Latest news from FE Week

A Northbrook College student has successfully completed one of the most gruelling basic training programmes in the world to enter the Royal Marines.

Jamie Smith, who studied level two and three diploma in uniformed services at the college, took on the demanding 32-week programme at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone Devon.

During his training, the 21-year-old learned everything from the basics such as marching, and looking after his kit and weapons, to combat skills that will turn him into an elite soldier worthy of the Green Beret.

The combat skills included setting ambushes, cliff assaults and fighting in built up areas.

The final week of training involved the completion of four commando tests, including an endurance course, a nine-mile speed march, a Tarzan assault course and a 30 mile march across Dartmoor, with equipment and rifle, which had to be completed in less than eight hours.

Jamie said: “Training was extremely hard but rewarding and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help and guidance from the uniformed services course at Northbrook College.”

Pic: Northbrook College learner Jamie Smith enters the Royal Marines

City College Norwich’s aviation engineering course leader Stuart Mackay has been recognised with a prestigious award for his “inspirational” teaching.

He was presented with the Aviation Skills Teacher of the Year award at a reception at the House of Commons by the Aviation Skills Partnership.

The award also has a great deal of personal significance for Mr Mackay as many of his students set to progress to the new Norwich International Aviation Academy, will hone their engineering skills in the same hangar where his late father was based with the RAF during the 1940s.

On being presented with the award, Mr Mackay said: “I was truly honoured not only to be on the shortlist, but also to be selected for an award for doing something that has been a lifelong passion for our family. This award is a testament to all the hard work put in by all of my teaching colleagues on the Aviation Engineering course at City College Norwich.”

Main pic: Stuart Mackay being presented with the Aviation Skills Partnership teacher of the year award by Amy Helm, partnership manager at the Aviation Skills Partnership, and Andy Perkins, chairman of youth in aviation

A former Redcar & Cleveland College plasterer, who scooped a Medallion of Excellence at the 2015 WorldSkills Championships, has returned to mentor the college’s current crop of students.

Rob Johnson completed his level three plastering diploma last year and visited the learners as part of the organisation’s College Champions initiative, a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme which sees high-achieving former students return to “unlock the skills of others” in their line of work.

The 22-year-old presented a video to level two plastering diploma students to share his experience of the WorldSkills Championships and offer an insight into the industry.

Rob, who works for his family’s North Ormesby-based plastering firm, Classic Plaster Moulds, said: “I’ve now reached the age limit to compete in such competitions [WorldSkills], but it has been fantastic to be able to pass on my knowledge to the students. Who knows, one day I might be judging them at the WorldSkills Championships.”

Rob is now studying for a teaching qualification at the college and, with the help of plastering lecturer Richard Cochrane, wants to become a tutor to help train the next generation of plastering talent.

Pic: Rob Johnson (middle) returns to Redcar & Cleveland College to help cement the futures of other plastering students hoping to follow in his footsteps

Caring Barnsley College students embarked on a sponsored charity walk in aid of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs).

The learners, who study childcare and education professions courses, made the 2.5 mile journey to the college’s Wigfield Farm site as part of the department’s relationship with Guide Dogs.

The charity has delivered tutorials to the learners about its work and how the public can support them in the past.

Claire Griffin, tutorial learning mentor, said: “The students enjoyed learning about Guide Dogs and the service users.

“The experience provided the perfect opportunity for the learners to understand and reflect on the service that Guide Dogs offers to individuals.

“All learners enjoyed a different learning experience enabling them to put their energies into a good cause.”

The students are also currently fundraising towards Barnsley College’s Name a Puppy @ School scheme where they aim to raise a total of £1,500 to name a guide dog puppy which they will get a chance to meet.

Pic: Learners and staff from the Barnsley College’s childcare and education professions department with Guide Dogs representatives

Skilful New College Stamford learners have teamed up with a local charity to complete a conservation project for endangered bird life.

The project sought to build a tower using recycled materials salvaged from a previously demolished barn, to encourage breeding of owls and kestrels.

The tower, constructed on farmland in Dyke by the Len Pick Trust with carpentry, electrical and bricklaying students, will not be accessible to the public, and as a result has been commissioned to include a live internet feed.

Live images of the nesting box, via the Len Pick Trust website, will be transmitted during active nesting seasons in the future.

Richard Brickwood, learning and standards manager for construction at New College Stamford, said: “This was an incredible opportunity for students to gain experience and develop their skills in a real work environment. They responded amazingly to the challenge working towards a very tight deadline. They can all be proud of making a positive impact in the community and on the environment”

Pic: New College Stamford learners with Len Pick Trust and community members meet to celebrate success of conservation project

A former Stratford-upon-Avon College music student has made it through to the final of the BBC’s Young Jazz Musician competition.

Elliot Sansom, aged 21, is one of five contestants who will battle it out for the top award.

Having already passed an intense audition process, the finalists will be accompanied by the Gwilym Simcock Trio, who will also act as their mentors.

Elliot gained his level three extended diploma in music at Stratford-upon-Avon College in 2012, before going on to study Jazz at Birmingham City University’s Birmingham Conservatoire.

After starting to play the piano himself at the tender age of five, 16 years later he credits the college for being “instrumental” in his career progression.

Elliott said: “I’m thrilled to be in the final of such a prestigious competition and to be recognised for playing the kind of music I love.

“They [his college lecturers] gave me confidence in my ability as a musician and helped me define the kind of musician I wanted to be.”

The final will take place March 12 at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, and will be broadcast on BBC Four.

Pic: Former Stratford-upon-Avon College music student Elliot Sansom playing the piano

Tireless learners at Totton College put their sleeping patterns out of sync for a 24 hour sporting spectacular to raise money for injured and disabled people who have worked in public service, writes Billy Camden.

ublic Services students at Totton College have raised more than £2,000 following a 24 hour charity sports marathon in aid of injured and disabled people who have worked in the public sector.

The dedicated team of 25 current and six former learners participated in the sporting spectacular as part of a course project that spanned a whole day and night of continuous activity including rugby, volleyball, tennis and Zumba.

Each of the sleep deprived students took turns coaching a team, briefing them and refereeing.

It was in aid of Blind Veterans UK and PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation, two charities that inspired the students during recent visits.

Learner Jake Lambe, 18 explained: “This year, we wanted to really push ourselves to the mental and physical limit to hopefully raise as much as possible for these two brilliant charities.

“A group of us recently visited the Blind Veterans UK centre in Brighton and spoke to some of the veterans the charity supports.

“Both Blind Veterans UK and the Blue Lamp Foundation make a huge difference to the lives of people who have served their country. That’s why we’re all so passionate about raising money for them.”

The marathon began on February 11 at 8.30am at Blighmont Territorial Army Centre, in Southampton, and carried on until the same time the following morning.

Learners were given a much needed boost 10 hours into the marathon, when they received a visit from veterans supported by Blind Veterans UK who took part in a football match.

The learners blindfolded themselves to make it a fair game and to give them a better understanding of the cause they were raising money for.

The ball had a bell inside for players to hone in their other senses.

Emily Masterman, 17, said: “It was a real honour to receive a visit from some blind veterans and really spurred us on in to the evening following a long day of sport. Being blind folded really bought home the sacrifices made by service men and women.”

Mark Threadgold was one of the blind veterans who joined in with the students.

He said: “We wanted to come along and support all the Totton College students because doing anything for 24 hours straight is a massive challenge, let alone playing sports.

“It was great that we were able to join in too. I know that the money they have raised will go a long way in supporting two very worthy charities.”

And when the tough times came and fatigue began to set in during the 24 hours, the learners turned to each other to get through it.

James Hawkins, 17, said: “Energy levels were up and down throughout the marathon but when we got a little tired, we found music, sugary treats and lots of chatting with our teammates helped to get us through.”

The sports marathon wasn’t the only endurance test to boost the coffers — male students and staff from the class bit their bottom lips and participated in a charity leg wax a day before the sporting marathon.

Main pic: Public Services students at Totton College during the 24 hour sports marathon

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tcps-charity-fundraisers to sponsor the team.