Meerkats at Shuttleworth - anything but a "seemple" life

Meerkats have moved into Shuttleworth College where a palatial mansion house and stunning grounds are in keeping with the lifestyle of master of all meerkats Aleksandr Orlov, currently residing in Moscow.

With over half a million Facebook fans and 24,000 Tweeter followers, Aleksandra is known to lead anything but the “seemple” life as successful businessKat and founder of comparethemeerkat.com

Carl Groombridge (manager/lecturer) of the Animal Care Centre at Shuttleworth College explained that he receives lots of enquiries from visitors about meerkats and added:

“Meerkats have become one of our most popular animals with visitors asking questions about these fascinating creatures. With blasts of cold weather from Russia at the moment, Shuttleworth would be a home from home for Aleksandra and his team.”

Meerkats are one of the animals that are at home at Shuttleworth College, along with just about every family of species in the world including exotic species from amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, to birds and larger animals.

Shuttleworth College provides a stimulating environment where students learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities.

Editors' notes

1. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

Learning Centres Celebrate Student Success

Learning Centres in Bedford, Luton and Rushden celebrated student success at Achievers Evenings held in December and January.

David Pridmore, Deputy Principal and Director of Bedford College, said:

“Thanks to all staff for their commitment and dedication to the work of the Learning Centres. Your efforts are recognised in the success of the learners who have achieved so much.”

Esther Rantzen campaigner, journalist, president and founder of Childline and prospective MP for Luton South, met students and staff at the Luton Learning Centre and said:

“I want to congratulate all staff and learners on the achievement of mastering the art of computer science.

“Through these skills not only have you given yourselves new opportunities, skills and new careers but it has made me feel perhaps I can sign up here!

“I am here because I love Luton – I think it is terrific. I fell in love with it at first sight. Congratulations on your home town and on your success at the Luton Learning Centre.”

Up to 100 students were presented with certificates at each Learning Centre, celebrating their achievements in ITQ. This qualification not only gives people IT skills and qualifications, recognised by employers worldwide, but boosts confidence and gives them the opportunity to move up the career ladder.

As part of Bedford College, the Learning Centres are fully equipped IT centres set up on the doorsteps of local people in Bedford, Luton and Rushden. They offer people from all cultural backgrounds, abilities and ages the chance to tap into IT courses to improve their skills and life or career opportunities.

Each Learning Centre has 30 computers installed with the latest software and offer free training at flexible times to suit individual lifestyles.

With over 550 people currently studying across all three Learning Centres, a variety of courses are on offer including Literacy and Numeracy, Introduction to Computers ITQ (level 2 qualification) and short courses including Web Design and Photo Editing.

Learning Centres offer a range of different courses that support learners with no or little computer skills to those who need to update or brush up existing skills.

A winning prize of a laptop was offered at a prize draw held at each Achievers Evening, sponsored by Bright Learning Solutions.

Editors’ notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

2. For more info: Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

3. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

Art to Art at South Bank Arts Centre

World renowned local artist Julie Freeman is to launch an exhibition at Bedford College’s South Bank Arts Centre that will see visiting artists bringing art to art students and local people.

The exhibition begins on 15 January 2010 with a private view of Julie Freeman’s work that will be open to the public from 18 January. Two exhibitions follow hot on the heels of Julie’s work and run until 12 March (see below).

Julie began life in Dunstable where she attended Dunstable College for 2 years studying Graphic Design. She gained a BSc at Plymouth University and ran a media design company “Studio Fish” in London where she worked with the Hayward Gallery, the BBC and the Science Museum.

Julie is Artist in Residence at the Microsystems & Nanotechnology Centre, Cranfield University, and Associate Researcher at Goldsmiths Digital Studio. She holds an MA in Digital Art from the Lansdown Centre for Electronic Arts, Middlesex University, and is a NESTA fellow and Wellcome Trust arts awardee. Her work has been exhibited across the UK, including at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and the Science Museum, and internationally in Brazil, Croatia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Russia, and the USA.

The exhibition “In Particular” features 16 graphic artworks and 16 texts that draw inspiration from nanotechnology. Julie collaborated with Professor Jeremy Ramsden to understand the science behind the stories.

Talking about “In Particular” to be exhibited at the South Bank Arts Centre, Julie says:

“I’ve always been seduced by technology – how it can be used to interact and communicate with the natural world, enabling appreciation of the obscured or concealed, and how it can exhibit truth or lies with equal gravitas, sometimes purposefully misinterpreting reality. I am interested in the translation of hidden biological systems through abstraction or metaphor, as graphic, sound, animation or object. My work is rarely predictable, I often feel I construct open frameworks which allow the free flow of content into them.”
Sue Blackman, Director of Centre for the Arts, added:

“I am delighted to welcome visiting artists to our gallery space in the South Bank Arts Centre.

“This is a living contemporary art space for the community where they will see a wide range of art including photography, film, animation, graphic design, fashion and textiles. The visiting artists will also offer workshops and lectures to our students. We want to reach out to our local community and encourage people to come along and see for themselves the talent that is at the heart of Bedford.

“The South Bank Arts Centre is a community space for the artistic talent of local people. This is the place where people can access or create art, with a buzz of creativity all year round. We have recording studios, theatre and art studios and a variety of space that the local community can hire.

“I am keen to encourage local contemporary artists, including ex students, to use the centre as a launch pad for their talent and careers and a platform to exhibit their work.”

Exhibition dates:
18-29 Jan Julie Freeman
1-12 Feb Students - graphics posters
22 Feb–12 March Rosalind Davis (mixed media painter and graduate of RCA fusing embroidery, print and paint to create complex and dystopian landscapes).

Editors' notes

1. Media welcome to private review on 15 January (12.30-2.00 pm) – invitation only event.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

5. Photographs available from Manners PR.

6. For more about Julie Freeman see www.translatingnature.org

7. For more about the “In Particular” project see www.in-particular.net

Elms putting MINI charity first

The one and only limited edition MINI John Cooper Works WC50 supplied by Elms Bedford took to the roads on Wednesday 2 December. The limited edition MINI was built to strict numbers, with only 100 in the UK and 500 worldwide.

MINI enthusiast Paula Reed picked up the keys for her limited edition MINI from Elms Bedford (pictured above with Grahame Downer, Group MINI Brand Manager).

Paula and husband Keith own 10 classic MINIs and belong to the “Tyred and Exhausted” MINI owners club, where they attend rallies and raise money for charity. Attending the London to Brighton run is a favourite with over 12,000 MINIs taking part.

The Reed family have bought 5 MINIs over the years from Elms Bedford and Paula said:

“We are really pleased with the service we receive here and as MINI enthusiasts it’s really important that we know we can rely on the very best. We like the fact that the car is limited edition and will fit in well with our MINI collection of classic cars.”

Built in strictly limited numbers the MINI John Cooper Works WC50 commemorates the 50th anniversary of achievements of John Newton Cooper, racing legend, who with drivers such as Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham led the team to consecutive world championships in 1959 and 1960.

Editors' notes
1. Issued by Manners PR for Elms Bedford.
2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

Students flying high at Bedford College

Students and staff from Travel and Tourism are to feature in a series of films following them on a cabin crew training day at Monarch Airlines and studying at Bedford College.

The films, commissioned by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, will offer on-line support to those delivering the new Diploma in Travel and Tourism for students aged 14+ from 2010. The new diplomas are designed for students aged 14-19 and are set to become one of the three main education choices -alongside GCSEs, A levels and apprenticeships.

Susie Addison (Advanced Practitioner for Travel and Tourism and Diploma Line of Learning Lead at Bedford College) explained that students attending a one day training course for cabin crew with Monarch Airlines had gained valuable experience and said:

“Our students had to work to professional industry standards on a mock-up of a full sized airline cabin and were faced with a number of emergencies that put their knowledge, reactions and ability to work under pressure to the test. Emergencies included rescuing passengers from smoke filled cabins and evacuating from the rescue shoot of the aircraft.

“We are delighted that they performed well and as a result have been chosen to feature in films showcasing the new diploma at national level.”

Bedford College has a well established range of full and part time courses in Travel and Tourism, offering students the opportunity to gain the qualifications they need to go on to study at degree level or take up careers in hospitality, leisure, event management and travel and tourism. Part time study is an attractive option to people who want a career change or have been faced with redundancy and use that as an opportunity to study and boost their qualifications.

Students at Bedford College also have the advantage of teaching staff with industry experience, bringing first hand knowledge and expertise to courses, combined with strong links with the Travel and Tourism industry.

Work experience is a vital part of courses and placements give students at Bedford College a real taste of working life in the fast lane of airlines such as Monarch, Easyjet, British Airways and Thomas Cook, travel operators such as Thomas Cook and Thomson, travel agencies and hotel and leisure companies.

Susie Addison added:

“This is a good time to join Bedford College and study towards an exciting career in Travel and Tourism. We are well placed near to international airports, head offices of travel operators and to the Olympics in London with career opportunities in tourism and event management.

“Students aged 14+ will now have the opportunity to study Travel and Tourism with the new diploma that will be available from September 2010. We will be working as part of the mid and north Beds School Consortium that includes Biddenham, Mark Rutherford, Wootton and Sharnbrook Upper Schools.

“With well established courses, links with industry and working with our local upper schools, we are ready to extend our expertise and incorporate it into the diploma to be launched from September 2010.”

“The idea is to give students from 14 years old the chance of studying for a diploma that will give them a platform into further study or careers in this vibrant industry.”

A Diploma Roadshow on 8 and 9 December at schools in the county will give upper school students in year 9 the opportunity to find out more about what is on offer and speak to students in year 2 of their studies in Travel and Tourism.

To find out more about courses in Travel and Tourism see www.bedford.ac.uk or ring 01234 291000.

* Anyone interested in getting a flavour of the Travel and Tourism course as well as the college, can join a Student Experience (Buddy Day) to shadow someone already on the course. You get a 'goodie bag' which includes a £2 voucher towards lunch in the college refectory.
These days can be offered individually or as part of a group running into 2010. Details from Ellen Punter Schools and Community Liaison Officer at Bedford College.

Editors’ notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

3. Photographs available.

4. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

5. For more about Specialist Schools and Academies Trust see www.ssatrust.org.uk

Animal Magic at Shuttleworth College

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Since being taken over by award-winning Bedford College, Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire is enjoying the national limelight. While Bedford College is already famed for its educational expertise, Shuttleworth has been quietly getting on with job. Now the two are working together to improve opportunities and experiences for students. So now courses from agriculture and art to zoology are available under the Bedford College banner.

New to Bedford College is the area of animal care:

Carl Groombridge (manager/lecturer) of the Animal Care Centre at Shuttleworth College has an infectious enthusiasm about animal welfare, habitats and breeding programmes.

The Animal Care Centre is home to just about every family of species in the world and habitats include a tropical rainforest setting where the sounds of the forest give an added dimension to the environment.

Students come here to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities.

Carl explained:

“We offer students the chance to develop their practical skills whilst working in a stimulating environment. We have a wide range of exotic species from amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, to birds and larger animals.

“The Animal Care Centre is rich with species and this is something that Ofsted recently commented on.

“Our links with the zoological industry gives our students an added advantage and they are encouraged to design and build habitats for animals that include the unusual and exotic so that their knowledge and skills are stretched.

“Practical learners benefit a great deal from hands on experience of caring for animals and we are pleased to welcome all students on visits from Years 10 and 11.

“From the moment students arrive to study at the Animal Care Centre they are on a learning curve that can open up opportunities to them in the animal world, some of which they would never have thought possible.”

Students working with lizards recently saw the full circle of the breeding programme, from incubation of eggs to the thrill of seeing them hatch. They work with animals including Chilean bird-eating spiders, giant alibino snails, chameleons, geckos, meerkats, snakes, rodents, llamas, emus, alpacas and many more including the more usual farm animals such as pigs.

The Centre will soon welcome a new visitor - Goliath the world's biggest bug.

Editors' notes

1. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

5. For more about Bedford College see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/

Bedford College superwoman is very “special”

With the skills and talents of Super Woman and Mary Poppins, Steph Walsh takes on a variety of responsibilities focused on helping young people who need guidance and care.

As Lecturer in Childcare at Bedford College for the last 10 years and Special Constable with Bedfordshire Police for 17 years, Steph is to combine these skills in her new role in partnership with with Bedford College’s Assistant Director Raj Mandal to deliver a Level 2 programme in Public Services to the Police.

Wayne Humberstone (Special Constabulary Co-ordinator, Bedfordshire Police) says:

“We are keen to work with as many partners as possible across the county to encourage more individuals to become Volunteer Police Officers. The role is challenging and Volunteer Police Officers have the added advantage of gaining valuable transferable skills”.

Meanwhile back at home Steph has other duties:

As full time Foster Carer for nearly 10 years, Steph offers guidance and care to troubled and challenging teenagers. Up to 20 children aged 10+ have received Steph's care and support, from one night to eighteen months.
Working under the umbrella of the Youth Care Scheme in Central Bedfordshire, Steph was the first carer in the pilot scheme set up in 2005 and is now joined by 14 other full time foster carers. This offers young people aged 10+ years dedicated support in the home of foster carers on a one to one basis and 24 hours a day. Challenges for foster carers dealing with troubled young people include those who refuse to go to school or are excluded by school and those who abscond regularly and may be involved in criminal or anti-social activity.

Steph explained that her drive comes from the knowledge that many young people do not have the best start in life and deserve a chance and says:

“There are many rewards as a foster carer - and when you see an improvement in behaviour, confidence and independence it means so much. You need to have time and patience and be open to all situations - what fits with one individual may not fit with another.

“You get such a lot back but may not always see it straight away. It's important to have a relaxed attitude and not take things personally as a foster carer. Just when you think the young person hasn't listened to a word you've been saying - you realise they have.

“Often it means simply acting as a mum or dad and asking the young person why they are behaving in a certain way.

“At Central Bedfordshire we are a close knit team that support each other and work closely with police and social workers to get the best for the young people we care for.”

Young people who need support are carefully matched to families with similar aged children or where they will fit in. Steph can see how this works as her own son has shared his mum and home with other young people from the age of 5 years.

After leaving foster care, the young person may start semi-independent living or return home.

Steph's experience in foster care is also used to advise groups including:

Northamptonshire County Council's Fostering Panel, where she reviews applications for fostering.

Newly set up Contact Point, a web-based national system for professionals who may have a concern about child protection. The system shows the lead contact with responsibility for a particular child. It strengthens communication channels and child protection and is in response to the Laming Report. As part of the Shielding Review Panel, Steph is responsible for making sure information is kept confidential when needed.

Set up last year, the Children's Workforce Development Council sets standards for those working with children and foster carers provide evidence to show how they work to support young people. Steph sits on a development panel to verify portfolios from foster carers in Bedfordshire.

With all that work - what better way to relax than with a cup of tea and slice of cake.

Anyone else might just pop into a café - but not Steph. She has always dreamed of having a traditional tea shop where people can meet socially. Not one to sit back and dream, Steph is about to make the dream a reality.

The Tea Rooms in Wollaston, due to open in the autumn, will not only serve tea and cakes but can be hired out for events from christenings, anniversaries and birthdays for those aged 1-101.
Steph's energy and enthusiasm as a foster carer have brought her to the attention of national media, where she has appeared on the Paul O'Grady Show, BBC Breakfast Time and BBC Radio 4 all in support of foster care and the young people she champions.

-ends-

Editors' notes

1. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.
2. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.
3. For more about Bedford College see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/