Staff at South Cheshire College have been wheeling into work as part of a national campaign to promote cycling. Bike Week, sponsored by Samsung, is one of the UK’s biggest annual cycle promotions.

It hopes to encourage more than half a million people to join in events rethinking journeys and switching to cycling as the most convenient way to get around.

Jenny Harris, sustainable development manager at South Cheshire College, said: “We are pleased to support national Bike Week and a good number of staff have cycled in to work to show their support.

“The week aims to get people to give cycling a go all over the UK, whether it’s to get to work, for fun, or for getting to the local shops.

“Cycling is a great way to keep fit and staff have used their bikes as an alternative to bringing the car to work.”

College staff supported Walk to Work Week earlier in the year; both events tie in with the College’s Green Travel Plan to promote health and fitness.

Students and teachers at Warrington College battled it out at a charity football match in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event was organised by Level 3 travel and tourism students after an inspirational talk from Nicola Williams, ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Support, who came to college to tell her story and outline the tremendous support she received from the charity.

Jen Wills, a travel and tourism student, said: “We were really touched by Nicola’s story and decided to raise funds and awareness of everything that Macmillan Cancer Support do for people.”

Nicola Williams said: “It’s really great that the students have chosen to support Macmillan with this football match. Macmillan has helped both me and my family since my diagnosis 18 months ago. I would like to say a huge thank you to them for raising awareness of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Despite fierce competition from the tutors’ team, the students won the match 6-3.

The winning team received the trophy from Nicola and did a victory lap to celebrate their win.

Whitbread staff joined longstanding e-learning partner MindLeaders to celebrate the 3,000th skills for life learner on the Whitbread programme since it began in 2008.

Kevin Crocker (right) is the 3,000th learner to enrol on his skills for life qualifications in literacy and numeracy at Whitbread.

He is currently senior grill chef at the Gordano Gate in Portishead, Bristol, and joined the Whitbread team two years ago.

“I’ve always pushed myself to learn and improve my skills,” Kevin said.

A new mobile classroom aims to make Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) more engaging for young people.

South Nottingham College secured innovation funding to buy a mobile trailer to transport their electric car to events across the county to promote STEM courses.

The STEM shuttle has been specially adapted to incorporate work benches to allow students to participate in mobile lessons. The trailer is self-sufficient and can be powered by renewable energy, which is generated via solar panels on the roof and a small wind turbine.

Jon Rawson, STEM Co-ordinator said: “The STEM areas in some way relate to almost every aspect of life: the fact that when you turn the tap on you have fresh clean water and when you flick the light switch the light turns on.”

Doncaster College students have been involved in a charity horse and dog show held by Northern Racing College. Students from animal care and horse care courses helped to organise the event, which took place in the grounds of the Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall.

Reece Rowland, 18, won first place in the in-hand championship. The Level 2 horse care student said: “I am very happy and feel lucky to have had this opportunity, thank you.”

Mika Rodgers, a Level 3 animal care student, and Dolly, Doncaster College’s shetland pony, came second in the mountain and moorland class. Mika, 19, said: “We had a great day; it was a fantastic experience and we felt proud to be representing Doncaster College with our gorgeous pony”.

Laura Astles, a lecturer at the College, said: ‘The learners enjoyed every minute of the experience and our college noticeboards are now filled with lots of lovely rosettes!”

Dearne Valley College (DVC) has launched a training allowance and a Job Zone. The training allowance rewards students with a weekly £10 for 100 per cent attendance. DVC is the only college in South Yorkshire to offer all existing and new 16 to 18-year-old full-time students and apprentices a weekly payment in a bid to boost college attendance.

An annual achievement bonus of £100 will also be awarded for those who complete their programme with consistently excellent attendance in 2012/2013.

The Job Zone, launched with Job Centre Plus, is primarily available to DVC students who want to find out about progression opportunities, part-time work and apprenticeships.

Ioan Morgan, DVC interim principal, said: “It is the College’s responsibility to make learning as accessible as possible. The new DVC Training Allowance will have a significant impact for our 16 to 18-year-old learners. Not only will it support them financially, but it will also help to instil the importance of good attendance – a life skill that will support them in their future careers.”

Newcastle College has launched an extensive support scheme for young people that guarantees all eligible students £1,200 over the duration of their two-year course. It also offers thousands of 16 to 18 -year-old learners a package of benefits to help with their studies.

The package includes the Newcastle College Maintenance Allowance (NCMA), which the College introduced in September last year to replace the Education Maintenance Allowance.

As courses for 16 to 18-year-olds are free, the money can be spent on essentials such as travel, books and other costs associated with learning.

The number of learners who receive NCMA is not capped and will be available to current and new students, as well as those transferring from elsewhere who meet the criteria.

Carole Kitching, deputy principal of Newcastle College, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer one of the most comprehensive packages of support to young people across the region.

There is no doubt that this financial support provides real benefits and in many cases is an essential factor determining whether or not a young person chooses to continue with their education.”

Youngsters from Bath’s Widcome Junior School have been treated to a DJing masterclass by a talented DJ from City of Bath College.

J Cassidy, a second year music technology student, rounded off pupils’ arts week with a hands-on DJ training session.

Mark Smithers, the College’s head of music technology, was on hand to explain some of the principles of sound and mixing while the action was being broadcast on a huge screen in the school hall.

Nell Winbolt, 10, said: “It was absolutely brilliant, I got to find out how CDJ decks work and got to mix my own tracks with J.”

Fraya Saunders, 10, added: “It was so loud it made your whole body shake! We all got to have a dance and see how to mix our own music.”

It was the second year that music students from City of Bath College have got involved with the school’s arts week.

Engineering students at MidKent College’s Maidstone Campus have received an energy boost with the donation of state-of-the-art solar panel equipment.

The high-tech kit was donated to the College by Dartford firm Enevis, whose employee Paul Saunders, 39, from Sittingbourne, is currently studying for a higher national certificate.

Simon Foot, head of faculty for construction and building services, said: “We are extremely grateful for this generous donation, which will be of great use to our students.
“It will provide them with invaluable hands-on experience of working with this type of technology, which will stand them in good stead for the future.”

Gary Mayatt, Enevis managing director, said: “We are delighted MidKent College agreed to accept our solar panel demonstration system as we are passionate about teaching the benefits of renewable energy.