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Mural for Manchester’s arts scene

A giant mural was created by Wigan and Leigh College learners in tribute to a part of Manchester famous for its arts and music scene.

Level two art and design learners painted original designs, featuring Joy Division and Oasis frontmen Ian Curtis and Liam Gallagher as well as legendary nightclub the Hacienda, onto the 63ft-wide and 8ft-tall mural.

It was installed in Thomas Street, in the city’s Northern Quarter, on a previously neglected piece of land which now features a herb garden and “bug hotels” to help preserve wildlife.

The designs were inspired by city’s Northern Quarter, which is famous for its arts and music scene.

Students’ Union co-ordinator Christina Donovan, said: “The mural celebrates Manchester’s culture and will inject a fresh new energy to a space that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors.”

The mural was commissioned by charity Northern Quarter Greening, which was set up by local residents to improve their local environment.

Cap: The mural tribute to Manchester’s arts and music scene.

Union calls national ‘day of action’ in support of staff on indefinite strike at Lambeth College

The University and College Union (UCU) has called a national “day of action” tomorrow in support of staff in their fourth week of a strike at Lambeth College.

The UCU has asked members working at colleges and universities across the country to help increase awareness of the indefinite industrial action launched on June 3.

They will be invited to upload supportive photos and messages to a digital Wall of Support on the UCU website and tweet using the hashtag #IsupportLambethUCU.

A UCU spokesperson said Wednesday’s activities would also include lunchtime protests, cash collections for those on strike, collecting signatures for a petition backing the action and emailing Lambeth principal Mark Silverman.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: “No educator enjoys taking strike action and indefinite action is a rare occurrence indeed.

“This day of action is an important opportunity for our members around the country to show they support their colleagues at Lambeth and I have no doubt our members will respond magnificently.”

The strike was called over new contracts containing longer working hours and offering less annual leave. The new contracts offer 50 days a year annual leave — 10 days less than that given to existing staff.

However, Mr Silverman, who declined to comment on the UCU’s “day of action,” has said the terms of the new contract, which was introduced from April 1, were “in line with sector norms”.

He said the contract change was part of the college’s recovery plan following financial deficits of £4.1m in 2012/13 and £3.5m this year.

He added: “It is a shame that UCU are not more eager to prevent further damage to learners, their members and the college.

“I would, however, like to thank the vast majority of staff who are not striking for their hard work and continued support, rest assured we will continue in our efforts to resolve the dispute for the good of the learners and our college.”

The Association of Colleges declined to comment on whether members were taking measures to reduce any potential impact of the action. The UCU declined to comment on how many colleges and universities would be involved.

See Ms Hunt and Mr Silverman outline their views on the Lambeth College strike more fully here.

Breaking ground with ploughathon

Sparsholt College extended diploma agriculture students broke new ground for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance charity through a sponsored ploughathon.

Dozens of Hampshire-based learners were sponsored to use a ploughing machine, two tractors and muck spreaders on the college farm non-stop for 24 hours.

They raised £1,273 in support of the local air ambulance.

Abby Parsons, agriculture lecturer, said: ‘We are really pleased how committed the students were to the challenge from the organising phase through to ploughing and they did a very professional job.

“Many will be finishing their course this month and going into the workplace. It is encouraging to see how accomplished they all were applying key skills that will hopefully see them pursue successful careers.”

Cap: Students and staff from Sparsholt College with a cheque for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance

Top job at Skills Funding Agency on offer — ‘no FE and skills experience necessary’

The post of full-time chief executive at the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) is on offer with a salary of up to £142,000 a-year — and “no FE and skills experience necessary”.

The role, currently held on an interim basis by Barbara Spicer (pictured right), also comes with a possible bonus of up to £17,500 after three years, plus annual payouts “in line with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Senior Civil Service policy”.

The job of overseeing an annual sectoral budget of around £3.5bn was advertised by national press yesterday and requires applicants to “have a substantial track record of delivering structural and cultural change”.

The specifications for the 42-hour a-week job (including one-hour meal breaks) added: “Politically astute, you will quickly command the respect of government and the sector.

“Prior experience of FE and skills policy is not essential, but you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges associated with operating a dynamic and efficient skills system that changes lives through learning.”

Ms Spicer, a former £175,000 a-year Salford City Council chief executive of eight years, was given a nine-month contract to run the SFA as interim chief executive in November — two months after her predecessor, Kim Thorneywork (pictured left), who also held the post as interim, stood aside to concentrate on her battle with breast cancer.

Mrs Thorneywork, a chemistry graduate and mother-of-one, was appointed agency chief executive in July 2012, replacing Geoff Russell. She was awarded a CBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday honours list this month.

To apply for the job, email sfa@green-park.co.uk by Monday, July 7, with a CV and covering letter or supporting statement of no more than two sides of A4.

Education Funding Agency to stick with 2011/12 minimum standards when judging last year’s provision

The Education Funding Agency has published guidance on how 16 to 19 provision from 2012/13 will be judged.

The agency said the minimum standards from 2011/12 would continue to be used.

A spokesperson said: “In the 2012 to 2013 academic year, a school sixth form or college will be seen as underperforming if its results show that fewer than 40 per cent of students achieve an average point score per entry in vocational qualifications of 194 points…[and] fewer than 40 per cent of students achieve an average point score per entry in academic qualifications of 172 points.”

The standards will cover all schools and colleges for 16 to 18-year-olds and will take into account performance in A-levels, and other academic and vocational qualifications taken at level three.

Standards for the 2013/14 academic year are due to be agreed in August.

See edition 108 of FE Week (dated Monday, June 30) for more, including sector reaction.

Rocking with a Red Hot Chilli Pepper

Stadium-rocking drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers Chad Smith jammed with students during a surprise visit to North West London’s Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.

Mr Smith, who has drummed for the funk-rock band since 1988, spoke to around 100 level three to five music students and also joined in a jamming session with learners.

He said: “There are no shortcuts, work hard. You have to put the work in.

“Play with as many other people as you can and learn as many different types of music as you can because it will always help you to become more well-rounded musicians.”

The drummer was invited to deliver the speech by his friend Ian Edwards, head of marketing and admissions at the Institute.

He said: “I am so grateful to Chad. He is such an inspirational musician and passionate communicator who is totally focused on supporting and encouraging students to build real careers in the music industry.”

Cap: From left: Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith in a jamming session with students.

Seafood dish proves Sam is a masterchef

Hospitality learner Sam Self turned up the heat on his competitors to secure the title of college Masterchef.

More than 30 level two and three hospitality and catering students took part in the competitioin at South Cheshire College.

Level three student Sam, aged 19, won the final cook-off after serving Besugo A La Riojana to hospitality and catering lecturer Mike Finney and professional chef Kevin Snell.

The dish was sea bream fillets in fresh pesto, served on a potato rosti with a Spanish-inspired tomato, pepper and Iberian chorizo sauce. Sam said: “I was thrilled to win. This competition was a great learning curve.”

Chef lecturer Shane Guilford said: “All the students who took part did themselves proud.”

Cap: Hospitality student Sam Self

Justin’s horned headpiece worn by Angelina

Former Kensington and Chelsea College higher national certificate millinery student Justin Smith worked on a horned headpiece worn by Angelina Jolie in fantasy film Maleficent.

The 34-year-old, who left the college in 2004, helped create the headpiece with black horns worn by evil fairy godmother Maleficent played by Ms Jolie in the film released last month.

Mr Smith, who runs his own hat-making business called J Smith Esquire, has kept in regular contact with the college over the last decade and met current millinery students at their end-of-year exhibition on June 5.

He said: “Kensington and Chelsea was an important part of my learning the art and craft of millinery and all its traditions, a stepping stone to help me develop and grow my style.”

Speaking about the headpiece, he added: “Angelina wanted something that was going to cover the head and completely lose all the hair, but also not be a turban or fabric just wrapped around the head.

“It was quite a specific brief and it took a little bit of time to understand where we can go with this to try and create an identity for her.”

Cap: Angelina Jolie wears the headpiece as evil fairy godmother Maleficent. Inset: Former Kensington and Chelsea College millinery student Justin Smith

Classic album remix is out of this world

Level three music students performed their remix of concept album War of the Worlds live at Warrington Collegiate.

Antony Vickers, aged 26, and Nick Bromley, 22, reworked the original songs recorded by Jeff Wayne in 1978 with house, dub step and drum and bass styles.

They performed their version of the album, which retained actor Richard Burton’s narration of the story written by HG Wells, in the college’s Barton Theatre.

The duo played guitar, drums and synthesisers live to the remixed music.

Nick said: “Our tutor Liam Maloney was the inspiration for this piece.

“He has supported, guided and encouraged us to make it our own. It was an enormous challenge, the work is a classic, but we are confident that this performance won’t be the last.”

Cap: From left: Nick Bromley plays keyboard and Antony Vickers plays guitar to their War of the Worlds remix.