Group News

Life at Shuttleworth

As we move into spring there is lots of activity happening on the farm. Lambing went well with a final total of 340 lambs born, and they are now enjoying being out at grass on the Shuttleworth parkland. There is no time for a rest as we move straight from lambing into calving. This year all the calves’ names will start with the letter L and in the picture, you can see Libby. Many hours are spent at this time of year on the arable side of the farm. We also undertake activities to improve the grassland. These activities ensure that this summer we will be able to make enough forage to take us through next winter. The Zoological Education Centre (ZEC) has also had some new arrivals in the mammal department, a trio of Brazilian cavies are housed here allowing students to study the behaviour of the wild cavy. We already house a large colony of domesticated cavies (guinea pigs) in the centre allowing students to study and care for these popular small pets. It is interesting studying the physical differences and feeding behaviours of their non-domesticated cousins! Students also have the unique experience of working with our two Capybara, considered the worlds largest cavy. Both the Brazilian wild cavies and capybara are captive raised animals from the zoo community where we work in collaboration with zoo and wildlife parks maintaining industry standards.

Stronger Together Annual Review 2020 out now

Viv De Fortuna

The Bedford College Group’s Annual Review for 2020, Stronger Together is out now. It reflects on the past year including being awarded the title of UK FE College of the Year 2020 together with student and staff success that was achieved in a year like no other. Alongside important financial and statistical data we have included details of our work with local employers, our continued and ever-growing role in the wider community, and our commitment to delivering the high standards of education we are known for in the sector You can view and download a copy of Stronger Together by visiting:

www.bedford.ac.uk/about/annual-review-2020

Sadly, last month staff received the news that Viv, who worked with us for over 25 years and was a lecturer in the Hair & Beauty department at Brooks in Bedford, passed away following a sudden illness. She was such a kind and thoughtful member of the team who would check in on every one with funny pictures or videos, she was the glue of the department, always professional, organised, often cheeky and amazing with the students. She will be very much missed. For those wishing to make a donation for Viv, the family would like donations to go to the Faces Charity, here is the link for donations

https://www.memorygiving.com/viviennejanedefortuna

There is a celebration of life book at Brooks reception for anyone to visit and write any message. If you are unable to visit in person, messages can also be sent by email to mwilson@bedford.ac.uk who will attach them to the book.

Artificial Intelligence boosts English and maths

The English and maths teams across the Group have been helping students by using a pioneering Artificial Intelligence platform to help boost their understanding of maths and English. The system has been in use by the team across the Group since September 2020 to support over 1,500 students with English, and more than 2,500 students with maths. It has already played a vital role in keeping them on track amid recent events including the lockdown. The project has been funded for three years at a cost of £440,000 by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP). With our students aged 16+, we must continue to offer GCSE in maths and English for students who haven’t achieved a Grade 4 pass. Nina Sharp, Director of Progression Pathways and the team who are leading this project have been successful in raising our 16 and 17 year old students to achieve this minimum Grade benchmark to enable the students to then progress. The Century AI system is making that “catch up” and refresher work much easier whether students are in class, as they are now, or whilst learning from home, in self isolation or simply doing extra study at home. “More students have found the technology useful for maths, and in English it has helped with the understanding of the language and structure questions as well as the revision of reading and writing skills in general,” explains Nina. “What makes this platform different is the use of AI neuroscience and educational psychology to provide targeted intervention. It recognises the best way the student learns and provides the materials in that way. “This is shown in feedback from students who say the system is easy to interface, and is intuitive to use. This is partly because the AI recognises the best way the student learns and adapts training ‘nuggets’ accordingly,” added Nina. The Century AI system provides thousands of high quality, content rich, resources which are a bonus for teachers.

Cutting carbon emissions Claiming Tax Relief

At the beginning of the year the Group was awarded nearly £3 million to cut carbon emissions on sites across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. The total of £2,831,455 came from the pioneering Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and enabled us to implement energy efficiency measures replacing fossil fuel-reliant systems with low carbon alternatives on a number of sites. The measures have included the installation of a water source heat pump, roof insulation, and solar panels. All will contribute to our wider decarbonisation aim to be a net zero organisation by 2050. Principally the work was carried out at the Cauldwell St campus, but we have also benefitted from photovoltaic (PV) panels being installed at the Zoological Education Centre at Shuttleworth College, the new look Wellingborough campus and the Trinity buildings which are part of The Bedford Sixth Form campus. Pat Jones, Executive Director of Finance said: “This is really exciting, as these measures will contribute significantly to our long-term carbon saving goals and working and learning within more sustainable buildings and environments. “This funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has supported us to deliver real energy savings, and helps us get a step closer to our efforts to be a net zero carbon organisation by 2050.” In October 2020 an All Staff Email was shared for those working from home during the pandemic who are able to claim tax relief on additional household expenses incurred, such as heating and lighting. Claims made at that time were for the 2020-21 tax year and as such ran to 5 April 2021. HMRC have now opened up the easy online process for the 2021-22 tax and this can be accessed via GOV.UK This link should take you directly to the page providing guidance on making a claim, but if you encounter any problems it can also be found by typing ‘claim tax relief for your job expenses’ in the search box on the main GOV.UK page. When you reach the ‘Working from home’ page click on the green ‘Check if you can claim’ button at the bottom of the page, answer a few general questions and you will then be taken to the login for your Government Gateway account to make the claim (which is a quick and easy process). Anyone who made a claim last year will already have an account, but if you haven’t you can set one up on the site at that point. The online process is quick and easy and those eligible will receive their full entitlement via an adjustment to their tax code.