. My time at college was amazing, the way the course was taught was dynamic, practical, and hands-on. I would recommend it. The tutors and staff were amazing. Everyone is really friendly, I made lifelong friends.”

The College would like to congratulate all the 2023 award winners and say a big thank you to all our Sponsors who make this event possible.

Award Category	Student	Sponsor
Award for Academic Excellence	Isaiah Akinrowo	Bishop Fleming
Award for Academic Excellence	Madison Alford-Carnell	Peninsula Project Consulting
Award for Academic Excellence	Troy Dale	Exeter Science Park
Award for Academic Excellence	Lily Tomlinson	Foot Antsey
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence	Charlotte Barons	Willmott Dixon
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence	Joshua Dyer	SW Comms
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence	Mitchell Hadley	Stagecoach
Award for Vocational & Technical Excellence	Oliver Stockman	Exeter Works
Apprentice/Advanced Apprentice of the Year	Joan Murray	Taylor Lewis
Higher Apprentice of the Year	Ekaterina Cherkasenko	Howmet Aerospace
Performing Arts Academy Student of the Year	David Russell	Hampton by Hilton Exeter Airport
Digital Media Academy Student of the Year	Cameron Vaziri	Nevada Construction
Michael Caines Academy Student of the Year	Joshua Evans	Lympstone Manor
Esports Academy Student of the Year	Louis Skilton	Jurassic Fibre
Sports Academy Student of the Year	Caitlin Jeffery	Exeter City Community Trust
Reach Academy Student of the Year	Gabrielle Moran	Kislingbury Property Consultants
School of Art Student of the Year	Tavia Parker Schweizer	Pollards Print
Adult Learner of the Year	Jessica Santiago	University of Exeter
Skills for Life Student of the Year	Hector Kilvington	NatWest
Exeter College Sustainability Award	Ellie Edwards	Visit Exeter
The #ExeCollProud Award	Cameron Hatton	GWR

Get Individual Advice on Courses and Careers from our College Advice Team

Our friendly team of College Advisers are here to help any students looking to join Exeter College in September 2023.

They are offering free 30-minute appointments which can take place either in person at the college, or via a video call. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to have all of your questions answered. Our advisers happy to chat through your choice of subjects and courses, as well as to discuss the application and interview process. Book your session now.

Find out more about life at Exeter College including:

Advice on choosing between courses/subjects
Information about college life, such as academies and EXtra
Information about support on offer at Exeter College
Useful resources to research careers and universities
The chance to ask the team questions relating to Exeter College

Appointments will be held on a first come, first served basis from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on the following dates:

Thursday 5 January
Tuesday 17 January
Wednesday 1 February
Wednesday 15 February – as this is during half term, we can also offer appointments during the day, see the booking page for available times.

Book your session now.

There are a limited number of spaces available so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Please note that if you attend one of the following schools in Exeter, you will have the opportunity to speak to a college advisor during the school day and we kindly ask that you contact your lead advisor prior to making a booking online.

Isca Academy: Jay Henney – jay-annehenney@exe-coll.ac.uk
St Lukes: Jack Keogh – jackkeogh@exe-coll.ac.uk
St Peters: Emily Skinner – emilyskinner@exe-coll.ac.uk
St James: Caroline Earp – carolineearp@exe-coll.ac.uk
West Exe: Rebecca Shaw – rebeccashaw02@exe-coll.ac.uk

If you haven’t yet visited Exeter College, our next Open Event is taking place on Wednesday 26 April, from 4-7pm. Register today.

Exeter College Students Perform to Fully Booked Cathedral for Annual Festival of Carols

The Exeter College annual Festival of Carols brings together students, parents, and the wider Exeter community to celebrate the start of the festive season and the year drawing to a close. Last night saw the event return to the beautiful setting of Exeter Cathedral once more.

The service was officiated by the Prebendary Nigel Guthrie, Vicar of St David, and St Michael and The Very Reverend Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter.

John Laramy CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Exeter College, said:

“After a busy start to our academic year, the Festival of Carols is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all we have achieved so far and to enjoy the musical performances from our supremely talented students. It is always a pleasure to hear readings from a wide variety of students too.

“It is also an important event for raising vital funds and I am delighted that this year we were able to support Devon Air Ambulance. Thank you to everyone who gave generously. I am sure that we all appreciate the challenging work they do all over Devon.”

The festival was opened with welcome addresses from Exeter College Principal and Chief Executive John Laramy CBE and the Dean of Exeter and was followed by the candlelit procession.

The audience then enjoyed a selection of classical music from the Exeter College Orchestra, as well as a show-stopping performance of ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’.

Several learners did readings amongst many other student performances, including Therese Walsh, who is studying A Levels in English Literature, Film Studies and Politics. She read John 1. 1-14. She has really enjoyed her studies at Exeter College so far and said;

“I am nervous but excited. It’s a really great event every year so it is really cool to be taking part this year.”

Emily Wilson-Manfield, a first year Art and Graphics student who performed with the big band, said;

“It’s an exciting chance to be involved with the music community at the college and the wider local community – I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”

This charitable event, while free to attend, raises funds for a different nominated charity each year. This time Exeter College has chosen to support a cause close to home: the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. Generous donations were made by attendees, which will go towards funding Devon’s two air ambulances. These life-saving crafts provide life-saving interventions in the more inaccessible parts of Devon.

Foundation Learning and Support Choir Perform “Silent Night”

Thank you to Sheykie Campbell, a Design and Communication student studying the Level 3 UAL (University of the Arts London) Extended Diploma in Creative Practice Art, for the brilliant artwork used for the Festival of Carols Programme (below).

This year’s Festival of Carols was kindly sponsored by Taylor Lewis, Peninsula Project Consulting and Pollards Print.

Urban Learning Academy Supports Learning in the Community

The Urban Learning Academy (ULA) held an engagement event today at Exeter Library. The community learning project is a partnership between local providers in Exeter and has formed an Alliance that includes; Exeter College, CoLab, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.

The ULA is a venture exploring innovative approaches toward city-wide inclusive adult learning opportunities. It offers a range of sessions taking place in community hubs across the city.

Partners are collaborating to provide opportunities for adults to participate in free and low-cost learning across the city.

Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal and Deputy CEO at Exeter College, said;

“There is a burgeoning need in the city for a type of learning offer, that is different to the traditional offer, for people that do not have the confidence or have found past learning experiences difficult.

“By collaborating with several different organisations in the city, that share our passion and values for outreach, the ULA will be in the community in venues like libraries to offer the type of learning that is going to reengage members of the public that haven’t stepped into a classroom in years.

“The city is growing, there are more people, which is great, but it does bring its own challenges, further compounded now by the cost-of-living crisis, Brexit and unemployment.

“Exeter College has fantastic partnerships in the city and by joining together we have an opportunity to do this for the people in the community.”

Jo Cuthbertson, Learning Matters Lead at CoLab Exeter, said:

“The ULA really is committed to offering a wide range of community learning opportunities, doing things differently and connecting communities through learning and meaningful activity. Our learners are at the centre of all we do.

“We will work from the grassroots level to bring organisations, communities and individuals together to connect and break down barriers, offering free and very low cost opportunities to learn in our city.

“The ULA will enable people to learn, empower individuals to make choices about their learning journey and hopefully use learning as a tool for change to help transform lives.

“In just 5 months we have doubled our learning offer in our ULA programme and increased the number of learning providers being part of the ULA Partnership. It’s a very exciting time to be involved and we are still building on this and has scope for so much more”

Jola Pawlikowska, Community Ambassador at CoLab, will be reaching out to people in the community. She said;

“My job is to ensure that people with complex needs have access to education and training. That’s through informal training, through drop-ins, that then can be a seed that can move forward and progress people through to more formal training and progression opportunities.

The ULA aims to empower and transform the lives of people who find it hardest to connect and engage. Working in partnership with learning providers in Exeter, a varied and inclusive learning programme has been designed. Workshops include; Be Kind to Your Mind, Woodwork for Wellbeing, Walking Football, Writing Flash Fiction, Emotional First Aid and much more.

Phill Adams is Economic Inclusion Lead at Devon County Council and Lead Officer for Learn Devon. He said;

“Learn Devon is one of the direct delivery partners in this initiative. It’s really important for us to move the residents of Devon forward and give them those life chances, pathways into work or learning and wider life opportunities that we all strive for.

“The big thing for us, particularly with cost of living, is finding jobs and pathways which allow people to move into careers and find income at a time when it is hard going out there.

“At a time when the economy is turbulent, we need to be creating those moments when people shift onto a new career or a new option.”

Councillor Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Skills at Exeter City Council added;

“The reason that we are involved in the Urban Learning Academy is because we have a clear strategic priority around supporting people to engage in learning, help to move people towards employment and the workplace.

“We see this as being key in terms of doing that, engaging with some of those people that aren’t involved in any kind of learning or education at the moment and helping them on that journey back towards being fully engaged in life in the city.”

Rachel Payne, Business Development and Fundraising Manager at Libraries Unlimited said;

“The initial conversations started with Exeter College around how we could do some more community-led learning. Starting off with pop-up maths events at Exeter Library, St Thomas and Pinhoe – we began to discuss how community learning could go wider afield.

“We were talking about the ULA and how libraries have evolved. The notion that libraries are just about books is behind us, they are community hubs. They are an intrinsic part of the local community; offering a range of activities from Bounce and Rhyme, to Knit and Natter groups, dementia awareness, and mindfulness cafes, not to mention co working spaces and IT sessions.

“We are really excited to be part of the ULA, particularly as we aim to reach new communities across the city and showing them that this is a warm, safe, free space to be used. Especially with the cost-of-living crisis, just opening our doors and making people aware that libraries are there and that they’re freely available across the county is essential.”

To find out more about the Urban Learning Academy and how you can get involved visit Urban Learning Academy