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Research released by the Prince's Trust in September 2020 reveals, 'The aspirations of young people aged 16-25 in the UK are now lower as a result of the pandemic.'
This is an alarmingly tragic reflection of where young people find themselves.
It is not difficult to see why.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected young people across the country, whether it be disruption to schooling and exams, a reduced university experience or a disproportionate rise in youth unemployment.
This need not be the case and our nation's colleges are best placed to help shift, shape and raise young people's aspirations to reflect, embrace and sometimes challenge the changes that will exist in a post-pandemic Britain.
The question is, how?
Just over a year ago, I had been considering a way to boost the aspirations and hopes of our young people. This was at the time, a side-project, a response borne from seeing a shift after the Brexit vote and a sense of increased apathy and reduced hope among many young people.
As I said, it was initially a response to what I had seen emerge from Brexit. However, I believe it is more relevant today because of Covid-19.
The project, named ' Big Picture', works as a series of events and resources that would inspire students to actively think about their future, their career and how, no matter what role they play, they are making a valuable contribution to the economic and social security of the United Kingdom.
The intention is not to focus so much on the now, but to look ahead. What jobs could and will exist in the future in 5, 10, even 30 years' time?
Take a hard-hit sector such as travel & tourism. The immediate focus is to protect the sector as much as possible and then to concentrate efforts on rebuilding. Part of this rebuild will be exploring industries that were previously far-fetched plots in old sci-fi films, but now seem a reality. Space tourism comes to mind.
The Government is currently undergoing a consultation with the public to help shape 'Spaceport and spaceflight activities: regulations and guidance' . The UK already has a strong aerospace sector and opening us up to space tourism companies could create many more jobs in a sub-sector that has only just begun to exist. Jobs for students in engineering and science initially come to mind, but construction students will build the ports, business students will run a smooth company, travel students will provide the marketing and lawmakers and lawyers will be required to create and navigate the legislation new industries demand.
It is no longer enough to talk to students about the careers of today. Colleges must embrace the unknown and talk about careers of the future and how today's careers will evolve.
The Prime Minister has recently announced the start of a new 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution. One that would also lead to new industries and new green jobs, helping the UK meet the 2050 net-zero carbon emission target.
This is a positive step and young people will be at the helm of this change, leading us into the future.
Space tourism, electric and driverless cars, artificial intelligence. They may all be at the early stages now, but in 30 years' time they could be the norm.
The content within the ' Big Picture' campaign is not new. Curriculum does teach for the future. But in this hopefully brief era with economic and social uncertainty maybe a dedicated, even cross-college campaign is required to tie it all together and foster discussions among our young people and ourselves to show that, if we look towards the future, things will be a little brighter.
In partnership with the Jobcentre Plus, the Youth Hub will improve the life chances of young people across the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on young people in London and in particular their job opportunities. Waltham Forest College has worked in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions' Jobcentre Plus to develop a Youth Hub which is based within the College. Launching in October, this strategic relationship focuses on the needs of the local community, especially supporting young people dealing with the impact of COVID-19, during this unprecedented time.
The Youth Hub aims to provide employability and skills advice to young people, who will have instant access to specialist advisory teams, referring them to training opportunities linked to their career prospects.
Taken together, these measures are not only helping young people to receive the support they need now but ensure they continue to have access to the guidance, resources and opportunities that will help them build successful careers in the future as the UK begins its economic recovery.
Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said:
'By rolling out Youth Hubs across local communities, like this one at Waltham Forest College, young people will be able to access vital support from our Work Coaches and get matched with local employment and training opportunities. We are serious about investing in young people as we get Britain back to work. That's why, as part of our Youth Offer, we are injecting £2 billion into the Kickstart scheme, creating new, subsidised, high-quality roles for under 25s as we continue our work to protect, support and create jobs.'
Waltham Forest College has a strong history of delivering courses to unemployed Waltham Forest residents and has also launched a new Civil Service Sector-Based Work Academy Programme with the Jobcentre Plus, providing east London residents with the support and potential employment opportunities in the Civil Service. This is a great opportunity for people wishing to enter employment or wishing to retrain for new career opportunities.
College Principal & CEO, Janet Gardner said:
'We are proud to be the first College to launch a Youth Hub with Jobcentre Plus and we will continue to drive forward our college vision and strategy to further serve the needs of our local community. We are mindful of the impact of Covid-19, particularly in east London and are pleased to be working with Jobcentre Plus in order to provide a swift response to support the region. Education and skills are vital to reviving London's economy and this opportunity will kickstart the careers of thousands of young people, who could otherwise be left behind, as the result of the recent pandemic.'
The new William Morris Design Line is a local community-focused design route through the streets of Walthamstow. Inspired by Morris's statement ' art made by the people and for the people', this first year focuses on the local community coming together to celebrate creativity, resilience and inspire future young creatives.
The Line is produced as part of Urban by Nature, a creative programme from lead partners William Morris Big Local and Wood Street Walls, supported by Creative Civic Change which uses the arts and creativity to create meaningful civic change.
This unique design route uses local street art as a social fabric connecting areas, creative organisations and partners together with new design collaborations and interventions. Each design theme and intervention weaves a creative journey through the area, taking people along the main roads of Wood Street, Forest Road and up to Blackhorse Road.
The artist & designer Fandangoe Kid collaborated with a group of creative and fashion students from Waltham Forest College to explore themes of unity, change and design as a form of activism. They explored the language, statements and typographic design ideas around positive change and the future through Zoom workshops during the lockdown.
Fandangoe Kid, said: 'I can't remember a time when engaging in politics felt more important. The piece is about gathering young people's voices, speaking out and pushing change forward. Every young person I have worked with to develop the narrative for this piece has said that there is no longer a place for apathy when it comes to politics, we have to push change forward together now and 2020 has been exemplary of this ' things are urgent; we can't afford to stay silent, any of us.'
The launch event attracted funders, local business partners and the leader of Waltham Forest Council, Cllr Clare Coghill.
Clare said: 'Being the first London Borough of Culture last year really allowed the creative community of Waltham Forest to come together and showcase its incredible talent and this project involving Waltham Forest College students and the local community is a clear reminder that culture is still at the heart of the borough.'
College Principal, Janet Gardner said: 'I am delighted that students from Waltham Forest College have been able to take part in this exciting project, working with leading artist Fandangoe Kid, the production team and key community partners. We greatly value the voice of our young people and are proud that they have created an uplifting and powerful, large scale art installation called ' Stairwell of Dreams' on the iconic college steps' .
Waltham Forest College Creative Arts Lecturer and Graffiti Artist, David Warburton, teams up with over 23 graffiti, street and contemporary artists to deliver ART vs Covid, an online auction and exhibition to raise funds for the NHS and a number of other frontline charities around the world.
Former Sheffield graffiti artist and collector, now college lecturer, Dee Warburton watched as people in the UK rallied to support the NHS.
He wanted to help and set about forming ' ART vs Covid', an online art auction which he hopes will raise at least £100,000 for the NHS and several other charities, with support from the College and a number of famous artist friends in lockdown around the world.
The pieces listed for the auction have been produced by a combination of the world's highly respected and up-coming artists with many pieces being an original 1 of 1. The artists have agreed to part with valuable graffiti and street art pieces from their collections, or create new art using the coronavirus and lockdown as their theme. Named among them are:
Mode2, Temper, Daim, Tasso, Bg183, HolyMoly, Hombre, Cheeky and Trik09.
David said: 'I messaged contacts from New York to New Zealand and virtually all of them said it was a brilliant idea and wanted to get involved.
'Banksy was approached but was unable to commit. However, he has wished the project all the best.'
Hugo Smith, Film Director/Producer of the Graffiti Wars documentary said: 'David Warburton was a significant and central contributor for the "Graffiti Wars" film that was celebrated when it was released in 1999 and has proved influential on a subsequent generation of graffiti artists in the UK.
Martin Jones, from Hip Hop Heritage Charitable Association, commented: 'I applaud the vision of Dee Warburton in bringing together some of the finest artists in Graffiti Art for this global charity fundraising project that supports the NHS and a number of charities due to Covid-19.'
Waltham Forest College is supporting the project with an exhibition featuring the ' ART vs Covid' pieces and Art and Design students are working on Street and Graffiti Art over their summer break with pieces already submitted by students'.
Currently, the most expensive piece up for auction is a prestigious £50,000 canvas painted by world-renowned English Graffiti Artist ' Temper' with profits from the sale of this exclusive piece depicting some of Great Britain's most loved black celebrities such as Ian Wright MBE, Dame Kelly Holmes and Goldie MBE going to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
The auction will be live up until the end of October to help celebrate Black History Month UK. Profits from the auction will mainly be going to NHS Charities Together, Shelter Homeless Charity plus other charities around the world chosen by the artists.
For more information and to bid, visit the auction website here - https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/ART-vs-Covid-12786 or contact
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.
