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The College is delighted with the GCSE grades students have achieved this summer and thrilled to report an improvement in comparison to last year's performance.
Today, Thursday August 20, marks for many students another step towards creating their futures in higher education and employment.
Students today arrived in their numbers to collect their results in line with social distancing measures, after months of anxious waiting and uncertainty.
Over 600 students sat GSCE maths and English exams this year, with many also taking vocational qualifications designed to help them progress onto their chosen career.
Deputy Principal: Curriculum and Quality, Stella McManus said;
'We're so proud of our students celebrating their amazing achievement today. Not only is it proof of our students' commitment to succeed, during such challenging times, but it also reflects the high-quality teaching and learning that takes place here at the College, especially with the College transition to on-line learning during the lockdown period.'
She also commented: 'We've had lots of great success stories and we're very happy to see so many of our students progressing to higher levels of study which includes progression onto university, apprenticeships and into exciting careers.'
The College offers the opportunity for many adults to improve their literacy and numeracy skills. Access to Higher Education student, Tueta Asllanai, was excited about her results today after receiving a grade 7 in maths GCSE.
Tueta, who studied Computing and ICT alongside maths, said: 'It was challenging this year, but the online lessons were enjoyable, and the tutors were very supportive. The College has helped to prepare me for university.'
Another student, Ieva Brenceva, will also be moving on to university after receiving her grade 7 result. She said: 'I choose Waltham Forest College as a place to study to improve my career prospects. The teachers supported me extensively and I look forward to progressing to higher education.'
School leavers who have received their GCSE results and/or awaiting BTEC results can visit the College to enrol on a vocational course. The College's Learner Services Team is also on hand to advise and support those who are concerned about their grades and looking for a placement to start in September.
CURRENT UPDATE: Confirmation on Results Date, Friday 28th August 2020. The College Exam's Team will send an email to all students awaiting revised results.
Pearsons Statement: Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, BTEC and Apprenticeships...
Let me start by apologising again for the timing of the update we shared with you on Wednesday about our decision to review BTEC grading for our BTEC Level 1/2, Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. I know this placed an additional burden on you and your teams at an already very busy time, as well as further worry for your students. Please accept my sincere apologies for this.
As I mentioned then, we took this difficult decision in the interests of BTEC learners and to ensure fairness for them following Ofqual's decision to award centre assessment grades for A levels and GCSEs. Our priorities are to deliver fair outcomes for BTEC students in relation to A levels and GCSEs and to ensure that no student is disadvantaged.
As a reminder, the following BTECs are being reviewed and regraded where appropriate:
- BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF)
- BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards
- BTEC Level 2 Technicals
- BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.
We promised to share an update with you as soon as we could on timings for the release of revised grades and I am now able to confirm that all eligible results will be available by August 28. We are reviewing results at Level 3, including those with UCAS requirements, as an absolute priority and will start releasing those to schools/colleges from August 25.
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PREVIOUS UPDATE: Colleges have been told not to issue BTEC results today (Thursday 20th August) after an eleventh-hour grading U-turn from Pearson.
Following Ofqual's announcement that A-Level and GCSE students are to receive Centre Assessed Grades, Pearson have reviewed the impact on BTEC students and have decided to apply this same principle to students receiving BTECs this summer.
Pearson has asked colleges not to issue Level 1 and 2 BTECs on results day (Aug 20th) as they are now being regraded, along with the Level 3 nationals.
Waltham Forest College acknowledges the concern with the timing, as many of its students were due to get their results on results day, while others have already received theirs.
The College remains hopeful for this to be sorted soon so that students have the chance to celebrate and to plan their next steps. Waltham Forest College would like to encourage students to contact the College if they need any help or support during this time, and that all students can still enrol at the College.
Further information can be found here and you can contact Pearson support here.
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Urgent statement from Pearson regarding BTECs - Full Announcement
Following Ofqual's announcement that A Level and GCSE students are to receive Centre Assessment Grades, we have reviewed the impact on BTEC students and taken on board feedback from teachers, schools and colleges. Following our review and your feedback we have decided to apply Ofqual's principles for students receiving BTECs this summer.
This means we will now be regarding all the following BTECs - BTEC Level 3 Nationals (2010 QCF and 2016 RQF), BTEC Level 1/2 Tech Awards, BTEC Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Level 1/2 Firsts.
BTEC qualification results have been generally consistent with teacher and learner expectations, but we have become concerned about unfairness in relation to what are now significantly higher outcomes for GCSE and A Levels.
Although we generally accepted Centre Assessment Grades for internal (i.e. coursework) units, we subsequently calculated the grades for the examined units using historical performance data with a view of maintaining overall outcomes over time. Our review will remove these calculated grades and apply consistency across teacher assessed internal grades and examined grades that students were unable to sit.
We will work urgently with you to reissue these grades and will update you as soon as we possibly can. We want to reassure students that no grades will go down as part of this review.
We appreciate this will cause additional uncertainty for students and we are sorry about this. Our priority is to ensure fair outcomes for BTEC students in relation to A Levels and GCSEs and that no BTEC student is disadvantaged.
Therefore, we ask schools and colleges not to issue any BTEC L1 and L2 results tomorrow as these will be reviewed and where appropriate, regraded.
We will share more information as soon as we can. Please contact us if you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.
Students are celebrating achievements on BTEC results and for making it through a challenging year.
The College has a strong reputation for its vocational (work-related), and career-driven qualifications and over two hundred students secured university places, proving that traditional A-Levels are not the only route to university.
As with all levels of education this year, student grades have been calculated according to other factors, such as coursework and predicted grades. Results day has also taken on a new form and despite challenges faced, Waltham Forest College is celebrating the remarkable success rates and achievements of their learners.
Traditionally, students would be invited in to collect their results, but are celebrating at home with loved one's away from the College campus after receiving their results digitally.
Triple distinction student, Zamfir Beniamin, who studied BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sport Leyton Orient FC said: 'I was offered trial opportunities with Leyton Orient Football Club and gained invaluable work experience whilst completing my course. I now plan to study BSc in Sports Therapy at University of East London' .
Simona Maciute, who also received a triple distinction in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Public Services said: 'My learning experience has been incredible, even during Covid-19, the College has supported me in transitioning to online learning and reaching my career aspirations of studying towards a degree' .
Stephanie Antwi, BTEC Health and Social Care student is celebrating a remarkable achievement; not only gaining triple distinction but securing a role as a Support Worker, during Covid-19. She said: 'I have been successful on balancing my learning whilst offering my service during this pandemic. I am really excited about starting my studies at Coventry University to study BA in Childhood and I am forever grateful for the support by Waltham Forest College staff.'
Principal and CEO of Waltham Forest College, Janet Gardner said:
'We are very proud of our students and for the resilience and determination that they have shown to complete their courses online. The whole college transitioned quickly to virtual learning and our teachers have done a fantastic job at supporting all of our amazing students to achieve their ambitions whilst delivering innovative and engaging learning' .
The College has a wide range of vocational courses and apprenticeship routes for GSCE students awaiting results. Contact the Learner Services Team on 020 8501 8501 or visit the College website www.waltham.ac.uk for more information on application and enrolment.
The exceptional achievement of Safia Merabtene, from Waltham Forest College, was celebrated at the BTEC Awards this year as she was awarded the prestigious bronze BTEC Award for Sport.
Safia Merabtene, aged 17, was recognised by teachers and peers for her continuous hard work and dedication throughout studying for the qualification. Her proactivity, passion, tenacity and willingness to help and support others led to outstanding BTEC results.
Safia's commitment to creating her future at Waltham Forest College was celebrated at the tenth anniversary of Pearson's annual BTEC Awards hosted online on 25 June 2020 at 2pm.
Safia commented: " I'm very grateful for winning this award and being the first student in the sports cohort at my college to ever be nominated. This means a lot to me as I know I can achieve what I put my mind to.
'This has motivated me even more to work even harder to achieve my goals. I'm very thankful for my teachers nominating me and giving me this chance to create my future and gaining a better chance of university's accepting me.'
The 2020 BTEC Awards comprised of 17 categories and was hosted by the presenter of the United Stand, YouTube influencer and BTEC Ambassador, Flex, with awards presented by Double Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock as well as actress and former BTEC Drama student at The BRIT School, Kellie Shirley. The expert panel of judges made up of Pearson's senior leadership team, journalists and external experts, carefully considered the nominees before deciding on the winners.'
Commenting on Safia's achievement, Head of Sport, Ambica Sanger: 'We're all hugely proud of everything Safia has achieved here at the College and it's so inspiring to see how much she gets out of all of her hard work and how generous she is in offering help to her peers. We look forward to seeing where all of her efforts take her in life.'
Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President BTEC and Apprenticeship, said: 'This year I've been over-whelmed'by the quality of BTEC Award nominations we received and I am delighted to celebrate this year's winners and the achievements of all learners who will be awarded a BTEC this year. Over the past few weeks and'months,'we've seen how'the current pandemic has highlighted the critical'role of key workers and individuals'who'are likely to have'followed a vocational'educational'pathway such as BTEC.'
Pearson has overseen BTEC qualifications for over 30 years and during this time the qualifications have equipped millions of learners with the knowledge and practical skills that employers need.
A poll by Pearson found that two-thirds of medium-sized businesses have hired BTEC graduates in the last five years, and nearly a quarter of learners going to university do so with a BTEC. An overwhelming majority of employers and young people want to keep their options open at 16 and gain the blend of academic, practical and transferable skills that are valued by industry and employers, that the BTEC offers.
In response to new careers emerging within industries and'ongoing change, Pearson is continually adapting and innovating its BTEC curriculum and learning'to ensure'it is'relevant for young people and adults'' supporting'progression and'career aspirations throughout lives.
The recently launched BTEC qualification in esports, in partnership with the British Esports Association, is a major step forward in supporting the creation of long-term careers in the growing esports industry both in the UK and internationally. Esports is forecast grow by 20 percent in 2020 alone ' reaching a value of $1.1bn and an audience nearly 500m people. In addition, Pearson's BTEC partnership with Liverpool Football Club, announced earlier this month, will enable learners in international markets to acquire the expertise, skills and knowledge required for careers in the rapidly expanding global sports sector.
Waltham Forest College is the first London college to announce they will continue the offer of free meals over the summer holidays targeting the most vulnerable 16-18-year-old students.
Waltham Forest College has made a firm commitment, showing how important the role that further education colleges play in supporting communities across the country and helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with extra food support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a campaign by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, the Department for Education extended its free school meals vouchers scheme to feed vulnerable pupils throughout the holidays, however the extended scheme does not currently apply to 16- to 18-year-olds.
College senior leaders ring-fenced some of its budget to provide disadvantaged students with free meals over the summer. The college is the latest FE institution to set aside money to help make sure students have access to food, despite no extra funding from the government to do so.
Principal, Di Gowland said: 'We are aware of some of the pressures families are facing and the impact caused on the economy from COVID-19, we want to ensure that our vulnerable students can focus on preparing for their future rather than worrying about going hungry over the summer' .
Research published by the National Union of Students (NUS) in April revealed that 33 percent of FE students have had to cut back on their spending on food since the start of the pandemic.
Di Gowland, said 'This is the right decision, totally embracing our values, and we will continue to explore and give support to learners who need it during these unprecedented times. FE colleges have always been the forgotten sector in education for years with huge funding cuts and this is a great example of the proactive measures taken by Waltham Forest College ahead of the government' .
A decision is yet to be made by the Department of Education on whether the scheme will extend to FE colleges.
Waltham Forest College provides an unrivalled opportunity for prospective students to meet teaching and support teams as they experience what it's like to be part of the college community.
The College successfully delivered a series of virtual open day events dedicated to school leavers and adults who wish to explore further education opportunities; An important step in making an informed decision about future prospect.
With the current pandemic Colleges and sixth forms are having to try and recreate these vital experiences through virtual platforms aiming to replicate, where possible, the experience a student would encounter at a regular campus event.
Waltham Forest College put on a series of remote platforms so that prospective students can discover the social, career and learning experience. A series of live-streamed media was released across social media platforms whilst existing students promoted their experience through course-related videos.
Marketing Manager, Antoinette Beekye, said 'Our staff have shown great flexibility in adapting to the current realities of the coronavirus pandemic and continue our ' business as usual' approach. Many students join us because of the learner experience, and we are thrilled that our teams have been able to recreate virtual experiences that will allow prospective students to gain an insight of what it's like to study at London's number one College for learner experience' .
Colleges across England educate and train 2.2 million people each year and this has never been more important as the nation emerges from the COVID19 pandemic and education and skills will be vital to reviving the local community and London economy.
Director of Learner Services and Marketing, Amir Ahmed said: 'We are uniquely placed at the heart of our community and we plan to instil hope to a generation of young people currently worried about their career prospects now and in the future. Colleges and Sixth Forms will need to invest in our young people as it will be they who rebuild the country only if we support and inspire them now.'
Waltham Forest College has been working closely with local schools and partners to ensure that COVID19 does not set young people back and they are recognised to become the generation that builds the UK's future.
Waltham Forest College is pleased to announce that Janet Gardner has been appointed as Principal and CEO and will join the college on July 31, 2020.
Janet is an exceptionally experienced strategic leader with a successful record of high performance in senior leadership roles within diverse and complex FE colleges, as well as having a successful previous commercial experience in the private sector. Janet is passionate about promoting equality of opportunity and has led on several regional and national projects in collaboration with other organisations to support hard to reach pockets of the community.
Janet has significant experience of working in the Further Education sector in London and as Deputy CEO at Newham College brings with her a wide network of stakeholder relationships as well as a deep understanding of the complexities of working and living in East London.
Janet said, 'I am delighted to be joining Waltham Forest College at this exciting stage in its journey and to lead its ambitious vision and strategy for the future. I am looking forward to working with students, staff and stakeholders to further reinforce its position as an anchor institution in North East London, serving the needs of its communities and employers.'
Paul Butler, Chair of Corporation at Waltham Forest College said, ' I am delighted to welcome Janet to the college. She is joining at an exciting time as we drive forward our college Vision and Strategy to ensure the college is delivering an expansive and progressive curriculum to meet the needs of growing industries and equip students with the skills that meet the demands of the modern workplace. This has never been more important as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and education and skills will be vital to reviving our local community and London economy.'
'The Governing body has every confidence that Janet will draw on her extensive experience and bring fresh thinking to share with the senior team to drive forward our ambitious plans for the college. I am very much looking forward to working with her.'
Joanne Aldridge, a long-serving staff member at Waltham Forest College transformed her home into an NHS production suite answering the call to sew scrubs for NHS workers at Homerton University Hospital.
Staff members at Waltham Forest College are clapping for Fashion Technician and Garment Demonstrator Joanne Aldridge, for volunteering her time to become a hero to our NHS heroes.
The idea to start her own NHS project came after being approached by her cousin who was seeking elastic sources to produce NHS face masks. Joanne then began an extensive search online for ways to support the NHS, where she signed up for support groups on Facebook ' ' For The Love of Scrubs', ' Queens Hospital, Romford' and ' Sewing 4 the NHS'.
Joanne extended her efforts by teaming up with a former colleague and fashion lecturer, Alison Donahue, forming the Facebook group 'NHS Production' and transforming her home into an NHS production suite during the lockdown period. Over the past weeks, they have used their joint resources to make scrubs and facemasks for Homerton University Hospital, a local care home and a local G.P. Surgery.
Joanne has also connected some of Waltham Forest College's suppliers to voluntary organisations and individuals. As a result of her efforts, organisations such as The Children's Scrap Project in Homerton donated hundreds of metres of fabric, which has been used by ' Sewing 4 The NHS'.
Joanne, who has been working for the college for 20 years, said: 'I feel immensely proud that I have been able to play my part and have used my skills to help support our NHS.
'Many thanks to the College for supporting me and allowing me to access and use available resources.'
Students and staff have embraced online learning platforms, eager and prepared for learning, thanks to Microsoft Teams and digital streaming technology.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all schools and Colleges has been instructed by the Government, to partially close its doors as everyone is being asked to minimise their contact with others.
Waltham Forest College is now teaching everything online from Construction to Tourism by using digital technology to support students with being able to complete their courses.
Staff have adapted brilliantly to the new technology that, for some, had never been used until a couple of weeks ago. This past month of massive change has meant that college lecturers have rewritten and restructured lessons plans that reflect different models of delivery whilst getting used to working remotely from home.
Kenn Starr, Electrical Lecturer shared photos of his home workspace with College staff and comments: 'I want my students to stay well and mentally active during this period, where there is too much uncertainty. You might have noticed the old school clapperboard I have been using to engage my learners which give my videos a bit of a twist' .
It is vitally important that all students studying for GCSEs and other vocational qualifications remain focused in the weeks and months ahead.
Mohammed Khan parent of Pathway to Independence Student Moheed, comments: 'My son is studying a course which requires a lot of 1:1 support from lecturers. The transition from campus to online learning has been incredibly smooth. Staff have been checking in regularly and incredibly supportive during this period.'
Students with additional learning and pastoral needs are being supported by dedicated learning support staff, who continue to provide ongoing personalised support that will ensure all students are making expected progress against their set targets. Students who normally access free school meals and those financially affected by the lockdown will continue getting financial support.
Deputy principal, Stella McManus comments 'I have been amazed by the commitment and innovation that continues to be shown by all our staff to support our students and the wider community.
'I am hugely grateful above all else, that our college community spirit continues to shine through during this incredibly difficult and fast-changing time. Colleges create communities and like many communities, we are staying connected while we are apart to ensure those, we care about most, stay safe and well' .
