Cambridge Regional College student organises consultation with local MP
Student Union President and Level 3 Sports Studies student, Sophie Day from Cambridge Regional College invited Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, to attend the college for a forum with students and staff about the importance of fair funding for further education (FE). Mr Zeichner, who recently referenced the region’s colleges during a parliamentary debate speech on FE funding, addressed a full room, fielding questions from both students and staff about the role of FE in local economies and college funding. On visiting Cambridge Regional College, he said, “I am a strong supporter of FE colleges and have recently called on the Government to reverse the “near invisibility of Further Education” in policy and Parliament. FE colleges are engines of growth and skill generators for the country’s regions. It was great to see such interest and drive from the CRC students campaigning for the sector during my recent visit. The Student Union representatives are clearly passionate about the cause and Sophie in particular was keen to tell me about her plans to get students and staff involved.” Following her attendance at the NUS FEstival conference in Sheffield late last year, where the impact of funding cuts to the sector was a prominent theme, Sophie felt passionately about raising awareness of issues affecting colleges across the country. One of the first steps she took with the Students’ Union was to encourage fellow students to sign the petition on fairer funding for FE colleges which Daniel took to and led a parliamentary debate on. Sophie was delighted to host Mr Zeichner’s visit, saying “FE Colleges do amazing things, providing the opportunities to transform people’s lives, so imagine what could be done if more funding was available. I was delighted and a little surprised when my invitation to Daniel was accepted, it just goes to show that students do have the power to make a difference. I would like to thank Daniel again for visiting as this was a great way to raise awareness and get more people involved in finding solutions.” www.camre.ac.uk
Cambridge Regional College lecturer one of the first in the country to achieve Advanced Teacher Status
Christine Helme, Teaching and Learning Development Manager at Cambridge Regional College, is one of only a small number of teachers in the UK to have achieved Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) this year. Advanced Teacher Status is a widely respected accolade of advanced professionalism and mastery in further education and training. It is an advanced professional status that is conferred by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) through the Society for Education and Training (SET). Designed to offer a progression step from QTLS and recognise teachers and trainers with significant experience, the award can only be achieved by demonstrating mastery in teaching, an exemplary level of subject knowledge and effectiveness in working collaboratively to improve teaching standards. The ETF has worked closely with the Chartered College of Teaching to ensure holders are also granted Chartered Teacher Status. Assessments for those enrolled includes producing an in-depth portfolio that consists of critical incidents, case studies, research projects, reflective journals, meetings with mentees, observations of teaching practices and more. Less than fifty teachers from across the country achieved accreditation on Christine’s course this year. Christine says, “I am delighted to have achieved Advanced Teacher Status as this was an extremely challenging but rewarding endeavour. This experience encourages you to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and learners, as well as develop your skills in mentoring colleagues in a way that brings about positive change. Maintaining and updating your subject knowledge and educational research is essential for personal development and I am very thankful to have had this opportunity.” Cambridge Regional College Assistant Principal, Quality Improvement, Corrin Hoyes says, “We would like to congratulate Christine on this wonderful achievement. At CRC, we firmly believe in development for everyone, teachers and students, and encourage this across the college, providing regular training and CPD sessions for staff to keep their skills and knowledge at the cutting edge. Christine is a fantastic role model for both her colleagues and students; everyone at CRC is now set to benefit from her experience gained during this process”. Christine’s Advanced Teacher Status achievement is just one of many success stories relating to CRC lecturers in recent times. Catering lecturer Katie Churchard reached the second heat of Channel 4 cooking show, Bake Off: The Professionals earlier this year and QTLS lecturer Graham Taylor appeared on Channel S in his role as a judge of the ARTA Awards. CRC also played a significant part in the ‘Further Pathways to FE’ scheme, designed to encourage graduates to consider exploring a career in teaching in partnership with the Education and Training Foundation and local universities. For more information on CRC please visit www.camre.ac.uk
Cambridge Regional College set to inspire young people with a unique Junior Job Coach training programme
Cambridge Regional College has developed a unique training programme, the first of its kind in the UK, designed to empower apprentices to become coaches and mentors to fellow apprentices. Following a series of ERASMUS meetings (a European Union student exchange programme), with representatives from Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Romania and the UK, six key competences were identified – Engagement, Analysis, Confidentiality/Reliability, Problem Solving, Reassurance/Affirmation, Communication and Personal Development. These form the basis of a Competence Framework, to deliver the most desirable learning outcomes for a student or apprentice in the role of a Junior Job Coach (JJC). Once qualified, a JJC will be able to offer peer-to-peer coaching to fellow apprentices to achieve their own goals, providing leadership direction, setting boundaries and handling information carefully and confidentially. Suitable for apprentices at the end of their first year, or just starting their apprenticeship, the programme is delivered over a 2-day period, with maximum flexibility to suit individual needs. Conceived following a similar successful programme in the Netherlands, the unique Junior Job Coach programme can also be tailored to meet the different national systems throughout Europe. It will be introduced in the UK, via a series of test programmes, in January 2019 before its official roll out in Brussels in March 2019. Trudie McGuinness, Assistant Principal – International, at Cambridge Regional College, said “We are now seeking accreditation in the UK, with a view to expanding the Junior Job Coach training programme across Europe. With employers benefiting from an additional toolkit, at no additional cost, it’s a win-win for everyone and we are very confident that this training programme will bring many benefits to both employer and employee.” www.camre.ac.uk