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Buckinghamshire College Group is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Bronze Award in Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware Practice by the Buckinghamshire Virtual School. This recognition reflects the College’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment for all learners, particularly those who have experienced adversity.  

The Bronze Award is part of a county-wide initiative led by the Buckinghamshire Virtual School to equip educational settings with the knowledge and strategies needed to support vulnerable children and young people. Trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches are proven to help learners overcome barriers, build resilience, and achieve their full potential.   

This achievement comes on the heels of the College’s recent Ofsted inspection, which rated Buckinghamshire College Group as “Good” across all categories, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and provision for learners with high needs.  

The College’s trauma informed work is closely aligned with its role in Opportunity Bucks, Buckinghamshire Council’s flagship programme to improve opportunities for people in the county’s most disadvantaged communities.  

Nicky Ellis, Assistant Principal for Student Engagement and Support, said:  

“We are delighted to receive the Bronze Award from the Buckinghamshire Virtual School. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the strength of our community. By embedding trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches, we are not only supporting our most vulnerable learners but creating a culture where every student feels safe, respected, and empowered to achieve their best. We are proud to lead the way in trauma-informed education for post-16 learners and look forward to expanding our impact in 2025 and of course achieving our Silver Award!”  

Emma Owen, Head of the Buckinghamshire Virtual School, commented:  

“Buckinghamshire College Group has demonstrated a deep commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of all its learners. Their work in trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice sets a powerful example for others and will have a lasting impact on the lives of young people across the county.” 

As part of the Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware Programme, the College collaborated with twelve local schools who are now beginning their own journeys, reflecting a growing sector-wide commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of children and young people. 

This award reinforces Buckinghamshire College Group’s commitment to supporting every learner and fostering an environment where all students can thrive. The College will continue to build on this work, ensuring that trauma informed and attachment aware practices remain at the heart of its approach to education and student wellbeing. 

Following an assessment by Social Work England in August, the University Centre Grimsby has received official confirmation that they are now an accredited social work education institute.

Social Work England is the specialist regulator for the sector. It sets out the professional standards that a social worker in England must know, understand, and be able to do.

Speaking about what this accreditation means for the local area, Andy Cowdroy, Social Work Lead at the University Centre Grimsby, said:

“The aim of setting up our social work programmes is to work collaboratively with local partners and stakeholders to deliver and maintain the social work workforce. There are so many people out there who would make amazing social workers but are unable to access education. This will no longer be the case; we can now provide local social work education for local people.

“I want to say a huge thank you to all of those who have contributed to developing the programmes, as well as being part of the inspection. We could not have done it without your support.”

Ann-Marie Matson, Director of Children’s Services at North East Lincolnshire Council, who worked closely with University Centre Grimsby on the programmes, said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the University Centre Grimsby, which has led to a social work degree course being created and will strengthen the local social work workforce. This collaboration is a real investment in our borough’s future – giving local people the opportunity to train, qualify and build rewarding careers in social work right here in our community.

“By developing skilled and passionate practitioners close to home, we can make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people, and adults across our area. This is an exciting step forward for social work in our borough and a testament to what can be achieved!”

John Allen, Principal Social Worker for Adults Social Care, also shared:

“Having social work programmes delivered locally at the University Centre in Grimsby is a great step forward for our community. It means aspiring social workers can train close to home, strengthening the social care workforce and ensuring we reflect the needs of North East Lincolnshire. This investment in education will help us attract and retain talented people who are committed to making a difference in people’s lives.”

From September 2026, University Centre Grimsby will offer a full-time BA (Hons) Social Work degree and a BA (Hons) Social Work Degree Apprenticeship. The new social work courses are validated by TEC Partnership as the degree-awarding body. The degree apprenticeship has been developed following grant funding from the Office for Students. Both courses represent an exciting and innovative new higher education offer for Grimsby. 

Three Learning and Development Apprentices from Stoke on Trent College have secured promotions at bet365 as they near the completion of their End-Point Assessments (EPAs).

Katie Myatt, Fabiola Pasquantonio, and Jacob Holmes all began their Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3 Apprenticeship at the College in early 2024 and have now progressed to the role of Senior Training Officer at bet365.

Fabiola Pasquantonio, who has been with bet365 for four years, saw the Apprenticeship as a great opportunity to develop her career, saying,

“An Apprenticeship is a great way to invest in yourself and your career. When my manager proposed the opportunity, it was an easy yes. The course helped me understand the full scope of what’s expected of a Learning and Development Practitioner, especially in a senior role.”

Katie Myatt began her Apprenticeship in February 2024 and viewed the programme as a chance to upskill and advance her career.

“I was around 18 months into my role as a Training Officer when my manager offered me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge and challenge myself academically. I’ve wanted to work in learning and development from a young age. As an adult learner, I felt some trepidation returning to education, but the support from our Tutor has been superb,” Katie said.

Jacob Holmes is currently completing his End-Point Assessment, expected to conclude in January. He has been serving as a Senior Training Officer since the start of the year, and said:

“The role has allowed me to explore a broader range of learning and development initiatives at bet365. Since my promotion, I’ve been building learning pathways and delivering courses. Our Tutor Diane has been fantastic, providing a wealth of resources and going above and beyond to support us.”

Katie, Fabiola, and Jacob represent the first cohort of Learning and Development Apprentices since Stoke on Trent College partnered with bet365.

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

“Stoke on Trent College is the largest Apprenticeship provider in the City, with a proven track record of delivering programmes that ensure learners are Skills Ready, Future Ready. I’d like to congratulate Katie, Fabiola, and Jacob on excelling in their Apprenticeships and securing promotions at bet365. I also extend my thanks to our partners at bet365 for supporting career progression opportunities for their employees.”

Explore the latest Apprenticeship vacancies at Stoke on Trent College: https://stokecoll.ac.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies-2/.

ENDS

• Photo caption – from left to right – Katie Myatt, Jacob Holmes and Fabiola Pasquantonio apprentices at bet365
• Stoke on Trent College serves up to 7000 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.

Gower College Swansea has welcomed the Team Wales torch to Tycoch Campus, marking a key milestone on its journey across Wales ahead of this year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals.

The torch relay is building excitement ahead of the National Finals – hosted in Wales for the very first time on 26-28 November – and shining a spotlight on the road to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, known globally as the ‘Skills Olympics’.

Across Wales, colleges have joined together to celebrate the collective effort behind Team Wales’ success in vocational skills. These competitions begin locally with Skills Competition Wales, coordinated by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project, before progressing to national and international levels.

At the Tycoch Campus, the torch took centre stage during a special celebration event involving students and staff, local schools, employer partners, VIPs and past medal winners in a range of ‘Have a Go’ activities, demos and workshops.

Seven students from Gower College Swansea have reached the National Finals of WorldSkills 2025. Huge congratulations to:

Eva Robins – Foundation Skills: Restaurant Services
Bradley Claringbold, Hamza Imansouren and Kai Pagett – Industrial Electronics
Evelyn Howells – Restaurant Service
Ffion Davies – SFX Makeup and Hair for Film and TV
Kyle Steele – Welding

More than 400 of the UK’s most talented students and apprentices have been named as finalists for this year’s WorldSkills UK national competitions, where they’ll battle it out to be crowned the country’s best across dozens of skilled trades. They were selected from nearly 7,900 young people who registered to showcase their skills and competed in regional events. The 47 competitions include aircraft maintenance, welding and horticulture.

Wales has a strong association with Team UK and sent three competitors to last year’s WorldSkills event in Lyon.

Medallists will be announced at an awards ceremony on the evening of November 28 at the International Convention Centre in Newport. Foundation skills medallists will get their awards at a ceremony at Cardiff and Vale College earlier in the day.

“We were honoured to host the Team Wales torch at our Tycoch Campus,” said Interim Principal, Paul Kift. “We’re now eagerly anticipating the start of the National Finals on 26 November, where seven of our talented learners will proudly represent the College across a range of vocational disciplines. I’d like to wish all competitors the very best of luck – it’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and dedication on a national stage.”

Ben Blackledge, CEO of WorldSkills UK said: “With employers all over the UK crying out for high-quality skills, this is a fantastic opportunity for hundreds of learners to show they are ready for work. I can’t wait to see the finalists in action.”

Welsh Government Skills Minister Jack Sargeant hailed the move of the national competitions to Wales as ‘thrilling.’

“We look forward to showing off our beautiful country to visiting teams while our hard-working competitors prepare to demonstrate their training,” he said. “I’m keen to see our representatives excel once again across a range of disciplines on their home soil.”

Ibstock Plc, a UK leading manufacturer of building products, has officially launched its pilot Ibstock Academy at Walsall College, marking a key milestone in its commitment to supporting construction skills across the sector.

The Academy was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Walsall College’s Green Lane Campus, attended by students, educators, and representatives from across the industry – including Keon Homes, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Home Builders Federation (HBF).

The ceremony was led by James Norris, Assistant Principal – Commercial Development and Jo Hodge, Ibstock’s HR, Sustainability and Social Impact Director, who formally opened the Academy.

As the first building materials manufacturer to have joined the HBF’s Partner a College programme, Ibstock is taking a leading role in bridging the gap between education and employment. The Academy will initially support brick laying students with practical, job-ready training that reflects the pace, high quality standards, and safety expectations of construction.

Jo Hodge, HR, Sustainability and Social Impact Director at Ibstock Plc, said: “For over two hundred years, Ibstock has served its customers and the wider construction industry. We recognise that skills are one of the biggest challenges facing the sector, and we are committed to playing our part. The Ibstock Academy will bring business and education together to support students in their development. We are committed to bring industry insights and reinforce on-site safety and quality in their full-time training to help students build meaningful careers in construction. Walsall is a strategically important location for us, and we’re proud to invest in its future.”

The launch of the Ibstock Academy comes on the heels of Ibstock’s latest £64 million investment into its new Atlas brick factory in the Walsall area, which now produces the Group’s lowest carbon bricks using state-of-the-art technology. The rebuild created around 50 new jobs and three apprenticeships and has placed the local community at the heart of its operations from day one of the build.

As part of its broader social impact strategy, Ibstock has also piloted a Work 4 Homes programme in Walsall to inspire and support local social housing residents into employment, alongside other community initiatives aimed at building inclusive pathways into the built environment.

The Ibstock Academy at Walsall College is the first pilot of its kind for the Ibstock Group and will serve as a blueprint for future partnerships between manufacturers and colleges across the UK.

James Norris, Assistant Principal – Commercial Development commented: “Walsall College has actively invested in its construction facilities in recent years to better meet the needs of local employers and the construction sector. The Ibstock Academy exemplifies how partnerships forged between further education colleges and industry enhance our contribution to skills development.

“This new learning environment inspires students and apprentices to deepen their knowledge of the sector while preparing them effectively for the world of work. It reinforces vital values such as site safety, sustainability, and quality, creating a solid foundation for success in their careers.

“By nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent, we are enabling future workforces to support new homebuilding schemes as well as wider regeneration and infrastructure projects currently underway and planned throughout the West Midlands.”

Buckinghamshire College Group is proud to welcome Mandate PR as our newest Cornerstone Employer for our Marketing T Level programme, marking the beginning of a dynamic partnership aimed at empowering students with real-world industry experience. This announcement coincides with T Level Week 2025 (13th–17th October), a national celebration of technical education and the transformative impact of T Levels. 

As a Cornerstone Employer, Mandate PR will work closely with the College to support our students by sharing industry insights, expertise and opportunities. This exciting collaboration will see Mandate PR provide work experience placements, enabling students to develop their professional skills and gain valuable real-world exposure.  

Members of the Mandate PR team will also visit us on campus to deliver engaging masterclasses and guest lectures, offering students a first-hand look at the fast-paced world of public relations and communications.  

Tracey Matthews, Vice Principal – Commercial & Partnerships at Buckinghamshire College Group, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Mandate PR as a Cornerstone Employer for our Marketing T Level. Their commitment ensures that students gain the skills and insights needed to thrive in the fast-evolving world of communications. By offering industry placements not only in Marketing but also in Business, Mandate PR is giving our students an exceptional opportunity to experience the energy and creativity of a leading PR agency. This partnership exemplifies how employers can play a transformative role in preparing young people for successful careers.” 

The partnership will play an important role in shaping the future of our T Level Marketing course, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant and closely aligned to the needs of employers in the creative and communications sector. 

Georgie Sears, Campaign and Engagement Lead at Mandate PR, added:

“We are delighted to be joining Buckinghamshire College Group as a Cornerstone Employer. We are passionate about supporting the next generation of talent. Providing young people with industry experience is a vital way to develop skills and build future careers. This aligns strongly with our company values around giving back to our local communities. We are looking forward to developing a long and fruitful relationship with the College.” 

This partnership not only strengthens Buckinghamshire College Group’s network of Cornerstone Employers but also reinforces our commitment to preparing students for successful careers. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on our students’ futures. 

To learn more about our courses, visit Buckinghamshire College Group’s website at www.buckscollegegroup.ac.uk or contact our admissions team at admissions@buckscollegegroup.ac.uk  (01296 588599).  

About Buckinghamshire College Group: 

Buckinghamshire College Group (Bucks College Group) is a further education college with campuses in Aylesbury, Wycombe, and Amersham. The College provides vocational, technical, and professional skills education to over 4,500 students annually. The College provides full-time education for students aged 16 to 18, alongside a robust provision for adult learners and apprenticeships. Buckinghamshire College Group was formed from the merger of Aylesbury College and Amersham & Wycombe College in October 2017. The College is currently developing a new modern campus to be in the centre of High Wycombe which would bring together the provision offered at the existing Amersham and Wycombe sites. 

Hundreds of young learners were recently invited to attend the launch of the Swansea Seren Hub for 2025/26, where they were able to find out more about the skills needed to apply to the UK’s top universities.

The event, led by Gower College Swansea and Swansea University and held at the Great Hall on the latter’s Bay Campus, was attended by over 300 students from the College and local sixth form schools, many of whom were joined by their parents and guardians.

After an introductory welcome given by Dr Emma Smith – the College’s Academic Enrichment Manager and the Swansea Seren Coordinator – the stage was handed over to Gower College Swansea’s Vice Principal for Curriculum, Quality, Teaching and Learning, Nikki Neale, and Swansea University’s Executive Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Professor David Smith.

Nikki and David talked about the many benefits to young people of getting involved with the Swansea Seren Hub, from both a higher education and further education viewpoint.

Alumni Cosima Wohlschlegel and Megan Salter both took to the stage to share how Seren had provided them with opportunities to develop their passion for their subjects as well as supporting them in their applications to universities.

Cosima talked with enthusiasm about the range of super-curriculars she has undertaken through the Seren Academy that will help her apply to Oxford University to study Biology. Megan was able to inspire the audience with a description of her academic journey from Gower College Swansea to Swansea University, where she is now starting a PhD.

“The Swansea Seren Hub allows for a super-curricular exploration of subjects which is vital in developing students’ academic curiosity and intellectual flexibility,” says Emma. “Our launch event is a great example of the strong working partnership which exists between the Seren Academy, the College, the University, and the seven Swansea schools – a collaboration which aims to widen the participation of young people who aspire to apply to top higher education institutions.”

After the talks, students were invited into breakout areas where – led by Swansea University academics – they took part in taster masterclasses. Parents and guardians were also able to take part in a Q&A with the panel of speakers including Emma Turner, Swansea University’s Associate Head of Inbound Recruitment Team.

Seren is a Welsh Government initiative dedicated to helping Wales’ brightest learners achieve their full academic potential in the UK and overseas. Available to all academically able learners from Year 8 to Year 13, the Seren Academy offers interactive sessions and unique study experiences to help students make informed decisions about applying to leading universities.

This includes advice and guidance workshops from Oxford and Cambridge admissions tutors, university admissions preparations sessions, access to subject masterclasses led by university academics, and residentials in Oxford and Cambridge.

Gower College Swansea was recently named by the Daily Mail as one of the Top 30 UK state schools / colleges for getting young people into Cambridge and Oxford universities.