group news
ISSUE 1 | AUTUMN TERM 2020
Forging ahead in challenging times
01 WELCOME FROM GROUP PRINCIPAL AND CEO
03 COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
05 TRUST NEWS: ROUNDUP
07 LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS
08 STUDENT MATTERS
10 OUR PARTNERSHIPS
11 SKILLS FOR GROWTH
12 IN THE NEWS
09 COLLEGE NEWS
Welcome to the first issue of this newsletter for the whole of LSEEG which includes the staff of; London South East Academies Trust (LSEAT) London South East Colleges (LSEC) London Skills for Growth (LSfG)
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1 Over 2000 pre-loved books were delivered to Trust
schools in December courtesy of Acorn Book Club see page 6
2 Bramley Oak Academy joins the London South East
Academies Trust see page 6
3 Skills for Growth learners join Nexus Work experience
programme see page 11
4 From City Broker to a career in the NHS, Colin
transforms his career with a Science degree see page 8
5 Staff and students from Greenwich campus create
hampers for their local foodbank see page 13
WELCOME FROM GROUP PRINCIPAL AND CEO Dr Sam Parrett OBE
Forging ahead in challenging times It’s been a challenging term – 15 weeks in all and traditionally one of our busiest periods. We have settled our new intake of pupils and students into their environments as well as supporting those who have returned, not to mention the additional responsibilities this year of planning and implementing social distancing measures. When I think back to March 2020I feel a huge sense of pride in what we have achieved collectively. We have faced the challenges of Covid-19 with great team spirit. We have done this as a Group; supporting students and pupils through the lockdowns, ensuring staff across the Group remain connected through regular communication and updates on health and safety. When Lockdown 2.0 came into force we had to alter timetables to facilitate more practical sessions and build in additional online and remote learning. This of course was in addition to the work we did to reopen our campuses over the summer and to make our Academy Trust’s schools COVID safe for pupils and teachers. It all adds up to a phenomenal amount of work for everyone throughout the Group. Read the full story online feweek.co.uk/2020/09/20/sending-home-around100-students-so-early-in-the-term-is-a-reality-check
As a Group we have undertaken huge learning curves this year – here are a few highlights: Becoming aware of the social inequalities around us and tackling them head on During the pandemic we have become acutely aware of social inequalities within our community that affect social mobility and employment opportunities for many people. This has been amplified by the disproportionate affect that COVID has had on people from certain ethnic groups. The pandemic has also had an impact on the rise in food 01 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
poverty. Our #FEFoodbankFriday campaign was set up in response to this – providing food and other items to local food banks as well as contributing valuable funds. The initiative has since been relaunched with a festive theme to raise even more money and help support the foodbanks through the winter. In response to the Black Lives Matter protests happening during the summer, we pulled our staff
together to discuss what we could do to address inequality both inside and outside of the Group. Together we decided to create a Staff and Student Grant Support Programme, aimed at tackling inequality and promoting diversity within our schools, colleges and wider community. So far, we have awarded funding to three projects proposed by staff. You can read more about these further along in this e-zine. laseeg.co.uk/news
WELCOME FROM GROUP PRINCIPAL AND CEO
(CONT )
A seamless transition to online learning and remote working This experience has tested our IT capabilities to the limit and the work put in by our IT department has been outstanding – from the IT Services team to those whose work centres around software development, resources and learning technology. Teachers have also been instrumental in finding new ways of communicating with their students to keep them engaged and on-track, using great initiative and creativity. Innovating to make our schools and college future-proof Our senior leadership, curriculum planning and support service management teams have had to think outside the box, leaving their comfort zones regularly over the past few months. They have been forced to find answers to questions not asked of them before and find solutions to problems they have not previously encountered. Along with the technical dynamics helping us through this year, nothing would have been possible had it not been for superb management, planning, and future-proofing steering – all of which has enabled us to keep our services running and accessible to our communities, employers and other stakeholders. Widening our focus Influenced by the Independent Commission on the College of the Future and the need to address our national skills priority, achieving the Net Zero Agenda, investing in the Green Economy, supporting our NHS and positioning ourselves at the very heart of the UK’s economic recovery we are looking to the future with great zeal and determination. The AoC College’s Week #LoveOurColleges gave us an opportunity to contribute to its nationwide campaign by showcasing some of our achievements. This included the ‘Super Marriott’ project in which we demonstrated how we match students with employer needs, the Construction Industry Skills Summit supporting employers by developing sector-specific 02 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
skills training, winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for providing highquality training via our Construction Skills Generator and being awarded ‘hub’ status by the Mayor’s Construction Academy (MCA). There are many other great examples that serve as a constant reminder of the valuable role education plays in serving our communities and the economy.
2020 has been a both a challenging and inspiring experience for everyone. However, life as we know it will return to normal eventually and we will be ready and raring to go, playing our part to help re-build the economy. We will continue to invest in people of all ages and from all backgrounds and starting points, enabling them to train and re-skill to take advantage of new opportunities as we emerge from the pandemic. We will also continue to play our role in supporting employers.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Group News and that we will all look back on 2020 and remember the positive things we have achieved together. On behalf of myself, our senior leadership teams and Governors, I wish all of you who celebrate it, a very happy Christmas and to everybody, a very relaxing break. I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
laseeg.co.uk/news
COMMUNIT Y INITIATIVES
Measuring social value in all we do Louise Wolsey, our Chief Transformation Officer, and her teams have worked hard to develop the London and South East Education Group (LSEEG) Group Strategic Plan 2019/23 with over 18 months’ worth of research and planning going into the full and comprehensive version as well as a short ‘quickread’, version. Learning is at the heart of our strategy along with identifying social enterprise and social action in everything we do. We want to promote equality, improve the lives of our students
and everybody in the communities we serve by innovating and pushing boundaries. We will do this by improving the employability of our students, providing employers with a highly skilled workforce, promoting wellbeing and entrepreneurship through our shared values and translating all of this into monetary value too. We are the first College in the UK to use the National TOMS Framework to measure the social value impact of our work and develop a pilot project to act as a national benchmark. We estimate that the many projects and initiatives that the Colleges took part in during 2018 and 2019 generated over £26m in social
value (by our own calculations) and we hope to more than double this over the next five years. Obviously, this success relies on the actions of not just those who draw up the plans but also those who get involved, support the projects and are pro-active in making them a success. We are working on a range of community projects and initiatives through various channels such as work experience programmes. Recent projects have involved business students supporting the Bexley Eco Festival and construction students taking part in a recent refurbishment project for the brand new business start-up ‘Contingent Works’ in Bromley. Read more on pages 4 & 10
Students shine at the Bexley Eco-Fest 03 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
A group of eco-enthusiastic business students from London South East Colleges worked fullpelt towards this year’s Bexley Eco-Fest as part of a unique work experience programme. The students were enlisted to help market and manage the festival by developing the official website, shooting and editing videos and publicising it online. laseeg.co.uk/news
COMMUNIT Y INITIATIVES
(CONT )
The Equality, Diversity and Inequality Grants Programme London and South East Education Group launched the ‘Enough is Enough – Tackling Racial Inequality’ Grants Programme back in June 2020 in response to the global Black Lives Matter movement. The programme is a vehicle for staff and students to develop initiatives and projects to tackle inequality within the staff and student bodies, but also the wider community.
The three projects approved so far are: Saved By The Ball This is aimed at increasing attendance and engagement by combining football coaching and mentoring for learners across the Trust and the Colleges who are ‘at risk’ of permanent exclusion. Empower Project This is a year-long programme aimed at supporting personal growth and development by increasing employability and entrepreneurial skills, self-esteem, and confidence to young people of BAME origin.
Give a festive treat Following London South East Colleges’ successful #FEFoodbankFriday fundraising campaign throughout lockdown, the initiative was re-launched as #FestiveFEFoodbankFriday back in October to support local communities in the run up to Christmas. 04 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to have significant social and economic impact on so many people, foodbanks across the country reported a huge rise in demand. To help people in need, the College has been working with 20 other FE colleges nationally to collect 30,000 items for local foodbanks. In addition, the virtual fundraising platform was re-launched with the aim of reaching a £12,000 target. Collection bins for food and other non-food donations were placed across the College’s network of
Positive Changes This mentoring project is aimed at inspiring and enabling young people (SEND students between the ages of 16 and 25 and classed as vulnerable) to realise their potential by understanding their own self-perception and instilling confidence. The EDI grant steering group will be meeting regularly to assess other grant applications. These are the first of many to come over a ten year period of change.
campuses, giving staff and students the opportunity to support the campaign. We published regular lists of the most needed items from the local foodbanks, to make sure donations are as helpful as possible. More recently, a range of different events and initiatives leading up to the Christmas break were staged to raise extra funds such as a SEND Christmas pantomime and mini market, a ‘wear your own shoes day’ and gift stockings made by hair and beauty students, a collection of Christmas Hampers packed and shipped to various outlets, and our annual Santa Dash sponsored run. Thank you to all who have made donations or created an event/initiative. #FestiveFEFoodbankFriday laseeg.co.uk/news
TRUST NEWS: ROUNDUP
Trust teaching team recognised for outstanding work The inclusion team at London South East Academies’ New Horizons Hub were presented with three accolades at the London Teacher of the Year Awards 2020, recognising their hard work and commitment. Pastoral Support co-ordinators – Emma Slater, Jack Stephens and Leanne Mitchell – based at Horizons Academy Bexley and Aspire Academy won Bexley Team of the Year and Kathy Spillane, Safeguarding Liaison Officer, was named as Wellbeing Champion for both Bexley and as the overall winner for London.
Our response to Covid
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Since our return in September, we have had to adapt our practices to make sure that we are Covid-aware and respectful of the Trust’s protocols. This has been challenging for us all, but we have got to this point with a fully functioning school and with everybody in good health. I would like to thank staff throughout our schools for all they have done over the term to make all of this possible. Beverly Evans Executive Headteacher New Horizons Academies
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As we reach our first full term of opening our schools, it’s vital that we recognise the success we have had in relation to keep on top of stringent health and safety measures. We have been aided in our efforts by the brave new world of digital learning and the impact of this has been significant – not least on the students and pupils. Despite all of the challenges of this year, I am looking forward to the start of the spring term and all that it brings with it – hopefully, a move back to normality and the joy that follows.
Jo Southby Group Executive Director for Education, Standards and Safeguarding 05 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
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Since Lockdown began, we have operated under great pressure to ensure safety and successful progression for our pupils. Since then, much has occurred including Bramley Beacon Academy joining us in October, and Bromley Beacon Academy receiving a successful Autumn Ofsted Review.
As we break up for the winter break, we can all look back at our many achievements at Belmont and at Woodside Academies.
Thank you for how you have all maintained very high standards this year. Have a great break; here’s hoping for a more positive 2021.
We have learnt an enormous amount about the benefits of blended offers for pupils and different ways of working. We shall hold onto that learning as we move into the new year. I thank you all for your commitment, diligence and hard work. I thank you for looking after our pupils, yourselves and each other.
Neil Miller Executive Headteacher Bromley/Bramley Academies
Madelaine Caplin Executive Headteacher Woodside/Belmont Academies
laseeg.co.uk/news
TRUST NEWS: ROUNDUP
Belmont Academy year 6 pupils Remembrance Day assembly
Trust welcomes in Bramley Oak Academy Bramley Oak Academy (formerly Wey House School in Surrey) has joined the Trust’s seven schools, which include mainstream, special and alternative provision across south London. The decision for Bramley Oak to become part of the Trust followed extensive consultation with the Department for Education and Surrey County Council earlier this year.
Special delivery School book drop spreads some Christmas cheer! 06 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
Neil Miller said, “After several months of hard work by everyone at Bramley Oak Academy, I’m delighted to see it officially becoming part of London South East Academies Trust. Our priority is ensuring that every pupil here has access to the opportunities they need to reach their full potential. We are committed to working closely with parents/carers, providing support and care for them and their children.”
On Wednesday 11 November, year 6 pupils at Belmont Academy helped to devise and performed in their very own Remembrance Day assembly to remember those who fought and fell during the First World War. They recited the famous poem by John McCrae, ‘In Flanders Fields the Poppies Grow’, gave thanks to the fallen and then sang The Farm’s ‘All Together Now’ – the song’s original meaning being about brotherhood and innocent young men being sent to war.
Over 2000 books were delivered to seven primary schools in Bromley, Bexley and Surrey last week as part of a special initiative by the Acorn Book Club (ABC). The special and alternative provision schools, part of London South East Academies Trust, will each receive almost 300 preloved books. These have been donated by communities across the region and then re-distributed by the ABC. laseeg.co.uk/news
LE ADERSHIP INSIGHTS
Adapting during a pandemic David Lambert, Deputy CEO & Principal (Colleges – Teaching and Learning), writes: For many of us, the Autumn term began well before the first week in September when students returned to our campuses for induction week. The operation to move enrolment online for the first time ever – not just on a trial basis but for the overwhelming majority of applicants and enrollees – actually started in June. Our MIS, Student Hubs and all curriculum teams were required to ‘think differently’ this year. Face-to-face enrolment simply wasn’t possible under the government’s strict social distancing measures and from our own prospective – the risk of exposing so many people, particularly on enrolment day one, to what we know can be a deadly infection was far too great. So we set about designing an enrolment system that could be accessed via our website after receiving an email from the College with a unique access code. This couldn’t work by itself however, we
Managing change and leading through crisis is challenging at the best of times, but how do you navigate your way through a marathon crisis and lead an organisation?
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knew that we had to put in place super-functioning enrolment call centre, triage and web chat teams working in unison with curriculum managers and tutors to ensure we could guide everybody using the system as smoothly as possible onto the course of their choice. This also meant equipping our new students with the relevant information and guidance needed to confidently join the College and settle in as soon as possible. It was a ‘big ask’ and I’m proud to say that we received a truly ‘big response’ from our staff – taking it in their stride and pulling out all the stops to execute this very complex and multifaceted procedure admirably. From thereon, we were required to work under very strict guidelines this term meaning altering the way we deliver practical and theory lessons to students, variable timetabling, social distancing and ensuring all college users wear their masks in communal areas, limiting our Twilight provision (despite the fact that this year there has been more interest and demand for activities than ever before), organising GCSE resit exams and revision sessions, upgrading our digital learning platforms and remote working practices through to engaging with our learners, improving
their learner-journey, tending to their needs, safeguarding and keeping them engaged and inspired – this has required so much time and energy from so many. There is still much to do as we look to term 2 and the possibility that we can soon relax the Covid rules and regulations somewhat; freeing us to focus on what really matters from hereon. This includes transitioning our students from level to level, into jobs and apprenticeships, onto higher education courses in our university centre, getting students to the end of their courses, passing their exams, receiving their qualifications and guiding them in the right direction towards a successful career and greater social mobility. We must also concentrate our efforts on recruiting for next year and ensure that we turn every application to the College into an enrolment making their experience one they never forget. From that initial Google search through to becoming a super-successful London South East Colleges alumni – every step must be a positive one. Thank you colleagues for the huge effort this term. Have a great break and be sure to make it absolutely sparkling.
In September, Matthew Trainer, CEO, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust shared thought provoking perspectives on this issue as part of our series of virtual landmark lectures. He drew on his three month secondment to the post of Deputy Chief Executive for the Nightingale Hospital, ExCel London, which was constructed to cater for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. Matthew’s talk left us all feeling inspired (and a little bit emotional). We took away many key lessons, including remembering to create opportunities for others, valuing staff well being over productivity, learning from your
mistakes and not being afraid to seek advice from those you trust. When reflecting on what he would change in relation to his work for the Nightingale and the most important lesson he took away from the experience, he said, “It’s been a horrible year and a tragedy for so many people and their families. I have learnt to focus on the good things in life. I’ve learnt to turn off my phone at the weekend sometimes – my advice to myself and to others is to be kind to yourself, and focus on spending time with the people you love.” We couldn’t agree more. laseeg.co.uk/news
STUDENT MAT TERS
Character, determination and burning ambition drives Aida towards her ultimate goal In October we were inspired by Aida, a Kitchen Assistant based at our Greenwich campus, who had rekindled an aspiration to study at university and become a hotel manager. Ugandan-born Aida, 56 from Woolwich made the bold decision to step out of her comfort zone and study for her GCSE English and Maths qualifications. In the summer, Aida achieved grade 4s (grade C passes) in both subjects as
well as a new found confidence with all things numerical. She said, “I’ve wanted to take these subjects for so long and always felt held back without them. Being of an age when many people start to think of about their retirement plans, I’m still eager to achieve my dreams. I’ve wanted to use the many skills I have in hospitality and catering and cooking fine foods to move up the ladder and
From city broker to a career in the NHS – Colin is following the science Colin Warner, 57 left his lucrative banking career as Bond Market Broker a decade ago to concentrate on becoming a Biomedical Scientist working at the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough. Last July, after a four-year part-time foundation degree at London South East Colleges University Centre, and a final two years at the University of Greenwich, he finally walked away with a first class BSc honours degree in Biomedical Science. Colin said, “Enrolling for a Foundation Degree at the College’s University Centre was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Studying part-time did mean stretching out the course over five years rather than three but working full-time meant I had to do it this way. “The tutors were superb and certainly know their stuff. They were there for me every step of the way. For me, it’s onwards and upwards – it’s an exciting voyage of discovery and one that is, pardon the pun, infectious!” 08 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
become a manager – I’m not going to let this opportunity pass me by.” Her tutor Finn said, “Aida was a truly inspirational student. She oozes joyfulness, persistence and resilience. She is a wonderful role model for all women who wish to return to education and living proof of how putting your mind to something, getting the best help and support you can, you can achieve anything you want to.”
Charlotte to join the crème de la crème of child carers Just six months ago, 19-year-old Charlotte, along with her fellow Childcare Level 3 students, was sent home to face four months of lockdown and asked to study remotely to complete her course. Through her own sheer determination to succeed, she remained focussed, attended every lesson and online tutorial keeping faith in her own abilities to achieve straight distinction grades (with one distinctionstar). She then received the news she’d hoped for – confirmation she would be joining Norland College in September. Charlotte said, “I have always wanted to work with children and I’d also love to travel and live abroad one day. Becoming a Norland Nanny will enable me to do this but there’s a long way to go. The standards here are set very high and you are put through a rigorous training programme designed to give you skills in children’s care, food and nutrition, child health, psychology, education. I know I’ll have to step up and face the challenges if I’m to qualify in four years’ time, but I’m really looking forward to it.” laseeg.co.uk/news
STUDENT MAT TERS
Picture perfect It is well known that learning later on in adult life is a proven way of improving your wellbeing, exploring your creativity, finding new interests and hobbies, making friends and keeping active. Our Adult & Community Learning provision is no exception. Angela Fletcher, Malcolm Fletcher, Melanie Godson, Guy Morgan, Catherine Riney, Caroline Williams and Lorena Cuervo Cuervo are a group of local amateur photographers who met whilst studying digital photography at the Greenwich Adult and Community Learning, Greenwich Park Centre. They share a passion for photography and formed a student group as a channel for developing their art form and have taken their passion a step further by curating a collaborative gallery exhibition on the theme ‘Geometry’ at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Unframed prints are able to order and cost £45 each, enquiries by e-mail to greenwichphotographers@hotmail.com 10% of any sales will be donated to Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s arts programme.
“If the shutter was released at the decisive moment, you have instinctively fixed a geometric pattern without which the photograph would have been both formless and lifeless.” Henri Cartier-Bresson 09 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
COLLEGE NEWS
New Beginnings London South East Colleges University Centre The higher education provision provided by London South East Colleges University Centre adds real social value to students, staff and our local communities. The education we offer has changed the lives of so many of our students and, in doing so, we are helping to drive real change locally and beyond. Education also provides a catalyst for social equality and many of our students choose to study with us later in life when they recognise that they are not prepared to settle for the life and opportunities currently in front of them. Our students come from a range of different economic backgrounds, ages, family situations, ethnicities, identities and abilities – and that’s what makes us special. This term a key priority has been to develop a new higher education strategy which builds on our strengths, but is also designed to take our university
centre on a change journey of its own. We intend to build on our commitment to social inclusion and also build a centre that has academic achievement and financial sustainability at its heart. Another priority has been to ensure that we continue to listen to and respond to the student voice. In response to this, we have recently completed the refurbishment of a newly designated HE area at our Holly Hill campus. The area includes a brand new study space and a range of industry standard tools, including surveying equipment.
Omatayo, a mother of two, recently graduated with a BA (Hons) Social Work degree after studying her foundation and final degree years at London South East Colleges University Centre. She achieved an amazing 2:1 grade and has begun a brand new job as a newly qualified Social Worker. laseeg.co.uk/news
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
The power of partnerships
Collaboration and partnership has always been key to our success and perhaps this year they have never been so important in helping us to achieve our Group mission. Here are just some of the key partnerships that we forged this term.
Learning on the job London South East Colleges teamed up with JTL to deliver traineeships in electrical and plumbing. The aim of the six week traineeship programme is to help young people aged 16-24 years to acquire the skills and experience they need to succeed in the workplace. Trainees will also acquire a CSCS card plus a Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS Card) and JTL will also help trainees to secure a 4 week industry work placement, which will provide learners with on-the-job experience. Rob Storer, JTL’s London Regional Business Manager said, “We are thrilled to be extending the partnership with London South
Rolling out the vaccine East Colleges to deliver Traineeships. Traineeships give young people an insight into the industry through hands on work experience, as well as providing them with the employability skills and health and safety knowledge which will help them progress onto an apprenticeship, if that is their goal. Combining the strengths of both organisations and sharing resources to deliver high quality traineeship programmes will be a real benefit to young people, who have not yet started an apprenticeship programme and want to take the first steps into their professional careers.”
West End calling London South East Colleges’ performing arts department joined forces with the London College of Performing Arts, creating an ambitious new partnership aimed at providing young people with West End and industry standard training in acting, dance, musical theatre and production arts. Courses are overseen by Creative Director and West End leading man Gary Watson, supported by an outstanding team of over twenty other professional full-time and visiting staff led by the College’s hugely experienced Course 10 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
Director Chris Stoddart, star of many West End and touring musicals.
In December we were delighted to be selected to partner the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and support its effort to recruit staff from local communities to roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine across South East London over the coming months. We will assist by providing essential training to candidates, preparing them to enter the NHS recruitment process as well as supporting experienced staff already working in the NHS. A huge number of roles need to be filled – from clinical staff to deliver the vaccine, through to administration support and customer service roles. For people with no previous healthcare experience, an entry to employment package – the ‘Get Ready’ programme – has been developed by Oxleas and the College, laying the foundation for an exciting career within the NHS. The first ten participants embarked on the Get Ready programme on 7 December. Oxleas expects to enrol around 1,000 people in total by the end of March 2021.
Gary said, “The enthusiasm and talent in this year’s cohort is truly exciting and inspiring to see. We have a wonderful group of students drawn from hundreds of applications received this year and they are serious about reaching the very top of their profession. As a college, we are completely committed to nurturing their potential and celebrating their individuality; spring-boarding them to the next step of their journey.” laseeg.co.uk/news
SKILL S FOR GROW TH
Essential skills training London Skills for Growth (LSFG) was established to directly respond to the growing number of young people and adults without the necessary skills to enter the world of work. Its aim is to support young people and adults to improve their life changes through training and their journey to employment.
Education and training programmes across a range of areas are delivered to young people from the age of 16 through to adults, with a focus high quality traineeships and apprenticeships, with all our programmes including a high proportion of work experience, employer visits and seminars.
Two for Nexus programme Staff at London Skills for Growth were thrilled when two of their learners were accepted on to the Nexus programme for work experience in December. The learners will be part of a pilot project around new technology that will give them a well-rounded experience and a taste of the future.
A challenging yet dynamic year of change
Angela Beaton Operations Director London Skills for Growth 11 | ISSUE 1 | 2020
This has been an extraordinary year in so many ways. Staff at Skills for Growth have had to face so many professional and personal challenges bought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. During this year, we have successfully moved three training venues smoothly with our learners transitioning with minimal
OUR NUMBERS FOR 2019/20 Worked with a total of
461 learners 50%
of the 117 learners on Traineeship Programmes have progressed into sustainable employment or training, with the others focusing on securing progression Worked with
344 apprentices Worked with at least
195 employers This work experience programme, which fuses project based learning, digital workshops delivered by specialist practitioners and real work experiences by enabling learners to support local charities and social enterprises, through the production of digital media, such as graphics, UI, photography, podcasts and augmented reality. To promote engagement and peer networks, participants are grouped by shared interests, to pitch, deliver and reflect on projects, supported by 360 feedback from peers.
impact and continuing to attend, achieve and progress. We are now settled into our main training centre at Greenwich Park and are about to undergo a full merger into the London and South East Education Group. From January 2021, we are being welcomed into the College as an official department; and we are very much looking forward to the amazing development and support opportunities this will bring for our learners, employer partners and staff as well as strengthening the College brand too. laseeg.co.uk/news
IN THE NEWS
Festive vibes Oh yes they did! Nido Volans students, Bexley campus recorded a unique festive pantomime for a virtual event. The passion of the students was plain to see in Jacqueline and the Beanstalk, a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale. This all-singing, all-dancing, all-action panto was a fun, heart-warming show from start to finish. You can download a copy from the college website from Thursday, 17 December from 7pm. All donations, however big or small will go towards #FestiveFEFoodbankFriday
It’s beginning to feel very festive across our campuses. Here’s a roundup of just some of the activities our staff and students have been up to.
A special delivery We were delighted when Morrisons, Erith Branch, embraced the FestiveFEFoodbankFriday campaign, by throwing open their doors and allowing Stuart Blackmore and Ketih Denham to pack a shopping trolley with a whopping 270 items worth over £150 at the tills.
Read the full story online feweek.co.uk/2020/10/09/collegesset-to-repeat-foodbank-partnership
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Christmas hampers with a heart Tutors inspired hospitality and catering based at Orpington and Greenwich to produce some wonderful treats for luxury Christmas hampers that went on sale in December. Goodies include festive stollen, a line of spiced cranberry and pear relish plus fantastic gingerbread and gourmet Christmas puddings. For every hamper sold, one fifth of the income will be contributed to the #FEFoodbankFriday campaign. laseeg.co.uk/news
IN THE NEWS
Mission accomplished Last but by no means least, staff and students at Greenwich campus stepped up to the challenge of creating festive hampers for their local foodbank. It started as a simple idea; each class and staff team who took part, were given a box and basic wrappings to get them started – students and staff then filled and decorated their own hampers. The response was been truly amazing, with classes in all curriculum areas taking part. In total they created 61 spectacular hampers containing 1,563 items – that’s an average of 25 items per hamper, with a total value of over £2,000. Hampers have since been delivered to Plumstead Foodbank and are already being distributed directly to those in need who are housebound or selfisolating and running out of food.
Mini festive market pops up in Nido Volans Gardens, Bromley campus
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SEND students at Bromley campus showed off their talents by hosting Christmas stalls in the beautiful surroundings of Nido Volans Centre. Visitors were treated a wonderful range of festive treats – from wreaths to handmade wooden gifts.
TES FE leader of the year CEO of London & South East Colleges Group, Dr Sam Parrett OBE, was named FE Leader of the Year at a virtual ceremony in October – which had been postponed from March as a result of Covid-19. These awards are an annual celebration of excellence in the FE sector, shining a light on the great work being done by so many people. The TES FE Awards are an annual celebration of excellence within the sector. According to the judges, “Sam Parrett embodies what it is to be a true leader, not just a person at the top of an organisation. She has twisted old ways of being into new ways of doing. Sam has shown immense bravery and stepped forward into situations that no one else wanted to go near – she is a stand out leader with an incredible amount of energy.” Sam said, “There are so many worthy recipients in our hard-working sector, so It is a real honour to be presented with this award. 2020 has been a challenging year for so many people in education and it is fantastic to have this opportunity to celebrate people’s success. I send my congratulations to all the other winners and runners up in this year’s awards and thank my colleagues and students for their constant support.” Read the full story online tes.com/news/sam-parrett-wins-tes-fe-awards-2020 laseeg.co.uk/news
Over the next five years we will play a key role in the social and economic improvement of the region by working closely with our partners, students, staff and stakeholders. This will impact on what we teach, how we do business, how we develop our staff and how we support our learners.
Together we can build a sustainable community
T: 020 3954 4000
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