French catering students learned how to cook British dishes during a visit to City College Brighton and Hove.
The learners from Amiens, in France, travelled to Brighton through the Interreg New Technologies for Apprenticeship (NTA) scheme that aims to develop the life skills of French and British students.
They were taught how to cook British dishes, including braised ox cheek and quail Scotch eggs with plum chutney, with help from Brighton and Hove students.
Emma Hotson, the college’s projects and partnership manager, said: “The French students were quite nervous at first about learning to cook dishes they would never have to make back home — but they really threw themselves into it and did a great job. The English and French students sat down together with staff at the end and ate the food. Everyone said how nice it tasted.”

Cap: English and French students in City College Brighton and Hove’s training kitchen holding the British, French and European Union flags

Sudden adult death syndrome struck down personal training student Adam Middleton three years ago. The 23-year-old had suffered from an undetected heart defect and his devastated mother, Donna Mayall, was so determined to prevent the same thing from happening to other young people that she raised more than £12,000 to fund screening tests at Warwickshire College, writes Paul Offord.

Donna Mayall’s life changed forever the day her apparently healthy son, Adam Middleton, died unexpectedly.
The 23-year-old, a level three personal training student at Warwickshire College, stayed in bed on the morning of February 3, 2011. He felt unwell.
His heart stopped around lunchtime, a victim of sudden adult death syndrome (Sads), and he was later found dead by his mother.
She resolved to honour the memory of her son by helping prevent other young people from falling victim to Sads — which claims the lives of 12 people aged between 14 and 35 in the UK every week.
Donna raised £12,000 to fund a two-day screening event at Warwickshire College, where around 200 students and other teenagers and young adults were tested for heart abnormalities.
She said: “There was nothing to indicate Adam had a heart condition. He looked after himself physically and was training to be a fitness instructor at the college.
“His heart just stopped and there was nothing I could have done, even if I had been there when he died.
“But I subsequently learned Sads can largely be prevented through testing for heart abnormalities that can then be treated.
“They have introduced tests for young people in Italy and the death rate has fallen by 90 per cent. I decided to organise our own local screening event because of this.”
She added: “Adam was someone who was quite conscious of fitness. If he would have known he had a weakness, he would have definitely done something about it.”
Sads is an umbrella term commonly used for the many different causes of cardiac arrest in young people.
The screening event at the college, which was held with support from the charity the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young UK (CRY), involved a simple ECG (electrocardiogram) test. Four of the young people tested have since been referred for further tests.
“We could have saved four people’s lives, so in my book that is worth every penny of the money we raised,” said Donna.
“Even if we put 200 minds at rest that would have meant everything to me. Adam would have been very proud his family is doing something positive to help other people.”

Clare Everest, manager of the college’s academy for sport, fitness and public services, said: “We are so pleased Donna asked us to host this screening event in memory of Adam. Our students and staff worked so hard to raise money to help fund the event and to have tested 200 young people and raise awareness has been fantastic.“
The first £1,200 towards the £12,000 cost of the screening event came from donations made by Adam’s family and friends at his funeral.
Students and staff also raised £900 through a Christmas fair held at the college in November.
Donna raised the rest with help from Adam’s brother, Ash Brittain, aged 20, and sister Rhianna Brittain, 14, through events including a golf day, charity auction and fun run.
Donna recently started a new job with the British Heart Foundation, as resource administration manager for the customer service centre in Birmingham.
She said: “I moved from my old job with the Air Ambulance Service because I wanted help raise money to fight heart disease. It was another way I thought I could make a difference as a tribute to Adam. Losing him has moulded my life really. I went through some pretty bad times, but if I can help other people avoid going through the same thing, then that is what I want to do.”

Cap: Tony Hill, from Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), student Dan Taylor, 17, Lynda Jones, from CRY, and Donna Mayall at the screening event. Inset: Adam Middleton with younger brother Ash Brittain

The final, which took place at the Skills Show last November, saw more than 700 of the UK’s most talented apprentices, employees and college learners battle it out in 70 categories including forensic science, mobile robotics, welding, reflexology and floristry.

Kirsty Hoadley, aged 23, who triumphed at visual merchandising in World Skills in 2011, spoke to this year’s winners at the event. She said: “This is just the beginning for you — there is so much more to do and I’m sure most if not all of you will go onto have an outstanding career off the back of this experience.”

Eleanor Bartley, 20, from North Hertfordshire College, who won gold in reflexology last year, said: “I would definitely recommend others to go in for WorldSkills. I was very nervous at first while competing, but you then zone into what you’re doing and it’s good fun.”

A City College Norwich student has become the first female to make it through to the final of the UK Copper Board National Apprentice Plumber of the Year competition.
Hayley Phenix, aged 19, earned her place in the final of the plumbing skills competition after winning the midlands regional heat held at Burton & South Derbyshire College.
Hayley is learning her trade with AMP Plumbing, her father’s Tony’s business, while attending college one day a week. She finished a level two apprenticeship in plumbing and heating last September and is now working towards level three.
Corrienne Peasgood, Norwich principal, said: “We’re very proud to have the first ever female apprentice in the final.”
Competitors at the heat had four hours to install a shower and a gas boiler. The final will be held on April 30 and May 1 at the Adey Conference and Training Centre, in Cheltenham.

Cap: From left: Tony Kite, from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, Bob Baldock, lecturer at City College Norwich, Hayley Phenix with her winner’s bowl, and Kane Bramhall, from Burton & South Derbyshire College

Myerscough College staff and motorsport students hit top gear by rebuilding, servicing and racing in cars for a rally.
The students rebuilt a Nissan Micra and Ford Escort mark two from a basic frame, installing the engines, gears, clutch, and electronics, which took part in the 2014 Legend Fires North West Stages Rally along the Fylde coast, in Lancashire.
Motorsports lecturer Pat Masters drove the Micra, which came home first in its class.
His co-driver and navigator was 19-year-old student Lewis Jackson, who said: “This was the first rally I’d navigated in. I never thought I’d end up actually in a car. Having Pat as the driver was great — he’s really experienced with off-roading and I trusted him, which made it easier for me.’’

The Escort, which was driven and navigated by people from outside the college, finished fifth in its class.
Both cars were serviced throughout the rally by the students, under the supervision of their tutors.
Mr Masters said: ‘’Lewis was an excellent navigator for his first go.
“He was confident, relaxed and never got flustered.
“I couldn’t have got through it without him.
“It was a great effort across the whole department, with staff and students from across higher and further education taking an active role.
“It took many weeks of planning and logistics to get us there.’’

Cap: Pat Masters and Lewis Jackson standing by their Micra. Inset: Staff and students from the Myerscough motorsport team

A photography student from Weston College has had her work exhibited in New York after winning a prestigious competition.
Polish-born Anna Piotrowska, aged 31, is studying a foundation degree in photography in practice and was selected for the New York-based Young Photographers’ Alliance (YPA) mentoring scheme, which puts together talented college students with leading photographers.
Anna was mentored by professional photographers Daniel Bosworth and Alex Acin, both from Bristol.

Her photo on the theme of escape, which she took of herself in a graveyard, won the YPA award for best single image and was exhibited at the Calumet Gallery in New York.
Anna won a £150 voucher to spend on photographic equipment.
Her tutor Morag MacDonald said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled for Anna. She really deserves the award. Watching her dedication to her subject has been a joy.”

Cap: Photographer Anna Piotrowska in her winning image. Inset: Anna at college

A level two hairdressing student from Riverside College has been selected to appear as a contestant on a new BBC Three TV series called Hair.
Mother-of-two Katie Crompton will be one of eight contestants competing against each other to secure the title of Britain’s best amateur hair stylist.
The 30-year-old returned to college after completing a fashion degree at the University of Central Lancashire and deciding she wanted to become a hairdresser.
She applied to become a contestant on the six-part series after seeing an advert in Closer magazine asking aspiring hair stylists to apply.
Katie said:“After my initial application, I was asked to make a video and complete a questionnaire and then to do a screen test and meet the producers of the show. I was really excited when I realised I had been chosen.
“I am looking forward to putting my skills and creativity to the test and am hoping to get as far in the competition as possible.”
Diane White, head of the centre of excellence in hair and beauty at the college, said: “It is a great opportunity for Katie to showcase her talents to the judges on the show and an audience of thousands of TV viewers.”
The first episode will be screened from 9pm on February 26.

Cap: Hairdressing student Katie Crompton cutting a client’s hair