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26 April 2026

Fast-tracked into the heart of government

Young people on the Civil Service’s fast-track apprenticeship scheme met Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude. The minister met existing apprentices at the Cabinet Office, in Whitehall, London, during an event to publicise plans to double the number of places on the scheme, which gives 18 to 21-year-olds the chance to work at the heart of […]

History lesson from Shadow Education Secretary

A group of students learned about the troubled history of South Africa’s second largest city from Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt. The keen historian spoke to more than 20 learners from Stoke-on-Trent College and Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College about Cape Town, where black and white communities were divided by apartheid from 1948 until Nelson Mandela […]

Memorial fund helps paint bright future for artist Tom

A art student has been awarded £500 from a fund set up in memory of a talented Nottinghamshire artist. Tom Trueman, aged 18, who is studying for a foundation diploma in art and design at New College Nottingham, submitted a range of his paintings to prove his promise as an artist, when applying for a […]

Seeds of wisdom shared by top florist

Award-winning florist Joseph Massie shared his seeds of wisdom with students of Hugh BairdCollege. Mr Massie won five consecutive gold medals for floral design and four best in show awards at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show between 2009 and 2013. He held a masterclass with level one, two and three floristry students […]

Jermain delighted to be on will.i.am’s team for The Voice

A former Sir George Monoux College student has been selected to be part of R&B star will.i.am’s team on BBC talent show the Voice. Jermain Jackman, aged 19, who gained top grades in BTec music at the East London-based college, sang And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson to impress the coaches. Jermain’s admiration […]

Pulling together during sponsored 24-hour rowathon

Students and staff at Stratford-upon-Avon College raised more than £1,000 for local charity SW Heart after completing a gruelling 24-hour rowing challenge. The event was organised by BTec level three national extended diploma in uniformed public services students, who were joined by learners studying other courses and college staff in completing a combined total of […]

Promising rugby players pass the England test

Two talented members of the East Durham College rugby scholarship programme passed through trials for the England college rugby squad. Lee Little, a second row lock, and Liam Armstrong, who plays in the back row, travelled to Telford, Shropshire, to represent the North of England Colleges’ rugby team in a series of matches against college […]

Getting rolling with Starlight Express

Former Starlight Express star Gavin Ashbarry told arts students how he got his musical career rolling during a visit to South Thames College. The actor recalled how he travelled the world from 2001 to 2013 playing Dustin the steam engine in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which was a particularly difficult role as he had […]