When the Coventry Foodbank Warehouse was inundated with tins and jars of food after appearing on a BBC documentary, 12 students from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at City College Coventry stepped in to lend a hand.

“It made us realise how lucky we are to be looking forward to a Christmas with good food and presents,” said student Will Macarthur, 20.

The students have also set up a collection point for the Foodbank at the college.

Angela Lamb, business enterprise manager at the academy and a lifelong resident of Coventry, said she is “always saddened” by the numbers of people in the city who are struggling.”

“Volunteering at the Foodbank provides the perfect way for our students to make a real and valuable difference to the lives of many in our city, at the same time as fulfilling their charity challenge.”

Budding builders are learning new skills at a £10m training centre that’s just opened for young apprentices in Basildon.

More than 300 employed apprentices and 200 FE students are now enjoying state-of-the-art facilities for their courses in building services from ventilation, plumbing and electrical installation to refrigeration and air conditioning.

The charity Prospects Learning Foundation, which set up the Group Training Association (GTA) centre, celebrated its launch with a spectacular opening ceremony attended by leaders of the National Apprenticeship Service and the Education Funding Agency .

Neil Bates, the foundation’s chief executive, said the new campus is attracting the interest of national employers who want to invest in the skills of young people.

“When apprentice numbers for 16 to 18-year-olds in construction and engineering have been falling nationally, the opening of a GTA in Basildon is a timely and positive reminder of the value that GTAs can bring to the skills agenda on a not-for-profit basis.”

A robot and puppies recently helped students at Sunderland College to fight inequality.

They thronged around a life-size replica of a stormtrooper from Star Wars and learned how to handle guide dog puppies. Both were at the college to raise awareness of prejudice for Equality and Diversity Week.

“We’ve learned about different cultures and foods — and got henna tattoos. It’s even made me understand the importance of buying Fairtrade food,” said hairdressing student Charlotte Lauren, 17.

Charities, such as Young Asian Voices and Amnesty International, also gave talks to students on how to challenge stereotypes.

Joe Leggett, director of learning support at the college, said the week was a chance to celebrate the local region and to showcase the work being done by charities and the community.

“Our students really enjoy the week, making the most of the opportunity to get involved, learn about the important issues surrounding equality, have their say and make a difference.”

When Manchester United players left their Old Trafford pitch at half-time in a recent match, a group of Warrington College students ran on in front of the capacity crowd to show just what they could do.

“It was breathtaking playing in front of  a 60,000-strong crowd,” said Ben Graham, 16, one of the college’s  football excellence students.

He said Warrington’s course had been “fast and demanding” since it started in September. He has gained the FA Level 1 Football Coaching Award, which he is using to coach Fife Rangers under 15s.  “I already feel I’ve got a great future ahead of me in coaching.”

Mike Walsh, lecturer at the college and Manchester United Soccer School coach, said the skill displayed by the students was extremely high. “They will be the first to qualify on the new course and will have brilliant futures ahead of them,  whether it is in coaching nationally or internationally or progressing on to university.”

Jamie Livesey, 16, said: “It was a boyhood dream of mine to be on the pitch at Old Trafford during the game as I have been a fan all my life.”

Barking and Dagenham College students have been working as Santa’s little helpers.

More than 20 of the college’s technical theatre students created a grotto at the Broadway Theatre in East London for more than 2,000 visitors expected to turn up to see the man in red.

They also spent four weeks creating a grotto in Redbridge.

One of the group, 18-year-old Oliver Lyon, said: “It was really challenging but loads of fun. My role was to manage resources and time to ensure the project was completed by the deadline.

“We experimented with lots of different material and techniques to make sure the grotto looked as good as possible. Both the theatre and Redbridge Council are really pleased with the results.”

Justin Farndale, programme leader for technical theatre, said: “Throughout this project the students got the chance to learn about different design and painting techniques that can be used in theatre. It was fun, worthwhile and great work experience.”

A troupe of jazz dancers has become a London college’s first company-in-residence.

International theatre group Body of People (BOP) has set up at Morley College to help develop new courses.

BOP artistic director Dollie Henry said the group has always followed the spirit and inclusive expression of jazz “through collaboration and innovation”.

“Sharing our professional work and educational philosophy with Morley presents us all with a unique opportunity.”

The partnership is the first of its kind for jazz dance in the UK.

Morley’s curriculum area manager for dance Julia Wood said the college has a strong tradition of performing arts education.

“It’s our remit to provide educational support for the performing arts to ensure a continuing and contemporary contribution to our cultural capital.

“We very much look forward to working with BOP to develop an example of best practice that we hope will inspire other colleges and companies to work together.”

Hundreds of schoolchildren were transported to a land of ugly stepsisters, fairy godmothers and pirates as they watched a pantomime double-bill at a Kent college.

Dance and drama students at Canterbury College performed all-singing, all-dancing versions of classic children’s tales to children at Pilgrims Way Primary School.

More than 50 students were involved in the production of Cinderella and Peter Pan.

“It was fantastic entertainment for the children,” said Pilgrims Way assistant head Adam Smith. “They’ve been here before and they love it every time, plus it really makes Christmas.”

It’s the third year the college has been putting on pantomines for local school-children. Performing arts tutor Tony Greenlaw said: “Panto isn’t panto without a receptive audience of children. Every year we look forward to producing small-scale pantomimes for local schools to come and enjoy.  Our students benefit greatly from performing and this year has been our best offer yet.”

A Cheshire economics student has scored one of the highest marks in a finance exam.

James Anderson, 18, made it into the top 1 per cent of grades for his Level 3 School of Finance certificate. “I want to be an investment banker because I want to be living in the City and like the look of the lifestyle,” said the Priestley College student.

James will be awarded a £750 scholarship if he chooses to study one of the School of Finance’s degree programmes. And he’ll pocket another £750 if he achieves top marks in his Financial Studies Diploma.

James, who attended Bridgewater High School in Warrington, is now hoping to go to the London School of Economics.

On top of his diploma in financial studies he is taking A levels in economics, geography and business at Priestley.