West Thames College - Making Waves - Winter 2021

inter 2021 W e in z a g a m The college

Careers Special Student Hits the Big Screen. cover story » pages 8-9

Ofsted GOOD with Outstanding Features page 4-5

Creative Cookie Decorating Task for Colleges Week page 13

Welcome to West Thames College.

Principal Tracy Aust welcomes you to the Winter edition of Making Waves.

Dear Reader It’s been a fantastic first term for us all at West Thames. We finally returned to face-to-face teaching after Covid and it has been a joy to see both campuses at Isleworth and Feltham full of students again. It’s been a really busy first term.

We were visited by Ofsted in September and went through a rigorous inspection. I am delighted and very proud of the result. We were awarded a Good rating overall with Outstanding features. This was a great acknowledgment of all of the hard work of our staff, our students and our partners. Ofsted recognised that as a College, we successfully provide all of our students with a safe and vibrant learning environment, enabling them to thrive. We were really pleased that Ofsted recognised the great students that we have.

The report said ‘Learners find the college a welcoming and inclusive place in which to study. They overwhelmingly enjoy their learning. They benefit greatly from friendly and helpful teachers who challenge them appropriately.’

In October, we celebrated Colleges Week and this was another opportunity for us to share some of the really positive work we do in our local community. Then there was our Fresher’s Fair which was a chance to showcase our partnerships, and our Student Services Team successfully demonstrated for both our new and returning students the full range of what West Thames has to offer.

We continue to celebrate the successes of Alumni such as Asim Chaudhry, and we congratulate all of our students who have graduated in the last two years. We are hugely proud of our students and their amazing achievements and our Student Awards show really highlighted this.

We have so much more planned for the rest of the academic year and we can’t wait to share that with you in the next issue of Making Waves.

Yours sincerely, Tracy Aust

2

M A K I N G

waves Winter 2021

Performing Arts Students Dazzle in Exciting New Project Students worked closely with inspirational artists such as choreographer and dance artist Becky Namgauds, and interdisciplinary artist Tyrone Isaac Stuart. Becky has created dance for theatres, outdoor festivals and film. Her show ‘Like Honey’ was part of the British Council Edinburgh Showcase 2019, and her solo ‘Exhibit F’ premiered at Dance Umbrella 2019, touring in early 2020. Tyrone uses jazz music, krump & contemporary dance to create audio-visual experiences. He is a Steve Reid Innovation Award 2019-2020 recipient, a 2020 Artist in Residence at Clarence Mews Space, and a 2021 East London Ideas Fund awardee.

The final performance was showcased as part of the Dance Umbrella Festival 2021 at Bell Square in Hounslow (outdoor) and Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford (indoor).

West Thames College Performing Arts students took part in ‘Assemble’ - an exciting project for dance and music makers aged 16-18 years.

Our previous Performing Arts students have gone on to star in shows such as EastEnders, Britain’s Got Talent and The Secret Life of Boys.

Our students were given the unique opportunity to work collaboratively with other young artists across music and dance industries and took part in skills building workshops and rehearsals to learn all about what it takes to be a professional performer!

This unique collaboration allowed our talented media, music and dance students to focus on developing new performances for the public, bringing together their fantastic work in a showstopping one off performance.

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

3

West Thames is Ofsted rated GOOD with Outstanding Features!

Ofsted visited West Thames College between Tuesday 28th September Friday 1st October 2021.

All areas of inspection which included Quality of Education, Leadership and Management, Personal Development, Provision for Learners with High Needs had a consistently Good rating with the exception of Behaviour and Attitudes which was rated Outstanding.

Principal Tracy Aust said: ‘It’s fantastic news for the College. Staff across the board work really hard to ensure that all of our students benefit from high quality teaching, learning and assessment, in a supportive and safe place and one which provides our students with the skills they need to succeed and progress. To do this so effectively in the current climate is no mean feat! As a local College, we champion a diverse and highly inclusive environment, with respect for one another being paramount. We were therefore delighted to see this acknowledged by Ofsted. This inspection has been a long time coming and I am so incredibly proud of our staff, our students and our partners.’

Here are a few highlights from the Ofsted report:

Learner Satisfaction ‘Learners find the college a welcoming and inclusive place in which to study. They overwhelmingly enjoy their learning. They benefit greatly from friendly and helpful teachers who challenge them appropriately.

Teachers give learners useful one-to-one support if there is something they do not understand. As a result, learners are extremely satisfied with the education and training they receive.’

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

4

Employability ‘Learners receive good support to help them find employment. For example, on study programmes, learners gain valuable remote work experience at an international airport. Learners on health and social care courses volunteer to work with the NHS. They speak with industry experts about the degree-level job opportunities available to them. On back-to-work courses for adults, learners improve their confidence sufficiently to apply for jobs in customer service roles. Consequently, a very high proportion of adults successfully get jobs or progress at work after the end of their course.’

“

“

Staff work really hard to ensure all our students benefit from high quality teaching, learning and assessment, in a supportive and safe place which provides our students with the skills they need to succeed and progress.

Expectations ‘Learners benefit from a secure, calm and orderly environment in which to learn.

Leaders ensure that staff set consistently clear and very high expectations for learners’ behaviour in the college. Learners therefore show exceptionally high levels of respectful behaviour to staff and their peers.’

Extra curricular ‘Learners benefit from a broad range of extra-curricular activities in college, such as team sports, and drama and dance groups.

Learners with SEND practise their singing and dancing skills during their lunchtime.

Learners then put on a performance at the annual talent show. As a result, learners maintain positive attitudes, and gain wider social skills and confidence.’

More information can be found on our website.

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

5

Production of life-saving PPE West Thames College partnered with a local designer, fabricator and artist Neil Lemaire, to help in the production of life-saving PPE during lockdown.

As the situation with the COVID-19 Coronavirus progressed, there was an increasing shortage of the availability of face protection in our National Health Service and as a further education college in the heart of West London, we were eager to see how we may be able to use our facilities to help others in light of the current situation.

We were overwhelmed when the College was introduced to Neil, who is locally based in Brentford and a specialist in Bronze Casting, Mould-making and 3D printing. In the last year,

West Thames Students win Placements at

6

M A K I N G

waves Winter 2021

we have been working closely together and using the College’s 3D specialist printing facilities, with Neil designing and producing face visors for front line NHS staff. Neil will also in the future, be exploring the production of mushroom valves to go into face masks.

Neil’s studio is based at the London Museum of Water & Steam, near Kew Bridge.

More than 10 ICT and Business students were selected by CISCO for their virtual work placement in October. One of the world’s leading technology companies, CISCO, selected 13 Level 3 students through a meticulous competitive process which attracted several hundreds of applications. Nine students are from ICT and four from Business. The applicants were asked to identify their interests in technology and elaborate on their knowledge of the work carried out by CISCO. They also had to outline their possible take-away from the virtual work placement.

During the weeklong virtual work placement in the last week of October, the students will engage to work on their communication, teamwork, IT, interview and presentation skills. The students have to work on a project. The expectation is, it will invigorate their inquisitiveness, flare up enthusiasm and hone their willingness to learn.

In the last academic year, two Business students were selected in an earlier version of the virtual work experience.

Twin Brothers Celebrate Success as Both Achieve a Place at University Twin Brothers Thomas and Benjamin Ziegel are celebrating their success in achieving full level 3 qualifications this summer and securing an offer to the University of West London.

The brothers came to West Thames College four years ago through successful partnership with Ambitious College. Ambitious College is an independent specialist day college dedicated to supporting young people with autism, with a campus co-located at West Thames College. This means that as part of their study programme, many of Ambitious College students are able to in-fill to the various vocational pathways that West Thames College offer. This is a very effective model that enables students with autism to get the specialist support they need from Ambitious College, but also develop the skills they need to become more independent by accessing the mainstream curriculum at West Thames College.

Thomas Ziegel started to in-fill to our level 1 Creative design course in 2017-18 whilst still receiving the specialist additional support that he needed, and studying the rest of his programme with Ambitious College. This model was very successful for Thomas and he quickly showed a natural talent for Art and Design.

Early in his Art and Design journey, Thomas won a college competition for a brilliant Christmas card design. Thomas went on to steadily make

his way up through to level 2 and level 3. This summer he has achieved the level 3 Extended Diploma in Animation and Games Deign and is now progressing to the University of West London - a fantastic achievement.

Benjamin Ziegel who is Thomas’s twin brother also came to West Thames College through Ambitious College in 2017. Benjamin’s passion was for Music and started to in-fill to our Level 2 Music diploma course. Benjamin also received additional support, and studied the remainder of his programme with Ambitious College. After the level 2 Music Course Benjamin went on to complete our Level 3 in Performing Arts and the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music, winning him a place at the University of West London.

During his studies, Benjamin has contributed his time and talent to the projects of other students working on cross-college projects. His passion for music really shone through in his work. Benjamin won the 2021 Student of the Year award for Music and Media this summer.

During their time with Ambitious College and West Thames College, both Benjamin and Thomas have worked at consistently very high standards, whilst maintaining excellent attendance and punctuality. Both brothers have overcome personal challenges to achieve this fantastic success. They have been an absolute joy to teach and we wish them the very best for their exciting new university journey.

7

West Thames Media Student Hits the Big Screen

8

M A K I N G

waves Winter 2021

Former West Thames College student, actor and writer Asim Chaudhry, aka ‘Chabuddy G’, from BBC’s hit TV show ‘People Just Do Nothing’ released a new feature film People Just Do Nothing: ‘Big in Japan in the cinemas in August’.

Our media teachers have real industry experience, and we have state-of-the-art TV and recording studios and Mac suites. You can meet teachers and tour facilities at our Open Events.

Asim previously studied Media at West Thames College and we could not be more proud of him for all of his amazing achievements. Asim has received critical acclaim and multiple prestigious nominations and awards since his time with us. He won the RTS award for Best Comedy Male Performance for People Just Do Nothing and was nominated for two BAFTA’s in the same category. He also won an international EMMY for Hoff The Record.

Student Ambassador Swati Kirtykumar said about Asim, ‘it feels amazing that someone who studied here at West Thames College is now on national TV and has a film out and that the college has given him the opportunity to achieve so much in his career.’

Asim has a few more projects up his sleeve this year. He will also be starring alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in new film biopic Louis Wain and will star in The Sandman for Netflix as the role of Abel.

We can’t wait to see him in action!

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

9

Hats Off to West Thames Students Every year we celebrate the amazing achievements of our students at the annual Student Awards Ceremony and the Higher Education Graduation Ceremony.

Our 2021 Student Awards Ceremony celebrated the inspiring achievements of our students and due to earlier Covid restrictions, our Higher Education Graduation Ceremony celebrated the class of both 2020 and 2021!

At our Student Awards Ceremony, college directors presented an array of awards in all subjects across the college. Principal Tracy Aust also proudly handed out overall college awards to students that really went above and

beyond to achieve success. The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award was awarded to Henry Wasswa Semwogerere, whilst our Determination Award went to Rio Merrett and the Contribution to the College Award was awarded to William Tyrrell – all sponsored by the Deaf Communication Service.

A big hats off (literally) to our Higher Education students who also walked proudly on stage to collect their scrolls, all beautifully dressed in their gowns and caps. We were so proud watching them graduate from their HND Applied Biology, HNC Computing, HND Creative Media Production and HND Specialist Makeup courses.

A huge well done and congratulations to all of our students. Proof that we provide education for the creators and the leaders of tomorrow!

ett Rio Merr

William Tyrell 10

M A K I N G

waves Winter 2021

Skills for a Greener Workforce

This October, West Thames College turned green as we launched our electrifying Electric Vehicles courses!

As the UK government sets out to become carbon neutral by 2050, we want to do all we can to help protect the environment and provide those allimportant skills for a greener workforce. We are therefore offering an exciting package of green skills to our students as we move into a greener future.

On our level 1 and level 2 Electric Vehicles courses, students will learn all about different types of electric & hybrid vehicles, hazards associated

with motor vehicle high energy electrical systems, working safely around electric & hybrid vehicles including charging, how to reduce the risk of injury when encountering electric & hybrid vehicles and how to safely transport and store electric & hybrid vehicles.

The sale of all new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030 in the UK and we know that our green courses will no doubt help to launch the careers of our students within an impressive range of roles from Electrical Engineers to Vehicle Electricians to Vehicle Body Builders & Repairers. We are commited to developing the workforce of the future.

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

11

Youth Hub Making a Difference In January 2021 West Thames College partnered with Hounslow Job Centre Plus (JCP) to create a Youth Hub supporting the Government’s economic recovery plan and Department of Work’s objectives to help maximise off-flow into employment and reduce economic inactivity following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Youth Hub, a service for residents of London Borough of Hounslow, aged between 18 and 24, enabled access to mentoring services, advice and guidance for employability support and mental health awareness, and helped to develop digital skills through the use of technology.

The expected outcomes were that young people would be able to return to full time education training or employment within a short period of time – a target of 50 claimants accessing the service was set for the project which ran from January-June 2021.

• The target of 50 claimants was met and exceeded by 212% • 106 claimants were seen by a next steps adviser and an action plan then training and/ or support • 58 claimants accessed training to enhance skills • 59 claimants received ongoing support and mentoring Due to the project’s success, impact and outcomes the DWP have agreed to fund an additional year.

12

M A K I N G

waves Winter 2021

Steve Underwood was a student that came through the Youth Hub and was unsure of what he wanted to do in the future with all the skills he had gained through his studies. He really engaged with the college Careers Team to work through a career plan to help him reach his goals, and took on board the guidance given. Steve decided that the pre-employment training courses in Customer Service and Preparation to Work would help him focus and brush up his skills to then secure a job.

While on the course, Steve was a diligent, polite and focused student who had a good work ethos and was extremely committed to the course with excellent attendance and punctuality. He completed and passed both courses well. Using these new skills and confidence, Steve applied and secured a fulltime job.

Martina Greeves, Head of Careers & Work Placement at the college, said; “We are so proud of Steve and all of our students that participated in The Youth Hub, and subsequently secured a job. We can’t wait to continue our partnership with JCP in 2022!”.

Creative Cookie Decorating Task for Colleges Week Student Ambassadors showed their creative side when they took part in a cookie decorating activity to mark Colleges Week in October.

The College works closely with students in all areas and very much value the support from our brilliant team of Ambassadors who do great work supporting at events such as Parent’s Evening and Open Days.

In Bake Off style, they were provided with a giant cookie, decorating equipment, and were given a set time limit to decorate the cookie under the theme of the week ‘Love Our Colleges’.

This was just one of the fantastic activities the college did to mark Colleges Week.

Colleges Week 2021 is run by the Association of Colleges and is a chance to celebrate and shout about all of the brilliant things that colleges do, day in and day out to build communities, boost businesses, and support individuals.

They each then presented their cookies and an explanation of why they loved the College to a panel which included Principal Tracy Aust and Director Michael Michaelides.

The students gave very touching speeches about the support they’d received for special needs, how they enjoyed being treated and respected like adults, and how they feel comfortable and safe being who they were in the College.

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

13

Local MP Speaks to Students About an Exciting New Mentoring Programme On Friday 5th November 2021, local MP for Hounslow, Seema Malhotra, came in especially to talk to our students about Connected Futures – a new mentoring programme which will connect 150 young people aged 18 – 24 in Hounslow seeking work with their very own industry specialist Mentor.

would get support in finding a job/ work experience, help with writing a CV and with interview skills, and would also have access to Sports, Mental Health Wellbeing and Building Resilience workshops. There would also be a graduation ceremony at the end of the 9-month programme, which is due to start this December.

Our students made such an impression on Seema that she even tweeted about them after the event; ‘they were so inspiring and such a lot of talent in the room!’.

Connected Futures has been set up by charity Hounslow’s Promise and aims to help young people develop their employability and leadership skills.

It’s a two-way process as it also gives Mentors a chance to give back to the local community and helps to develop their own mentoring and community leadership skills.

Students were really excited to be offered an opportunity to get involved and asked Seema lots of interesting questions before signing up. Students learnt that by taking part in Connected Futures they

phone 020 8326 2020 web

west-thames.ac.uk

14

Sharing the Love During Colleges Week From the 18th October – 22nd October we shared our love of West Thames College as we celebrated Colleges Week.

Colleges Week is an initiative from the Association of Colleges and colleges nationwide take part. Every year, this momentous week gives us the opportunity to celebrate the success of our students and staff, and also to shine a light on the vital role the college plays within our local community.

The week was jam packed where we heard about all of the amazing reasons why our students love West Thames.

We really did have so much to celebrate…

We shouted loud about our success stories on social media using #LoveOurColleges with other colleges up and down the country.

We shared our Community stories where West Thames College’s 3D specialist printing facilities were opened up for local designer Neil Lemaire to help design and produce face visors for front line NHS staff, and where our Youth Hub is helping to reduce economic inactivity amongst 18-24 years olds following the Covid-19 pandemic.

We celebrated our first Open Days post Covid-19 where we welcomed visitors in person to both our Isleworth and Feltham campuses. Visitors got to meet our specialist course leaders, tour the college and got to take part in taster sessions in their area of interest.

We put on a delayed Freshers’ Fair where we celebrated students’ return to face to face education, showcased cross college services and gave students the opportunity to take part in fun activities, demonstrations and sign up to sports and enrichment activities delivered by Sky, One You Hounslow, London Fire Fighters, West Side Radio and Hype.

We offered bespoke cupcakes to students and staff in exchange for a small donation to a Breast Cancer charity and staff and students wore pink on Friday to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

We asked our students to share why they love the college which then went on to a Love Wall. Students told us that they love the ‘diversity’, ‘support’, ‘safe environment’ and their ‘friends’.

A huge thank you to all the staff and students who helped make Colleges Week extra special.

15

Future Events

See our website or follow us on social media for more details.

2022

Isleworth Open Days

Feltham Open Days

Wednesday 2 February 5pm-7pm

Thursday 10 February 5pm-7pm

For all courses except construction, engineering, logistics and motor vehicle

Saturday 12 March 10am-1pm

For construction, engineering, logistics and motor vehicle courses

Wednesday 9 March 5pm-7pm

020 8326 2020 west-thames.ac.uk