Capital City College Group - Community Good News | Issue Two

Welcome to Capital City College Group Transforming the Lives of Londoners Through Education

COMMUNITY

Issue 02 • December 2019

N E W S P A P E R

We’re London’s Number 1 colleges for school leavers

The Number 1 issue Hello and welcome to our festive newsletter, which brings you news and inspiring stories from the Capital City College Group and our three further education colleges: City and Islington; Westminster Kingsway; and the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL), as well as from our apprenticeships and employer training division – Capital City College Training.

The Group is London’s largest provider of further education. Last year we enrolled approximately 34,000 students of all ages and over 97% of graduates successfully moved on from our colleges – the majority into further study, higher education, a job, or an apprenticeship.

We operate across 12 wellconnected sites in central and north London and we’re committed to delivering the best possible teaching, learning and training to all our learners in all our communities. We are also committed to working with more employers to ensure that they can call on a skilled workforce that is ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Progression is our theme for this special Christmas edition. Last year, we supported 16,027 students into further education, university or work – transforming thousands of lives.

Although this newsletter can only give you a flavour of all that we do, I sincerely hope that it will interest and inspire you. If you want to find out more

or work more closely with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your usual contact, or me or visit our website www.capitalccg.ac.uk With my very best wishes for the Christmas season and New Year.

Roy O’Shaughnessy CEO, Capital City College Group.

According to data recently published by the Department for Education (DfE), Capital City College Group is number one of all colleges and college Groups in London, overall and for positive 16-18 progression. We are also very highly rated among London providers for getting adults into work, and for both learner and employer satisfaction.

The DfE data, which covers all England’s further education colleges, was aggregated by FE Week magazine for its annual FE ‘league table’ called NICDEX. This year’s NICDEX was published in November and gives the Group a score out of 10 for four measures: 1. Percentage of 16-18 students with positive progression – we scored 9 out of 10 2. Learner satisfaction – we scored 8 out of 10 3. Employer satisfaction – we scored 9 out of 10 4. Percentage of adult students moving into paid employment – we scored 4 out of 10, but many of our students move on to further or higher education and so are not included in this data.

Using these measures, NICDEX also gives an overall score out of 40. Not only is Capital City College Group rated first in London for positive 16-18 progression, we also scored highly compared to other London providers for the other three measures. In addition, our overall score of 30 ranks us highest out of London’s colleges and college groups, and joint 16th nationally – out of 171 colleges and college groups.

To see the full NICDEX including their methodology and including links to the source data, please visit: https://feweek.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2019/11/NICDEX-2019-suppdigi-v2.pdf

Find out Camden Case Study about our students Ace student Denislava and their achieves national BTEC success achievements in your area We work in six principal boroughs across London, from The City of Westminster in the south, through Camden and Islington, to Enfield in the north. And, for the first time, we’ve produced Impact Statements for each of those boroughs.

Read on to find the Impact Statement and an inspiring student story from your area.

WestKing science student Denislava Andreeva couldn’t even order a McDonald’s when she arrived in the UK just two years ago. Now she has scored top (D* D* D*) grades on her Science – Level 3 Extended Diploma course and won silver in the final of the BTEC Awards – a prestigious national student competition.

We caught up with her and form tutor Luke Brown, to find out more about her amazing story and the reason why she wants to dedicate her career to finding cures for diseases.

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria 17 years ago, Denislava comes from a family of female scientists: her Grandmother was a chemist and her Aunt studied Physics. Aged just 12, she came face-to-face with cancer when two close family members because very ill. “Caring for members of my own family inspired me to seek knowledge in subjects such as biology and chemistry.” she says.

Denislava came to Britain two years ago and in that time has adapted to the very different UK education system, and has mastered English to the extent that she could achieve the highest possible grades in her Science Level 3 Extended Diploma, which are equivalent to three A level passes. This set her up

for university and ultimately a job in any number of scientific or research fields, including as a Biological scientist, biochemist or chemical scientist.

Denislava’s Level 3 Extended Diploma was a demanding 2-year course, which included biology, chemistry and physics.

As Denislava explains: “Doing a vocational course is ideal for me because when I first came to the UK I wasn’t able to take GCSEs, which meant I couldn’t do A Levels, so that route was closed to me.

The advantage of a vocational course over A Levels is that it is so much more practical and I can do research, which really appeals to me.

“The course has given me information about the chemical composition of drugs like Penicillin.

The knowledge I have gained whilst studying will be beneficial to my future career, which I hope will be in drug development. I would like to be a part of a society which develops different technologies or drugs which prevents people suffering from illnesses.

Denislava was also one of our STEM Ambassador team and – through the college – took part in a week-long placement at the worldfamous Francis Crick Institute. She explains: “I worked as part of a

small team and used all of the collaborative skills I had gained in my course to benefit the team.

“There was a sense of camaraderie at the Institute which was inspiring – everyone had their own tasks to complete but still worked collaboratively.

Overall the experience was vastly beneficial, and I found research and development to be a hugely exciting field.

Luke Brown is Denislava’s form tutor and has seen her develop and grow her knowledge and confidence during her time with us. “I really can’t praise Denislava highly enough” he told us. “She is hard-working and diligent and always applies herself to her studies.

And, thanks to her dedication and hard work at Westminster Kingsway, Denislava has an offer from University College London (UCL) to study on their new Medical Innovation and Enterprise degree course. Everyone at the college wishes her all the best in the future!”

Camden

Camden Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Camden

YOU HAVE IT IN YOU

Enfield Case Study

Scientist mum at CONEL dreams of a caring career

Originally enrolling on a GCSE course at the College of Haringey Enfield & North East London (CONEL) back in 2014, mum of-two and Enfield resident Cassandra Crucefix has – with our support – successfully combined parenthood and study, with holding down a job.

Now, thanks to her dedication and hard work, she has made amazing progress, is studying Level 3 BTEC Science and dreams of being a Radiographer.

Dental nurse Cassandra decided she wanted to change her career after having her first child. She wanted to work in a hospital environment as a radiographer, but needed to improve both her Science and English qualifications to do so.

She enrolled at CONEL and, despite having to take a break in learning due to her pregnancy, achieved a grade B in her GCSE English. In 2018, with two toddlers and still wanting to change career, Cassandra returned to CONEL to join both our Functional Skills maths and Level 2 BTEC Science courses.

Cassandra explained, “I didn’t do science at school, so it was all new to me. I found Physics really hard, but just because it was my weakness I didn’t give up. I focused on it and it ended up being my favourite of the three.

“With two toddlers, it was hard work. If I wasn’t at college, I was at home caring for my children. I would study once they had gone to sleep which meant I did not get much sleep myself, but in the end, it was all worth it as I got a distinction star. I want to study Radiography at university to get my dream job.”

When asked about her tutors, Cassandra said, “They have all been so supportive, especially as they know I have my two children.

They all encourage you and want you to do the best you can. If you have a problem with anything, they are there for you. Without them, I wouldn’t have got the grades I got.”

Now in 2019, and with a distinction at Level 2 BTEC Science, and 100% in her Functional Skills maths, Cassandra is on our Level 3 Science and GCSE maths courses that will see her progress to university to get her degree.

Cassandra’s Tutor, Minas Mina, said: “Cassandra is an excellent student.

She is diligent and approaches all her work with maturity and consciousness. She works very hard to balance family and academic life. If she carries on like this she is destined for success.”

Enfield

Enfield Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Enfield

Hackney Case Study

International student Melany is flying through university on her Aviation course

Melany Montiero Moniz studied Business and Accounting at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) and credits the college with equipping her with the skills, knowledge and grades that she needed to get onto the competitive Aviation Management course at London Metropolitan University.

Coming to London from Portugal three years ago was a big move, but CONEL helped Melany settle in with tons of support, friendly faces and expert tuition.

During her time at CONEL, Melany –who lives in Hackney– won the college’s Business Excellence Award in 2018 and participated in the BIG IDEA 2018 challenge, run by London Metropolitan University, where she now studies, on the course of her dreams, Aviation Management.

Melany told us, “My university course involves business strategy and the organisation behind airports, planes and cargo. CONEL helped me to get onto that course; it’s a college that gets you ready for university. I needed communication skills, analytical skills, skills to interact with people. Now I can link so much back to my course and I can see how much CONEL has helped me, it

gave me the background I needed and it enabled me to support my ideas at university.

“During my course our teachers were always telling us the due dates of work to be handed in, reminding us to check the standard of the work, encouraging us to do the best we could. When I moved to England, my English was not so great, and neither was my writing, but I coped really well and my teachers could see how much I’d improved. That’s down to them telling me to always proofread my work, to improve this and that, and I always followed their advice.

“I think my relationship with my teachers was something special.

My first year I’d just moved to the UK and I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t have friends. When I started my course, the tutors were really supportive, they explained everything. I cried when I left. I made life-long friends at college. Even the security people, receptionists and the cleaners were all so friendly, we always said hi to each other. I love CONEL and it was a part of my life I’ll never forget.” As Melany has shown, studying with the Capital City College Group can open any number of doors for you.

FREE YOUR POTENTIAL

“It’s a college that gets you ready for university”

Gain new skills with our FREE short courses London’s First Free College https://www.conel.ac.uk/for-learners/ professional-courses.html )

• Accounting, Business and Marketing • Construction, including women-only courses • Customer Service, Hospitality and Cabin Crew • Hair and Beauty • IT and Digital • Languages • Science • Skills for Work • Sport and Fitness • Teaching

Hackney

Hackney Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Hackney

Haringey Case Study

“Never give up.

Mistakes are how you learn”

YOU HAVE IT IN YOU

Level Three Public Services student Jan Kurt switched courses so he could follow his dream of going into policing. Although he was very good at engineering – which was his original choice – Jan wanted to pursue his dream of working for the Police, so staff at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) helped him transfer onto the Public Services course.

Jan said: “I came to CONEL from secondary school. My first course was engineering, but my dream had always been policing; I was even in the Police Cadets when I was younger. My lecturers were happy with my engineering work, but I knew it wasn’t for me and I knew that I wanted to do something related to policing, so with guidance and advice from CONEL staff, I started the Public Services course.”

Jan values the fact that CONEL’s Public Services lecturers are, or have been, in the industry – either the military or policing – and have a whole wealth of experience and practical knowledge to pass on to their students.

“Studying Public Services gives you a better understanding of how the world works. You gain so much from the teachers who are all industry professionals. The lecturers’ experiences, what they know and have been through, teaches you so much more. You build such a special bond with your tutors.

“One of our units is analysing why terrorist incidents occur, what the

government are doing and what prevention measures are in place.

We go into this in depth, including CCTV and police interceptors. It all helps us to understand why attacks happen and what the short and long-term effects are. It’s so interesting.

Students who complete a Public Services course with the Capital City College Group don’t just work in the Police. The course sets people up for a wide range of other jobs, including as a Police Community Support Officer; a Probation Services Officer; an Ambulance Paramedic; Soldier or even as a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy.

Jan Kurt told us: “My advice to other students is whatever the situation, whatever the state of your life, sit up and look around you.

Understand what’s going on around you, what’s going on with yourself.

Never give up. Mistakes are how you learn. If you fall down, get back up again and don’t stay down.”

Studying Public Services at CONEL offers more than just a qualification and a great career path. Students are exposed to events like the Pan London Youth Day, where this year almost 70 students on our Public Services and Media courses played a key role in the successful running and planning of the event. It’s opportunities like this that helped CONEL gain a 94.6% student satisfaction rating and enabled 86.8% of our Public Services students to pass their exams.

Haringey

Haringey Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Haringey

Islington Case Study

From Caracas to Kingston University: Camila’s journey as an Access student Originally from Venezuela, Camila Garcia dreams of representing her country on the United Nations Security Council.

Fleeing harrowing violence in her homeland in 2015, Camila started her journey to a new life on City and Islington College’s Access to International Relations course – seeking a route into university and into the world of politics.

She graduated from us in the summer of 2019 and is now at Kingston University, on their International Relations degree course. We explored Camila’s story and found out how our Access course provided the foundations that she needed for university, as well as seeing how she is staying in contact with us.

It hasn’t been easy for Camila.

Venezuela remains hampered by political instability, violence, inflation and food shortages. Camila recounts some harrowing stories from her time at home, but speaks candidly about them.

“It’s part of the culture,” she says.

“We Venezuelans get together and talk about these things openly. You can’t internalise it. We try to be warm; we laugh about these things.

You abstract it and take away how real it can be.

“I’ve had a gun in my face back home. A friend of mine got kidnapped. I saw a guy get shot in a protest, bleeding out on the floor. These things follow you and it’s not something you can just get over. It makes normal things difficult sometimes. I just went to see The Joker and found it really hard to watch at points -- and going to the cinema is my favourite thing to do.

“College was great for me” she says. “It worked because I could fit it around work while gaining the most relevant qualification I needed to go to university.”

Camila feels that the UK is definitely a place that offers a lot of opportunities. “If you come in with the desire and the will to do something, it provides the tools to study, to get a degree that will allow you to do something with your life. Now? I’m getting there. It’s taken me many years, maybe six years, to realise that I’m okay and that I’m safe. I’ve been in the UK for four years, but it took some time to adjust.”

During her time at City and Islington College, Camila founded the Candi Model United Nations (MUN), an extra-curricular activity that provides students with a space to talk through and understand global political issues. Since progressing to university, she has become involved in Kingston University’s equivalent society, but still works with the City and Islington chapter to help ensure a legacy.

She’s also working with the college’s Sixth Form Centre to establish the programme as a regular enrichment activity.

“My Access course at college gave me the foundations I needed for my International Relations degree course. It’s taking that to the next level. The critical thinking fits well with my MUN work, and I feel like I’m developing the skills I need to make that difference.” “It was important for me to find a voice through the MUN. It’s about recognising the meaning of these political issues and working out what you think about them, and then having the confidence to stand up and defend your point of view… but also, you’re representing a delegation.

“You’re not debating on behalf of yourself. You have to learn to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”

She ties things up: “Doing an Access course at college was the right decision for me. There were

support schemes and a lot of care; I learnt how to reference and how to digest information properly.

“Setting up the MUN helped me to empathise with other people, to be patient. I learnt what I needed to reach this stage.

“My dream is to represent Venezuela in the Security Council for the United Nations… but I also want to see Japan, and I like England. I’m still working things out. I’m still trying to find ‘home’. But things are moving in the right direction, I think.”

“I’ve had a gun in my face back home. A friend of mine got kidnapped.”

THIS IS MY SPRINGBOARD

Islington

Islington Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Islington

Westminster Case Study

Joe Peacock and Westminster Kingsway College: a winning combination Joe Peacock – like so many before him – graduated from his Level Three Professional Chef Diploma at Westminster Kingsway College’s renowned School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts in Victoria and is successfully making his way in the culinary world. Joe is now a Commis chef at the two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and when we spoke to him before he left us, he was excited for his future, having already secured the job before he left the college.

“I am going to be working full time after the course, hoping to work my way up to a higher position” he said. “Everyone does work experience; we go out into the industry in London and do different work placements for a period of time. In my second year, I worked in a restaurant in Farringdon called Anglo. During my time there the Head Chef opened another restaurant and he asked me if I could work with him.”

“Westminster Kingsway College provided excellent resources. My studies have included a gastronomy course which entails a lot of the theory behind food, a lot of the management and costing of ingredients. Through the years you are constantly getting that theory, management and practical side as well as being in the kitchen cooking and creating dishes; it’s a good balance.”

Westminster Kingsway works with a large number of industry professionals, which allows the college to tailor work experience to the career ambitions and natural talents of each student. Work experience is often discussed

between staff and students, making it less ‘take what you are given’ and a more an opportunity to get involved and play an active role in carving out your path.

As well as work experience, Joe was also able to participate in culinary competitions while at the college. These – like work experience – give students valuable experience of working under extreme pressure, as they have to create a winning multi-course meal in an unfamiliar kitchen, typically in just a few hours.

And in July 2019, Joe, along with two fellow Westminster Kingsway College students Nikoleta Theofylakitdou and Nikita Shepelev, won the prestigious UK Young Restaurant Team of the Year competition, at the University of Sheffield.

Completing any course is a serious undertaking, but few are more demanding than our Culinary courses, which prepare students for jobs in the finest restaurants, hotels and kitchens, in the UK and around the world. As Joe says: “To come to this college and do this course, you need to really want it. The college will provide everything you need to build your confidence in the kitchen.”

IT ALL BEGINS AT WESTKING

Westminster

Westminster Impact Statement Capital City College Group

Learners from the London Borough of Westminster

Helping women break into the construction industry

Our apprenticeships and training division – Capital City College Training (CCCT) – has partnered with the notfor-profit organisation Women into Construction (WiC) and Camden Council to deliver work placement and training to women looking to progress onto a career in construction.

Women into Construction is an independent not-for-profit organisation that promotes gender equality in construction. The bespoke programme is designed to give participants a taste for the world of construction and supports women wishing to work in the industry.

WiC also help contractors recruit highly motivated, trained women, helping to reduce skills gaps and creating a more gender-equal work-force.

The partnership ran two groups, one in June and another in September. Out of the first group of 16 women, 11 did work placements, seven have found work and six have moved on to further training and education. The second cohort had 15 women, six of who have done work placements (another three are planning to start one soon). Of this second group, two have already found work and four have progressed to further study.

Project Manager at Women into Construction, Anna Walterskotter, said, “Women into Construction is

delighted to work in partnership with CCCT and the King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre (KCCSC) on the Camden Employment programmes. This highly successful training model has led to the women gaining tangible qualifications, a fit-for-purpose CV and a CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) card. The participating contractors have been incredibly responsive to the requirements of the women by offering highly suitable work placements leading to employment and career development in the industry.”

The programme was funded by Camden Council. Representative Anita Khan said, “This is our third cohort with CCCT and WiC now and it’s been great collaborating with the employers and the women on the programme. It’s good to get the employer buy-in and create more opportunities whether that is apprenticeships or jobs. Overall it’s been great improving these women’s employability skills and confidence in the construction industry.

One of the participating employers, Lendlease, who had six students on their programme, said: “For us it was great to get involved in this programme and it’s a privilege for us to be able to support local talent. We have retained some of the students and set them up on apprenticeships and we are helping a student with specialist skills.”

To find out more about Women into Construction, and the work they are doing to bridge the gender gap in the sector, visit the WiC website at: https:// www.women-into-construction.org

Capital City College Training is the leading training and apprenticeship provider in London

Apprenticeships, continuing professional development and bespoke training courses provided by professional educators.

020 7391 6400 employer@capitalcct.ac.uk

The end of an era, in her own words

By Kim Caplin, Principal of Westminster Kingsway College

• The opening of our Kennet West Centre – with our

“As Principal of Westminster Kingsway College for the last three years and a senior manager for the last ten, I have overseen a great many inspiring moments through the successes of our students and staff, some which are indelible in my mind:

• The opening of King’s Cross Centre with many of our

alumni including, Ainsley Harriott, Trevor Nelson and Steve McFadden • Many theatrical experiences with one most memorable: ‘Fog Everywhere’ at the Camden People’s Theatre • The opening of our recording studios with alumni Eliza Doolittle, who said it was better than the one she recorded in!

partners The Federation of Westminster Special Schools – and their work, especially with Lords Cricket Ground • The Careers and Enterprise Award won by our team this year and previously our partnership with Camden on the ‘Into Enterprise’ Hub • The Queen’s Anniversary Prize won by our Hospitality team and their continued excellence in the Vincent Rooms in Victoria – currently rated 92nd of 19,327 restaurants in London, on TripAdvisor • Three successful Ofsted inspections, where teaching and learning was rated consistently good throughout the college • The community spirit of the Soho Centre and its links with Creative Digital employers • Celebrating the new Forest Garden with Jenny Trapp our past Nursery Manager at the Regent’s Park Nursery • The last marketing campaign, “It All Begins at WestKing”, because it captures perfectly the essence of who we are.

However, I plan to retire in April next year to explore new interests. As those of you that know me are aware, I was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma in 2017. Through my treatment I have met many wonderful people that have helped inspire me to live life to the full. I intend to try and continue projects where I believe I can make a difference both in education and elsewhere.

Watch out for me asking for sponsorship next year for my debut Myeloma UK London to Paris bike ride.

Also keep an eye out at the Barbican for the LSO Community Choir where I hope you will see me!

I leave the college in very safe hands as Gary Hunter, currently Deputy Principal, will be taking my place whilst long term arrangements are secured.

Gary has been with Westminster Kingsway for 23 years and is renowned for making our Culinary and Hospitality training the international success that it is today. There is no better skilled or experienced person I would be more comfortable in passing the role to, and I wish him all the very best.

Westminster Kingsway College is unique; it is creative, innovative and highly inclusive, with a culture of mutual respect and tolerance throughout staff and student communities. On my watch we have produced a Key Stage 4 provision which transforms lives; developed a strong career-focused ethos that won two AOC Beacon for Careers and for Mental Health; and become a Careers College for Health & Social Care and Digital Skills. We have developed an award-winning creative media department and a global Institute of Culinary Arts, that is multiple award-winning. All of this I will dearly miss, but I feel confident that it will only go from strength to strength as it continues its mission to open minds. Thank you for all the support you have given me and the college over the last 10 years and may the spirit of WestKing continue with passion and success!

With the New Year just around the corner, there’s no better time to make a change to your skills, knowledge and your career prospects, on one of our courses.

For more information on the range of courses available – many of them FREE: visit our websites: https://www.candi.ac.uk/make-the-change-2020 https://www.westking.ac.uk/make-the-change-2020/ https://www.conel.ac.uk/for-learners/professional-courses.html

Have a wonderful festive break and see you in the New Year!

From everyone at the Capital City College Group For up to date course information for all colleges call 020 7700 9200 capitalccg.ac.uk @capitalcitycg