Bicton College has been granted a zoo licence allowing it to show its collection of exotic animals to the public.

The Devon-based college opened an animal husbandry school in March 2014 for animal care, husbandry and conservation courses, which was paid for with a £2,880,000 grant from the Skills Funding Agency.

It contains a number of animal enclosures and paddocks that house animals including ring tail lemurs, alapacas, chinchillas, skunks, snakes, terrapins and spiders.

The college has now been granted a zoo licence.

Sue Merrett, head of animal care, said: “Our plan is to open for programmed education events for schools, youth and community groups and themed activities including junior keeper and face your phobia days.

“Our students will take a primary role in handling the animals and presenting to the public, providing them with extra experience and real-world training to further embellish the skills they present to future employees.”

Main photo caption: Level two animal care apprentice Sophie Harvison, aged 17, holding a skunk.

Level three business students from South Cheshire College pitched their business ideas to a Dragons’ Den-style panel of business leaders.

A total of 75 learners presented proposals to representatives from organisations including marketing agency Momentum Factor UK and accountancy firm The Alextra Group.

Ideas included a relaxation zone in a shopping centre, featuring computer games, where people who hate shopping could wait while their partners visited stores. Another learner wanted to open a night club without DJs where clubbers chose songs at the touch of a button.

The panel selected the 18 best ideas which will be further developed ahead of the college’s Business Exhibition in January, where an overall winner will be chosen.

Claire Finney, business lecturer at South Cheshire College, said: “The students have all worked exceptionally hard on their business ideas and put forward some excellent proposals to employers.”

Photo caption: Back row from left: Students who pitched ideas Tommy Locklin and Jake Toal, both 16, and Mulenga Kangwa, 17, with Phil Taylor from Alextra Accountants. Front row from left: Learners Jess Brown, 18, and Michael Madeley, 16, and Jamie Stewart from Momentum Factor

A giant mural telling the story of the Falklands War was created by A-level art and design students at the HMS Excellent Royal Navy base in Portsmouth.

Base warrant officer Simon Hayman had the idea for the 12ft by 12ft mural while attending a recent commemoration dinner for the conflict between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

He emailed South Downs College to ask if students would like to take on the project.

Around 20 learners developed the concept and a number of stencils over six months, before spending eight days painting it onto a wall in the officers’ mess at the navy base.

Lyn Surgeon, college principal, said: “It’s quite amazing when you think of the quality of work that our young people have been able to produce and the incredibly creative and respectful way they honoured the veterans from the Falklands.”

Mr Hayman, said: “The students delivered something monumental in my eyes. What the students have produced tells a story and they’ve captured every aspect of it.

“For that I am eternally grateful, my mess is grateful and I am proud to be associated to it.”

Main photo caption: Art and design lecturer Mark Kellett, student Luke Aris, aged 21, principal Lyn Surgeon, Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jones, and students Amelia Fewings, 17, and India Benton, 18 at the unveiling ceremony

Left insert: The mural

Uxbridge College took the Best Newcomer title in the national Green Gown Awards which recognise sustainability initiatives by education institutions.

The college was recognised for its E-Collegey initiative launched two years ago to boost staff and student interest in green issues.

Activities have included car-sharing and cycle purchase and maintenance schemes to limit the number of people driving to and from college.

There was also a ‘sustainable’ movie-themed fashion show where all the outfits were adapted from clothes bought in charity shops.

Learners also ran a ‘Shift it and Gift it’ sale where staff and students brought in toys, books and other potential gift items they no longer needed to sell at college, which raised around £400 for the Michael Sobell Hospice in nearby Hillingdon.

Lorraine Collins, executive director of enterprise and development, said: “It was really nice to be recognised with an award.

“We wanted a sustainable focus in the college and thought the best way to do that would be to create a clear brand that everyone recognised.

“Teams of students now wear high visibility jackets showing the logo when they do sustainable work around the college, like picking up litter and planting flowers.”

Main photo caption: (From left) Peter James, chair of the Green Gown Awards Steering Group, Sara Sands, college vice principal for finance and corporate services, Shane Woodhatch, college financial controller, and Simon Reeve, writer and broadcaster. Left insert: Staff and students at the fashion show

A former Death Row inmate told City College Norwich learners how studying behind bars helped clear his name.

American-born Nick Yarris, aged 52, was wrongly convicted of the rape and murder of a woman in Pennsylvania in 1982.

Mr Yarris told more than 100 A-level psychology, law and sociology learners that he educated himself from his maximum security cell and learned about advancements in DNA testing.

He successfully campaigned for key evidence in his case to be re-examined using DNA testing, which ultimately led to his release in 2004.

Mr Yarris also spoke about the brutal treatment he was subjected to from other inmates and guards.

A-level law student Tia McAleese, aged 17, from Norwich, said: “It actually left me speechless and it’s disgraceful that he was put through all of that.

“Listening to his story has made me want to change the law and has motivated me to be a better person as he is so forgiving — I wish I was like that.”

Photo Caption: (From left) Learner Lily Fox, aged 18, Nick Yarris and learner Charlotte Jones, 16

Learners from Hereward College’s peer support team received anti-bullying training.

The team, which was launched in 2005 to help first year students adjust to college life, received a £1,500 grant from coffee retailer Starbucks.

It paid for a two-day visit from the The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Training Team, launched in memory of the former Princess of Wales, which taught the 22 learners how to challenge and change the behaviour of bullies.

Level two ICT learner Warren Fletcher, aged 17, said: “The training was very helpful. It gave us the skills we need to deal with bullying — which are confidence, listening and communication.”

The grant will also fund a film showcasing the team’s anti-bullying work.

Photo caption: Members of the peer support team who did the anti-bullying training

Darlington College learner organised a 33-mile trek along Hadrian’s Wall to raise funds for a hospital unit that saved the life of her younger brother.

Abbie Taylor, aged 17, and more than 20 other uniformed and public services extended diploma learners spent two days walking the length of the wall built by the Romans in 122AD from West Cumbria to Northumberland to keep out Scottish invaders.

They raised £1,200 in sponsorship for Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, where her seven-year-old brother, Finlay, was treated as a baby.

When Finlay was born, x-rays showed that his heart was the size of a five-year-old’s.

Doctors found that he had a dangerously narrow aorta and performed a life-saving operation.

Abbie said: “Finlay was so poorly. He could have died in his sleep at any time.

“Now he is great — just like an annoying little brother should be.

“When our tutor asked us to choose a charity we all jumped at the chance of helping the hospital.

“The walk was tough and we got soaked through but it was well worthwhile.”

Finlay said: “It is amazing to think I could have died.

“When I go for my check-ups they call me the little miracle.”

Main photo caption: Abbie Taylor (second from right) with other Darlington College uniformed and public services students ahead of the walk. Inset left: Finlay today with his mum Gayle Taylor