We must protect FE for international students

There has been much debate and comment here and elsewhere about the damaging introduction of fees for FE students aged over 24. Our opposition to this is clear and the ‘Keep FE Free’ campaign will be NUS’ priority in the coming months but it’s important that we don’t lose sight of one of another careless reform being made by this government that is massively undermining the further education sector.

A change that will cost the sector tens, or possibly hundreds, of millions of pounds; a change that is already leaving students scrabbling to find a new college in the midst of exam season; a change that could see some students marked out as untrustworthy and their movements closely monitored; a change that risks a public perception of colleges as amateurish and unreliable.

I am of course talking about the controversial changes to the international student regulations, draconian conditions for students wishing to study in the UK and the restriction of the right to sponsor students only to those colleges with a Highly Trusted Status (HTS).

The government knew when they made a promise to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands that European law prevented them from having any impact on economic immigration from the Continent and that businesses would not accept any stem to the flow of skilled-labour from around the world into their UK operations, so it appears the education sector was identified as a soft target.

This set up an interdepartmental duel as the better angels (this time at least) David Willetts and Vince Cable fought to save the integrity of further and higher education in the UK and to protect one of the few industries that successfully brings money into UK. They were battling the devil’s advocates in the Home Office in the form of Theresa May and Damian Green who are focussed solely on getting the headline number down ignoring whatever comes crashing down around them. May and Green, backed by the Prime Minister, won out and students, colleges, education and the UK lost out.

NUS has been calling for students to be removed from net migration figures so that this important part of the further education landscape cannot be used as political football

A year on the changes are starting to be felt by students on the ground. In Scotland at least six colleges failed the new tougher tests and lost HTS. This left their international students suddenly having to find a new institution or face deportation. The government have just extended the guillotine for those institutions who have not had their applications processed yet, giving everyone a little breathing room, but the assumption is that storm will gradually spread south bringing chaos and upheaval for colleges and students across the UK.

Worrying for those of us that believe fully that FE is not just HE’s poorer sibling should be the potential shift in the perception of international students and our colleges. As we no doubt move towards months of hearing about students whose college has lost HTS and thus visa-less some students have disappeared from the bumbling hands of UKBA, international students will be viewed with suspicion, as infiltrators exploiting the UK’s education system as cover for entry to the UK.

Similarly, as stories abound of colleges being denied Highly Trusted Status the obvious assumption will be that those colleges are untrustworthy and administered by fools. It won’t matter that idiotic rules about ratios of failed students will mean that a college with only a few international students will lose its HTS if a couple don’t complete their course, the damage will be done.

There is still time to avoid irreversible damage to UK further education as a destination for international students. As we put pressure on decision-makers about other things it is vital that we don’t let calls for a rethink on student visas fall silent. Michael Gove has been depressingly silent on this issue so far, allowing the battle to rage between the Home Office and BIS but he and his department must be persuaded to get involved.

NUS has been calling for students to be removed from net migration figures so that this important part of the further education landscape cannot be used as political football. It’s crucial too that a better balance is found between ensuring that the reputation of the sector and the welfare of students is not compromised by bogus or incompetent colleges and creating instability and suspicion within the sector. I’ll be campaigning for these things this year and I hope that others in the sector will join with those in higher education to raise their voices as well.

Toni Pearce, VP for FE,
National Union of Students

City of Wolverhampton College is in bloom

Students from City of Wolverhampton College have entered show gardens into the Birmingham Borders competition.

The competition will give horticultural students Brian Trubshaw, Phil Simmonds and Gemma Askew the chance to design, plan and build an exhibit in a show environment without the large financial and resource commitment.

Gemma Askew, aged 29, has based her design on her own experiences of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

“The things that are important to me are the numbers three and five, and symmetry, so that is reflected in my design,” she said.

The competition will be held at the NEC from June 13 to 17.

Darren Rudge, a lecturer at City of Wolverhampton College, said: “The students are all very excited about showcasing their work in front of the thousands of people that visit the show, and have come up with some really exciting designs.”

New principal for City College Brighton and Hove

A new principal will be joining City College Brighton and Hove when Phil Frier retires at the end of August.

Lynn Thackway is currently vice principal of the Barnfield Federation in Luton and is “delighted” by the appointment.

“The college has seen rapid improvements under the current principal and I intend to continue the work achieved so far in placing City College at the forefront of learning for young people, adults and businesses,” Ms Thackway said.

She started her career as a Maths teacher and worked in Colleges in Newcastle and Sheffield before moving south.

The current principal Mr Frier said: “Barnfield has a national reputation for innovation and working with its local communities, so I know Lynn will be engaging with the city to make a real difference to people’s lives’.

Robin Morley, the chair of the College’s Governing Body, which appointed Ms Thackway, said: “I am delighted that the Board of Corporation unanimously voted to appoint Lynn Thackway as the new chief executive and principal of City College following Phil’s retirement.”

Green fingered student at Pershore College

A student from Pershore College has been crowned the “Young Horticulturalist of the Year” by the Institute of Horticulture in Edinburgh.

Douglas Mackay, 21, from South Devon, was awarded a £2,000 bursary by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, which will allow him to travel abroad in pursuit of a horticultural career.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

“It’s just such a fantastic opportunity; it’s just been so good to be part of it really.”

Mr Mackay now hopes to tour Europe in order to observe food production once he graduates next summer.

Julia Page, assistant principal at the college, said: “We’re all really thrilled for Douglas and really pleased that he has been able to show the superb knowledge that he has gained while he has been at Pershore.”

South Cheshire College beauty therapy day

Students from South Cheshire College gave carers and service users a day to remember at the Neuromuscular Centre in Winsford.

Level 2 Complementary Therapy students and the level 2 Beauty Therapy group spent a day at the Centre delivering relaxing treatments such as massages, manicures and facials.

Sandra Smith, a complementary therapeutic practice for health and wellbeing foundation degree lecturer, said she was delighted with the event.

“The students all did themselves proud at the Neuromuscular Centre and those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” she said.

The Centre is a regional charity that provides a combination of services for people with a wide range of neuromuscular conditions from across the country.

Strode College’s make-up masterpieces

Beauty therapy students at Strode College have been showing off their creative flair and technical make-up skills by creating movie character looks.

The students worked in pairs, one as model and one as make-up artist, to put together a total look including make-up, hair, nails and clothes for an annual competition at the college.

Marcie Mickleburgh, course manager for level 2 beauty and therapy students, told FE Week: “The students have two and a half hours, and it is timed very strictly.

“Three judges then come round and take about 15 minutes to decide before going off and having a chat, coming back and announcing the winners.”

From Strode’s Level 2 beauty therapy Course, first prize went to ‘Black Swan’, modelled by Sophie Farmer from Somerton with makeup by Roxy Hannam from West Chinnock, Crewkerne. Second prize went to ‘Aavatar’, modelled by Laura Cobden from Martock, with makeup by Laura Beale from South Petherton.

Canterbury College curate curious collection

Artists from Canterbury College have transformed an empty shop in the Marlowe Arcade into an exciting new art gallery.

The Curious Curator exhibition space, formerly The Discovery Store, will feature paintings, sculptures and installations by BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design students.

The special four-day show was open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 12 May, to Tuesday, 15 May, as part of the Sounds New Creative Music Festival.

Twelve students helped convert the empty store into a contemporary gallery featuring their work, which is a visual response to the music and themes of the Sounds New festival.

The festival also featured performances by Canterbury College Music and Dance students and others.

Myerscough College smash campaign target

Myerscough College has created 151 new apprenticeships placements, smashing their original ‘100 in 100’ days campaign target.

Ann Turner, principal of Myerscough College, said: “Achieving 151 apprenticeships in only 100 days is incredible news.

“It means 151 people have secured a new job and will be trained to achieve a qualification that will hopefully secure them a long-term future.

“For employers it means they have gained new members of the workforce who will add value for many years to come.”

The initiative, launched in January, is part of Myerscough College’s yearlong apprenticeship campaign, called “My Apprentice 2012”.

The principal added: “This however is not the end of our drive to increase apprenticeships.

“For the remainder of 2012 we will build on the successes of the first 100 days and focus on securing further apprenticeships and opportunities throughout the year.”

Footie star coaches at Middlesbrough College

Former Middlesbrough, Southampton and Darlington star Neil Maddison has a new role after signing on as a coach at Middlesbrough College. The appointment is good news for the College, which is in the process of developing its Sports Academies as part of the new £6.5 million Middlesbrough College Sixth Form Centre – known as MC6. The new MC6 Sixth Form Centre will include a state-of-the-art 4G astro turf pitch along with modern changing facilities which will also be open to the public seven days a week.

Deputy director of sport, Paul Watt, said: “As well as these qualifications, Neil brings invaluable experience of both playing and coaching professional football. This really gives the students who come to Middlesbrough College the best possible coaching experience alongside their academic commitments.”

Josh Keeble, 16, who lives locally in Guisborough and is in his first year of a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Fitness, said: “Neil really knows what he’s doing, he’s played the game, he’s been a coach and he’s been a manager so if he tells you to do something it’s very difficult to argue with him.”