Connected Winter News 2025
Phil Sayles,
Principal
of Bournemouth and Poole College
Phil Sayles, Principal of Bournemouth and Poole College
Welcome to the second issue of Connected from Bournemouth and Poole College.
Our purpose is to help people improve their lives through education and training.
Our work is super-powered by the businesses and community organisations who work with us in partnership, creating enlightening and inspiring experiences for our students.
Every year, hundreds of businesses and individuals, from across every part of the economy and every aspect of society including health, engineering, construction, the arts, sport, and the charity sector; visit our college to contribute to the education and experience of our students. In this issue, you’ll read some great examples of this generosity.
You’ll also learn the stories of just a fraction of the students winning awards and celebrating their successes, and see highlights of what our learners are doing beyond our campuses with our partners in industry and our community.
This issue will also give you an insight into the £50m+ investment happening across our sites by 2026, creating industry-standard facilities and amazing learning environments. This includes our massive, game-changing renewal project at our Bournemouth Campus, and projects enhancing Health and Engineering training at Poole.
We hope you enjoy reading Connected and are inspired to work, support or study with us.
Bournemouth Campus Redevelopment Project
Topping Out Ceremony
We marked a momentous milestone in the construction of our new cutting-edge learning facilities at Bournemouth with a traditional topping out ceremony. The event celebrated the completion of the structural phase of the project, as the four-storey building reached its highest point. Principal and CEO, Phil Sayles, together with Kier representatives and teaching staff from each curriculum area of the college, had the honour of signing the final steel
beam to signify the progress towards transforming our Bournemouth campus in Lansdowne.
He said: “With the signing of this final steel beam, we are closer to creating a space that fosters creativity, collaboration and excellence, which our students will thrive in. These new facilities will benefit people from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for generations to come.”
Kier Academy Officially Launched
We are incredibly fortunate to be working with Kier and participating in the Kier Academy. For many of our students, it serves as a gateway into the construction industry and provides their first opportunity to witness large-scale construction projects in action. With the Bournemouth Campus Redevelopment Project making great progress, it is an exhilarating time for our students to be part of the college’s history.
We have a pioneering cohort, who will benefit hugely from tailored sessions, covering design and planning, health and wellbeing, engineering, and employability skills. Additionally, the wider curriculum has the opportunity to take part in the Open Doors initiative, through which they can visit an active construction site.
The Kier Academy officially launched in November, with a first session exploring quantity surveying and budgeting. The Academy will give students the chance to explore and gain real-life experience of each phase of the project, specific to their trade.
We have been thrilled to welcome Kier representatives to our induction week, including a Degree Apprentice and the Site Manager, who provided students with an overview of the company and the works at Bournemouth. James Child, Head of Estimating, and Samantha King, Quantity Surveyor, also took the time to speak to students about their respective roles.
Furthermore, Kier have been pivotal in working with our Construction Department, linking the team to contractors that will better support our students through work experience and new suppliers.
Partnership with CIMSPA Maritime UK South West
We are hugely excited to have teamed up with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity as a Further Education partner, ensuring that all of our sports qualifications align with the needs of local employers in Dorset.
The partnership will deliver courses that are tailored to industry recognised standards, whereby students at the college will earn CIMSPA endorsed qualifications. The partnership has led to the creation of a Local Skills Advisory Board for the sport and physical activity sector to review the qualities required for the sports sector.
Maritime UK South West was held for the very first time at our Poole Campus, widening our arms further into partnership and collaborative working –hosting representatives from BAE Systems, Dorset Careers Hub, Dorset Chamber, Dorset Marine Training, Rockley and the Ministry of Justice UK. Sheldon Ryan, National Innovation Lead for Maritime UK South West, explained the disparity between businesses seeking marine employees and people applying to enter the industry, with almost 25,000 jobs and 3,000 businesses in the South West region.
James Hills, Director of Learning at Bournemouth and Poole College, explored the success of marine engineering courses at the college, with the Level 3 Marine Engineering course having a success rate of 75% compared to the national average of 13%, and the Level 3 Boat Building course 73% compared to 36%.
T Level Students Enjoy a Healthcare Meet the Employers Event
Our innovative “Meet the Employers” event, designed in a speed-dating format, brought together 40 enthusiastic T Level Health students and various employers from the health and care sector, including representatives from the NHS. Students participated in quick, insightful conversations with
multiple employers, gaining valuable insights into various health and care careers.
Following the event, tours were conducted of our new Health & Care Academy, featuring a hospital ward simulation suite, a care suite, a consultation suite and two classrooms.
Bournemouth and Poole College Partner with Dorset Business Festival
‘Business as a Force for Good’ underpinned this year’s Dorset Business Festival, and as a Festival Partner, we were thrilled to contribute to conversations highlighting the role of businesses in making a positive impact on society.
The highlights of a fortnight-long itinerary included the Festival Expo, where we exhibited along with 70 other local businesses. Principal and CEO, Phil Sayles, joined panel discussions on, “Gen Z - Alpha and Beyond: The Future in our Hands”, at the Festival Conference, that was attended by a selection of our T Level Business students, who contributed to debates from the floor.
The festival was a further chance to celebrate our ongoing commitment to business and social responsibility, working with major local employers to be at the heart of educational delivery and economic development in the area.
Bournemouth and Poole College
Partner with Bournemouth Foodbank
The college has joined forces with Bournemouth Foodbank during the 2024/25 academic year, raising awareness about food poverty, fostering a culture of giving, and engaging students in meaningful ways to support local communities in need. The partnership will focus on the pressing issue of food insecurity within the local area. Through shared campaigns, both students and staff will be encouraged to learn about the realities of food poverty and find out how they can make a positive difference.
College Secures Department of Education Funding for International Trips Creative and Digital Conference
The college has secured over £100k of Department of Education (DoE) funding to run three international trips for 55 students across Portugal, Spain and Kenya.
Students will have the opportunity to take part in placements and projects that not only focus on social justice and community, but are also directly linked to their industry, as well as providing a valuable and unforgettable opportunity to gain skills and experiences.
The three trips with take place next summer, with Business and Creative students visiting Portugal, Catering, Hospitality and Travel students visiting Spain and Student Executives and Senior Representatives travelling to Kenya.
The Creative and Digital Industries’ (CDI) Conference 20th December saw two esteemed guest speakers attendAbi Lemon, speaking about her career and having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and not fitting the ‘traditional mould’ for a college course and finding ways forward. The second speaker was Fiona Bavinton who spoke about her journey spanning storytelling, filmmaking, software engineering, and the cutting edge of machine learning using Artificial Intelligence (AI). She showed some excellent videos: https://empower.virtualstorylab.com. The afternoon was a resounding success with lively and intelligent questions from the team.
Remembrance Service
On 11th November, hundreds of staff and students honoured those whose lives have been lost serving our country with a touching Remembrance Service at our Poole Campus.
In front of a cascade of poppies, crafted by a plethora of students, members of staff from across our campuses, together with Student Exec and Board reps, laid wreaths and crosses. One of our first year Music students played The Last Post, whilst Steve Burns, Learning Manager for Engineering who served the Fleet Air arm for 23 years, completed readings with Principal, Phil Sayles.
St Peter’s Catering Morning
Our Catering Team were hugely excited to welcome 31 Year 10 students from St Peter’s Catholic Comprehensive School into our Escoffier kitchens, where they enjoyed a fantastic hands-on experience, rotating through three different kitchens.
Each group had the opportunity to prepare and cook a range of courses, encompassing Chinese Lemon Chicken, Egg Fried Rice & Stir-Fried Vegetables, and Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce for dessert. Our Level 1 Hospitality and Catering students set up tables in the restaurant for the students to enjoy their meals.
Mrs Hartley, GCSE Food Preparation at St Peter’s, said: “The Escoffier trip is by far our favourite and most enlightening trip of the year. There is no comparison. Students’ minds were blown by the high-end kitchens and the inspiration advice and support of the staff.”
Welcome Fest
Our new and returning students were greeted with ‘Welcome Fest’ in September, a weeklong festival, through which they had the opportunity to get to know staff, mingle with other students, explore associated organisations and enjoy the varied activities on offer. We were thrilled to be joined by some of our partnership organisations, including National Union of Students (NUS), With You, Space Youth Project, BCP Council, STARS Dorset and MYTIME Young Carers.
Arts by the Sea Festival
A music display from our Creative and Digital Industries students headlined the Friday night for Arts by the Sea 2024 in The Bandstand of Bournemouth Gardens from 6-9pm. The line-up showcased emerging young creative talent and set the scene for an exciting and vibrant weekend. The evening also included flash mobs from our Performing Arts students, encouraging the watching audience to join in. Meanwhile, our Art students hosted interactive workshops on Sunday, sharing their creativity with the community.
College Events
College Open Events
We held our first Open Events of the academic year across October and November, giving prospective students the opportunity to explore course options, tour our sites, speak with lecturers and enrol directly on the day.
Indeed, our October Open Event saw a record number of applications received – with a total of 56% attendees applying on the day. The three Open Events provided the first opportunity to see our two new T Level facilities, as well as our University Centre at Poole.
Dominic Wins National Engineering Award
Dominic Hinwood, a third-year student studying a Foundation Degree in Engineering (Marine Technologies) at Bournemouth and Poole College, was recently announced as the winner of the Institution of Engineering Designers: Best Final Year Project Award!
Working for the RNLI, Dominic completed his project on ‘Fan Housing Modification on a Severn Class Lifeboat’, as part of a major ‘Life Extension Programme’. As a national award, this is an incredible achievement and highlights Dominic’s hard work, passion and dedication in his field.
Foundation Student Wins Volunteer of the Year
Our magnificent student, Taylor, won the “Volunteer of the Year Award” for Bournemouth at the Young Volunteers Awards.
Taylor studies on the STEPs Year 4 Course and completed a summer work experience programme as a Carer’s Support at Ferndown Community Support. Preparing food and assisting with catering, Taylor said his favourite part of the role was: “talking to the residents”. Dominic
at work at the RNLI.
Uni Connect Students Secure University Spots Foundation Students Achieve Success in their Work Experience
Our FE students moving on to university excelled this summer in securing their place – in total, 97.5% of Bournemouth and Poole College Uni Connect students secured their firm university choice.
Moreover, 100% of our Uni Connect students secured their firm or insurance university choice, meaning all of our progressing students took their next steps into Higher Education!
Some of their destinations included: Bournemouth University; Cardiff University; Southampton University and Arts University Bournemouth.
Six of our Foundation students were busy over the summer, with work experiences in varying shops, cafes and hotels.
As well as the six students, Moordown Community Centre hosted a group of STEPs students on a placement during the summer term. After a positive experience, a new group (Pre-internship Steps students) have been invited to commence a group placement this year.
Student Successes
Apprentice Phoebe McMullen Presents at AoC Annual Conference Student Comes Out Tops in BH Area Hospitality Association Awards
Youth Social Action Apprentice, Phoebe McMullen spoke at the Association of Colleges (AoC) Annual Conference in November, exploring some of the Community Partnerships that she has worked on as an apprentice. Her apprenticeship has seen her establish food security links for students with Bournemouth Foodbank at the college, enabling a food donation bank on site. She has also worked on a large project at Upton Country Park in Poole, creating a sensory garden for attendees.
Student Eva Crease, who worked at the Marsham Court Hotel for her apprenticeship in Hospitality, won Bournemouth and Poole College Hospitality Student of the Year and came runner-up in the Future of Hospitality category, at the BH Area Hospitality (BAHA) Association Awards.
Simon Scarborough, who hosted the event at the hotel, said of his apprentice: “Eva has blossomed since she started her apprenticeship with us, supported by Bournemouth and Poole College. Working and studying has helped Eva to grow in confidence and knowledge; she is a credit to the hotel, the college and herself.”
Nursing and Engineering Degree Students Celebrate Graduation
A huge congratulations to our Engineering and Nursing Associates students, who received their honours at their graduation in November. Affiliated with Bournemouth University, the Nursing Associate programme is now in its fifth year.
Angelique Atack, Nursing Associate Lecturer, was also on the platform this year for the recognition of her contribution to the Nursing Associate programme. Meanwhile, our Graduates and Degree Apprentices from Engineering Programmes at BEng, FdEng and HNC Levels completed Engineering programmes in Electronic Design, Manufacturing Management and Mechanical Design.
Julie O’Carroll
Director of Business Development and Partnerships
Julie joined us as the Director of Business Development and Partnerships in July 2024.
Julie has been in education for 16 years. First, as a Maths teacher for A Level and GCSE Maths, then as Head of Department and later, as Head of Curriculum for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). She spearheaded comprehensive initiatives which brought teams together, resulting in notable improvements to curriculum delivery, attendance, retention and achievement for 16-18, FT, PT, Apprenticeships and WBL study programs.
Her achievements include the successful turnaround of the STEM departments, resulting in numerous awards and accolades for the department, to include ‘STEM Team of The Year’, which was awarded by Pearson in 2023.
Having taken several Grade 4 departments to outstanding, throughout her tenure, leadership skills have been integral to the success of the departments under her purview, establishing a strong collaborative approach between academic and vocational departments.
Julie has worked at London Southbank University in their Maths Hub for both Higher Education (HE) and Engineering mathematics. She has also taken the accolade for being Ofsted nominee for Quality for Maths and English, having participated in several inspections.
As Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Julie wishes to implement further structure and systems and develop employer engagement and foster collaborative relationships with both employers and Curriculum. In her short time with the college, Julie has already developed a work experience team and with her curriculum background is keen to build relationships with the wider college.
Pippa Allner Appointed Director for Career Development Institute
Pippa Allner, our Personal Development Manager (Careers Leader), is responsible for managing our Careers Service and coordinating our Personal Development Tutorials.
After a robust selection process, Pippa was invited to sit on the Board of Directors as a Board Appointed Director for the Career Development Institute (CDI).
The CDI is the UK’s professional body for all aspects of careers work and has over 5,000 members. As a Board Director, Pippa will help to manage the business of CDI, agreeing the organisation’s strategy and having responsibility for the overall governance of the CDI.
Emily Bailey School Liaison
Our School Liaison Manager, Emily Bailey, comes from a primary teaching background. Having worked as a teacher for 10 years, she moved into the charity sector to further develop her skills of delivering training to teenagers and adults. She has worked with children and young people in various settings across Dorset and West London, including an Autism and young carer charity, during her career. Since joining the Marketing Team in January 2024, she has already been to 30 different local schools to deliver assemblies and presentations, as well as attending over 18 careers fairs to present information about the college to students thinking about their next steps.
Emily understands the importance of creating and maintaining good relationships with our local secondary schools; with this in mind she has planned an exciting event, Guiding Futures: College and career lead event which will take place in the new year for all school Career leads to visit our Poole campus for a tour and networking lunch.
A typical day in Emily’s role is varied and includes delivering assemblies, attending careers fairs or leading campus tours of the college for students.
Emily comments: “I have already been all across the BCP area and even further afield – Wareham, Ringwood, New Milton and Blandford. I feel very privileged to be able to travel across our beautiful county attending various events and visiting schools. I’m looking forward to continue working with our local secondary schools and to meeting more prospective students. The ultimate goal of my role is to educate students on the amazing opportunities that are here at the college and to show them an alternative pathway.”
Emily is the mum of two boys aged three and six, and relocated to Dorset from West London in 2017. In 2015 Emily and her husband travelled and worked in Asia, Australia and New Zealand for 1.5 years where she skydived, surfed and white water rafted, before returning to her new home in the BCP area. She owns a toy poodle named Casper and enjoys family days out walking down at the beach and forests. She loves all things Disney and is a Harry Potter mega-fan!
T Level Business Students Gain Real-World Insights
Our new cohort of students enrolled in the T Level Business and Administration course are already reaping the benefits of this practical and industry-focussed programme. In their first three months, our T Level students have enjoyed a whirlwind of activities, including 10 educational trips and visits from industry guest speakers.
The trips have taken students to diverse locations, including Chelsea Football Club, Parliament, Dorset Chamber, Paulton’s Park and Ocean Automotive.
In addition to trips, the course has hosted a variety of guest speakers – experts from finance, estate agency and entrepreneurship.
The T Level programme, launched to provide a hands-in alternative to traditional academic routes, aims to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. The course focuses on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for business and administrative career
T Levels and Apprenticeships
Highlighting Our College in Parliament
We look forward to building further our productive relationships with our local MPs, as they support our work for the people and employers they serve in their constituencies.
Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, enjoyed a tour of our Poole Campus, whilst Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, met with Phil Sayles, Principal and CEO, and a handful of our T Level Digital students at our Bournemouth site. Phil shared his vision for our college, with Jessica noting the impact of the Bournemouth Campus Redevelopment Project on the local community.
We were also delighted to welcome Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, who took the time to highlight the outstanding work our college is doing in support of T Levels and Apprenticeships during a Westminster Hall debate. “Huge economic differences are being made to local employers,” he said. “We have 2,000 apprentices in training and an outstanding achievement rate of 8.4% over the national average”.
Later in the autumn, Phil was also delighted to catch up with Tom, Jessica and Vikki Slade, MP for Mid-Dorset and North Poole, at a Parliamentary Reception hosted by the Association of Colleges to launch the ‘Mission Accepted’ report, which sets out how the further education sector underpins national goals through skills and training.
Spotlight on Adult Courses
Free Adult Online Courses Professional Qualifications
Our nationally recognised online qualifications provide a flexible approach to learning. The range of courses give learners the tools to build their knowledge, enhance their CV, gain new job skills and support life changes, as well as being informative and engaging.
We provide all of the learning resources needed to take that next step and what’s more, on select courses, we’re offering every learner a £50 Amazon gift voucher! Our courses include:
• Office Skills and Business
• Education and Training
• Mental Health Awareness and Well-Being
• Health and Social Care
We offer courses that will help you to move your career forward, or even begin a new one! They’ll give you the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications, with study alongside employment.
Our tutors are all experienced industry experts and we work with some of the country’s top awarding bodies, ensuring your qualification is sought after in your chosen industry. There are lots of career pathways, including:
• Finance
• Computing
• Teacher Training
• Leadership and Management
• Health and Care
