Colleges within Luminate Education Group are celebrating after achieving a grade ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features by Ofsted, following an inspection last month.
Harrogate, Keighley, Leeds Sixth Form and Leeds City colleges were recognised for their passionate and expert staff, and their work with regional stakeholders to implement education programmes that best fit local employment opportunities.
The group was also praised for successfully providing education and training that meets the aspirations of learners and apprentices and widens participation in education and training.
The colleges’ provision for both adults and student personal development were awarded ‘Outstanding’.
The group is among the first large educational establishments to have been inspected under Ofsted’s new framework, which puts a greater focus on work with stakeholders, student and apprentices’ safety and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Bill Jones
Bill Jones, Deputy CEO at Luminate Education Group, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the FE colleges that make up our *group, which has grown exponentially since our last inspection in 2018. Our campus portfolio has grown by 35%, with the additions of Harrogate College and Leeds City College’s Mabgate campus. This increase reflects the number of our students, which has doubled in some areas in the last four years.
“Our skillful and influential leaders are committed to collaborating and working with key stakeholders and partners to not only provide invaluable opportunities for our students, but also meet the economic needs of the region.
“Our governors also play a key role in the quality of education provided to our students across the FE colleges. They are actively involved in determining the group’s strategic direction, making many of the key decisions in relation to each college and ensuring continuous and sustainable improvement.”
Andrea Cowans, Director of Student Life at Luminate, added: “This grade is testament to the hard work of our staff who make our college environments welcoming and safe places for our students every single day.
“Our learners’ wellbeing, personal development and safety are our top priorities which are embedded in our cultures, cementing our Outstanding grade in this area. This is pertinent as we recover from the impact of Covid-19, and its effects on our adult learners in particular, so it’s an incredible feat to be strongly recognised in this area too.”
Hundreds of shoppers in Leeds have been discovering more about adult education – thanks to a mysterious-looking visitor.
Zoltar, a mechanised fortune teller (best known for his appearance in the hit movie Big), was a star attraction at the White Rose Shopping Centre on Tuesday, May 31, and then Trinity Leeds the following day.
At both venues shoppers who approached the ‘genie machine’ were rewarded with a card bearing a message about their future – and how skills training could boost their prospects.
Zoltar’s appearances were in support of the Festival of Learning, a national campaign which promotes and celebrates the benefits of adult education and reskilling.
A fun way to highlight the benefits of lifelong learning
Vice Principal of Adults at Leeds City College, Ann-Marie Spry, said: “We were delighted to talk to so many enthusiastic people over the two days about the many advantages of learning a new skill, or upgrading an existing one, as an adult.
“Adults who reskill or upskill can gain new career opportunities, increased salaries and boosts to their wellbeing.
“Zoltar was a big hit and certainly provided shoppers with plenty of food for thought, in terms of their future training and education options, through the cards he dispensed.
“The Festival of Learning is all about raising the profile of lifelong learning, and the benefits of upskilling, and these events certainly did that.
“We are grateful to Leeds Trinity and the White Rose Shopping Centre for providing us with such great locations, and hope that lots of the shoppers we had the pleasure of meeting will get in touch to take their next exciting step.”
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, also applauded the events. She said: “I am delighted to support the Festival of Learning, as improving skills for adults is one of the most powerful and effective ways we can make a real difference to people’s lives and help them reach their potential.
“One of my main priorities as mayor is prioritising skills and training, to ensure everyone in West Yorkshire has the skills they need to secure work, by creating and supporting inclusive opportunities like the Festival of Learning.”
Zoltar delighted hundreds of people over the two days while the organisers handed out 2,000 Festival of Learning branded tote bags, each packed with information about local adult learning opportunities.
Collaborative effort creates a buzz Careers advisers from the National Careers Service also spoke to shoppers about their potential next steps. A spokesperson said: “We were so pleased to team up with Luminate Education Group to support adults with impartial careers advice.
“Supporting adults to access education and learning is at the heart of what the National Careers Service does, and it was fantastic to see such a buzz around the Festival of Learning event.
“It was also such a positive experience to see local education providers working together – many thanks to those involved, and to Luminate for organising it.”
Fiona Chapel, from the Lifelong Learning Centre at the University of Leeds, said: “We were delighted to be a part of the Festival of Learning information events! As a member of the Festival of Learning partnership, the Lifelong Learning Centre is committed to helping support the promotion and celebration of adult learning in West Yorkshire.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education at Leeds City Council, added: “We were delighted to attend the Festival of Learning celebrations and to speak to so many potential learners from across the city.
“Leeds City Council has delivered adult learning for a number of years and our teams are passionate about teaching quality courses in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including Luminate Education Group. This event was an opportunity to celebrate learning and talk to residents about the great opportunities and benefits that adult learning can bring!”
That is how Luminate Education Group’s Director of Student Life, Andrea Cowans, described the group’s retention of its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.
Ofsted inspectors visited all of the group’s FE campuses to evaluate the quality of provision between April 26 and 29.
The inspection team concluded that our provision was ‘Good’ with some ‘Outstanding’ features – including in Personal Development and Adult provision.
Andrea, who leads on personal development, behaviour and attitudes across Luminate’s FE colleges, said: “For our colleges to achieve an overall ‘Good’ grade from Ofsted in a period when our students have been recovering from the pandemic is a fantastic result.
“We have talented and focused staff teams who regularly demonstrate outstanding practice, exceptional insight and a heartfelt commitment to our students and colleagues.
“The work of staff was highlighted on a daily basis by inspectors, one of whom described the leadership of culture and emotional well-being as ‘exemplary practice’.”
Recognition of the pride we take in our work
Inspectors noted ‘widespread and exceptional personal development’, ‘wellbeing and mental health support that went beyond the expected’, and ‘well planned work experience and close relationships with industry’.
Andrea added: “The colleges’ vision and commitment to social justice and mobility were also highlighted, and barriers to learning were described as ‘well met with support’ in areas including vulnerability.
“There was much more – some of it implicit in the description of aspirational environments, our focus on health, effective safeguarding, and that our staff describe themselves as ‘proud to work for the college’.
“That pride in our work, our students, and our purpose in communities in Leeds, Harrogate and Keighley shines through and we are delighted this was recognised by inspectors.”
Six diligent and dedicated students from Leeds Sixth Form College are celebrating their outstanding results after achieving high grades in the The Scholars Programme.
The programme gives pupils aged 9-17 from schools and colleges in the UK the opportunity to work with a PhD researcher across a range of disciplines including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), arts and humanities and social sciences.
The 12-week course also helps students develop knowledge, skills and confidence to progress to the most competitive universities in the country.
Students, Alifa Rahman and Muhao Mwangala attained first class honours in a STEM subject, while Mujib Osmani and Grace Tingay attained a lower second class. Humanities students, Mila Appleby and Qasim Hussein also achieved high honours.
To launch the Autumn term, students attended a series of live, online events with university partners such as Bath University, Exeter University and University of Bristol, among others.
The live events introduced pupils to the programme and gave them a taster of student life at one of the most competitive universities.
Graduation event at University of Exeter
Students took part in a remote graduation event with the University of Exeter to celebrate their achievements. The event included a welcome from The Brilliant Club, and a session led by the university of X, to give pupils further information, advice and guidance.
Dr. Elisabeth Protopapa,Head of Academic Studies in Leeds Sixth Form College, said: “This is another fantastic year for our students who have really applied themselves to the additional work required to successfully complete the programme.
“I am proud of them as they persevered through a very challenging time to complete the final elements of the project remotely, following lockdown. They all rose to the challenge and I have no doubt that they will go on to achieve great things at university and in their chosen careers.
“The scholars programme is a well-known and respected initiative across the education sector. It is highly sought after by Russell Group universities as it recognises and celebrates students for having the right academic approach for continuing their studies at degree level and beyond.”
Dr Lawson, Programme Officer for the scholars programme, said: “The final assignment is supposed to be challenging, being pitched at a level above where the students are currently working at in college. We recognise that this academic year has continued to present challenges for schools and colleges, and so we are particularly pleased that the students were able to submit their assignments and do so well.”
More than 200 researchers across the UK worked with over 4,000 pupils in 263 schools to deliver the programme this academic year.
Luminate Education Group’s provision for adults has been graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
The rating follows a meticulous and thorough inspection of all of the group’s further education (FE) campuses, to evaluate the quality of their provision, at the end of April.
The inspectors, working under the Education Inspection Framework , assessed the group as a whole as Good for overall effectiveness, while finding both Adult Learning programmes and Personal Development to be ‘Outstanding’.
Luminate Education Group is the largest education provider in Yorkshire and has over 7,000 learners on adult programmes. The group’s members include Leeds City College, which operates across a number of campuses, Keighley College and Harrogate College.
Ann Marie Spry, Group Vice Principal Adults, said: “We have rapidly changed our curriculum offer and delivery methodology in response to the changing needs of the individuals and industries we serve, working collaboratively with our stakeholders. We are passionate about continually improving student outcomes in the broadest sense, and committed to providing high quality education.
“The Ofsted result is fantastic and it really reflects how we have adapted our curriculum through the pandemic. It also showcases how we have developed the offer so that it best meets the needs of our communities and businesses, and this includes creating a provision to address the digital skills gap in the region.
“We are more flexible now and the range of courses we offer is different because it is designed to meet the needs of employers, now and in the future.”
Successfully meeting the needs and aspirations of adult learners
Inspectors praised leaders across the group for successfully providing education and training that meets the aspirations of adults, provides access for a range of entry levels, and reduces barriers.
The group’s work to identify the support needs of adult learners who are refugees or asylum seekers, and develop a wraparound support service to help them access education, was also highlighted.
Ann-Marie added: “We have fully embraced a holistic approach so that we are meeting as many of the everyday needs of adults as we can, including consideration of wider health and wellbeing needs.
“The pandemic was challenging for everyone, but particularly for adults who had to deal with work, childcare, changing jobs and the changing nature of work.
“We are committed to providing learners with an inclusive and open environment where they are not just coming to learn, but to have an opportunity to reconnect with and meet new people.
“It is also about helping to tackle the isolation that people felt during lockdown periods, and at the same time helping them develop the skills they need now and to attain further qualifications for the future.”
Consistent learning outcomes
Ann-Marie praised the team for the work they are doing to give learners ‘consistent learning experiences’ adding, “adults now consistently have a great experience with us and have access to great teaching and learning”.
Future of adult education and a new adult learning space in Morley
Leeds City College is currently exploring further ways it can promote adult learning in the region, including through the creation of a new learning and skills centre in Morley.
“Adult education is central to the rebuilding of our economy in a post-Covid environment. The vision is to deliver a curriculum that makes the biggest contribution to improving and changing the lives of people both in work or unemployed, and contributing to thriving communities”
Harrogate College has been nationally-recognised, for a second year running, for its continued commitment to sustainability.
The college has been awarded the bronze level Modeshift STARS accreditation for promoting sustainable and active travel in the community. This is just one of many aspects the college is changing to incorporate more sustainable practice, as well as its focus on preparing people with green skills.
The college has been promoting green business practices across the district over the past 18 months and will step up its support for the electric vehicle (EV) sector through the introduction of a new course in September.
It also hosted the launch of the first ever Harrogate Climate Action Festival, which saw hundreds of people come together in October 2021 to hear from sustainability-focused exhibitors.
Holly Hansen-Maughan, Partnerships & Development Manager at Harrogate College, said: “Sustainable travel and transport is just one part of the college’s commitment to sustainability.
“As an education provider committed to sustainability and supporting the local economy, we are continually finding ways to educate our students and staff on becoming more environmentally friendly, so it’s great that our work is being recognised again by the Modeshift STARS award.
“We are dedicated to empowering young people by enhancing their understanding of environmental issues, and recently offered Carbon Literacy Training to all staff and students. We also encourage learners to participate in the various environmental campaigns and activities we run through our enrichment programme.
“Our aim is to work with local organisations and businesses to meet their needs – this includes developing courses for emerging technologies and green skills which contribute positively to the environment.”
From September, all courses at the college will consider how sustainable practice and green skills impact that curriculum area.
The college is focused on becoming a local centre of green excellence and as outlined in its Sustainability Pledge, is committed to working towards becoming net zero carbon by 2030.
To find out more, or to get your business or organisation involved in future projects, contact Holly Hansen-Maughan at Holly.Hansen-Maughan@harrogate.ac.uk.
Launched in 2008, the STARS Education scheme is supported by the Department for Transport and has seen over 1,400 schools in England achieve accreditation since its inception.
