Bedford College in TOP 5 % in UK !!

Bedford College celebrated another year as shining beacon of success in these difficult economic times.
A packed Bedford Corn Exchange heard how its student successes are in the top 5 % in the country and for the first time in its history, it has 18,000 signed up to courses. That is one in ten of the local population.

Soon after achieving its Outstanding Ofsted status, Bedford took over Shuttleworth College in Central Beds. That merger has become a model for how to integrate two very different colleges and improve the standards and services of both.

The College has secured £2 Million to redevelop the workshop block on the Cauldwell Street campus, its new BROOKS hair and and beauty opened on the High Street and The Mansion House at Shuttleworth was relaunched as a quality conference and weddings venue.

Bedford College has won the right to use the Olympic logo - which was particularly apt as the Outstanding Student of the Year was 2012 hopeful sprinter Deji Tobias, who is the fastest under 20 year old in the UK. Deji is taking a BTEC National Diploma in Sports Development, Coaching and Fitness.

School links
Together with the Bedford Charity, Bedford College is one of the sponsors of the Bedford Academy which is one of the few secondary schools in the UK to be awarded millions of pounds for a new building project. More than 900 pupils from upper schools attend vocational courses at the College.

Business boost
Working closely with local employers to help ensure students have the right skills for employment is key to the contribution the College makes to the local economy. “We are an engine for growth for the local economy,” said Principal and Chief Executive Ian Pryce, “We want Bedford College to be a badge of honour on the CVs of students when they apply for employment.”

The support by local businesses, hundreds of whom work with the College, was demonstrated by the commercial sponsorship of the prizes at the Achievements Ceremony.

Inspirational Speaker
Guest speaker at the Achievements Ceremony on Thursday 25th November was Bedford Borough Council award winner, John Barnes.

John has become a regular in the Transplant Games having been given a new heart ten years ago - an anniversary which coincided with the latest College celebrations. “John has some lessons for us in overcoming adversity and pushing yourself to achieve greater things,” said Ian.

Special presentation
Among the students who won an award was the late Gary Townsend who sadly died after achieving his CPCAB Introduction to Counselling. His sister Verity collected his award on his behalf.

Higher Education
A wide range of Higher Education, or degree level learning courses are run at Bedford College, many of them in conjunction with the University of Bedfordshire. Students complete the first two years of Foundation Degrees at the College campus before moving on to university but before they leave, they take part in the Achievements Ceremony in their university gowns adding a “Higher” level of excitement to the occasion.

“I would like to thank the University of Bedfordshire for allowing our students to wear their degree wear at our ceremony,” added Ian.

ends

Note to Editors - Bedford College has a range of awards and special status ratings including Outstanding Ofsted, Beacon College Status, management and student care awards. It is in the TOP 5% of FE Colleges were it counts most of all - student results

Photos to follow - or available upon request

we have photo of Outstanding Student Deji Tobias "on the run" in the College gym if you like to see

A perfect setting: The Mansion House Old Warden Park

Tea and tours at The Mansion House

Hundreds of VIPs and guests from across the County were treated to tea, cakes and tours of The Mansion House, Old Warden Park on Thursday 23rd September.

Celebrating its relaunch, the country house opened its doors to invited guests to tour the historic building and enjoy a fabulous afternoon tea. Whilst relaxing to the sounds of a harpist many guest faces were captured on paper by a roving cartoonist.

Tours of The Mansion House were conducted by Cyril Thomas who has worked at the house, originally as the footman, for nearly 50 years and knows every inch of the building which dates back to 1872.

Guest Anna Viola of Heart Radio said: “What a wonderful afternoon, a lovely traditional cream tea served by white-gloved waitors. A real treat!”

Shuttleworth Park was relaunched as The Mansion House (on Thursday 23rd September) - the leading country house venue for weddings, private hire, corporate hire and parkland events in the local area.

www.themansionhouse.org

tel 01767 626200

Face to face with the magic and mystery of legend

Pic captions:

(1) Jeffrey Tribe, Arts Advanced Practitioner at Bedford College.
(2) Giant Ralph, the seafarer’s nightmare.

Bedford College Arts Advanced Practitioner, Jeffrey Tribe, has an eye for faces - in the most unusual places.

His ability to see profiles and portraits of human faces in the rocky edges of the UK coastline led him to work the idea into an art project. Faces of legend from kings to dinosaurs, warriors to whirlpools, each with an intriguing story to tell of the mysteries of the sea and surrounding coastline.

With the help of Google Earth, Jeffrey Tribe has discovered 12 human heads emerging from the British coastline, as presented in his project, Headlands. Each coastal face is shown alongside a narrative based on the location and in the form of iconic cigarette cards. The amazing images are exactly as seen on Google Earth, with no retouching. So famous have his "coastal faces" become that they have been picked up and published in the USA and India.

Jeffrey explained: “I came up with the idea when watching the BBC weather on TV. I noticed that parts of the coast had features resembling faces. On closer inspection (via Google Earth) I noticed they really were there. The narrative on the reverse is based upon the locality the face was located.

“This is a personal project that now has a life of it’s own - spreading around the web and posted on several sites and blogs including the Dallas Times and a newspaper in India.”

To find out more see
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2010/august/headlands-google-earth-uk-coastline-faces

A meal for two for someone wonderful

Not one but two rosettes have been won by Bedford Swan's restaurant......

Bedford Swan Hotel is celebrating having the only restaurant in town to have TWO AA Rosettes by offering a celebration meal to two individuals who themselves deserve a winner's rosette.

Recently the restaurant, overlooking The Embankment, became the first in Bedford to be awarded double rosettes by the AA, there are only two venues in Bedfordshire which have achieved the same distinction: Luton Hoo and The Inn at Woburn.

Said Bedford Swan General Manager Dominic Mills: "We are delighted that our restaurant is in such top class company and we would like local people to come along and have lunch or dinner with us. To encourage people to remember that the restaurant is open to non-residents, we are running a special competition for local people who deserve a rosette."

Nominations for people who have gone the extra mile for the local community, who have raised money for charity, or who are simply the best mum or daughter are sought. Simply email your story to: swanrosettes@hotmail.co.uk

Two Prizes of a meal for two in the award-winning restaurant to include starter, main course, dessert, coffee and complimentary bottle of wine and soft drinks.

Money Week is pure gold for students at Bedford College

Pic caption:
Sue Newman (E2E Support Worker) and Emma Hearn (Student Finance Manager) pictured with students at a workshop session

Bedford College held a series of events during Money Week (8-12 March) helping highlight the importance of money management to students.

Workshop sessions included advice to cover budgeting, forms of borrowing including credit cards, moving out of home, working and adjusting to university life with practical tips on life skills as well as money management.

Blind tastings of food ranges from the most expensive to value ranges gave students the chance to find out about choice and value. With prices seven times the cost between brands, students could taste for themselves the real value of food, with the cheapest often proving the favourite.

Students took part in action packed games that added an element of pure gold to Money Week, with the use of gold (chocolate) coins. Personality quizzes highlighted money personalities such as money banks, money plotters, money bothered and money flops.

Money tips from students included:

“Spend in cash, rather than plastic, helping keep track of money.”

“Never go food shopping on an empty stomach”

“Don’t go shopping all the time – find something else to do!”

“If you use a credit card, remember it’s not free money.”

Student Finance Manager, Emma Hearn, explained that Money Week was being held at Bedford College for the first time in partnership with the Independent education charity, the National Skills Academy Financial Services (NSAFS), to promote financial literacy and money management skills during Money Week at 75 further education colleges across England and added:

“We are delighted to be working with the NSAFS as a way of getting important money management messages across to our students in Money Week. We advise students on a daily basis on all aspects of finance so they are able to budget for college, university or work life. Money Week gives us the chance to involve our students in activities and bring money management to life so that they have the skills to budget now and into the future.”

Money Week forms part of ‘Money for LiFE’, the further education project of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) National Strategy for Financial Capability. NSAFS manages and delivers the programme across England, aiming to enhance the financial capability of over 30,000 learners across 75 FE colleges during this academic year.

Sylvia Perrins, CEO, NSAFS added: “Money Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of and help develop the financial capability of young people in the UK. Our education establishments, like Bedford College, play a fundamental role in shaping the future and the work being done to support the development of a more ‘money-minded’ nation is commendable.

“The ongoing challenges in our current economic climate serve as a poignant reminder that the financial decisions we make, personally and nationally, are of utmost importance. Personal finance is a key skill which we believe should be taught from a young age to assist, maintain and strengthen the development of our financial services industry.”

The National Skills Academy for Financial Services offers national centres of excellence in education, skills training and development, working in partnership with employers to develop a workforce with the knowledge and skills they need to help service their customers’ financial needs.

Since launch in May 2007, NSAFS network has grown from four to over 20 providers that are now located in seven regions. For more information, visit: www.nsafs.co.uk

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 www.bedford.ac.uk

4. Photographs available from Manners PR.

Bedford College Trainee Engineer aims high with Spitfire at Shuttleworth Collection

Andy Preslent (Engineer) and Gareth Rutt (Trainee Engineer)

Not many trainee engineers can claim to be renovating a Spitfire that has seen action in World War II and starred in the film Battle of Britain, but Gareth Rutt from Biggleswade certainly can.

The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) has set up a trainee scheme, in partnership with Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace, with Gareth the first trainee engineer in 30 years.

He is learning specialist skills in renovating historic aircraft from engineer Andy Preslent, who was the original first trainee engineer at Shuttleworth and is now in his 40th year working on renovating and maintaining over 50 world famous historic aircraft.

Andy explained:

“The trainee scheme combines aeronautical engineering at Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace with specialist knowledge that can only be learnt here. Working on vintage aircraft, trainees will learn a wide range of techniques including woodwork and fabric in restoration of our vintage aircraft.”

Gareth Rutt has always had a fascination for aircraft and joined the Shuttleworth Trust as a work experience student, from Stratton Upper School, when he was 14. That gave him the bug for restoring vintage aircraft and he went on to study aeronautical engineering at Bedford College. After completing year 1 of a 2 year diploma course he read in the Shuttleworth magazine about a new trainee scheme and decided it was for him.

As trainee engineer he has studied at Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace, gaining a National Certificate with double distinction. He is now studying towards NVQ3 and plans to go on to achieve the prestigious qualification as Licensed Aircraft Engineer.

“Not many people learn their trade working on a Spitfire!”, explained Gareth.
“Learning specialist techniques of renovation on the Spitfire is more romantic than working on airlines because it is part of British history. My job as trainee engineer has lots of variety, from working on the Spitfire to working on the Bleriot, the worlds oldest airworthy aircraft, the same type as the first to cross the channel in 1909. You can sense the history as you work to renovate these historic aircraft to their former glory.”

Una Watts, Trust General Manager, explained that the new trainee scheme is already proving to be a huge success and the close working relationship with Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace ensures that everything is in place to lead to Licensed Engineer status for trainees and for a new generation of qualified engineers to work with the prized Shuttleworth Collection.

She added:

“We have many young people who want to get involved working with us in a voluntary or trainee capacity. Our volunteers span the generations from enthusiasts with a wealth of experience, such as our pilots and engineers, to younger people who want to learn a skill. Gareth has certainly set a high standard for others to follow.”

“The Shuttleworth Collection is about living history and the people who work here are extremely proud of this unique collection of aircraft and motors that continue to be lovingly restored.”

The staff of 21, including 7 engineers, are supported by a dedicated and committed team of 120 volunteers, some of them highly skilled, who give their time in many different roles from pilots to engineers and helping in the smooth running of the many events that take place over the year.

With over 50 world-famous vintage aircraft all in flying condition, visitors to the Shuttleworth Collection can see over 100 years of aviation history and experience the thrill of unique and spectacular airshows. Historic cars, motorcyles and coaches complete the collection, housed within eight floodlit hangars.

Editors' notes

1. The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) 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 www.bedford.ac.uk

6. For more about the Shuttleworth Trust and Collection see www.shuttleworth.org

The Princess and the Frog at Shuttleworth College

Katie tries magic dust on African Bullfrog as Carl keeps the creature from hopping it !

As the Princess and the Frog magical animated Disney film shows to packed cinemas, a frog that needs the magic of conservation takes centre stage at Shuttleworth College.

Poison dart frogs have arrived at Shuttleworth College and will be part of a world-wide conservation and breeding programme. The frogs are under threat of extinction in the tropical rainforests of Central America and the work at Shuttleworth will be a crucial part of their survival.

Carl Groombridge, Animal Unit Manager, at Shuttleworth College explained:

"Our students will gain invaluable experience from working with this endangered species of amphibian. They will learn about conservation and the fact that amphibians are under threat from global warming, and a global virus that is adding to the urgency of conservation.

"Our breeding programme aims to maintain this species for future generations and ultimately to release them back into the tropical rainforests of Central America.

"Part of the conservation and breeding programme for students means learning about the flora and fauna that are essential to the survival of these frogs and recreating their habitat here in Bedfordshire.”

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

Students go to Shuttleworth to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and to 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, including animal conservation programmes across the world.

Editors' notes

1. Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central America. Unlike most frogs, these species are active during the day and often exhibit brightly-colored bodies. Although all wild dendrobatids are at least somewhat toxic, levels of toxicity vary considerably from one species to the next and from one population to another. Many species are critically endangered. These amphibians are often called "dart frogs" due to indigenous Amerindians use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts.

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

3. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

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

5. Photographs available.

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