FE Week Reporter | FE Week

Making a splash with musical

Everything went swimmingly when students from Winstanley College in Wigan performed a mermaid-themed musical to children and their families. The level one performing arts students produced and acted in the show, called A Mermaid’s Tale, as part of their course which requires them to learn about theatre for children. The show was targeted at four […]

WorldSkills winner recognised as master craftsman

A gold medal winner at WorldSkills 2013 has been recognised as a master craftsman by a historic representative body for builders and tilers. Ashley Terron, aged 21, who completed an advanced level three apprenticeship in construction building with Warrington Collegiate and his family firm Peter Terron Construction three years ago, set a world record for […]

It’s no drama as learners help fight bullying

Learners from Macclesfield College used their creative talents to get an anti-bullying message across to primary school pupils. The level two performing arts students created bullying-themed drama scenarios and helped year three and four children from Hurdsfield Primary School, in Macclesfield, act them out. The learners, who were also challenged to organise enjoyable warm-up activities […]

Farming safety lessons learned through Countryfile visit ensures

Warwickshire College featured in a report by BBC TV show Countryfile on the importance of health and safety in farming. The BBC spent two days filming at the college’s 345-hectare farm, where learners gain hands-on experience of arable cropping, working in a dairy unit, and with sheep and cattle herds. They also use field-based machines […]

Students in Wonderland through movie make-up challenge

Leeds City College students were transformed into characters from Tim Burton films. Level three production arts students used hair and make-up skills they had learned on their courses to carry out the make-overs on level three performing arts and acting students. The learners looked like characters from Burton’s films including Batman, Alice in Wonderland, Edward […]

All-female team triumphs in engineering competition

An all-female team of MidKent College learners proved they were on the same frequency by winning an engineering competition that challenged them to build a working radio. Level three engineering students Katie Emery, aged 16, Emma Nelson and Lauren Wells, both 17, Sophie Everest-Ford and Dylan Halpin, both 18, and Jessica Beckley, 19, triumphed ahead […]

Young voters hear from Euro MPs and vote to stay in the EU

Students from Walsall College voted overwhelmingly in favour of the UK staying in the European Union (EU) after debating the issue with three West Midlands Euro MPs. The college held a Europe day, where it invited Anthea McIntyre (Conservative), Phil Bennion (Liberal Democrats) and Nikki Sinclaire (Independent) to debate the advantages and disadvantages of EU […]

Students’ union ‘needs more ambition’ in putting FE funding case

The National Union of Students’ National Conference took place in Liverpool this month and resulted in re-elections and new campaigning vigour, writes Freddie Whittaker. The National Union of Students (NUS) needs to be “more ambitious” in talking about FE funding, newly re-elected president Toni Pearce has told FE Week. The former Cornwall College Student Union […]

How Uncle Sam is pioneering apprenticeships

The UK often looks to Europe for inspiration on apprenticeships. Tom Bewick suggests a glance across the pond instead. American apprenticeships are perhaps an unlikely example of a world-class system in the making. Yet, in his state of the union address in January, President Barack Obama said he wanted, “more on-the-job training, and more apprenticeships […]