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An Art Foundation student from Reading College and University Centre has received a highly commended award in a University Art competition. 

Aish Kheti-Heer, 18-years-old, from Caversham, entered her photograph of two models surrounded by her sculptures into Southampton Solent University’s Fine Art and Photography competition, which was launched last year. Her entry was shortlisted from 300 submissions from college students across the south of England.  

Her submitted photograph was of two models surrounded by her sculptures that she had previously made as part of her Art as activism project, entitled Exposing the gaze. She photographed the sculpture with two models from her class, depicting the male gaze. 

Speaking about her work, Aish said: “It was about the male gaze, so I looked at a lot of feminism and hyper sexualisation of women’s bodies and from that I made sculptures and then I used those sculptures and the models who interacted with them in the photography that I made. I took lots of photos, but the main one was the one that was submitted. 

“I’ve always liked using feminism in my art and tackling challenging subjects and being a woman myself it’s easier to relate those themes into my art. I think it’s an important subject that people play around with, but they don’t really tackle it head on and I hope that with my art I tackled it head on in a way was really exposing.” 

To choose the winning entries, Southampton Solent University collaborated with ‘a space’ arts, an Arts Council England National Portfolio organisation who have been supporting and inspiring artists in Southampton for 25 years. The winning entries represented five different colleges and featured mediums ranging from painting to photography. 

Aish’s photograph along with the winners and the other highly commented entry, went on display in an exhibition housed in shipping containers in Guildhall Square in Southampton.  

Aish recently attended a special showing in Southampton’s Guildhall Square, where the winners and highly commended entries were announced to an audience of friends, family and members of Southeast England’s art community. 

Aish is studying an Art and Design Level 3 Foundation at Reading College and University Centre.  

Speaking about being highly commended, Aish said: “It feels a bit surreal. I’ve never had my art in a public exhibition other than in the Reading College End of Year show in the summer. 

“Going down and seeing that I got highly commended was a very surreal experience but also nice because I worked so hard on that project so it’s nice that it gets that recognition.  

“I spoke to one of the judges, Nina Sverdvik, Course Leader Photography, at Southampton Solent University who was very interested in my work and impressed with my photography and asked if I was going to pursue it in the future. She said that she found it very captivating.”  

“It’s given me more confidence in my work. I applied on a whim and then I got the email that I had been shortlisted which gave me a much-needed confidence boost.”  

Celia Green, Visual Arts Teacher at Activate Learning, said: “She’s done so well, and I think the piece of work that she submitted was very thought-provoking and it was a really good push within her practice at that time. 

“I’m so proud of her and I think it’s a really good starting point for her artistic journey and her career, and it will be amazing to put on her CV and in the future that she’s had that experience of an exhibition and that other people in the art world also recognised her talent.” 

In September, Aish will go to Falmouth University to study a BA (hons) degree in Fine Art, as she wishes to pursue her studies in this area.  

Discover our Art, Design and Digital Creative programmes available to study at Reading College or contact us via 0800 612 6008. 

 

ENDS 

 

Notes for editors 

 

Images 

 

Images can be viewed via We Transfer using the following link: https://we.tl/t-4KgsN9dWc5

 

Aish Kheti-Heer, Art Foundation student at Reading College and University Centre cropped. 

 

Aish Kheti-Heer, Art Foundation student at Reading College and University Centre. 

 

Aish Kheti-Heer’s photography on display in Southampton Solent University’s Fine Art and Photography competition exhibition. 

 

About Activate Learning: 

 

Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group working across further and higher education, schools, apprenticeships and training. We transform lives through learning. 

 

GROUP MEMBERS: 

 

Activate Apprenticeships | Activate Business School | Activate Cycle Academies | Activate Rugby Academy | Banbury and Bicester College | Bracknell and Wokingham College | City of Oxford College and University Centre | Farnham College | Guildford College | Merrist Wood College and University Centre | Reading College and University Centre  

 

www.activatelearning.ac.uk 

 

For more information, please contact Rebecca Duncan, Marketing Communications Officer at Activate Learning, on 01344 566449, 07493970252 or email Rebecca.Duncan@ActivateLearning.ac.uk 

 

 

 

Stoke on Trent College has added two new organisations to its portfolio of Future Skills Pledge partners.

Materials development, testing and assurance firm Lucideon have signed the pledge, as have the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust.

Stoke on Trent College is committed to ‘Partnerships with a Purpose’ – a key strategic priority detailed in the College corporate strategy, Skills Ready, Future Ready.

Lucideon will work at depth to help the College to shape the curriculum across STEM subjects, having already been part of the college’s Skills Advisory Panels. Moving forward they will offer site visits and work experience for STEM and Construction learners. The college is also exploring ways to support Lucideon’s apprenticeship delivery.

As part of the Future Skills Pledge signing, representatives from the College were given a tour of Lucideon’s Stone-based facilities and the chance to find out more about different parts of the business.

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust have also committed to the pledge and will be supporting the college with second year placements for T Level Health students. Professionals from the trust are also keen to meet and support students from right across different levels in Health and Social Care.

Hassan Rizvi, Principal & CEO at Stoke on Trent College commented:

“We are really excited to have both Lucideon and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust signed up as Future Skills Pledge partners.

“We’re looking forward to working more closely with Lucideon to inform and evolve our STEM courses to ensure our learners are work ready. The Combined Healthcare Trust will lend their industry expertise to our T Level Health learners initially, but will also look to support other Health and Social Care learners.

“Working with industry leaders will only enhance the courses we offer, and give our learners the best chance to gain employment in their chosen field.”

Kenny Laing, Chief Nursing Officer at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to sign the future skills pledge with the College.  Supporting the development of local people and contributing in partnership to the development of local partnerships and life opportunities is something to which we attach enormous importance.  We look forward to deepening and developing our links with the College over the course of the coming year and beyond.”

Tony Kinsella, CEO at Lucideon commented,

“I am delighted that Lucideon is a partner with Stoke on Trent College, and we are able to sign the Future Skills Pledge. It is vital that our nation has the right skills for its growth mission; It is even more vital that we can help our people in the region acquire the necessary skills.  

“I have to say that if all colleges of learning adopted the flexible, adaptable, and industrial focused approach to learning then we would have more of the skills for our nation, and more of our nation wanting to acquire those skills.” 

Lucideon and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust join Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Carson Powell Construction and Carse and Waterman amongst others as Future Skills Pledge Partners for Stoke on Trent College.

If your business would be interested in becoming a partner of Stoke on Trent College, please contact the Business Support team on 01782 603603 or emailing business@stokecoll.ac.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Stoke on Trent College serves up to 9000 students a year including young people, adults and apprentices. Working with a wide range of employers in key growth areas of the economy such as Digital, Construction, Engineering, STEM and Health and Social Care and more.
• The College also work with young adults who may have a special educational or additional need.
• A wide range of flexible and distance learning is provided by the College to individuals and businesses.

For all media enquiries, please contact marketing@stokecoll.ac.uk  

Hospitality and Catering students from Stoke on Trent College have served up an exquisite range of treats and delights for civic leaders of Stoke-on-Trent, ahead of a special meal to celebrate the city’s centenary year.

City dignitaries were invited to the college’s award-winning AA Rosette Hammersley Restaurant, for a special tasting event.

This event was to help shape the menu for the Centenary lunch which students will prepare and serve to 50 special guests on Thursday 5 June; the city’s official 100^th birthday.

Guests were invited to try sample a three-course taster menu, which included starters such as white crab and compressed watermelon, with mains including rump of lamb and chalk stream trout and finally, desserts such as mango pudding and summer fruit custard tart. Following each course, guests were asked to vote for their favourite and a winning dish was selected.

Steve Heaton, Catering and Hospitality Subject Lead at Stoke on Trent College said,

“Our hospitality and catering students were delighted to plan and prepare the tasting event ahead of the Centenary lunch. This was a great opportunity for them to experience a live-event which allowed them to utilise their skills and knowledge. There is nothing better than the opportunities events like this provide, to plan and prepare meals as well as honing their front of house skills.”

Hassan Rizvi, Principal & CEO at Stoke on Trent College said,

“The college is honoured to be hosting the Centenary lunch in June. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent’s 100^th birthday and provide our students with another opportunity to really shine as they showcase their talents.  I’d like to thank our hospitality and catering students for working so hard on these fantastic menus which were all absolutely delicious.”

Councillor Lyn Sharpe, Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, said:

“It was a privilege to be able to attend this tasting event and sample the amazing efforts of Stoke-on-Trent College’s hospitality and catering students.

“Everyone did a great job and as we gear up towards the Centenary lunch in June, judging from the food tasted, the lunch is going to be a spectacular event and yet another thing to get excited about in our centenary celebrations this year.”

 In 2025, Stoke-on-Trent celebrates a century since the city received its well-deserved status, honouring the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique identity that have made Stoke-on-Trent a global name. A number of events are planned throughout the year to mark the centenary.

To find out the latest dining days and evenings at The Hammersley, please visit – https://stokecoll.ac.uk/hammersley-restaurant/

To find out more about the SOT 100 campaign, please visit – https://sot100.org.uk/

City of Bristol College has cemented its position as one of the top-performing further education colleges in the UK, achieving outstanding results in the 2023-2024 academic year according to the Government’s Further Education Performance Tables. 
 
With overall achievement rates rising by 3.3 percentage points, the college now stands 2.3 points above the national average, placing it within the top 25 per cent of further education colleges nationwide. 

Exceptional progress has been demonstrated across multiple areas, with students’ achievement rates within the 16-18 age bracket soaring by 6.4 percentage points, helping to make City of Bristol College the highest-performing further education institution in the region. 
 
Adult provision at the college also continues to thrive, ranking in the top 20 per cent nationally, while students with disclosed learning needs or difficulties and those from Global Majority backgrounds are also achieving above national benchmarks. 
 
GCSE English and Maths was also highlighted with achievement rates exceeding national averages across all age groups, with adult learners excelling in higher-grade attainment. 
 
Retention rates at the college also point to the quality of education provided with an impressive level of 91.8% of students demonstrating their commitment to the college, with adult learners achieving an exceptional 94.6% retention rate. 
 
Speaking about this incredible achievement, Julia Gray, Principal and Chief Executive Officer commented:  

“These results are a true testament to both the dedication of our students and the outstanding commitment of our colleagues.  
 
“At City of Bristol College, we strive to continuously provide an inclusive and high-quality education that empowers learners to achieve their full potential.  
 
“To be recognised as a leading further education college both regionally and nationally is a tremendous accomplishment and one that we take true pride in. We will take this pride and continue to build on this success for the benefit of our students and the wider community.” 

Heart of Worcestershire (HoW) College is looking forward to hosting its upcoming Adult and Higher Education (HE) Open Event, taking place on Thursday 1st May 2025 from 5pm-8pm at its Worcester and Redditch campuses.

The event provides an excellent opportunity for prospective students to explore a wide range of Adult and HE courses, tour the College’s state-of-the-art facilities, and receive expert advice from industry-leading tutors. Whether prospective students are looking to upskill with short courses, change career paths, embark on a higher education journey, or explore professional programmes, HoW College’s Open Event will help visitors take the next step towards their future.

Visitors can drop in at any time during the event and are encouraged to register their interest using the links provided below:

• For Adult Courses: https://forms.office.com/e/eBjCaeikrE
• For HE Courses: https://forms.office.com/e/5Hm5QwnTRp

Please note that attendees will not receive a ticket or confirmation email upon registration; all necessary details will be emailed closer to the event date.

At the Worcester campus, attendees can explore Adult courses in ESOL, Functional Skills and GCSE Maths and English, Digital and IT, Cyber Security, Work Ready pathways (including care, retail, and teaching assistant), and Preparing to Work in Schools. The HE provision at Worcester includes Access to HE, Computing and IT, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Human Resources, Leadership and Management, Marketing, Sport, and Teacher Training.

The Redditch campus will also offer Adult courses in ESOL, Functional Skills and GCSE Maths and English, Digital and IT, Cyber Security, Work Ready pathways, and Preparing to Work in Schools. In addition, HE courses available at Redditch include Access to HE, Accounting and Bookkeeping, Business and Management, Games Design and Digital Media, and Sport.

Prospective students can also explore professional courses including Strategic Management and Leadership.

Adrian Price, Manager for Higher Education at HoW College, said: “We are delighted to welcome prospective students to our Worcester and Redditch campuses for our Adult and Higher Education Open Event. At HoW College, we are committed to providing high-quality education and training opportunities that help individuals achieve their career and personal development goals. This event is the perfect chance to discover the many pathways available, speak with our dedicated tutors, and take the first step towards an exciting future.”

Curriculum Leader Steve Williams and Lecturer Gerard Morgan from the Electronic Engineering department at Gower College Swansea have been awarded one of seven highly competitive Technical Teaching Fellowships for 2025/26.

These prestigious awards are made jointly by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

Steve and Gerard’s joint Fellowship will look at their WorldSkills focused project, The Skills Sphere.

In November, Gerard presented on the project to other WorldSkills practitioners in Manchester and was then approached by a representative from ETF, who encouraged him to apply to the Fellowship programme.

The Skills Sphere allows learners the opportunity to take part in pressure tests within the classroom. Pressure testing emulates real work tasks within a given deadline so students get a taste of what life is like in the workplace, while aiming to achieve their individual personal best times and developing their soft and technical skills.

In addition, the project has strengthened the department’s many links to industry, involving local employers such as Fisher & Paykel, Zeta Alarms and Trojan Electronics in a skills questionnaire which looks to address knowledge gaps.

The Fellowships were formally awarded at an event held at the Royal Society in London on Friday 28 March. The event saw Fellows from previous years presenting on their Fellowship activity and its impact.

Applications for Technical Teaching Fellowships are assessed against criteria including demonstrating highly effective approaches to improving teaching and learning in technical education, how the Fellowship will be used to inspire others, and the planning of professional development opportunities to impact on the pedagogy and professional practice of other teachers and trainers.

Due to the high quality of this year’s applications, 2025/26 Fellows are the largest cohort yet with seven Fellowships being awarded to nine Fellows. This year’s cohort includes the first Fellow from the Channel Islands as well as Technical Teaching Fellows from across England and Wales.

Fellows will develop knowledge transfer and exchange activities, sharing effective practice at national and regional conferences and via networks, facilitating CPD and contributing to thought leadership through an established technical community of practice. They will also contribute to a final report to engage and motivate technical education practitioners in their specialist subject areas.

All Fellows now also become alumni of the Royal Commission, providing them with further support to drive quality improvement in technical STEM teaching and training.

“We are delighted that Steve and Gerard have been awarded this prestigious joint Fellowship from the ETF,” says Principal Kelly Fountain. “Steve has played a very important role in ensuring the College’s excellent reputation for vocational training for over 40 years, steering countless students to skills competition success on both the regional and national stage, combining his work as a Curriculum Leader for Electronic Engineering with his dedication as a Worldskills trainer.

“Gerard has also played a crucial role in the mentoring and coaching of the next generation of talent within the sector. Both have strengthened and enhanced the College’s link with industry during the course of this exciting project. Huge congratulations to them both – this recognition is very much deserved.”

Visit ETF’s website for the full story.

Photo: Education and Training Foundation.

Gower College Swansea continues to proudly welcome a diverse group of international students studying mainly A Levels at its Gorseinon Campus.

This year, students have joined us from countries including China, Vietnam, Canada, Italy, and Botswana, bringing with them a wealth of cultural experiences that enhance and internationalise our College community.

The College has earned an excellent reputation for its outstanding A Level results and strong progression rates to top universities both in Wales and across the UK. International students benefit from this high-quality academic environment, with dedicated support to help them achieve their aspirations.

To strengthen these international ties, the College maintains numerous partnerships with schools around the world. In support of this initiative, our Head of International Ruth Owen Lewis and CEO Mark Jones MBE recently returned from an enriching visit to China.

The visit included engagements with a number of schools and stakeholders, with two days spent in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province. Wuhan is Swansea’s sister city and shares a rich historical connection with our community.

The bond between Wuhan and Swansea dates back to the mid-19th century, highlighted by the contributions of Griffith John, a Swansea-born missionary who arrived in Wuhan in 1861. His enduring legacy includes the establishment of Wuhan’s first hospital, which has since evolved into the United Hospital of China, serving over 3.5 million people annually. The hospital’s museum remains a tribute to Griffith John’s remarkable work.

Additionally, Griffith John founded the city’s first school in 1896, the site of today’s Wuhan Number 4 Middle School and one of the most successful schools in the city. Some of the original buildings, meticulously restored, stand as a testament to his contributions and are a source of pride and gratitude for the people of Wuhan.

Speaking about the visit, Mark Jones MBE said: “It was a privilege to witness first hand the strength of our sister city relationship and the lasting impact of Griffith John’s legacy.

“These ties continue to develop cultural understanding and collaboration between our communities.”

Gower College Swansea looks forward to continuing its commitment to international engagement, celebrating the rich exchange of ideas and experiences that benefit both our students and the wider community.

ENDS

HSDC is proud to celebrate the success of its recent educational expedition to India, organized in collaboration with Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) and funded by the Turing Scheme. This initiative provided students with an unparalleled opportunity to expand their academic, professional, and personal horizons through immersive learning experiences abroad.

Over the course of 18 days, 24 students from diverse disciplines engaged in a structured program designed to enhance global awareness, foster cross-cultural collaboration, and develop industry-specific skills. From tackling India’s environmental and water management challenges to exploring the richness of its culinary arts, sports science, and performing arts, students gained invaluable hands-on experience in a completely new environment.

The trip was designed to align with HSDC’s commitment to inclusive, high-impact learning, ensuring that all participants could develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills – key attributes for success in today’s interconnected world. By stepping outside their comfort zones, students were able to build confidence, embrace new perspectives, and form meaningful international connections.

Beyond academics, students took part in cultural immersion activities, including visits to iconic sites such as the Taj Mahal, traditional Indian dance workshops, and community engagement projects. These experiences allowed them to appreciate India’s rich heritage while reflecting on their own personal and professional growth.

Julio Carrillo, HSDC’s Turing Scheme Coordinator, emphasised the significance of this initiative:

 “The Turing Scheme enables us to go beyond the classroom, turning global mobility into a powerful educational tool. This trip was about more than just travel—it was about fostering innovation, creating opportunities, and removing barriers to learning. Watching students thrive in this environment has been truly inspiring.”

As HSDC continues to strengthen its partnership with MREI, the success of this trip paves the way for future collaborations, with plans already in motion for a 2026 mobility program. The achievements of this expedition reinforce the college’s dedication to providing students with transformative international experiences that equip them for the future.

To find out more about HSDC’s previous Turing Trips, click here: https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/news/tag/turing-scheme/

Walsall College’s in-house company, Future Flames Productions (FFP) is celebrating after winning an Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Award.  The creative media team manages the initiative on behalf of their students and received the Edge Foundation Award for Excellence in Real World Learning.

Future Flames Productions (FFP) is the UK’s only college-based commercial production company giving creative media students real live experience of producing high- quality video content.  Any money from their client commissions goes towards students’ academic and personal development including course-related trips and resources to complete their coursework.

Run by the AoC, the Beacon Awards celebrate best practice and innovation and highlight excellence within the further education sector across a range of categories.  The aim of the awards programme is to demonstrate and promote the far-reaching impact of colleges on their student and the communities they serve.

Creative media lecturer and Future Flames Productions founder, Melissa Tisdale said she was thrilled by the award win.

“This is the icing on the cake for an initiative originally designed to give students extra opportunities to enhance their learning and help them feel they truly belong in the creative media industry,” she said.

“While it has grown into so much more—enabling students to engage with community stakeholders, raise awareness of social issues, and advocate for positive change—at its core, it remains about believing in what’s possible.

“I’m proud our work has been recognised in such a high-profile way, giving the FE sector a chance to come together and celebrate our lasting impact across the communities we serve.”

Since launching in 2021, FFP has seen students work on over 100 films for organisations including Walsall Council, West Midlands Combined Authority, whg and The James Brindley Foundation.  Their work has addressed issues relating to health and wellbeing, race equality, knife crime and child exploitation.

FFP’s ethos is very much about doing what is taught in the classroom out in the real world and in real time, with commissioned work directly contributing to student assessments and shaping their career paths.

As a result, students’ progression onto higher education at the college and other universities has increased and they have ventured into freelance work and self-employment as video editors and content creators.  FFP continues to evolve and grow by creating work experience avenues for other creative industries students and by increasing their client base.

Kat Emms, Education & Policy Senior Research at Edge Foundation added: “Congratulations to Walsall College! This AoC Beacon Award for Excellence in Real World Learning is so important for recognising the innovative and cutting-edge approaches to teaching and learning from the sector. Walsall College have shown that through the fantastic Future Flames Production initiative, they have enabled their learners to have life-changing experiences that are embedded in the real world, allowing them to engage with employers and the wider community to ultimately develop their professional and personal skills and inspire their career aspirations.”

Jatinder Sharma CBE DL, Principal and Chief Executive at Walsall College added: “This award celebrates how a pathway between the classroom and the real working world inspires, informs and helps prepare students for their future careers.

“It’s fantastic that so many local employers are supporting emerging talent within one of our region’s fastest-growing industries.  

“The college is also pleased that our talented students and staff can invest in their professional development while advocating for social change.  The success of FFP is a result of their drive and ambition and we hope this initiative continues to bring many more positive outcomes for the individuals and organisations involved.”