Students from Leeds City College have created a ‘stunning’ sustainable fashion display for one of the city’s highest profile stores.
The striking window exhibit at John Lewis features clothes, and art pieces, that have all been created by Fashion and Textiles students out of previous garments or recycled materials.
The students produced the clothes through their Make an Impact Project which, as the text on the window display explains, is all about pursuing upcycling and sustainability in fashion.
That scheme received a major boost after refugee support charity Yorkshire Aid got in touch to offer some donated clothing that it had been unable to use.
The college then jumped at the chance to team up with John Lewis – and the students are now ‘buzzing’ at the results.
A SHOWCASE FOR CREATIVITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Visual and Digital Arts teacher at the college’s Quarry Hill campus, Amelia Johnson, said: “The students’ brief was called Make an Impact, and they have done just that!
“They have been buzzing and are feeling very proud about seeing their work in the store’s windows on their walk into college.
“They are eager for more opportunities like this and it has clearly motivated them after what has been a very challenging time in their education.
“Some students also gained work experience through dressing the windows, and the John Lewis staff were very supportive while allowing them creative freedom.”
Leeds City College students outside their sustainable fashion display at John Lewis
Laura Prince, from the college’s Events team, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Make an Impact project in our city’s John Lewis store, giving our textile learners the chance to both design and dress the windows.
“We are thankful to the John Lewis staff for helping and mentoring the learners during the window dressing, and for supporting their work from the offset. It has helped our students feel proud of their designs and accomplishments.”
Partner & Events and Marketing Coordinator at John Lewis Leeds, Natasha Whalley, was full of praise for the students’ efforts.
She said: “The team was really grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with Leeds City College and exhibit its Make an Impact Project.
“It was a pleasure working with the students and we hope the experience they had installing their work gave them a real insight into working in a live retail environment.
“They worked in a professional manner and contributed to the creative aspect of the installation, which ultimately resulted in a well executed window.
“The sustainability message ties in with our brand vision and has gained great feedback from our customers and partners. We are excited for future opportunities to collaborate with Leeds City College.”
Yorkshire Aid collects items to send to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in need. For more information visit https://yorkshireaid.org/
Undergraduate students from University Centre Leeds have been rubbing shoulders with some of the country’s top civil servants.
Ten degree students from the Business School travelled to London in March to spend two days working in the Department for Transport (DfT).
During the trip they took part in a variety of practical exercises, designed to give an insight into the department’s work, including mock projects and interview panels.
They also got to meet two of the UK’s highest level civil servants, Permanent Secretary Bernadette Kelly and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Baroness Vere.
The opportunity came about after Carole Lovstrom and Charlotte Bedford, co-chairs of the DfT’s Social Mobility Network, gave a talk during UC Leeds’ Women in Leadership programme.
Lecturers Nicola Wilson and Greg Tidswell, who accompanied the students on the trip, hailed it as a ‘great success’.
A glimpse of a ‘whole new world’
Nicola said: “The visit provided students with invaluable opportunities to interact with people in many roles within the DfT, including the Permanent Secretary and Under Secretary.
“They were also given a range of practical opportunities to engage in to give them an idea of the type of work that is carried out, and a demonstration of what a typical civil service interview looks like.
“There was a real buzz throughout the two days and the students found the experience both rewarding and hugely enjoyable.
“They came away with a newfound knowledge of the diverse range of roles that are available within the civil service, and the flexibility and encouragement afforded to employees to move and grow within the organisation.
“We are hugely grateful to Carole, Charlotte, and everyone else at DfT who played a part in making it such a wonderful and rewarding experience.”
Greg said: “The two days we spent in London showed our students a whole new world – one that many did not know existed – within the civil service.
“The energy this trip has given to our students has been outstanding. Speaking with them, during and after the trip, has confirmed how valuable these kind of ‘out of the norm’ experiences are for exposing students to new avenues of working and development.”
The students were all drawn from Leadership, Business and Travel degree courses.
Students relish one-off opportunity
Students facing a mock interview panel at the Department for Transport, London
Leadership and Management BA (Hons) student Haleema Jabeen said: “I am in my final year and it was such a great opportunity to be chosen for this trip.
“It has given me a great insight into, and experience of, the workings of senior stakeholders in the civil service. They are dealing with complex projects in time-driven environments, and we saw how crucial management is to the delivery of all departments.”
Leadership and Management student Emily McCormick said: “I found the trip really useful in looking at the alternative futures available to me.
“I have always worked in a small business so it was interesting to see how a large organisation operated.
“I think the trip allowed us, as students, to envisage a potential career in the civil service.”
Fellow management student Ryan Shuckford added: “The experience was highly beneficial for my personal development and my awareness of the civil service and neurodiversity.
“The experience provided me with the opportunity to practise the theoretical elements of leadership that I have learnt at the University Centre, pinpoint my personal interest, and determine where my skills are most applicable.
“If anyone has the chance of a similar opportunity, I would highly recommend taking it!”
Keighley College Interim Principal Kevin O’Hare has been appointed as Principal.
Kevin took over from the college’s former Principal, Steve Kelly in December last year.
As interim Principal for the last four months, Kevin has made a positive impact in building relationships with both students and staff, which has contributed, and is enhancing the college’s culture and presence in the community.
He has also played a key role in the college’s recent successes, such as hosting Keighley’s first ever TedX event. There has also been significant progress across the education institution’s A level, special educational needs and disability (SEND) and high needs provisions.
Kevin said: “What a brilliant four months I’ve had at Keighley College. I’m so pleased that I can continue on this positive journey with students, staff and the local community.
“I’ve been incredibly impressed with the aspirations of our young people at college. They have both embraced and made me feel welcome. It’s clear that our students have huge potential and I’m looking forward to leading the Keighley team to help deliver the best learning outcomes for them.
“I look forward to driving our culture of providing exceptional, responsive and life-changing education, skills and experiences for individuals, businesses and communities. This means ensuring that students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to progress to the next level, be it higher education, an apprenticeship or employment.”
Kevin has worked in the FE sector for 29 years. During this period, he has undertaken roles at every level of the curriculum. He has taught from entry to degree level, and has led, written and quality assured programmes across vocational, academic and apprenticeship programmes.
He joined Leeds City College, which is part of Luminate Education Group, in 1992 when there were limited options for creative learners in Leeds. With a small number of learners he helped establish a programme which has grown to include 850 learners over a range of subject areas.
He has an outstanding track record as a leader in education with a particular interest in Creative Arts and Digital programmes; his previous role was Head of Visual and Digital Arts at Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus.
More training to support the country’s transition to electric cars will be introduced at Harrogate College this September.
Harrogate, as recently widely reported in the media*, has been revealed to be one of the ‘worst prepared areas in the UK’ in terms of supporting the shift to electric vehicles.
Those findings were mainly based on the current scarcity of public charging points, with research showing that the district has just one for every 134 electric or hybrid cars.
Harrogate College, however, is working hard to address the issue by providing technical courses to support the electric vehicle (EV) sector – and has just bought some charging units to use in training this September.
Working with businesses to fill the green skills gap
Principal Danny Wild said: “As a college committed to sustainability, we are determined to support emerging green technologies, including those that will enable our transition to greener forms of transport.
Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College
“We have been developing our curriculum to provide electric vehicle infrastructure courses, while tailoring our motor vehicle courses to meet the changes in car ownership.
“In doing so we have also been working closely with local firms so we can provide the appropriately skilled, work-ready students they need.
“The electric vehicle sector is a rapidly growing one that represents a fantastic opportunity for both our students and local businesses, and our ever-evolving range of courses will keep adapting to serve that.”
Harrogate district’s electric vehicle future is bright
APS, which runs a national electric vehicle charger repair and maintenance service from its Harrogate HQ, has partnered with the college to set up a training and recruitment programme to meet the growing demand for EV service engineers.
Business Development Manager John Dyson said that was one of many reasons for optimism: “It is ironic that Harrogate has been criticised so strongly for a lack of action over installing EV chargers, when there actually is so much going on behind the scenes.
“Recent announcements by Transdev, that all Harrogate buses are to be electrified, and Harrogate Borough Council, which is to install 34 charge points in local car parks, gives a taste of just what is on its way!”
The college will introduce a new course, the Level 3 Award in the Installation and Commissioning of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment, this September.
*For example, in this Harrogate Advertiser report.
Two members of Luminate Education Group have received recognition at this year’s Educate North awards.
Leeds City College won an award after receiving nominations from Smooth radio listeners, while University Centre Leeds was highly commended in the Business Collaboration & Partnerships category, for its outstanding apprenticeship work in the community.
The awards recognise the outstanding contribution by schools, colleges, higher education institutions or organisations in the North of England, to support their students or the wider community during the 2021/22 academic year.
The college was nominated for the ‘brilliant and innovative’ work it is doing, such as the 14+ Apprenticeship Academy. The college also received recognition for changing the system of education for the better, as well as developing young people and preparing them for the world away from school, whilst allowing them to grow and learn.
The college was also commended for the outstanding work and support given to students throughout lockdown, giving learners extra help and a place where they could feel safe.
Bill Jones, Deputy CEO at Luminate Education Group, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised by Educate North Awards for the work we are doing to provide first class educational experiences for our young people.
“Delivering excellent and innovative education which is supportive, inspiring and life- changing is at the heart of our agenda. Ensuring that students are able to thrive, and progress is one of our key priorities and we are honoured that this is being achieved and recognised.
“The staff went the extra mile and worked very hard during the pandemic, and it really made a difference to our young people. This award is a further testament to their commitment to enhancing students’ lives.”
The prestigious awards event, which attracts more than 300 education professionals from Further and Higher Education institutions from across the North, celebrates best practice and recognises excellence in the education sector.
Leeds Rhinos Netball has partnered with Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College, both part of Luminate Education Group, to offer more young people opportunities to play netball and boost wellbeing.
Players from the team will be ambassadors for the college, where they will attend events to promote its new Netball Academy as well as offering advice and motivation for young people who are looking to pursue their sporting ambitions. The partnership will also see the Leeds Sixth Form College logo featured around the court and on the team’s dresses for their second Vitality Netball Superleague season.
Opportunities for pupils to volunteer at Superleague games will be offered, including the club’s upcoming match at the city’s first direct Arena. The club’s official charity, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, will also lead a health and wellbeing development day for Leeds City College staff. Pupils will have the opportunity to gain experience working on some of their many health and education projects.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds City College also run the Leeds Rhinos Foundation Development Academy, which provides all students with the opportunity to study full-time while representing Leeds Rhinos at a post-16 level, both in rugby and netball.
Dan Busfield, Franchise Director for Leeds Rhinos Netball, said: “It is fantastic to once again have the support of Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College, so we can work together to enhance the sporting opportunities on offer for young people in our city. I think now more than ever, after long periods when we were unable to play team sports and attend sporting events, we appreciate the importance and positive impact sport can have on people’s lives. This partnership will help promote those benefits and hopefully lead to an increase in participation.
“The Leeds City College Rugby Academy has also been a huge success and we hope to develop the Netball Academy further so more people can continue their studies alongside playing. We are excited about how this partnership will help open up more opportunities for students from all backgrounds to engage with our sport, either through playing or through the many volunteering opportunities available with the club and our charity.”
Ryan Grant, Deputy Principal Leeds Sixth Form College, said: “It’s a privilege to be working with Leeds Rhinos Netball for the second time. By working alongside Leeds Sports Connect, which provides a link between professional sports clubs, local colleges and young people, through the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, we can ensure our students receive top-quality training and elite coaching, without sacrificing an outstanding education.
“This partnership has a key focus on enhancing wellbeing through encouraging students to participate in enriching volunteering and social action project opportunities, where they can become active members in society and act as positive role models. We’re passionate about developing underrepresented sports, and are committed to inspiring the next generation to discover their sporting potential.” Students at the college can pursue netball while studying full-time as part of the Leeds Rhinos Development Academy.
