Category Archives: Education

Education, News

Neath Port Talbot ‘21st Century School’ set to inspire future generations

The latest addition to Neath Port Talbot Council’s 21st Century Schools programme – the £27 million rebuild of Cefn Saeson Comprehension School in Neath – is set to further enhance pupils learning experience, thanks to inspiring furniture design and unique custom wall graphics, supplied by local firm Ministry Group.

Construction of the new two-storey, 97,000 square foot building was completed alongside the existing school in June 2021, with demolition of the old building currently underway.

The school’s 900 pupils will now benefit from a new building and 48 state-of-the art classrooms, including creative workspaces and SEND facilities for students with additional learning needs.

Ministry Group, comprising of Ministry of Furniture and Ministry of Graphics, was appointed to undertake all loose furniture modelling, specification, supply and installation at the school by main building contractor, Morgan Sindall Construction.

Working closely with the school’s senior leadership team and Neath Port Talbot Council, the Neath-based furniture and design specialists planned all loose furniture for the school to comply with BIM level 2 standards.

As a result, the new building now benefits from ultra-modern furniture and unique interior artwork, to go along with its cutting-edge facilities and technology.

The bespoke wall and ceiling graphics – which includes student artwork printed directly onto ceiling tiles – is designed to complement the specially designed furniture and create an inspiring working and learning environment for the school’s occupants.

Research has shown that well-designed, colourful classrooms can boost learning progress by 16% in core subjects. Further studies show that colourful furniture and wall art can positively effect students’ moods and inspire creativity.

As a further part of its work with Cefn Saeson Comprehensive, Ministry Group also designed new branding for the school which features on the uniform, external building signage, stationery and branded furniture.

The 21st Century Schools programme is a collaboration between the Welsh Government and local councils in Wales. It is a significant, long-term and strategic capital investment programme with the aim of creating a generation of 21st Century Schools across the country. The total 21st Century Schools programme spend to date in Neath Port Talbot’s school estate has now reached £150m – a massive investment in Neath Port Talbot’s future generations, and the biggest of any council in Wales outside of Cardiff.

Councillor Peter Rees, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, said:

“Cefn Saeson is the latest 21st Century Schools building project the council has commissioned with the aim of giving our young people the best and most up to date educational facilities the council can possibly provide them with. We were delighted Morgan Sindall appointed a local, Neath based furniture supplier with excellent social aims and community benefits.”

Stuart Moyse, Deputy Headteacher at Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School, commented:

“We are so pleased with the completed school. Ministry really added value with their furniture knowledge and graphics expertise. The printed ceiling tiles were a unique addition which have been very well received. The Graphics team worked closely with our teaching staff to ensure the wall art met expectations and they kept us up to date throughout the project.”

Education, Education News, News

Teaching computing research project uncovers methods for increasing engagement in blended learning

A research project undertaken by staff at Cambridge Primary Education Trust (CPET) around the teaching of computing has provided important insight into how both school-based and home-based learning might evolve in the future.

James Course, a Year 3/4 teacher at Somersham Primary School, and Jon Windsor, a Year 3 teacher at Trumpington Park Primary School, analysed the impact of focused teaching of computing across the curriculum – delivered over a half-term – on pupil and parent engagement with online homework. They also explored the potential of blended learning and recovering gaps in education following lockdown.

The project, which was completed in July 2021 and reported earlier this month, has brought valuable understanding of engagement with homework and pupils’ wider learning. “We wanted to discover if one of the barriers to engagement with blended styles of learning was a lack of computing skills,” Jon explained. “We taught a sequence of bespoke lessons to develop these skills, but the impact on engagement was limited. We therefore reinforced that other factors are more significant barriers. Going forward we will continue to evaluate how we can engage parents and families in supporting pupils in their learning, including with homework. We did learn that there appear to be more accessible types of task, especially ones that can be accessed on a phone or tablet. Tasks such as quizzes using Microsoft Forms will therefore be our starting point if and when we look to expand the use of blended learning.”

James said the objective was to ensure that home learning in any guise is meaningful, and reinforces teacher-led learning, and also make related tasks achievable and accessible to all. “While our project has not revealed some perfect solution for home learning, we can definitely take away aspects that can be used in future to create more robust routines and expectations for home learning, which could then form a basis for any expansion into wider blended learning,” he revealed. “Meanwhile, we delivered a sequence of lessons to build a strong platform of core computing skills. We took opportunities across the curriculum to modelling the daily IT skills which we use and take for granted. We saw the children becoming more confident, efficient and capable with their use of laptops and key software such as Microsoft Word. The children also evidently improved transferable skills such as using search engines safely and efficiently, as well as making their own evaluations and comparisons between the different formats of technology available to them.”

The CPET colleagues will now evaluate the Trust’s approach to teaching computing, ensuring that it is developing the kinds of skills that the children will need in future, and aiming for the skills to be both transferable and adaptable to the changes in technology that they will face along the way. A further next step will be to consider how computing skills can be developed more broadly across the curriculum. “We have been able to explore some of the potential barriers that children face, and our findings will influence our future approach and recommendations for setting homework, as well as the potential continued use of blended learning,” Jon said. “The project also helped us as reflective practitioners, questioning some assumptions which we might otherwise have made.”

The research, which included a range of wider reading, was funded and supported by Cambridge Teaching Schools Network (CTSN). “It has been empowering to be trusted to deliver this project,” James added. “We were asked to make a difference by looking into the issue in-depth, ensuring that robust conclusions can be reached, albeit we recognise this is a small-scale project rather than a big change programme. We have already shared our findings with CPET’s senior leadership team and look forward to supporting next steps, both at Trust-level, and directly within our own schools.”

CPET Executive Principal/CEO Lesley Birch said: “As a Trust we are committed to encouraging staff to develop their skills and experience. Colleagues from all our schools work together to share best practice and resources as well as supporting each other in planning and evaluation activities. In this case it is great to see teachers embracing research to support the learning of our children and other staff members. Often small adaptations make a huge difference to our children accessing learning.”

Education, Education News, Hair and Beauty, News, Scotland

Award-winning beauty college strengthens aftercare service following impact of pandemic

GlamCandy, a professional creative college based in Scotland, has introduced several new elements to its aftercare programme, including free studio hire, photoshoots, expert masterclasses and job board access.

Stringent Covid measures put in place meant that students were legally not allowed to practice their craft on somebody else’s face for the last 18 months, creating additional pressures on students and the college itself.

The private institution is offering all students a chance to resit their Higher National Certificate (HNC) course in fashion makeup, to help build up confidence, learn new styles and brush up on techniques.

Hayley Harvey-Smith, director at GlamCandy, said: “Graduates automatically receive a lifetime partnership with GlamCandy, and we want them to be equipped with confidence when building their makeup careers. Lockdown was tough for many of our students, and this hugely impacted their ability to practice any skills they’d learnt.

“At the beginning of lockdown, students adapted by learning on their kids, parents, siblings and thrived with many employment successes. We not only want to help those affected by the pandemic, but those who just graduated and didn’t get the opportunity to kick start their careers. I’m excited for the future of the school and more importantly I will be taking a hands-on role in helping students who want to build a business for themselves.”

GlamCandy offers SAAS and student loan funding for those wanting to lead a successful career in the beauty industry. Students are able to learn from some of the finest technical makeup artists in the UK, as well as benefit from GlamCandy’s partnerships with leading brands, including Illamasqua, Mac, Kryolan, Doll Beauty and B Perfect.

Hayley continues: “Our improved aftercare programme offers students whose studies were affected by the pandemic the practical experience they would usually have received on their courses. This includes a number of exciting opportunities featuring five-day short pro courses, retail discounts, and regular business support. We do our best to make improvements to give our students the best possible aftercare that we can.”

Two students, Megan Reith and Sammi Rausch, who returned to GlamCandy to re-do their HNC course were thrilled with their decision as improvements had been made. Megan adds: “We are so happy we took the chance as our original experience was let down due to Covid. We’re so grateful to Hayley and the rest of the GlamCandy team for putting the effort they have into the course and acting on the feedback so quickly.

“We’re so excited to experience the rest of the course and for the opportunities that will be available to us afterwards.”

The creative college is busy enrolling for the next cohort of HNC students and various short courses. Those interested in kick-starting their beauty or photography career can do so by visiting the GlamCandy website: https://glamcandy.co.uk/

Education, FInance

Global finance giant makes capital investment in North Wales student

A STUDENT has made a capital investment and will move to London following outstanding A Level results.

Jacob Evans, from Rhyl, secured a prestigious degree apprenticeship with world leader in financial services, JP Morgan.

The 17 year-old, a former pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, achieved A*s in Economics and Law, an A in Welsh Baccalaureate and a B in Politics at Deeside Sixth Form Centre.

He is thrilled to soon be living and working in the Canary Wharf area – Jacob is one of just 20 applicants selected for the city position – and looks forward to the four-year placement, part of a wider degree in Applied Finance accredited by the University of Exeter.

“I’m really pleased with my results and would like to thank everyone at Deeside Sixth for their help and support, especially my Economics tutors Mari and Nanette.

“Learning during Covid was a challenge but studies moved online quickly, and they were on hand throughout to help and inspire us.

“It was their guidance that led to me pursuing a career in the finance sector so I’m eternally grateful for that and can’t wait to get started.”

JP Morgan offers financial solutions to the world’s most important corporations, governments, and institutions in more than 100 countries, and is also a leader in philanthropy, announcing its plans to deploy $1.75 billion in capital around the world by 2023.

The organisation took on approximately 70 apprentices per year across its apprenticeship programmes in Bournemouth, Glasgow and London but has increased that this year to more than 120 due to growing success and demand.

“I’ll be working full time alongside my studies and professional qualifications,” added Jacob, a former Student Governor and Finance Committee member at Cambria.

“It will be full-on and a lot different to my life in North Wales but it’s an incredible opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.

“After such a tough time for everybody in lockdown and self-isolation to be able to look ahead to the future and take this next step towards my career is exciting – I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”

For more information on the wide range of courses and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria, visit the website www.cambria.ac.uk and follow @colegcambria on social media.

Education, News

Northumbria’s Young Entrepreneurs In The Spotlight at Awards

Students and graduates from Northumbria University were among more than 40 new business founders to have their talents showcased during a prestigious online awards event.

Organised and hosted by learning and development agency FIRST, Startup Awards North East provided an opportunity for new business owners to pitch for support and build their professional networks, whether they were at the starting-up, skilling-up or scaling-up stage with their businesses.

Those involved spoke passionately about their entrepreneurial ambitions to audiences made up of more than 300 members of the North East business community and bid for their chance to win both Social Impact and High Growth awards.

Second year Fashion Design student Amy Clunes was one of seven finalists from Northumbria and was selected as joint winner of the Social Impact Award after she took part in the SkillUP day.

Amy explained: “The placement year is a real bonus on the course because it gives students like me the chance to link up with a business and spend time in the world of work. But I knew my end goal would be self-employment and working for myself, so I chose to spend my time on placement with the enterprise team.”The 20-year-old has been working with Northumbria’s Student and Graduate Enterprise team as part of the placement year offered on her course. She has shown real promise while working to develop her fledgling fashion and accessories brand, Whozamy.

With support from the Northumbria enterprise team and introductions to organisations like FIRST, Amy has attended meetings, training sessions and webinars which have helped her build vital skills such as book keeping, website building and marketing.

She added: “I’m doing a Sage accounting course at the moment and working towards launching my own website. The support I’ve had has been amazing and I’m really excited to see what the future holds.”

Amy was inspired to start her own business after friends commented on her hand-made earrings and she went on to sell hundreds of face masks online at the height of the pandemic. Her goal is to produce her own clothing using sustainably sourced fabrics which are less harmful to the environment. She also plans to make her designs size inclusive by creating them in sizes 6 to 22.

Amy and the other winners from Northumbria are part of the European funded Northumbria Enterprise and Business Support (NEBS2) project. This specialist scheme brings in professional mentors to support prospective entrepreneurs as part of an end-to-end business start-up support service.

Graham Baty, who manages the enterprise strand of the service, said: “We are very lucky to work with fantastic students and graduates and it has been incredible to see their potential continue to grow and flourish during the pandemic, which has been a challenging time for so many businesses and individuals.

“The ERDF NEBS2 Project has enabled us to further enhance our offer with fantastic opportunities for our start-ups to focus on business growth. It’s wonderful to see the efforts of so many recognised and celebrated through initiatives like the FIRST Startup Awards North East.”

Amy is celebrating her win alongside a host of other Northumbria students and graduates who were selected as finalists and saw the University represented across all three categories.

Mechanical Engineering PhD student Farzaneh Hajirasouliha was joint Social Impact award winner with Amy after pitching a business idea, named Vivid Futures, which would deliver workshops in schools and colleges to demonstrate how curriculum subjects are used in the world of work.

Also in the SkillUP category, Paul Kane and Carla Prior made the final. Callum Mather was recognised as a finalist in the StartUP category and Andrew Cartwright reached the final of the ScaleUP day.

Charlotte Windebank, Managing Director and Co-Founder of FIRST, said: “After the year we have had, early stage founders need to be celebrated, showcased and connected in to the business ecosystem now more than ever.

“Running the awards, whilst incredibly challenging, was the right thing to do and we are so proud of everyone involved. This includes the early stage founders, our partners and the production team behind the scenes ensuring the events were meaningful and engaging.

“The awards highlighted the drive and ambition of these incredible founders and the team and I at FIRST were privileged to provide a platform, albeit a digital one, to these incredible, resilient entrepreneurs. I am so excited to follow their continued journey to success – if you can start a business in a pandemic, you can literally do anything.”

Northumbria has been ranked in the top three for graduate start-ups in the UK, based on estimated turnover, since 2011/12, including five years in first place. Since 2009 the University has assisted in the creation of nearly 300 new businesses which have led to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, the vast majority of which are in the north east of England.

Source: https://newsroom.northumbria.ac.uk/pressreleases/young-entrepreneurs-in-the-spotlight-at-awards-3118885

Education, Education News, News

Swansea graduate receives Quantum Advisory award

A Swansea University graduate has been awarded the Quantum Advisory Prize 2021 for his contribution to mathematics following an in-depth study of Delay Differential Equations.

Benjamin Phelps studied mathematics at Swansea University and was presented with the award at his virtual graduation ceremony on Wednesday July 28 following the exceptional content of his final year project.

The Quantum Advisory Prize – presented by corporate pension experts Quantum Advisory – is awarded to mathematics students who have excelled at Swansea University during their final year and recipients also get a financial award to kick start their career.

Dr Dmitri Finkelshtein, Associate Professor of Mathematics at Swansea University, said: “Ben’s project was about Delay Differential Equations, an area of mathematics that deals with processes whose future stages depend not only on the present stage but also on the past ones, as is the case in many real-world processes. The topic lies outside of the standard undergraduate curriculum as it requires the handling of various mathematical techniques combined with creativity and intuition. Ben made a superb self-contained manuscript, written in a rigorous way, which provides a perfect and detailed introduction to the topic.”

Benjamin said: “This project was an entirely different challenge to any I have faced before in my degree. However, I embraced it wholeheartedly and pushed myself to see what I could do. After a difficult year this award is the perfect gratification for all my hard work.

“Although I doubt I will use my newfound knowledge of Delay Differential Equations again, I am sure that the soft skills I developed along the way will be incredibly valuable when I start my career as an auditor in September. I would like to thank Quantum Advisory for this prize, it was an honour and will be a massive help, as well as my supervisor Dr Dmitri Finkelshtein for all the support he gave me this year.”

The Quantum Advisory Prize comes just a few months after Benjamin was featured in the ICAEW 100, identifying him as one of the top students in the UK with the potential to be in the next generation of business leaders.

Now, after graduating with a first-class honours degree, Benjamin is taking the first steps in his career and has secured a position as an Audit Trainee at BDO LLP in Bristol.

Stuart Price, Partner and Actuary at Quantum Advisory, said: “We are delighted to partner once again with Swansea University to award the Quantum Advisory Prize. We work closely with the University and this Prize provides us with the opportunity to give something back.

“Each year the students astound us with their knowledge, enthusiasm and understanding of highly complex subjects and this year’s winner Benjamin is no exception. We are looking forward to seeing his career progress and maybe our paths may cross again in the future.”

Quantum Advisory, which has five offices across the UK, including Amersham, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and London, provides pension and employee benefits services to employers, scheme trustees and members. For more information about Quantum Advisory, please visit https://quantumadvisory.co.uk.

Image credit: Rhys1234567890, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Education, Energy

Engenera involved in educating pupils on their carbon footprint

Thousands of school children attending 11 schools in the Newcastle area will be prompted daily to think more about their carbon footprint and will be educated on how to reduce it, thanks to a significant renewable energy programme by Aura North East in conjunction with partner Engenera Renewables Group, one of the UK’s leading renewable energy companies.

In partnership with Robertson Facilities Management, Engenera will be installing solar panels complemented by energy storage technology at the schools, all ultimately overseen by Aura, the Newcastle LEP (Local Education Partnership). The project will be funded through phase one of the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation scheme with Salix Finance.

In addition to helping the schools reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint, Engenera will also install state-of-the-art energy monitoring technology, which will be highly visible and informative in the reception of each school.

The screens will display the school’s energy consumption and carbon savings/footprint in real time, allowing children to take an active interest in the carbon footprint of their place of education, and their teachers to potentially structure lessons and projects around the system.

In April, the UK government brought forward its target of reducing carbon emissions by 78% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2035 – a 15-year reduction on the previous target of 2050. This will mean increased incentives for organisations in all sectors to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in renewable energy projects.

Engenera has broadened its offering this year to encompass a wider range of renewable energy solutions, pivoting to become a decarbonisation partner for organisations seeking a holistic solution to better manage all their energy needs and help them align with government targets.

Engenera is also one of the few renewable energy companies in the UK able to offer renewable energy installations at no capital outlay to customers able to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs). This is because it can access a £100 million green bond programme that is financed by multiple PPAs arranged by Engenera.

Lloyd Lawson, Chief Strategy Officer, Engenera, said:

“This represents a hugely important project for us. It is amazing to be able to use our skills and technology to help 11 schools reduce their bills and carbon footprint, but it is even better to be able to also invest in grassroots education in this way and help inform and educate a new generation of children about the reality of energy generation and how technology can help make things better.”

Apprenticeships, Education

Leading York St John Tutor Achieves Internationally Recognised Principal Fellowship

Dr Sue Jones at York St John University (YSJ), has been recognised by the Principal Fellowship Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) for her commitment and contribution to student learning, which is given to around 150 individuals each year and held by 1,400 people worldwide.

The accolade is given to those who are highly experienced and/or senior staff with wide-ranging academic strategic leadership responsibilities in connection with key aspects of teaching and supporting learning. Sue achieved this through demonstrating her strategic impact and influence in relation to teaching and learning that extends beyond her own institution.

Sue, the Associate Head of School: Biosciences (the School of Science Technology and Health), has also previously been an institutional nominee for the National Teaching Fellow Scheme for the past three years. In 2020, her outstanding positive impact was recognised by winning the national HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year award, based on a holistic programme design that transforms student outcomes.

Susan Orr, Pro Vice Chancellor of Learning and Teaching at York St John University said: “ This recognition is a testament to the contribution Sue make to student and staff experience in her school, at YSJ and in the sector. I know just how much work goes into a Professional Fellowship submission and I am so pleased she was able to find the time to apply – particularly in light of how challenging this year has been. This is great news for YSJ and well as great news for Sue personally.”

“Her continuous work towards our degree apprenticeship programme underpins our mission statement that we are. Driven by our commitment to fairness, we focus our expertise, talents, and creativity to advance knowledge, promote understanding, and create educational opportunities for the benefit of all.”

The programme ranked sixteenth in the Guardian’s Best UK Universities 2021 league table based on consecutive NSS results. To date, 98 per cent of all graduating students have awarded the programme 100 per cent overall satisfaction, ranking it in the top five for the subject area in the UK annually (2018–2020).

Dr Sue Jones said: “I have a track record of successfully disseminating strategies to improve student retention, academic achievement, and enhance learning for diverse learner communities cross-institutionally and nationally for over ten years. Based on my sustained strategic leadership and positive influence that catalyses change, I was thrilled to achieve Principal Fellowship.”

York St John University has recently developed the applied Biosciences degree programmes and continues to work with local employers to extend its apprenticeship provision from its York and London campuses. Through its partnership with local NHS Trusts and the Biosciences industry, the University is providing value for money degree level training and increasing the size and shape of its undergraduate provision.

Apprenticeship courses are suitable for A-Level students and above and allow apprentices to ‘earn while they learn’ and gain a degree or Level 7 qualification. Businesses interested in enrolling members of their workforce in the apprenticeship programme can contact the team at apprenticeships@yorksj.ac.uk.

Education, Midlands News

Coventry Business School joins global network of business schools

Coventry Business School has expanded its global footprint and engagement with international partners from new regions by joining the Global Business School Network (GBSN).

Founded by the World Bank in 2003, GBSN is a non-profit organisation that works with business schools, industry, foundations and aid agencies to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education for the developing world.

Since its formation in 2003, it has grown to a network of over 100 leading business schools in more than 50 countries that are committed to profoundly impacting sustainable development worldwide, through education, research, and community engagement.

Coventry Business School’s membership of GBSN further enhances its working relationships with its business school peers around the world to develop business education and knowledge. Through Coventry University Group’s global offices in China, Dubai, Singapore, Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria, the school enjoys close links with leading universities and international organisations around the world.

Through GBSN’s international events and capacity building programmes, Coventry Business School will be involved in advising, training and mentoring regional educators. With over 50 years of experience teaching business, the School prides itself on delivering high quality research that informs its teaching and can make a difference to society.

The School also delivers a broad portfolio of grant-funded internationally collaborative research as well as client funded consultancy, knowledge transfer activity, and international research exchange.

Professor Kai Peters, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University, said: “At Coventry Business School, it is our belief that access to education is paramount for the development of individuals and societies. We are proud of our national and international outreach to both traditional and non-traditional, often first in their family to attend university, students. Through collaborations as well as through our on-line capabilities, we seek to create better futures for our graduates.”

Dan LeClair, CEO of Global Business School Network, said: “The mission of GBSN is to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education for the developing world. In short, we enable business schools to foster inclusive and sustainable development, and that clearly aligns well with the vision and mission of Coventry Business School.”

Professor Sukanlaya Sawang, Associate Dean and GBSN membership project lead, Coventry Business School, said: “Through the GBSN network, Coventry Business School will expand our global activities for collaborative research, educational collaboration and international experiences for our students and staff.  This is a great opportunity for our Business School to expand our global footprint and reputation.” ​​

Education, News

The University of Law awarded five-star institution status by QS Star

QS Stars has awarded The University of Law (ULaw) a five-star institution rating positioned as “world-class in a broad range of areas, enjoys an excellent reputation and has cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty”.

The rating highlights areas of excellence across ULaw’s nine campuses in England, its seven partnership Universities and increased international recognition for its Hong Kong and Berlin campuses.

Launched in 2009, the QS Stars higher education rating system assesses institutions in at least eight categories which are chosen based on global standards and practices.

As well as achieving an overall 5 Star rating as an institution and for the Law subject, ULaw was rated Five Stars in numerous critical categories of Teaching, Employability, Academic Development, Online Learning and Inclusiveness.

Professor Andrea Nollent, Vice Chancellor and CEO at The University of Law, said: “This QS Stars rating is an excellent achievement for the University and is testament to the hard work put in by all our talented staff.

“At ULaw, we are determined to provide our students with the highest quality of education and the resources to set them up for professional success.  This five-star rating celebrates all that we are achieving in this regard.

“We are proud of our staff members across the country and internationally for the collaborative effort which helped us achieve this fantastic rating and we will work hard to maintain our position as a five-star institution.”

More information about the QS Stars Rating System can be found here.

For more information, visit www.law.ac.uk