Teacher and student plan to make a splash for charity
A South Nottingham College teacher and student are in training for a cross-Channel charity relay swim. Justine Drury, head of school for 14-19 provision, and part-time crafts student Kate Vines will attempt the 21- mile trip next year. After a vote among staff and students, the Teenage Cancer Trust was selected to be recipient of the pound;15,000 fundraising target. “We both wanted to undertake a personal challenge and were inspired by the Olympics,” said Ms Drury. “We wanted to show that two fairly average women could achieve something pretty spectacular, without fundamentally having to change our lives - we still work, have busy home lives and all the training is fitted in around this.”
Smartphone app attempts to simplify student life
Kensington and Chelsea College has launched a smartphone application to help prospective students find out about its courses and then send in applications. The software will give users access to the admissions team, news about the college and a map of the campuses in west London, as well as course details and a student survival guide. Shanie Jamieson, director for community regeneration at the college, said: “We want to give our students and potential students the easiest, fastest and most accessible platform for getting in touch with us, and this new app is the key to achieving that. A lot of thought has gone into what kind of app both current and potential students would find useful.”
Principal gets 179-1 vote of no confidence over cuts
Union members have passed a no-confidence motion against the principal of Richmond-upon-Thames College over plans to cut jobs and increase class sizes. The college’s branch of the University and College Union voted 179 to 1 against David Ansell, who has proposed around 50 job losses after the college suffered an 8 per cent drop in enrolments last year. David Carrier, branch chairman, said his members would now ballot for a strike over fears that educational standards would be threatened by the cost- cutting measures at the college, which is in the constituency of business, innovation and skills secretary Vince Cable.
Rugby champions add muscle to academy
Leicester Tigers, the rugby union Premiership champions, have teamed up with Bishop Burton College to back its rugby academy. The college will host residential courses for talented young players and training sessions, workshops and seminars for the Tigers youth team while the club’s coaches, players and sports development experts will contribute their skills to the academy. Scott Clarke, club community manager, said: “The facilities and access provided by Bishop Burton College are developing into some of the best in the country. We are delighted to work with their academy and build a long-standing relationship. This will hopefully provide added value to the students’ educational experience and maximize every individual’s potential for the future whether on or off the field.”
South Essex College
A report last week referred to the award of an honorary degree to comedian Phill Jupitus by South East Essex College. The college changed its name earlier this year following a merger with Thurrock and Basildon College and is now known as South Essex College.
