College Autumn 2011

UPDATEImproving the skills of individuals. Meeting the needs of employers. Celebrating Student Success Melody Hossaini honours winners at awards ceremony

The Apprentice’s Melody Hossaini presents achievement awards to Sabyha Khan, who was chosen from 10,000 full-time and part-time students as the overall winner.

Inside: n Top College in n The Skills Store for fifth year running now open n College wins National in Uxbridge Best Business Award n Ken Livingstone promises student travel review

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk | The Apprentice’s Melody Hossaini honours student winners at the Annual Awards Ceremony

Melody Hossaini pictured with Dr Darrell DeSouza, Vice Principal Curriculum and Standards at Uxbridge College.

Uxbridge College students The winners were chosen from among were honoured for their the College’s 10,000 full-time and part- time students, and employers who work achievements by one of the in partnership with the College were also stars of BBC’s The Apprentice, honoured. They celebrated with friends, Melody Hossaini. family and staff at The Beck Theatre in Hayes. Melody talked about her career and presented prizes at Uxbridge College’s The overall winner, who received Annual Awards Ceremony 2011, as well the Super Star Award, sponsored by as answering questions and posing for Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, was photos with students. Sabyha Khan of Uxbridge.

Uxbridge College Performing Arts Dance Students Sabyha, 18, achieved two A* grades and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma Years 1 & 2 open two A grades at A Level, making her one the ceremony with a bang. of Uxbridge College’s best performing students ever, and is now at Cambridge Melody Hossaini told the packed theatre: University reading Medicine. “Uxbridge College is a college which offers you more than just your grades – She also helped lead the college’s public it’s about what life’s all about – and that’s speaking team to victory, was campaign one of the reasons I’m so pleased manager to the winning candidate to be here tonight. Many people out during college elections, and helped there would envy you being at an age tutor other students during ‘maths clinics’ where you have your whole lives ahead and supported them in class. of you. It’s such an exciting place to be.”

Sabyha was also recently announced as the joint first winner of the Association of College’s Stop national Student of the Year competition, which recognises students for their personal ➜ achievements. Sabyha was chosen from many exceptional students from colleges across the UK Press! who were nominated for this prestigious award. Find out more at www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk

2 Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk Dedicated employer support College wins now on your doorstep with National Best the opening of The Skills Store Business Award in Uxbridge

The Skills Store is declared open (L-R Hugh Dunnachie, Uxbridge College celebrates its win in the national Best Business CEO Council; Awards. Principal Laraine Smith (right) and Lorraine Collins, Cllr Mary O'Connor, Mayor of Executive Director, Enterprise & Development, with the trophy. Hillingdon; Andy Davy, General Manager of The Mall Pavilions, Uxbridge College has cemented its and Laraine Smith, Principal of Uxbridge College. reputation for business excellence by becoming a winner in the national Best Business Awards.

A new ‘Skills Store’ specially trained advisors. The College was chosen by judges as the Best The Skills Store also provides Further & Higher Education Provider for its offering a one stop specialist support to the retail innovative training programmes and community location for employers sector as a member of the partnerships in the local and regional business to get advice and National Skills Academy for sector. Retail. information on Uxbridge College joins previous Best Business recruitment and training Services on offer through Award winners including Sky, Barclays, and EDF has been launched in The Skills Store will include: Energy Networks. Uxbridge Town Centre. n Training for staff, from short The College’s Best Business Award recognises its customised courses to longer The Skills Store, led by excellent work with employers and successful professional qualifications. Uxbridge College and supported partnerships with business and the community. by Hillingdon Partners, is n Apprenticeships – employing located at 24 Market Square either a new candidate or The judges praised projects including: in The Mall Pavilions, and was developing the skills of an n A market research project in The Mall officially opened by The Mayor of existing employee. Pavilions shopping centre designed Hillingdon Councillor n Hire of an apprentice through and implemented by students Mary O’Connor. the College’s Apprenticeship n An innovative engineering Training Agency Apprenticeship scheme run in The Skills Store aims both partnership with British Airways to support employers with n Free vacancy advertising their workforce needs, and and recruitment service for n A programme which recognises the help individuals develop their permanent, temporary and contribution of business to the local and skills. Employers and members seasonal positions promoted regional community – the Uxbridge College of the public can drop in to to over 5,000 Uxbridge Employer Champion Scheme. discuss training, recruitment College students of all ages and employment options with and skill levels. For more information about skills training and support for Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. ➜ employers contact Uxbridge For more information drop in, call 01895 249854 or email College’s Employer Services team ➜ [email protected] on 01895 853780.

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk 3 ➜ Top London College In brief... gets great results Winning Images Media and Art students were among those winning prizes for their work in a competition covering Harrow and Hillingdon.

Winners of the competition, run by Lines of Pinner, included Jasmine Salvador who won the 16-21 years photography section, and Jessie Gorgonia and Daniel West who won prizes in the 16-21 years art section.

Exam successes: Noor Al-Atteaby (centre) was among those celebrating top results

Uxbridge College is proud to n Fiona Harding, who had gained a Level 3 qualification in childcare at ➜ confirm that for the fifth year Uxbridge College a few years ago, running we have the highest was accepted at Durham to study In brief... success rates in London*, out Physics after coming back to upgrade of 34 other London based her GCSEs. The combination of the two sets of qualifications and her Constructing colleges. overall abilities enabled her to gain This news comes just after the College a place on the degree course. Better Skills celebrated another year of fantastic A Level results with a 99% overall pass GCSE results were also strong and in Partnership rate and improvements in the number highlights included excellent ICT results of grades at A*, A and B. with success rates for at A*-C at 98% with – up 5% on 2010. There was also an A group of engineering students Many of our A Level students are now improvement in English Literature at have beaten the recession and on degree courses at universities A*-C, with success rates at 83% up from landed jobs at including Oxford, Cambridge, Warwick 69% the previous year. Students at under a scheme run with partners and King’s College, following excellent Uxbridge College take their GCSE exams including BAA and Hillingdon results in the summer. in one year – either to improve existing Council. results or because they are sitting them Achievers included: for the first time – so they take up to five The 11 successful candidates were n Sabyha Khan who got A* grades subjects, less than the number taken recruited to take up posts at the in maths and biology and A grades at school. The overall GCSE pass rate at end of their electrical engineering in chemistry and psychology. She is grades A*-G was 98%. courses with the international studying medicine at Cambridge. construction firm Laing O’Rourke, working on Heathrow's new n Ismaila Ngum who got grade As Terminal 2. in law, government & politics and sociology, and a B in Maths, and is The engineers, who qualified reading law at Oxford University. on the C&G 2330 Level 3 in n Mereshkanth Rajeswaran who is Electrotechnical Technology course, at Warwick studying biochemistry; were employed through the Joel Pope who is also going to Heathrow Construction Academy, Warwick where he will read maths, a pilot project led by BAA working and Ghunzanfur Khan who is on with a range of organisations to a biomedical science course at provide employment and training King’s College. opportunities at the airport.

*Best College in London for educating young people based on the highest long qualification success rate for 16–18 year olds in the academic years 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 and 2009–10.

4 Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk Local Heroes Revealed Aspiring in Uxbridge College futures for and Uxbridge Gazette Hillingdon Competition pupils

Children from 16 primary schools across Hillingdon came to Uxbridge College for two days of taster workshops, including cheerleading, as part of Aspire 2011.

Primary school children from all over Hillingdon gathered Hillingdon's unsung heroes Our Local Heroes: Holding the star trophy at Uxbridge College to get is overall winner Kane Thomas with (from a taste of the future by stepped into the spotlight at left) runner-up Len Turner, category winners the gala awards ceremony for Bernard Roberts and Curtis Botten, Uxbridge trying out subjects including College Principal Laraine Smith, Kim Chapman, forensic science, sport, and the Local Heroes competition, Editorial Director of Trinity Mirror Southern run by Uxbridge College and and category winner David Brough. architecture. (Photo courtesy of Uxbridge Gazette) the Uxbridge Gazette and Around 170 children from 16 schools Leader Series. for taking care of his mum, Roma, after took part in Aspire, designed to she suffered Bell’s Palsy, a type of stroke. introduce them to the idea of staying Around 120 guests packed the theatre on in education. Volunteers from at Uxbridge College's Hayes Community He got himself ready for school every Uxbridge College, Brunel University, Campus for the event celebrating those day, took her breakfast in bed and made University of West London and who defied adversity or went beyond the his own packed lunch. He also continued Westminster University looked after the call of duty for others. to achieve at school and excelled in children and helped lead workshops. sporting activities. There were five categories in the annual The 10 and 11-year-olds on the two-day competition – Star Carer, Fabulous The winners were revealed at the gala programme joined in sessions on eight Fundraiser, Community Champion, night, which included a celebration subjects and had lots of fun whilst Courageous Citizen and Outstanding buffet and drinks, prepared and served learning about things they could go Young Person. by catering and hospitality students in on to study in later life. Revisco, the College's training restaurant. It was a double celebration for 10-year- Aspire is funded by Aimhigher and old Kane Thomas who was not only the The 2011 Hero of Hillingdon, Kane, won Hillingdon Improvement Partnership winner of the Star Carer category but was £500 plus his category winner's prize. (HIP). Aimhigher is a Government-led also crowned the Hero of Hillingdon – Each of the category winners received project to encourage people to join the overall winner! £200 and a trophy, and runners-up took Higher Education courses such as HNDs home £50. Certificates were also handed and degrees, and HIP aims to raise Kane, a pupil at Botwell House Roman out to a number of Highly Commended levels of educational achievement in Catholic School in Hayes, was recognised nominees. the borough.

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk 5 Uxbridge College Checkmate! Uxbridge College’s Chess Team Photo won the Hillingdon Secondary School Chess Championship Round-up for the second year running. Players also came second in the tough Aim Higher West London What’s been happening Chess Competition. in and around the College

Thriller moves hit Hayes A masterclass in the world-famous moves of Michael Jackson was given to Students are building bridges dance students by Jovanny Pichardo Science and engineering students pitted their wits against a challenge Almonte, who has played the lead part to create a load-bearing bridge out of paper during National Science in the West End Show Thriller. and Engineering Week.

John Randall presents certificates Uxbridge MP John Randall (Con) presented achievement awards to students who had excelled at AS Level. The Academy students are now completing their A2 studies, which will bring them to A Level standard.

Film Festival Young filmmakers were honoured for their work including at an event sponsored by the production company Mustard Berlin.

6 Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk Students strut their stuff on the catwalk Fashion students showcased their clothing and accessories collections in a dynamic end-of-year catwalk show.

All for a good cause LINK, a counselling service for young people based in Uxbridge was chosen by students to benefit from fundraising activities. Students met LINK Students are good sports counsellor Richard Littlewood Sports students practised their skills by helping out at a sports day for – pictured with him, from left to right Hermitage Primary School, Uxbridge, at the local Hillingdon Athletics are Terry Howard, Teodora Makarieva, Stadium. The event also provided a backdrop for filming by Vodafone for its Rahisa Ismail and Asim Chaudhry. Just Text campaign.

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk 7 Ken Livingstone Promises Student Travel Review at Uxbridge College Mayoral Candidate Ken Livingstone’s team promised their party would consider a policy of subsidised travel for students, following a question raised by Uxbridge College student Jessica Puplett.

Uxbridge College student Jessica Puplett with Labour's Ken Livingstone and (far left) Dr Onkar Sahota the party's London Assembly Candidate for Ealing and Hillingdon, and Assembly Member Val Shawcross.

Jessica, 19, who is studying A Levels, room if they had this problem. Many spoke up during a question and answer commented and nodded in agreement. ➜ session at the College. She told the In brief... Labour party’s candidate for the Mayor Val Shawcross, Mr Livingstone’s running of London that following the abolition of mate, said: “It’s totally counter-productive the Education Maintenance Allowance cutting the EMA. We’re interested in Community Conference (EMA) many students were struggling to promoting the economy and looking at Strengthens Links afford to get to college. how people in London have good skills. We’re interested in doing what we can to Community groups and Jessica said: “With the abolition of the broaden people’s access to training and representatives got together EMA Allowance, many students may employment.” at Uxbridge College’s annual not be able to afford to get to college Community Conference held because it costs so much to travel in Other subjects raised by students at the Hayes Community Campus. London – do you have any policies included reform of the NHS, the about making travelling around London environment, the planned high speed The event helped delegates to find cheaper for students?” rail link HS2, UK intervention in Libya and support by working more closely taxing bankers’ salaries. A total of around together, and with the College to Former London Mayor Mr Livingstone 50 politics students and staff took part in find out more about the training replied: “I think we should look at the Q&A session which was part of and business support available. that”, and asked other students in the Ken Livingstone’s pre-2012 election tour.

8 Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk Uxbridge College Joins Reed New Chair to Help People Back to Work of Governors for Uxbridge College

(Back row) Reed Operations Director Martin Fallon, and Chairman James Reed, with (L-R) Lorraine Collins Executive Director Enterprise and Development, and Giles Strachan, Partnership Manager and Work Programme Administrator Melanie Hughes.

The Work Programme, They learned more about the wide a scheme to help people range of people Uxbridge College is supporting through the scheme, the get back to work, has been issues they face in a difficult job market, launched at Uxbridge College and the jobs that they have started with Reed in Partnership. finding and securing.

As part of Reed’s work delivering the James Reed said: "I would like to programme, James Reed, Chairman of thank all the staff at Uxbridge College Reed, and Martin Fallon, Operations for making us so welcome. It was New Uxbridge College Chair of Governors, Director, visited the College’s Hayes fascinating to see how our partners Dr Beverley Crooks. Community Campus where The Work are working and I am confident that Programme at Uxbridge College together we will support hundreds of A writer and former teacher is based. people into work.” who has dedicated her career The pair met key project staff including The programme helps people find to helping create educational the college’s two Work Programme vacancies and improve their CVs and opportunities for under- Co-ordinators, Frances Coombs and interview skills, provides skills training, represented groups has been Naher Kohinoor, Work Programme and offers financial support to help elected as Chair of Uxbridge Administrator Melanie Hughes, with work clothes, travel costs and Lorraine Collins Executive Director equipment. The scheme is also aimed College’s governing body. Enterprise and Development, and at helping employers recruit for their Giles Strachan, Partnership Manager. vacancies by providing them with a Dr Beverley Crooks, formerly Vice-Chair, selection of skilled candidates that have has written widely on how to overcome The Work Programme team is located in had relevant training. barriers to higher education. She a dedicated area on the Hayes Campus. has also worked as a local authority The visitors were also shown one of the Everyone on the scheme, a government curriculum advisor and school training rooms where employability initiative designed to work alongside inspector, and is now part of Brunel training and job search sessions are held Jobcentre Plus, gets their own personal University’s widening participation and for the students being supported by Employment Advisor who creates a mentoring team. The Work Programme. tailor-made package to help them into work. Beverley took up the reins from Doreen West who retired from the If you are looking for work, or you are an employer that would post in August 2011. like to recruit from a pool of trained candidates, please contact ➜ Giles Strachan on 01895 853653 The Vice-Chair has been filled by or email [email protected] Steven Cochran who has been a board member since March 2009.

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk 9 Uxbridge College Apprentice Secures Member of Staff’s National Award Photo credit: BSIA Award Helps Others

Uxbridge College Apprentice Chris Dawson receives his award from Lynne Featherstone. Uxbridge College Apprentice, Christopher Dawson, was praised for his professionalism and commitment at the British Security Industry Association’s Annual Lunch and Awards in July. Mike McDermott (right) a member of staff at Uxbridge College, invested prize money in musical equipment which has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity. Also pictured are The BSIA’s national awards recognise Kath Hallahan on vocals, Norman Wiggins on trumpet and Stuart Rattray on Guitar. the hard work and dedication of apprentices in the security industry and The generosity of a member ➜ Chris, who is an apprentice with Crozet of staff who used money Alarms, was praised for his ability to In brief... relate the learning from his course and he won in a competition to apply it to real working examples. benefit others is continuing to make a difference. He was presented with his award by Training Lynne Featherstone the Parliamentary Mike McDermott spent part of his focuses Under Secretary of State for Equalities £1,500 to buy musical stage equipment and Criminal Information. to be used by others, particularly for the Mind fundraising concerts.

➜ Staff training has been provided by During a recent event where the Uxbridge College to support a new In brief... equipment was used, Mike was among café run by the mental health charity 19 musicians who raised a total of Hillingdon Mind. £7,000 for Cancer Research UK. Yummy Mummies The event was held at Hertfordshire Café Mind is based at Christ Church, University’s Club De-Havilland, Redford Way, Uxbridge, and provides Fundraising Fun sponsored by Herts University. Mike’s an eat-in and take-away service, A series of fundraising events, band ONS – three of whom have been offering multi-cultural snacks and including a number supported by directly affected by cancer – were drinks. Uxbridge College, helped raise cash joined by a brass quartet, a string for the charity CLIC Sargent, the UK’s ensemble and harmony vocalists to The café is run by volunteers who leading cancer charity for children play songs which included Motown have used the charity’s services and and young people. and soul classics. are gaining skills and experience to help provide a route into work. Michelle Drummond, a beauty Mike won the money three years therapy lecturer at the College, ago for his outstanding work for organised a range of events Uxbridge College’s E Learning team, Opening times: including a coffee morning and in the national LSIS Star Awards which Tuesday, Thursday pamper evening at the honoured college excellence. He used ➜ and Friday Hayes Community Campus. the remainder of the money to support 10.30am-2.30pm. the training of his colleagues.

10 Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk ➜ In brief... How Teaching Parents Can Students Help Children are on the do Better at right page School

External visits are A unique scheme set up by an important part Uxbridge College is enabling of the College's enrichment parents whose first language programme and is not English to support their included a trip to children’s education more the British Library, effectively. where students took part in the The course, called Learn English to ‘Evolving English’ Help Your Child at Primary School, was exhibition. designed to help address the lower levels of achievement of primary school Students from The Academy, the children whose first language is not Uxbridge College's Ann McTaggart (left) set up the college’s sixth form centre, learned English. scheme benefiting families like Sally Ibrahim's more about the development of – pictured here with her children (left to right) the English language and its wider The courses have provided parents with Mariam, John and Ana. cultural and historical context. both the language skills and background information about school life to support This course, was created by They were surprised at how their children’s education, in ways which Ann McTaggart, Section Manager for modern the British Library was and can help boost achievement. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other enjoyed interactive exhibitions and Languages) Outreach, at the request workshops. They also contributed Schools taking part have seen parents of the London Borough of Ealing to the 'One Language, Many Voices' becoming more involved in school life, Extended Schools Partnership. It was campaign which is helping record for instance by helping children with piloted through Perivale Primary School accents and dialects. homework, and coming in to school to and rolled out to schools across Ealing speak to teachers. borough. Triumph of Uxbridge College’s own Masterchef Trainee chefs took part in their own version of Masterchef at a competition judged by professionals from the international Marriott hotel company.

Catering and hospitality students took part in the finals of the contest held in the professional training kitchens at Uxbridge College. They had to cook salmon and béarnaise sauce with their own choice of accompaniments, in exactly one hour.

Paul Quinn, Executive Chef at the Heathrow/Windsor Marriott, and Anna Zadurska, Chef de Partie, joined two non-technical judges on the panel. They had also visited the college to teach specialist skills in the run up to the competition.

The winner was Ricky Darbon, a student on the NVQ Level 3 in professional cookery, whose dish included crushed new Winner Ricky Darbon – a trainee chef at Uxbridge College's Hayes Community potatoes, Parisienne carrots and asparagus. Campus – with judges Marriott Head Chef Paul Quinn and Chef de Partie Anna Zadurska.

Tel: 01895 853333 | email: [email protected] | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk 11 And finally… ➜ In brief... Distinction Salons and

College Raises Revisco Restaurant have International Profile arrived in Hayes! Staff from Uxbridge College met the Want to treat yourself to a fantastic lunch, a relaxing beauty Nepalese Minister for Education, treatment or a new hairstyle? Come along to the newly Ganga Lal Tuladhar, and around 2,000 potential students at a careers refurbished and renamed restaurant and salons based and recruitment event in Nepal. on the College’s Hayes Campus.

The College teaches many overseas students who choose to progress to university via a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualifications at Uxbridge College.

HND courses in Engineering, Computing, Interactive Media, and Business can fast-track home and overseas students onto the final year of an undergraduate degree at a university, saving thousands of pounds in fees.

➜ Revisco restaurant and Distinction hair and beauty salons have been given an elegant restyle for visitors. In brief... Open to the public, these facilities provide our students with the opportunity to train and work in real-life CEO’s Talk About situations and practise their skills, and India Businesses you can take advantage of top quality meals and treatments for less than you Business students got an insight into would pay on the high street! the world of green power generation and the production of sugar, paper Revisco Restaurant has had a complete and alcoholic beverages from a makeover with new kitchens for the Distinction Hair & Beauty Salons have visiting speaker. students to work in and a contemporary had a new reception area providing an redecoration. New features include a even more professional welcome for their Deepak Yadav, CEO and Managing chef’s table that looks into the kitchen clients. Students train in state-of-the-art Director of India-based Yadu so you can see the students in action. salons, with all the latest equipment, Corporation, visited the college Lunches are prepared and served by the enabling them to offer a large range of to talk about his young group of students and feature daily specials and hair services and beauty treatments. businesses, which have an emphasis regularly changing menus. Revisco also on environmentally-friendly power. hosts regular Gourmet Nights which Students are fully supervised by our provide students with a taste of what it is industry expert teaching staff so you He shared his experiences with like to offer a fine dining experience. can be assured of high quality service. students on the HNC/HND Business courses and presented case For more information or to book a service at Distinction please studies and Q&As on leadership & call 01895 853666, or to book a table at Revisco please call entrepreneurship. ➜ 01895 853730.

This edition of UPDATE was designed by former Uxbridge College HND Graphics student Ayo Oluwatosin.

Uxbridge Campus, Park Road, Uxbridge, Middlessex, UB8 1NQ 12Find us HayesTel: 01895 Campus, 853333 College | email: Way, [email protected] Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, | www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk UB3 3BB