Connected Summer News 2024
Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College
Welcome to the first issue of Connected from Bournemouth and Poole College.
Our purpose is to help people improve their lives through education and training.
For 3,000 16-18 year-olds each year, this means passage to university courses, or into employment. Some do the latter as one of the 2,000 apprentices enrolled at college: young people and adults employed by over 750 businesses and public sector organisations in our region. We also train 4,000 further adults a year so they can rejoin the workforce, change jobs or progress in their career.
What you’ll see in this, and every issue, is the huge diversity of students and businesses we serve, and the huge number of amazing things happening.
And you’ll notice that what really makes education at college special is when our students are connected into our communities and the world of employment. Whether education extends beyond the college, or whether experiences and supporters are brought onto our campuses, real-life experience makes so much difference to the skills, attitudes and confidence students gain.
We hope you enjoy reading Connected and are inspired to work, support or study with us.
College 2030 Strategy and University Centre Launch
University Centre and College 2030 Strategy Launch
Principal and CEO Phil Sayles unveiled our ambitious ‘Strategy to 2030’ at an event attended by over sixty stakeholders from business, the community, education and politics. We showcased our vision for the future of the college: our purpose, our values and our ambitions for supporting our students, local employers and our communities.
The strategy showcases a focus on creating the skilled workforce of the future, serving a key section of our society: business and other employers, whose workforces we train and who we connect with individuals holding the skills they need. Through this, we will assist economic prosperity in the region, whilst supporting our local community through partnerships and charitable work.
Great partnerships form a key strand of the strategy, spanning every sector of our communities and activity. We were thereby thrilled to welcome speeches and support from Professor Lesley Haig (Vice Chancellor, AECC University College), Professor Keith Phalp (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Bournemouth University), Paul Gough (Vice Chancellor, Arts University Bournemouth), Graham Farrant (Chief Executive, BCP Council) and Ian Girling (Chief Executive, Dorset Chamber).
Following the 2030 Strategy Launch, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the college’s £1.2million University Centre at our Poole Campus, signalling an exciting milestone in our journey to deliver increased degree-level opportunities for future learners.
Principal, Phil Sayles, and the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Peter Miles, cut the ribbon at the new higher-education facility in front of sixty esteemed guests, including representatives from local businesses, community groups, charities, BPC Council, Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, Dorset Council and local schools, who had the opportunity to tour the redeveloped facility.
University Centre Poole offers modern, technical learning environments for students studying degree-level qualifications, with digital suites with high-specification IT equipment, engineering research equipment, and industry-standard nursing training facilities.
The Sunseeker Skills Academy Reaches One Year Milestone Anniversary
March marked the first anniversary of the Sunseeker Skills Academy at The College. Launched as a new training programme to address a national skills shortage, the Academy has become a blueprint in fast-tracking training schemes.
The Sunseeker Skills Academy pioneers an apprenticeship scheme to introduce employees to boatbuilding, with front-loaded delivery by the college and Sunseeker experts, delivered in a bespoke learning environment. During this time, the apprentices are immersed in Sunseeker working culture, which means they are well-prepared for work in the shipyards. It is becoming a beacon of collaboration between a pivotal employer and a college moving rapidly to the heart of skills delivery in our area.
Reflecting on the impact of the academy, Sunseeker Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Frabetti, said: “Our partnership with Bournemouth and Poole College has not only empowered over 100 newly trained employees but has also significantly enhanced shipyard productivity and efficiency.”
Celebration of Success of Pilot Back-to-Work Initiative with Sunseeker
We are thrilled to announce the remarkable success of our pilot back-to-work learning initiative, in the Sector Work Academy Programme (SWAP) in collaboration with Sunseeker International and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which aims to tackle local unemployment and bridge skills gaps.
The programme provided a group of 17 unemployed individuals, referred by the DWP, with access to a free, four-week intensive course to equip individuals with key skills covering health and safety, employability, as well as carpentry, culminating in the opportunity to interview for an apprenticeship role at Sunseeker International Ltd. Five individuals have successfully secured an apprenticeship with the luxury yacht manufacturer.
Plans are now underway to implement SWAP as an on-going initiative and we will look to enrol a further group of individuals, referred by the DWP, this July for a September start date.
Cre8FEST 24 Creative and Digital Festival
Following the success of last year’s first-ever CRE8 FEST, we held our second at Bournemouth and Poole College on 2nd to 3rd July. CRE8 FEST ’24 was a free, creative industries collaborative festival (Art and Design, Music, Performing Arts, Photography, Graphic Design and Esports), held at our Poole Campus. The Festival showcased the talent and dedication of students – with a focus and flair on the six key areas that help make these students great future employees: risk-takers, problem-solvers, critical thinkers, they take ownership, collaborate and are uber-creative individuals.
Stuart Palmer, Director of Learning | Creative and Digital Industries, said: “This year was the first year we have run CRE8FEST for The Creative and Digital Industries.
We welcomed parents, carers,industry partners and our staff to see the wide variety of work the students have been working on across all disciplines in our Directorate.
Bournemouth and Poole College Becomes Executive Regional Partner of AFC Bournemouth
April saw the announcement of our Executive Regional Partnership with local Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth for the 2024-25 season.
The partnership comes during an exciting period of growth for the college, in which we continue to forge connections with local businesses and support the local community.
The official Executive Regional Partnership includes LED advertising and other sponsorship rights at the Premier League Vitality Stadium.
Dorset Police Donate Cars to Automotive Team
Our Automotive staff and students were thrilled to receive 10 cars donated by Dorset Police, to be used by students to practice their mechanical and automotive skills. The donated cars covered all bases, with a mix of petrol and diesel and front wheel, rear wheel and 4-wheel drive to allow a wide skillset to be practiced.
The success of the partnership hit the local news in the weeks thereafter, with visits to our Poole campus from ITV Meridian News, BBC Solent and Bournemouth News and Picture Service.
Careers Advice and Guidance Team Retain Matrix Quality Mark
We are delighted that the Careers Advice and Guidance Team have once again retained their Matrix Quality mark after successfully completing their annual review process.
The Matrix Standard is the Department for Education’s standard for ensuring the quality of the delivery of careers information, advice and guidance. The College’s Assessor was particularly pleased to see how well the team are supporting our students so thoroughly throughout this progression period.
Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children (PALAC) Project
Our Student Inclusion and Support Team have been part of a project ‘Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children / Care Leavers’ (PALAC), which included working alongside UCL Centre for Inclusive Education. This focussed on the engagement and attendance of our Looked After Children and allowed for multi-agency working, research and self-reflection.
The team designed and produced a ‘LAC Pack’ and a key worker system that ensures that college support systems are robust and effectively support care experienced young people to thrive and achieve. So too, The College Engagement Team were able to secure funding to ensure our Looked After Children could partake in educational visits and enrichment free of charge.
Partnership with Poole Lighthouse for the 11th round of the Dorset Art Prize
Founded by the College in collaboration with the Dorset Community Foundation Trust (DCFT), the Dorset Art Prize celebrates the breadth of artistic talent across the county and is open to both amateur and professional artists, aged 16 and over, providing the opportunity to share their creativity.
This year’s theme is ‘Journey’, with participants encouraged to use any visual medium including photography, digital art, fine art, animation, film and sculpture.
Stuart Palmer, Director of Creative and Digital Industries at Bournemouth and Poole College, said: “We were delighted to partner with Lighthouse on this project. The multi-arts venue is a source of inspiration and pride to our community and the wider region, providing our community with a centre of artistic excellence.”
The winning list is available on our website: https://www.thecollege.co.uk/dorset-art-prize
CGI Students
Impress in Hollywood Blockbuster
A likely-to-be blockbuster movie is set to come alive in 2025 with a Bournemouth and Poole College CGI (Computer Generated Image) flavour to it.
The film, due for release in 2025, has both background and landscapes crafted by the college’s students and lecturers, now working at Treehouse Digital - using scenery sculpted out of clay and combined with a process called ‘photogammetry’ - where hundreds of photos are scanned into a 3D model to create stunning visuals.
Students from Bournemouth and Poole College, including student Emilio Nunez, became involved with the project after the college was approached by Treehouse Digital, Realtime production Filmmakers, based at The Fulcrum Centre, Poole – part of the college’s buildings.
Kieran Hall, former student and CGI lecturer at the college, said: “To be a part of this amazing filmmaking experience is an absolute delight. Our former students working on the project have all put in tremendous effort to get the images and backdrops looking fantastic for the big screen.
The Unreal Engine 3 software is also used on the college course itself.”
Bournemouth
and Poole College Students Celebrated
for Dorset Apprenticeship Awards
We are proud that four apprentices we train were shortlisted for the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards, and that one of them one was named Apprentice of the Year in the Higher/Degree Apprenticeship category.
Elliott Smith, employed by Draken has been studying on a number of courses with us, culminating in a Degree Apprenticeship in Engineering, upon which he is completing his final year with our validating partners on this course, Bournemouth University.
Vladislavs Dunders, employed by Parvalux Electric Motors was also shortlisted for this course, whilst runners up at the Intermediate and Advanced Apprenticeships levels respectively were Sonny Wilson, employed by SG Accounting, and Erin Cutler, employed by Yunex Traffic.
Students Success
Carpentry Apprentice Reaches Semi-Final of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 Specialised Chefs Apprenticeship Scholarship Graduation
Our wonderfully talented carpentry apprentice, Alfie Lockyer, reached the semi-final of the Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2024 award.
Alfie was one of the youngest applicants to reach the semi-final stage, where he was joined by 32 other apprentices from around the UK and Ireland.
With over 1,800 applicants for this year’s competition, it is a true testament to Alfie’s passion, dedication and ambition.
On the 35th anniversary of its award-winning programme, students studying on the prestigious Specialised Chefs Apprenticeship Scholarship, accredited by the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA), celebrated the completion of their studies with a stylish graduation ceremony at the 5 star Berkeley Hotel.
All graduated chefs were awarded the much-coveted RACA Diploma in Professional Cookery and were watched on by their sponsors, including staff from The Ritz Hotel, Claridge’s and The Dorchester.
Currently, there are over 70 Specialised Chef Apprentices enrolled on the programme; and since 1989, almost 500 top chefs have graduated from the course.
Reshaping Your College
Ground-breaking on State-of-the-Art Learning Facilities at Bournemouth
On 20th March, we proudly announced the start of construction to transform our Bournemouth campus into a world-class learning environment, with a ground-breaking event that gathered esteemed guests and community leaders.
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in our commitment to provide some of the highest-quality education facilities in the country, following the multi-million-pound investment from the government’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund. The event symbolised the beginning of a journey to deliver increased opportunities for future learners.
Hosted by construction partners, Kier, the event welcomed speeches from Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College, Cheryl Parsons, Regional Director at Kier, Cllr Anne Filer, Charter Mayor of Bournemouth, and Andy Hamer, Department of Education, before the first shovel was lifted to official break ground.
Reshaping Your College
Bournemouth Campus Redevelopment Project
The Bournemouth Campus Redevelopment Project will serve a range of students from school leavers to adult learners and includes a new four-storey building and refurbishment works.
Five of the current buildings on site will be replaced by a single, high tech teaching facility, providing a modern teaching environment for courses in media, digital, business, travel, hair, beauty, hospitality, catering and sport. It will also feature new amenities which will support the local community, including a restaurant, gyms and salons. The remaining Grade II listed buildings on site will be refurbished with façade and roof repairs and plant room upgrades.
Philip Sayles, Principal, said: “This project represents our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their lives and careers.”
Engineering Green Courses
From September 2024, the Engineering department will run a new wave of courses – the ‘Technical’ T Level Foundation and the full T Level in Engineering – which is equivalent to three A levels.
The full T Level in - Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing - will be the first of its kind at Bournemouth and Poole College. Throughout the course, students will learn about material processing techniques, material testing methods and how these influence design processes, as well as essential mathematics and commercial principles. The T Level Foundation acts as the prequel qualification to this.
All T Levels will be run in the newly adapted for September 2024 opening T Level building – which will comprise an Engineering workshop and two classrooms, with industry-level equipment.
The College will soon be running a series of new courses in collaboration with the Excellent Achievement and Learning (EAL) exam board on the installation of heat pumps, solar PVs (solar Photovoltaic) and electric vehicles. The short courses range from 1-3 days and the Level 3 Installation of Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EAL 3929) will run once a month commencing October 2024, allowing industry professionals to retrain in the installation of green vehicles. The EAL Level 3 Award in the Installation of Small-scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems will also run once a month.
Bournemouth and Poole College
Confirm Partnership with Oyster Yachts New Clients
We are thrilled to confirm an exciting partnership with Oyster Yachts, a leading British manufacturer of the world’s finest blue water sailing yachts. This is part of the continuous strides made towards increasing the learning opportunities for student apprentices studying at the College.
The partnership agreement will combine Oyster Yachts and its recognised reputation for delivering apprenticeships with our commitment to developing local employability skills and providing a clear career path for the next generation.
Ten apprentices have been enrolled in the first year of this partnership, and during the next four years they will undertake extensive training to complete a Marine Electrical Level 3, MarineEngineering Level 3 or a Boat Building Level 3 Apprenticeship.
We welcome a host of new employers joining us to offer apprenticeships and other work-based learning to our students, since the beginning of the academic year.
Some of these include:
• Ultra Elektronik - Degree Engineering
• Tank Museum – Digital Marketing
• Millbrook Healthcare – HR
• The Nici – Commis Chef
• Mitie Group – Carpentry & Electrical
• BH Live – Plumbing
• Southampton City Council – Carpentry
We look forward to further successful partnerships with all our employers – both new and old.
The Escoffier Restaurant ReNew Hair and Beauty Academy
Enjoy a gourmet dining experience in the renowned Escoffier Restuarant at our Bournemouth Campus!
Rated as 5 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, The Escoffier is our training restaurant, run by our talented catering and hospitality students and experienced lecturing team. Escoffier operates at lunch times four times a week, serving a three-course lunch menu (and a buffet-style on Fridays), and three evenings a week, serving formal gourmet themed menus.
To book, please call 01202 205874. Reservations are required.
Book yourself in for a relaxing massage or a complete re-styling and experience our bespoke commercial salons, luxurious products and highly skilled therapists and stylists. Our salons offer an impressive range of treatments at a fraction of high-street costs and are open Monday through to Friday.
For more information or to book, please call 01202 205822 or email renewsalons@bpc.ac.uk.
Meet The Team
Brittany Claxton Learning Manager, Construction Skills & Built Environment
Having worked at The College for 12 years in support and lecturing roles, Brittany Claxton was recently appointed Learning Manager of Construction Skills and Built Environment, a role that sees her working closely with students and staff to ensure they receive the best support and training. Also, Brittany is planning a new and exciting curriculum for years to come. She networks with leaders within the building sector to ensure our students are work-ready and we are up to date with industry practice. She says: “I am keen to improve processes and culture and felt that now was the right time to do this,” she said. “Construction is wildly different to anything I have done before (if you don’t count working in Homebase!) and taking on a different area means I can really get stuck into a challenge.”
The construction industry in the UK has traditionally been a male-dominated sector, with women accounting for only 15% of the workforce; “people are surprised when I tell them I work in construction. I really like it and have had nothing but acceptance.” She plays a key role in inspiring the next generation of construction workers, giving them the skills they need to thrive and reach their career goals; “the building industry is becoming more diverse and I have met some fabulous women in the industry already which is really encouraging.”
Indeed, construction has been suffering from a skills shortage for some time, with a recent study finding that only 6% of 18–24-year-olds identified the sector as somewhere they would like to work. Working with local businesses, Brittany ensures that all college training is of the highest quality and is mapped to employer needs, “I am in awe of what our students can create and I think construction can often be overlooked as a career. Working to change this perception and showing all of our stakeholders what we as a department have to offer is something I’m really looking forward to.”
We spend most of our lives with the people we work with, and Brittany believes it is important as staff that we have fun and enjoy the hours we spend together; working within education can be difficult sometimes. Brittany has had a lasting effect on staff and students alike across the college, “I have made so many genuine friends in all of the departments I have worked in, even having some as witness at my wedding! Everyone has been incredibly supportive and now I’ve moved from the Bournemouth campus to Poole, I get to continue meeting new people.”
Fun Fact: Brittany is half American and was born in upstate New York. She has also lived in California and Germany, before moving to the UK when she was 9!
Ali Leaverland
Vice Principal
Ali Leaverland joined the college in January, bringing with her over 27 years of experience in the Further Education sector, with 11 at a senior level and 6 at an executive.
In her last role, Ali was the Quality Nominee for a full inspection and was one of the first colleges to go through the new enhanced skills inspection. The college was awarded with an Ofsted ‘Good’ rating with ‘Outstanding features’. She said: “We are at the heart of our community and play a multifaceted role in ensuring we are not only meeting the diverse needs of individuals, employers, and partners, but also developing the skills and knowledge required to support economic growth locally.”
Sarah Hutchings
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Hutchings joined in January and brings with her a wealth of experience from a career in financial Services, marketing and manufacturing. More recently, she has worked in the education sector at Bournemouth University as a Deputy Finance Director from 2016.
She said: “Helping students to be where they want to be in life, using the facilities of the new buildings and refurbishments to maximum effect, and providing good outcomes for them is where I will feel a real sense of pride.”
Jayne Courtney
Head of Organisational Development
Jayne Courtney arrived in February as the Head of Organisational Development, a newly created post. Situated within the People and Student Experience directorate, Jayne will play a vital role in driving, implementing and facilitating the organisational development strategy of the college. Designing and executing an engaging programme of skills and cultural development, Jayne will work with the People Team to deliver an excellent employee and student experience.
Recruiting for the New Academic Year
Throughout the academic year, we have been thrilled to both host and participate in a range of key events, designed to welcome prospective students to our vibrant community.
These events offer a fantastic opportunity to explore our diverse programmes, discover our state-of-the-art facilities and experience the unique spirit that makes Bournemouth and Poole College so special.
We eagerly anticipate the start of our enrolment period in August, welcoming new students who will bring fresh talents and perspectives, contributing to our dynamic campus.
Careers and Apprenticeship Show
We were hugely proud to be a headline sponsor of the 2024 Careers and Apprenticeship Show at Bournemouth’s International Centre, providing a platform for students to discuss their career path choices and how their studies can assist with these.
The College team occupied a central space in the room, with representatives from the Careers & Guidance and Apprenticeships team present to offer advice, as well as interactive activities being offered by curriculum staff, including VR Welding from the college’s Engineering team.
This year’s show saw 3,200 students booked to attend the morning session and 1,600 for the afternoon, whilst over 150 local businesses and organisations were represented.
Apprenticeships Unlocked a Resounding Success
Over 2,000 attendees braved the weather to attend our annual Apprenticeships Unlocked event in February, debuting at the Pavilion Theatre for the first time due to popular demand.
Visitors at the event had the opportunity to speak to 34 businesses, including Sunseeker, Kier and Yunex Traffic about the roles they have on offer, as well as receiving advice from college staff about how apprenticeships could give students the opportunity to forge brilliant careers within their desired industries.
Phil Sayles, Principal, said: “We are so grateful to the companies who attended, looking for great candidates to employ. Our college’s role is to bring potential apprentices and employers together, and to provide training, funding and support which enable success, qualifications and great careers.”
College Open Days New Student Welcome
May saw our final Open Evening of the academic year. The event was held across our three campuses at Poole, Bournemouth and the Fulcrum Centre at Tower Park, giving prospective students the opportunity to see campus facilities and discuss the wide range of course options available to them.
Phil Sayles, Principal: “Our Open Days provide a fantastic opportunity for prospective students to see the facilities that will inspire them to achieve their career goals and to meet with course staff, support staff and employers.”
We welcomed students that have received an offer for the 2024-25 academic year to our Poole campus in July, for our annual New Student Welcome Event.
Students spent the morning within their chosen curriculum area, giving them the opportunity to meet with fellow students, experience a taste of college life and to partake in fun activities related to their course. Prospective Automotive students enjoyed building and racing a cart, Music students were challenged to recording a track in 2 hours, whilst Health & Social Care put on First Aid Simulation.
Following this, all students gathered in the campus’ outdoor areas to enjoy a range of festivities, including live performances from music students, hot food, a caricaturist, bubble entertainers and a photo booth, as well as the opportunity to meet with a range of support staff.
Free Adult Online Courses
Our Free Adult Online Courses give all learners the opportunity to build their knowledge, enhance their CV, gain new job skills and support life changes, as well as being fun, informative and engaging.
Our range of nationally recognised courses have a whopping 99.6% pass rate and provide a flexible approach to your learning; with easy online access and a dedicated tutor allowing you to study at a time that suits you!
With a flexible approach to your learning, our Free Online Courses require only a few hours of self-study each week. We provide you with all of the learning resources that you need to take that next step and what’s more, on select courses, we’re offering every learner a £50 Amazon gift voucher upon completion! We have a full range of Free Adult Online Courses in the following subject areas:
• Office Skills & Business
• Mental Health Awareness and Personal Well-Being
• Education and Training
• Health and Social Care.
Adult Hobby and Upskilling Courses
Applying for our Adult Courses, including Free Online Courses, Hobby Courses and Upskilling Courses is easy. Most of our courses allow you to apply on the online course page directly, however you can also apply in person, whether through attendance at Open Events or calling into the college from 9am-4pm on weekdays.
Our programme of Hobby Courses for the 2023/24 academic year has ended, however we’ll be releasing new dates on our website on 1st August.
For assistance, our Welcome Team are always on hand on 01202 205225.
A Wide Range of Courses on our New Website
16-18s
Bournemouth and Poole College offers an abundance of learning opportunities for school-leavers, whether you want to study on an Apprenticeship, T Levels, or a Vocational course.
Once you’ve decided which course you’d like to study, simply search for the course you’re interested on our website and complete the application form.
You’ll be invited for an interview to ensure that the course is a match for you and your career aspirations. Our friendly Customer Service Team will book this at a time that suits you.
Once you’ve received your offer, you’ll be able to enrol at the end of August. It’s best to do this as soon as you’ve received your GCSE results, as many of our courses fill up quickly.
Higher Education Degree-Level Courses
For one of our Full-Time Foundation Degrees, HNC (Higher National Certificate), HND (Higher National Diploma), BA, or BSc courses, you need to apply online via the UCAS website.
Institution Code: BPCOL B49
If applying for a course starting in September 2024, the third application cycle through Clearing commences on 1st July and closes on 21st October.
For further clearing information, contact the Degree admissions line: 01202 205339
If applying for a full-time course that commences in September 2025, completed applications can be submitted to UCAS from 3rd September 2024.
Applications for Part-Time Higher Education Courses should be made directly to Bournemouth and Poole College.
For any queries regarding Higher Education, please email he@thecollege.co.uk or call 01202 205180.
